Get to know our essay coaches! We sat down to interview Kevin Trudel, one of our College Admissions Specialists!

What is one thing you wish more students knew before applying to college?

Fit matters. It is not just another buzzword.

There are universities with greater salary outcomes than Harvard. There are better pathways to becoming a doctor than being a Biochemistry major at Johns Hopkins. Conventional wisdom and U.S. News rankings can only take you so far.

Take the time to be honest with yourself about who you are and what you want. Investigate where the best fits are. If you do this properly, not only will you have a better college list, but you will also be more likely to get into the schools you apply to.

What was the scariest part of applying to college for you, and how did you get through it?

Not having the support I needed. School counselors and some family members weren’t in my corner for the educational path I wanted to pursue; it’s why I’m so adamant about providing customized support to my students now. Ultimately, I accessed whatever resources and people were willing to help and did the best I could. It was a messy process, but I got where I needed to go.

What was your favorite part of college?

The Dining Hall. No, really!

There is something distinct about having a part of your routine centered around meeting and socializing with an intellectually passionate and socially minded group of people. Even when the food wasn’t great, I truly enjoyed cracking jokes with my friends, asking them about new things they were learning, and sharing my hopes for the future with them.

A close second was all the theatre opportunities I was able to access. Going to college at a small school in a small Iowa town, I wasn’t expecting much as a theatre kid, but I got to act and help support a lot of productions. I learned new types of movement and met many writers and craftsmen. I even saw shows on London’s West End while studying abroad.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to freshman at your school?

Your peers and professors are more invested in your success than you think; let them be a part of your journey, and be present in theirs.

What’s on your desk right now?

My laptop, my tortie-shell cat Matilda, a group of Lego Potted Plants, and an absurdly large coffee from Dunkin’.