At Top Tier Admissions, our counselors bring decades of experience, deep knowledge of the admissions process, and a personal commitment to every student they work with. In our Counselor Spotlight series, we’re introducing you to the incredible individuals behind our high-touch, expert guidance. Learn more about their unique backgrounds, educational philosophies, and what inspires them to help students reach their college goals.
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS: COUNSELOR SPOTLIGHT
Meet Kylie. As a Senior Private Counselor at Top Tier Admissions, she guides students and families through every stage of the college admissions process. With more than 12 years of experience in highly selective admissions—including her most recent role as Director of Recruitment at Johns Hopkins University—Kylie brings deep insight into what top universities seek in applicants. Holding a Master’s in Liberal Arts and a Leadership Development Certificate from Johns Hopkins, Kylie combines her expertise in Positive Psychology and passion for mentoring emerging leaders to empower students to approach the college admissions process with confidence and clarity.
With your extensive background in selective admissions and recruitment, how do you help students differentiate themselves in a highly competitive applicant pool, particularly when many have strong academic profiles?
While each school is unique in their institutional mission, most selective institutions care deeply about an applicant’s academic character beyond just the numbers (GPA, rank, testing). I work closely with students to help them identify and deepen their intellectual interests, then guide them in showing, not just telling, admissions offices about their curiosity and initiative. This approach ensures their applications reflect authentic engagement, not just strong numbers.
Top Tier Admissions emphasizes a personalized approach. How do you tailor your guidance to meet the unique strengths, goals, and developmental needs of each student over the course of the admissions process?
When I start working with a student, I spend time getting to know them fully. Not just their academics and extracurricular involvement, but who they are as an individual. I want to know more about their motivations, their interests, and why they matter to them. Every student is unique, and by meeting them where they are, I can tailor my guidance to highlight their specific strengths and goals. For me, one of the most rewarding parts of this work is helping students discover and embrace what makes them distinct.
Your passion for Positive Psychology and experience in leadership coaching suggest a strong emphasis on mindset. How do you support students in building resilience and confidence during what can be a high-pressure and uncertain time?
I first acknowledge the stress of the process and reassure students and families that they’re not navigating it alone. It’s important to me that the student sees me as a reliable partner. By setting clear expectations, milestones, and goals upfront, I remove uncertainty and make the journey more manageable. As student progress step by step, their confidence grows. I absolutely love seeing them recognize their own resilience as they accomplish their goals!
Having worked at the institutional level and now in private counseling, what insights have you gained about how students and families can best navigate the evolving landscape of college admissions?
We are experiencing some significant shifts in higher education, and it can feel very overwhelming for students and families. It’s important to stay organized and utilize the resources available to learn more about how the changing landscape is impacting each institution. Students should sign up for mailing lists, reach out to current students and/or their regional Admissions Officers, attend in-person and virtual events, and keep track of what they learn. Not only will this help them navigate the evolving landscape, but this will also allow them to demonstrate genuine, school-specific interest in their application.
As a former Director of Recruitment and a mentor to emerging leaders, how do you empower students not only to gain admission to top colleges but also to develop a clear sense of purpose and direction beyond the acceptance letter?
Admissions outcomes are important, but I also work with students on developing skills and learning important lessons that they will carry with them beyond high school. I embrace a strength-based counseling approach, which helps empower students to lean into and build their strengths over time. Each student has a set of natural abilities, and they grow in confidence when they recognize them and use them to accomplish their goals.
From your experience in the admissions office at Johns Hopkins, what key qualities or experiences did you consistently see in successful applicants, and what advice would you give to current high school students who hope to stand out in the admissions process? Additionally, what do you think makes Johns Hopkins truly unique compared to other top-tier universities?
Like the students I get to work with now, applicants to Johns Hopkins were incredibly unique and diverse. The most successful applicants weren’t defined by a single activity but by their ability to demonstrate academic character, impact, initiative, and alignment with the institution’s mission. My advice: go beyond the classroom, show curiosity in action, and highlight the ways you’ve impacted your communities. Do your research and connect your story to a school’s values.
Johns Hopkins is an institution of “firsts.” It was the first research university in the United States, and it continues to be a global leader in discovery and innovation. Its Baltimore location is also a distinctive asset, offering incredible opportunities for research, internships, and community engagement, with Washington D.C. and Philadelphia just a short trip away.
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