My College Dreams

As a young first generation student, I dreamed of going to college. Although my mother and father, immigrants from Mexico and Germany respectively, had not attended university, I was determined that I would. When I first set foot on the Rice University campus, I knew it was the place for me. I received my B.A. in Political Science and German and also met my husband at Rice.

Research Buff

I'm a research buff! If I don't know the answer, I will find it. My love of reading, research and writing attracted me to the field of law. I received my J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and certification in mediation from the University of Houston Law Center. I practiced corporate law for 15 years. I also volunteered as a bilingual student tutor twice a week for many years at an elementary school not far from my workplace.

My Philosophy

I know that each student's journey is unique--there is "no one plan fits all," so I tailor my services to meet a student's individual needs. Each student has their own gifts, skills, talents and values. I want to help your student effectively communicate and share these with the colleges of their choice.  I find purpose in learning about your student's interests and goals and empowering them in the journey of applying to the "right-fit" colleges that can be the foundation for their own unique purpose and destiny.

My Journey

In 2002, I left my law practice to devote myself full time to raising our two sons. While they were students at St. John's School, I was an avid parent volunteer. Starting in 2013, I was employed at St. John's for six years, working in Community Relations and Communication. As my sons each began their college admissions journeys, I became very interested in researching the admissions process. My older son graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2015 and my younger son graduated from Duke University in 2019. 
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In 2018, I attended the independent college counseling Summer Training Institute at Swarthmore College through the Independent Education Consultants Association. I attend professional conferences, visit colleges throughout the country and speak to admissions staff and administration to remain informed of current developments in the college admissions environment and share this information, providing recommendations and guidance to my students.

We are so grateful to Gisela. She goes above and beyond. She guided our son to look into schools that had the program he was interested in. At our request, she developed a relationship with his high school’s college counselor and kept in touch with her throughout the process. Having our first child go through the process, it put us at ease knowing that Gisela was making sure our son was on schedule. His essays truly reflected who he is and I know that she brought that out in him. Our son said it best when he got accepted to his first choice, “I am calling Gisela!” It was an easy choice to call Gisela again last year when our daughter was a Junior--Gisela’s the best!

AM

From Colorado, Son and Daughter attending Texas A&M

I was impressed last fall with how H progressed with the essay drafting and refinement and then the application process, and how calm and diligent she was.  I know you were instrumental with that.  I am also confident that we parents could not have provided her with anything close to the level of insight and experience that you did.
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Over the last few years, H put in the work that would enable her to have a successful admissions experience, but you certainly helped her present herself in the best way.  We are very proud and excited for her.  I hope that you are also proud of her and the role you played.  Your job must be quite rewarding this time of year as you receive word of where your seniors are heading and receive messages such as this.  Again, thank you for working with H and helping get her to where it seems she belongs.

GH

From Texas, H admitted to UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, UT Austin, University of Washington, Rutgers

Thank you, Gisela, for so expertly shepherding C over the last year as she completed her admissions journey in May 2021. I appreciate that you became and remained genuinely engaged with C, to know and help her.  You prompted C so she could identify specific academic, social, community and personal highlights.  You read drafts of her personal statement and provided valuable feedback.  Your guidance allowed her to present these interestingly and in her authentic voice.   The results of working with you were outstanding.  C was accepted to 11 schools, and many offered generous financial and prestigious merit awards.  She was accepted by the school of her choice.  As her parent, I observed significant maturation, development of self-advocacy skills and increased self-confidence during the year she worked with you. Your support during the admissions process clearly had transformative ripple effects and outcomes not only for C, but also for me. 

NM

From Virginia, C admitted to Christopher Newport, Old Dominion, Emory & Henry, Lynchburg and others, at Virginia Commonwealth Univ with merit

Gisela was our daughter and son‘s college counselor. She came highly recommended by a mutual friend. She was an absolute gem! My kids have very different personalities and goals. Different communication and work practices. Yet she was able to connect and guide them both with positive success. She made great college suggestions, which matched their checklists, grades and test scores. She was organized. Kept them on a timely task schedule. Gisela was prompt and responsive. Very kind and honest. My kids say they would’ve had a horrible time applying if it hadn’t been for her. In the end, both kids got into some exceptional and unique schools and were awarded several merit based scholarships. They had many wonderful domestic and international options to choose from. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for guidance through the college application process!

AB

From Colorado, Daughter accepted to University of Colorado Boulder, Parsons Paris, Parsons New York, Franklin Univ Switzerland, Miami of Ohio
Son accepted to University of Southern California, University of Colorado Boulder, Univ of San Diego, Univ of Vermont, Northeastern, SMU

I just wanted to follow-up on my college decision, but most importantly, I wanted to say thank you for all of your help on preparing my best college admissions essay. I felt that my essay carried all that I stood for and believed in and I would not have it any other way. You helped me open up my heart to all of the colleges and I can now walk proudly, claiming that I am a future Longhorn at the University of Texas at Austin! In addition to helping me gain acceptance into UT, the brainstorming and essay you helped me with laid the groundwork for the many essays I submitted into various scholarship applications, not only affording me the Houston Livestock Rodeo Scholarship, but also the Evan E. Worthing Scholarship and the Wilbern Heritage Scholarship. If it was not for your dedication to my success and your belief in my story, my full-ride to UT would have simply remained a dream. You have helped  bring my dream to fruition and with all my heart, I thank you.

DN

From Texas, accepted to UT Austin with several merit scholarships

I wanted to thank you for all the time you took to help me with my college essays! I really couldn’t have completed the college process without you.You helped me brainstorm and deeply explore the topics that spoke to me. My essays feel so genuine and allow my personality to shine through. I greatly appreciate your dedication to helping me make the essays the best they could be (I love them). Thanks again and I’ll keep you posted with updates!

SJ

From New York, attending Tulane University

You're a great mentor who made my college applications process stress-free. What I loved is how you prioritize authenticity and finding the colleges truest to myself and my interests. I always felt like I was in the driver's seat and making an application that was wholly authentic to who I was, but you helped bring my personality and passions out through guiding conversations and outstanding editing. You also brought such great expertise and knowledge about the process, and I went from feeling so stressed and confused to secure knowing I had someone who would give me great advice and guidance. Thanks to your help, I was accepted to really amazing schools and pretty much every school I applied to.

HH

From Washington, accepted to Dartmouth College, UC-Berkeley, UCLA, Duke University, University of Oklahoma with full merit

Let's Talk!

You can contact Gisela anytime! Feel free to send her an email at : Gisela@admissionsjourney.com

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carolyn@admissionsjourney.com

Admissions Journey welcomes all gender expressions and sexual orientations. We reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including but not limited to those based on race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, religion, citizenship status, or sexual orientation.