High-touch, strategic advising for selective college admissions.

Thoughtful, structured support for families seeking deeper guidance.

The college admissions landscape has become increasingly high-volume.
Many counselors manage large caseloads, rely on standardized scripts, and move quickly from draft to draft.

Under those conditions, it becomes difficult to understand a student’s voice, perspective, or intellectual direction — the very things selective colleges are trying to assess.

My work is designed for families who want a slower, more deliberate process grounded in careful listening, thoughtful strategy, and respect for each student’s individuality.

Students are not problems to solve or applications to rush through.
They are thinkers, learners, and observers with distinct ways of making sense of the world.

A strong application can only emerge when those nuances are fully understood.

When families work with me, they can expect a process that is:

  • Deliberate and well-paced

  • Structured to reduce confusion and stress

  • Focused on clarity, reflection, and coherence

  • Tailored to the student’s voice, values, and intellectual direction

My practice is intentionally small to ensure each student receives the depth of attention the work truly requires.

Families often come to me when they want more than surface-level editing, and are ready for a thoughtful, strategic partnership.

If that sounds like the kind of support you’re looking for, the next step is a consultation.

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Ana Barros is a Harvard University alumna and MBA candidate at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. She spent eight years at Harvard in academic and professional roles, including three years as a Resident Tutor supporting high-achieving undergraduates.

Ana brings a strategic, narrative-centered approach to the application process, guiding a select number of students each year with clarity, intentionality, and depth.

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