The conductor of the journey.

Choosing to name our practice Grad Central Station is rooted in our belief that, just as it happens in the legendary terminal in New York that inspired our name, ours is a place where incredible journeys begin. The college admissions process is one of the most important journeys a student will ever take, and we are honored when a student and family make the choice to take this journey with us.

We are not a large, impersonal college consulting firm. We value the process of building trusted and authentic relationships with our clients for whom we spare no effort in trying to create a match between student and institution where fit is everything. Our definition of success is that a student thrives academically and socially on campus, contributing their intellect, values, and personality to their college community while savoring the opportunity to learn and be enriched by the experiences and knowledge of their instructors and fellow students.

At the core of our process is discovery and understanding – only when a student fully explores their motivations for college and identifies what they want out of themselves and the college experience can the right college fit be revealed. Too often, students and parents simply look at rankings to determine the application list. We believe this approach has significant risks for the student experience, so we make use of many inputs to arrive at a thoughtful application portfolio.

The promise of higher education can be revealed to everyone. Our founder is a first-generation college student from a disadvantaged background who went on to achieve two bachelor's degrees in engineering from UC Davis, a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford, his education in college counseling from UCLA, a long list of executive-level marketing positions in various industries and board of director roles for one of America’s most recognized non-profit organizations. That kind of legacy can belong to anyone, including first-generation college students who have a special place in our heart. If cost could be a barrier to you securing the college guidance you deserve, we have a limited number of sliding scale arrangements that can be offered if certain requirements are met.