Empowering young people to thrive academically and personally in an ever-evolving world.

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About Custom Academic Coaching

You know that the educational options your teen has and the choices they make will impact their experiences and outcomes. After all, they need to be ready to meet the world’s ever-changing needs.

I’m here to help you clear the chaos of college admissions--to dispel the myths, demystify the rules, and give you a complete picture of your options so that your family can make informed decisions that work for you and on every level.

Since founding Custom Academic Coaching in 2014, I’ve offered a holistic alternative to the one-size-fits-all college and graduate school admissions advice, helping students actualize their potential and emerge skillfully into adulthood with personally tailored, research-informed coaching.

At Custom Academic Coaching, I empower young people to thrive personally and academically in an ever-evolving world.


Cultivate your best identity.

Face life courageously.

Discover hidden talents.

Become a powerful self-advocate.

Gain clarity.

Cultivate your best identity. Face life courageously. Discover hidden talents. Become a powerful self-advocate. Gain clarity.

A multidisciplinary approach.

I spent my 20’s working in college admissions, law, the arts world, small business ventures and, of course, solo as an educator and admissions counselor.

Today, I use those varied experiences--and the lessons from living in uncertain times--to help young people develop the skills and outlook they need to thrive in the face of unpredictability.

I use the knowledge I developed working in college admissions to understand how gatekeepers make decisions.

I bring a tactical approach from years of debate and moot court, working in law firms, and attending law school to help students make strategic choices that put them ahead of the competition.  

I use my skills as a writer and editor to help students craft skillful and compelling narratives to win the hearts and minds of their readers.

I apply my experience as an educator to connect with students and help them learn to learn more effectively and more joyfully.

The results speak for themselves. Since founding Custom Academic Coaching in 2014, 97% of the college applicants I’ve worked with have been admitted to one or more of their three top-choice colleges.

See what they say about their experiences working with me.

  • "Working with Nena was some of the most rewarding time I've ever spent. Beyond simply collaborating on a good plan for the entire college application process and helping me write excellent essays, Nena was able to guide me as a mentor. My only regret is that we didn't start even sooner."

    Ethan, Cognitive Science student, UC San Diego

  • "Nena is patient, dedicated, and knows exactly how to build trust with both students and parents. [My daughter] Leyla was able to secure admission to several nation top universities."

    Carlo, Software Engineering Executive & Proud Dad

  • "If it wasn’t for Nena’s counseling I wouldn’t have been able to transfer to my dream school: NYU Tisch!"

    Arhana, Film Student, New York University

  • "Nena is the G.O.A.T. She helped me write stellar essays that got me into colleges like Harvey Mudd, UCSD, UCI, and a full scholarship to Oxy!!!"

    Mansib, Engineering Student, Harvey Mudd

  • "The outcomes of this process were OUTSTANDING. Our kiddo ended up with over 15 college acceptances, and all of them included generous merit scholarships, several colleges at $30,000 merit per year, as well as honors college invites in many cases."

    Daley, Business Owner & Proud Mom

  • "We wish we had consulted Nena earlier as my daughter was devastated last year after a string of rejections. With Nena's professional expertise, our daughter was admitted as a sophomore transfer to her dream college!"

    Monica, Business Owner & Proud Mom

  • "Nena really made the process significantly easier and less stressful. I wholeheartedly believe it is because of her guidance that I was able to get into my dream college (USC's Ioving & Young Academy)."

    David, Business Student, University of Southern California

  • "I consider myself a good writer, but Nena really took it to the next level. I felt that my essays were a lot stronger due to her critique and questioning. Big thanks for her for helping me get into NYU, USC, AND my dream school, UCLA. Go Bruins!"

    Vishruth, Medical Student, UCLA

  • "I was recently accepted to the PhD program at Johns Hopkins University due in no small part to Nena's extremely helpful counseling. As I pack my bags, I am grateful for Nena's positive advice, editorship, and most of all, gracefulness in the face of my worry."

    Mason, Doctoral Student, Johns Hopkins University

  • "Presenting the best version of myself has always given me extreme anxiety. Nena changed my life. She helped me realize that I have so much more to say than I ever thought I did."

    Emma, History Student, Bryn Mawr

  • "My only regret is that we did not begin to work with Nena sooner. I was impressed with Nena’s ability to draw my daughter out about her experiences and then help her craft effective narratives about those experiences. These discussions became the basis of her application essays. Working with Nena on a consistent basis helped remove much of the stress and anxiety out of the process for the whole family."

    Gloria, Proud Mom

  • "Nena is so much more than just a college advisor. She is a mentor, a supportive friend, a confidant and your student's biggest cheerleader. If Nena doubled her rates she would still be undercharging for her services."

    Nancy, Attorney & Proud Mom

  • "Thanks to Nena my son was accepted into UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSB, Cal Poly SLO, and UCSD. He was offered a scholarship from the UC system. He also used the same essay with some slight changes for another scholarship giving him an extra $5,000 a year for college."

    Colin, LAPD Detective & Proud Dad

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