Academy
Our Counselors
TJ
Counselor/Tutor
TJ has been advising, consulting, and tutoring students in the Palos Verdes Peninsula for the last ten years, giving him an intimate knowledge of the area and its student population. TJ has successfully guided hundreds of students through the ever-confusing labyrinth of college admissions and high school curriculum. Having studied in prestigious institutions himself, TJ understands the rigorous preparations that are needed to not only gain admissions, but also to succeed once the student begins his/her studies. TJ has master’s degrees in biochemistry and public policy from UCSF and Columbia University, respectively. TJ has also earned a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA. In addition to his extensive technical expertise, TJ’s ability to empathize and relate to students has garnered praise and trust from both students and parents.
Education
MA, Columbia
BS, UCSF
Major
Public Policy
Biochemistry
Language
English
Korean
Counseling Since
2009
Luke
Counselor/Tutor
Born and raised in Palo Alto, California, Luke ventured to the East Coast for two years at Harvard College before transferring to Stanford University, where he earned his B.A. in English. Since 2003, he has helped hundreds of students achieve academic excellence. An expert in SAT and ACT prep, he has helped students increase, on average, 200 points in SAT and 4 points in ACT. A seasoned college counselor, he is particularly proud of the many students he’s helped gain admission to colleges which they thought were beyond their reach, including Stanford, UC Berkeley, Brown, MIT, and many others. He believes studying and college planning should feel empowering and efficient, and works hard to give his students a sense of personal mastery and independence.
Education
BA, Stanford
Major
English
Language
English
Counseling Since
2003
Cammy
Counselor/Tutor
Cammy is a lifelong educator and earned her BA in Communications (UCLA), EdM (Harvard University), and JD (Loyola Law School). She applies the skills and knowledge she has acquired over 30 years in the field of education. She has served as a teacher, counselor, and administrator in K-12 schools and universities and reviewed thousands of college and graduate school applications. Cammy has helped countless of students and their families successfully navigate through the maze of the college admissions process and gain acceptance to top private and public colleges of their choice. Cammy also specializes in interviewing prep for college and graduate admissions and mentoring students in their transition from high school to college.
Education
EdM, Harvard
BA, UCLA
JD, Loyola Law
Major
Education
Communication
Law
Language
English
Mandarin
Counseling Since
1996
Lucinda
Counselor/Tutor
Lucinda is a graduate of Milton Academy and The University of Pennsylvania. At Penn, she earned a bachelor’s degree in French literature, graduating with honors. After college Lucinda entered the book publishing industry in New York, working for companies such as W.W.Norton, Doubleday, and HarperCollins. She is a published translator from French to English of works of fiction and nonfiction. Lucinda has taught ESL and worked as an essay coach since 2017. Writing is her passion, and she is dedicated to teaching her students how to write winning, distinctive essays for both college admissions and competitions.
Education
BA, Penn
Major
French Literature
Language
English
French
Counseling Since
2017
Sukyoung
Counselor
Sukyoung became fascinated with the admissions process while working at the UCLA Undergraduate Admissions office while she was a student there. After graduation, she worked in finance and entrepreneurship and sold her first company at the age of 25. She has earned a certificate in college counseling from UCLA and is currently a masters candidate at Harvard Graduate School of Education and graduate research assistant with Harvard Kennedy School of Government. She is deeply committed to college access and success and helping students on their journey to becoming happy and intelligent adults. Sukyoung loves working with middle and high school students and helping them find the right passion projects that will set them apart. She understands the stress that young students may be under and strives to help them find balance while encouraging the importance of mental health.
Education
BS, BA UCLA
​Ed.M, Harvard
Major
Biology, Anthropology
Language
English
Korean
Counseling Since
2016