Meet Ariana Kim
Education
Students Admitted To
Psychology-Based Approach
Ariana's expertise is rooted in Harvard psychology, where she researched developmental psychology for students and education. By integrating Self-Determination Theory and Growth Mindset Theory, she helps students develop intrinsic motivation, craft compelling narratives, and strategically position their extracurricular involvement.
Insider Admissions Knowledge
Ariana has worked professionally in both the undergraduate Office of Admissions and at the graduate admissions level at a top-25 university — giving her firsthand experience consulting high school students, undergraduates, and even master's and PhD candidates. As a first-generation Asian-American, she also understands the unique challenges students from underrepresented backgrounds face in the admissions process.
Structured & Personalized
Ariana's approach uses key performance metrics and individualized goal-setting frameworks tailored to each student's unique learning style and aspirations — ensuring they remain academically and personally fulfilled while crafting applications that resonate with elite institutions.
Relationship-First Philosophy
Personality and working fit between an admissions consultant and student is one of the most important factors parents should consider. Ariana prioritizes building genuine, trusting relationships so students feel comfortable reaching out for help, asking follow-up questions, and sharing the personal details that lead to the strongest possible essays. A strong consultant-student bond isn't a nice-to-have — it's what makes great outcomes possible.
Career Consulting & Real-World Experience
Ariana offers strong career consulting grounded in her own diverse professional journey. Having explored pre-law and pre-medicine pathways before building a career at a frontier artificial intelligence lab, she brings real-world perspective to help students think strategically about their futures — while continuing to support her passion for giving back by working with the next generation of students.
Selective & Dedicated
While based in Burlingame, California, Ariana works with students globally. She maintains a highly selective student intake per academic year, ensuring every family receives 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, reading, and hiking through scenic trails.