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Hillary Hewins
she/her/hers
Hillary Hewins

About

I have been counseling students and helping them reach for their dreams for more than 15 years, and I have guided over 600 students toward achieving their goals. I want to help you to discover your strengths, interests, and talents, and support you as you plan for your future. It is NEVER too late to plan the next steps in your journey. Applying to college can be fun. I love helping students tell their stories, and the writing process has the potential to be one of the most powerful parts of your application. I believe in every student’s ability to learn and grow from wherever they are starting from. If you are a senior, you have a lot of control over how you present yourself in your applications. Now is the time to create an incredible college application, and to write essays that help your personality come alive on your application! Being authentically YOU is the key.I believe that an open mind, a sense of humor, and a spirit of adventure will get you far in life. I also believe that...

Hillary helped students get into:
Pomona CollegeNew York University
Columbia UniversityWesleyan University
Vassar CollegeHarvard University
Princeton UniversityYale University
Pomona College
New York University
Columbia University
Wesleyan University
Vassar College
Harvard University
Princeton University
Yale University
Hillary helps with…
Majors & Careers
Extracurriculars
Building a School List
College Interviews
Waitlist & Deferral Assistance
UC Schools
Common App
Art & Music Portfolios
Highly Selective College Admissions
High School Course Selection
College Applications & Essays
Admissions Timeline
School-Specific Supplemental Essays
New York, New York | Tokyo, Japan
15 years of experience
English
New York University – MA | Counseling Psychology
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt – BA | Psychology and Anthropology
Business
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Education
Political Science
International Relations
Communications
Journalism
Film and Photography
Theater
Music
Art
Design
Computer Science
Engineering
Philosophy
Environmental Science
Creative Writing
International Students
Fun Facts
🖐
Describe yourself in five words
Friendly, Creative, Curious, Tenacious, FUN

🙏
Best piece of advice
Work hard, create good energy, and find your luck

💼
First job
Lifeguard and Swim Instructor for little kids

💭
Dream job
Helping people reach their goals. Also, opening a small hotel in Japan. I am doing both of them already :)

📚
Favorite book
The Secret History

📓
Favorite subject in school
Literature, social studies, social sciences, and health/wellness

Favorite after-school activities
In my high school days it was hanging out with friends, eating delicious food, working out, and lots of service learning activities

🎵
Favorite artist
I love (almost) all music! A few favorites are Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, 90s hip hop, Japanese city pop, 2000s indie rock, and reggaeton

📺
Favorite TV show
Teen dramas, reality shows, anything in Japanese (I am studying the language)

🍴
Favorite food
I can never have enough pizza and tacos, also I love Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese cuisines, and so so so much more

🪄
Hobbies
Traveling, exploring cities (and the world), hanging with friends, snowboarding, art/design/culture, live music, broadway shows, fashion

My process

I meet you where you are in the process. This is a judgment-free zone and I am here to help. I am constantly updating my approach to respond to student needs, and I am happy to say that I share with students all of the best resources I have encountered in my counseling career. These documents help you maximize your extracurricular activities, do college research, identify strengths, brainstorm essay topics, manage timelines, and so much more. I have worked with pretty much every type of student, though I have specialized in working with students applying to highly selective universities, students applying to multiple countries, and students with learning disabilities/differences.

Recent reviews

5.0(38 reviews)

“Hillary has done a very nice job getting my daughter to think on her own about what is truly unique about and important to her. Hillary then facilitates the translation of their self work into an amazing through line my daughter has been able to utilize for the application writing process. Most helpful and greatly appreciated. I recommend Hillary with great enthusiasm. This time working with Hillary has definitely been money well spent; not only for college application process but also as it relates to our daughter's personal growth and self-awareness which is so timely as we parents prepare to send our children off into the world of college life. Thank you Hillary."

Ann M.

“Hillary was so helpful and kind, she helped me find a direction for my goals and continues to offer support after our session :)"

Meredith R.

“Very professional consultant, gave me a good direction, I will consider further cooperation."

Yia Y.
New York, New York | Tokyo, Japan
15 years of experience
English
New York University – MA | Counseling Psychology
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt – BA | Psychology and Anthropology
Business
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Education
Political Science
International Relations
Communications
Journalism
Film and Photography
Theater
Music
Art
Design
Computer Science
Engineering
Philosophy
Environmental Science
Creative Writing
International Students
Fun Facts
🖐
Describe yourself in five words
Friendly, Creative, Curious, Tenacious, FUN

🙏
Best piece of advice
Work hard, create good energy, and find your luck

💼
First job
Lifeguard and Swim Instructor for little kids

💭
Dream job
Helping people reach their goals. Also, opening a small hotel in Japan. I am doing both of them already :)

📚
Favorite book
The Secret History

📓
Favorite subject in school
Literature, social studies, social sciences, and health/wellness

Favorite after-school activities
In my high school days it was hanging out with friends, eating delicious food, working out, and lots of service learning activities

🎵
Favorite artist
I love (almost) all music! A few favorites are Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, 90s hip hop, Japanese city pop, 2000s indie rock, and reggaeton

📺
Favorite TV show
Teen dramas, reality shows, anything in Japanese (I am studying the language)

🍴
Favorite food
I can never have enough pizza and tacos, also I love Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese cuisines, and so so so much more

🪄
Hobbies
Traveling, exploring cities (and the world), hanging with friends, snowboarding, art/design/culture, live music, broadway shows, fashion
Tips for success
1. Prepare for your first session
Plan out the questions and topics you'd like to discuss. If you'd like to work together in the long term, discuss expectations for each other.