After navigating her own terrifying college search at 17 and earning acceptances to LSE, Columbia, and Georgetown, Yasiara now guides students worldwide through the same fear she once felt, backed by a TED Talk and international media recognition.

About Me

Yasiara Ortiz remembers exactly what it felt like at 17 to be terrified of choosing the wrong path — she went on to earn acceptances from the London School of Economics, King's College, McGill, Georgetown, and Columbia, ultimately choosing to stay in New York for the opportunities it offered. After graduating from Columbia with a double major in Economics and a Master's in International Relations, she worked with an NGO and AIG before following her heart to Milan, Italy.

While reviewing candidates at Politecnico di Milano, Yasiara noticed the same fear and uncertainty in applicant after applicant that she remembered feeling herself — and it became the spark for her life's work. For the past 13 years, she's guided students from all over the world through the admissions process, earning media recognition along the way with TV, radio, and press interviews, a TED Talk, and several award nominations. Today she works with the graduate programs at Columbia University and Babson College.

Specialty Areas

International to USA, Gap Year/Alternative Ed, General Ed Counseling, Transfer Planning, Grad School Admissions-General

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