Expert College Counseling Services for Students Nationwide
The College Curators is a highly responsive and dedicated college counseling service in Los Angeles, founded by experienced admissions counselors Sarah Aibel and Julie Cohen. As Ivy League graduates, they bring proven experience in writing, critical thinking, strategic marketing, and organizational expertise to help students achieve their college goals.
Our team provides personalized college planning services and will review and strategize each student’s college admissions plan throughout the process, ensuring they have the best chance of success. We are committed to providing personalized guidance throughout the admissions process, making it less daunting for our clients.
Looking for a college counseling service that offers extensive expertise, support, and a team approach to help your student succeed? Consider The College Curators. We are committed to helping our clients achieve their college goals and providing exceptional guidance throughout the admissions process.
College Acceptances: Where Our Students Have Been Accepted:
- American University
- Arizona State University
- Art Center College of Design
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Barnard College
- Boston College
- Boston University
- Brandies University
- California Institute of Technology
- California Polytechnic University
- Carlton College
- Case Western University
- Chapman University
- Clark University
- Clemson University
- Colgate University
- College of Charleston
- Colorado School of the Mines
- Columbia College
- Columbia University
- Dartmouth College
- DePaul University
- Drexel University
- Elon University
- Emerson College
- Emory University
- Fordham University
- Georgetown University
- Haverford College
- Indiana University (Kelly)
- Kalamazoo College
- Kenyon College
- Lehigh University
- Loyola Chicago University
- Loyola Marymount University
- Macalester College
- Michigan State University
- Mount Holyoke College
- New School
- Northeastern University
- Northwestern University
- New York University
- Oberlin College
- Penn State
- Princeton University
- Ringling College of Art & Design
- Rhodes College
- Rutgers University
- San Diego State
- Santa Clara University
- Sarah Lawrence College
- Scripps College
- SMU
- St. Andrews University
- Swarthmore College
- Syracuse University
- The Ohio State University
- Tufts University
- UC Berkeley
- UC Davis
- UC Irvine
- UC San Diego
- UC Santa Barbara
- UC Santa Cruz
- UCLA
- University of Alabama
- University of Arizona
- University of Chicago
- University of Colorado at Boulder
- University of Denver
- University of Hawaii
- University of Illinois
- University of Kansas
- University of Maryland
- University of Massachusetts, Amherst
- University of Miami
- University of Michigan
- University of Minnesota
- University of North Carolina
- University of Oregon
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Puget Sound
- University of Richmond
- University of San Francisco
- University of Southern California
- University of Texas
- University of Vermont
- University of Virginia
- University of Washington
- University of Wisconsin
- USC
- Vassar College
- Villanova University
- Wake Forest University
- Washington University of St. Louis
- Wesleyan University
- Willamette University
- Williams College
The Team Approach
Sarah Aibel and Julie Cohen both raised families in the highly competitive, private school environment of West Los Angeles. As our children embarked upon their byzantine college admissions journey, we realized that we craved a more responsive and dedicated support system. We decided to create the type of college counseling service we would want for our families.
We utilize a team approach so our clients can benefit from the combined synergy of our experiences and varied professional backgrounds. Sarah’s strategic marketing expertise enables her to present students in a positive and authentic way. Julie’s legal background brings organizational expertise and attention to detail. Both Sarah and Julie are Ivy League graduates, practiced in the areas of writing and critical thinking. Though each client will work directly with one Curator, The College Curators team will review and strategize each student’s college admissions plan throughout the process.
”If my future were determined just by my performance on a standardized test, I wouldn't be here. I guarantee you that.
Michelle Obama
Sarah Aibel
Co-Founder
As a graduate of Columbia University cum laude, Sarah has experienced first-hand the demands of applying to and attending an academically rigorous university. She holds an MBA from the University of Southern California and spent her career as a marketing executive at large corporations, including Mattel, Lionsgate, and Prodege, an internet and media company.
In preparation for her college counseling work, Sarah received a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA, awarded with distinction, and is an active member of highly regarded professional organizations including, Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC). She has spent fifteen years interviewing prospective Columbia University students and serves on the board of Columbia College Women. In addition, Sarah is Vice Chairman of the Columbia Alumni Legacy Circle.
Sarah Aibel
Co-Founder
As a graduate of Columbia University cum laude, Sarah has experienced first-hand the demands of applying to and attending an academically rigorous university. She holds an MBA from the University of Southern California and spent her career as a marketing executive at large corporations, including Mattel, Lionsgate, and Prodege, an internet and media company.
In preparation for her college counseling work, Sarah received a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA, awarded with distinction and is an active member of highly regarded professional organizations including, Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC). She has spent fifteen years interviewing prospective Columbia University students and serves on the board of Columbia College Women. In addition, Sarah is Vice Chairman of the Columbia Alumni Legacy Circle.
Professional Affiliations
Julie Cohen
Co-Founder
After graduating summa cum laude, with distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Pennsylvania, Julie went on to earn her JD from the University of Illinois. She gained experience as a business defense litigator, honing her organizational and critical thinking skills. While raising her children, she served as Parent Association President and Ex-Officio Board Member of The John Thomas Dye School.
For twenty years, Julie co-chaired the Los Angeles Alumni Interview Committee and interviewed for the University of Pennsylvania. She also has been involved actively in her Alumni Association, serving as a Class of 1990 Regional Vice President. Through her involvement with Penn, she has participated in many leadership conferences and training sessions that have prepared her for a career in college counseling. Julie has earned her Certificate in College Counseling with distinction from UCLA and is a member of IECA.
Julie Cohen
Co-Founder
After graduating summa cum laude, with distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Pennsylvania, Julie went on to earn her JD from the University of Illinois. She gained experience as a business defense litigator, honing her organizational and critical thinking skills. While raising her children, she served as Parent Association President and Ex-Officio Board Member of The John Thomas Dye School.
For the past fifteen years, Julie has co-chaired the Los Angeles Alumni Interview Committee and interviewed for the University of Pennsylvania. She also has been involved actively in her Alumni Association, serving as a Class of 1990 Regional Vice President. Through her involvement with Penn, she has participated in many leadership conferences and training sessions that have prepared her for a career in college counseling. Julie will complete her Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA this fall and is a member of IECA.
Michele Steiner
Senior College Planning Consultant
Michele Steiner brings a vast array of talents and experience to The College Curators’ team. After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California in Business Administration, she earned her M.Ed and teaching credential from UCLA. She began her professional teaching career at Palisades Charter Elementary and later taught at Brentwood School in Los Angeles. While raising her three children, she earned her Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA. Before joining The College Curators, Michele read applications for Occidental College and Cornell University, where she experienced first hand the conversations, complexities, and matrices utilized by highly selective universities in their admissions considerations. She also reads for UCLA to select Alumni Scholarship recipients. Her expertise, having worked on the “college side,” is invaluable to our ability to provide the most experienced and nuanced insights. Michele also volunteers with CollegeMatch, a nonprofit organization which provides high achieving, low-income students with college preparation services. She is a member of the most highly regarded professional organizations including National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC).
Michele Steiner
Senior College Planning Consultant
Michele Steiner brings a vast array of talents and experience to The College Curators’ team. After earning her undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California in Business Administration, she earned her M.Ed and teaching credential from UCLA. She began her professional teaching career at Palisades Charter Elementary and later taught at Brentwood School in Los Angeles. While raising her three children, she earned her Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA. Before joining The College Curators, Michele read applications for Occidental College, where she experienced first hand the conversations, complexities, and matrices utilized by highly selective universities in their admissions considerations. She also reads for UCLA to select Alumni Scholarship recipients. Her expertise, having worked on the “college side,” is invaluable to our ability to provide the most experienced and nuanced insights. Michele also volunteers with CollegeMatch, a nonprofit organization which provides high achieving, low-income students with college preparation services. She is a member of the most highly regarded professional organizations including National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC).
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