Aja Altenhof
she/her
Aja Altenhof
About
I went to the University of Pennsylvania (C’ 21) where I double majored in Linguistics & Cognitive Science and graduated magna cum laude. I just finished my Masters in the Evolution of Language and Cognition at the University of Edinburgh, where I graduated with the highest honors. In 2023, I worked at Princeton University as a research specialist in a computational neuroscience lab. Now, I’m a PhD student in Linguistics at UW Madison. Fall 2024 will be my sixth admissions cycle working working in college advising! I emphasize a holistic approach to advising. I'm here to guide my students through every step of the process, from creating the perfect school list and admissions narrative, through submission and finally, interview prep. I have extensive experience teaching both the SAT and ACT allowing for the seamless pairing of tutoring and admissions guidance. Finally, as someone who studies and writes about language for a living, I am a precise and effective editor. There is nothing mo...
Aja helped students get into:
University of PennsylvaniaBrown University
Duke UniversityVanderbilt University
University of MiamiUniversity of Florida
Cornell UniversityJohns Hopkins University
University of Pennsylvania
Brown University
Duke University
Vanderbilt University
University of Miami
University of Florida
Cornell University
Johns Hopkins University
Aja helps with…
College Interviews
Highly Selective College Admissions
Standardized Tests (SAT/ACT)
College Applications & Essays
School-Specific Supplemental Essays
Madison, WI
5 years of experience
English | Spanish
University of Wisconsin-Madison – PhD | PhD student in Linguistics, focused on experimental and computational approaches to language evolution
University of Pennsylvania – BA | Cognitive Science & Linguistics
Psychology
Computer Science
Language
Linguistics
Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
Fun Facts
🙏
Best piece of advice
"At the end of the day, you are going to college — not your parents or your friends — and you deserve to be happy there."
💼
First job
Camp Counselor
📚
Favorite book
A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab
📓
Favorite subject in school
English
🎵
Favorite artist
Taylor Swift
🪄
Hobbies
Reading, Powerlifting, Baking
My process
I take a holistic and structured approach to advising, ensuring that each session supports the next and centers the student's needs. As a low-income student, I am intimately familiar with the ins and outs of financial aid and securing lucrative scholarships. As an academic linguistic, someone who thinks about words and meanings for a living, I am a meticulous, knowledgeable and constructive essay editor.
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Recent reviews
5.0(14 reviews)
“Thanks Aja! The comments and suggestions were really helpful!"
Wei W.“Amazing and talented Aja was excellent in reviewing my daughters essay to update/review. I was impressed with College Vine but more impressed with Aja. High recommendations from this family."
Nick M.“Not only does Aja have a wealth of knowledgeable and experiences in her expertise, she’s also very personable and easy to talk to! I can see my daughter working with Aja very well. Really appreciate her sharing and guiding us through the nuisances of college admission process. Thanks Aja! Look forward to working with you more :)"
Ed C.Madison, WI
5 years of experience
English | Spanish
University of Wisconsin-Madison – PhD | PhD student in Linguistics, focused on experimental and computational approaches to language evolution
University of Pennsylvania – BA | Cognitive Science & Linguistics
Psychology
Computer Science
Language
Linguistics
Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
Fun Facts
🙏
Best piece of advice
"At the end of the day, you are going to college — not your parents or your friends — and you deserve to be happy there."
💼
First job
Camp Counselor
📚
Favorite book
A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab
📓
Favorite subject in school
English
🎵
Favorite artist
Taylor Swift
🪄
Hobbies
Reading, Powerlifting, Baking