Meet Ariana Kim
Education
Harvard University, ALM Psychology & Certificate in Human Behavior
University of Southern California, BA Communication & Emphasis in Cognitive Science
Ariana Kim is a Harvard-trained, psychology-based expert in college admissions consulting with a decade of experience and a proven track record of success. She has helped over 300 students gain admission to top institutions, including Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, and all University of California campuses, including UC Berkeley and UCLA.
Ariana's expertise is deeply rooted in Harvard psychology, where she conducted extensive research in developmental psychology for students and education. Her master's thesis involved collaborating with fellow Harvard researchers, examining key psychological principles that drive student motivation, confidence-building, and long-term academic success. By integrating Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Growth Mindset Theory, she helps students develop intrinsic motivation, craft compelling narratives, and strategically position their extracurricular involvement for maximum impact.
As a first-generation Asian-American, Ariana understands firsthand the challenges that students—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—face in navigating the competitive college admissions landscape. Her personal journey led her to work in the University of Southern California's admissions office, where she gained insider knowledge of how top institutions assess prospective students. Her experience in reviewing applications at a competitive university gives her unique insight into what admissions officers truly look for, allowing her to guide students in crafting standout applications.
Ariana's approach is highly structured yet adaptable, using key performance metrics and individualized goal-setting frameworks to ensure students maintain a balanced, efficient, and strategic admissions process. She tailors each strategy to a student's unique learning style and aspirations, ensuring they remain both academically and personally fulfilled while crafting applications that resonate with elite institutions.
While based in Mountain View, California, Ariana works with students globally, having successfully guided applicants from the U.K., India, China, Korea, and beyond. Her students have secured offers from some of the world's most competitive institutions, and she takes pride in fostering not just admissions success but also personal growth and self-discovery throughout the journey.
To provide the highest level of personalized support, Ariana maintains a highly selective student intake per academic year, ensuring that every family receives the dedicated attention and expert guidance that mass-market admissions firms cannot offer.
When she's not working with students and families, Ariana enjoys interior design, meditative yoga, and hiking through scenic trails.
Ariana's expertise is deeply rooted in Harvard psychology, where she conducted extensive research in developmental psychology for students and education. Her master's thesis involved collaborating with fellow Harvard researchers, examining key psychological principles that drive student motivation, confidence-building, and long-term academic success. By integrating Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Growth Mindset Theory, she helps students develop intrinsic motivation, craft compelling narratives, and strategically position their extracurricular involvement for maximum impact.
As a first-generation Asian-American, Ariana understands firsthand the challenges that students—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—face in navigating the competitive college admissions landscape. Her personal journey led her to work in the University of Southern California's admissions office, where she gained insider knowledge of how top institutions assess prospective students. Her experience in reviewing applications at a competitive university gives her unique insight into what admissions officers truly look for, allowing her to guide students in crafting standout applications.
Ariana's approach is highly structured yet adaptable, using key performance metrics and individualized goal-setting frameworks to ensure students maintain a balanced, efficient, and strategic admissions process. She tailors each strategy to a student's unique learning style and aspirations, ensuring they remain both academically and personally fulfilled while crafting applications that resonate with elite institutions.
While based in Mountain View, California, Ariana works with students globally, having successfully guided applicants from the U.K., India, China, Korea, and beyond. Her students have secured offers from some of the world's most competitive institutions, and she takes pride in fostering not just admissions success but also personal growth and self-discovery throughout the journey.
To provide the highest level of personalized support, Ariana maintains a highly selective student intake per academic year, ensuring that every family receives the dedicated attention and expert guidance that mass-market admissions firms cannot offer.
When she's not working with students and families, Ariana enjoys interior design, meditative yoga, and hiking through scenic trails.