My Counseling Approach…

With a background in college admission and college counseling, I have a deep understanding of working with adolescents and acknowledge the anxiety associated with the college admission process.

As an independent educational consultant, I work closely with each student to build a trusted relationship and understand their needs and aspirations. Each student will have a one-on-one counseling experience where I guide them through a reflective process, evaluating their values and life-guiding principles. This transformative experience cultivates clarity about their strengths, builds confidence, and enables them to articulate purposes in their college applications.

Along the way, I also extend comfort and guidance to parents who might be unfamiliar with the process. It helps them foster a healthy relationship with their child during this exhilarating, and yet, anxiety-inducing period of life.

My Backgrounds…

As an immigrant, I came to the U.S. at 13 and settled in Minneapolis, MN, in the middle of a brutal and snowy winter, which left a deep impression on me as a teenager.

My cultural experience, fused with a great interest in language and writing, led to an undergraduate degree in Communication and East Asian Studies at Augsburg University (Minneapolis, MN). I later pursued a Master’s degree in Intercultural Relations, with a focus on Diversity Training & Consulting, at Lesley University (Cambridge, MA).

My academic background was well-suited for over a decade-long profession in college admission, counseling, and higher education administration.

Throughout my career, I have held various roles within higher education institutions, each contributing to my comprehensive understanding of the college admission landscape. From coordinating undergraduate programs to spearheading multicultural recruitment initiatives, I have been instrumental in enhancing the visibility and accessibility of higher education opportunities. My experience includes strategically developing recruitment strategies, evaluating applications, and fostering partnerships with community-based organizations to reach and support underrepresented students. Whether conducting public presentations or facilitating workshops, my goal remains consistent: to empower students with the information and resources necessary to thrive in the college admission process.

As a college counselor, I developed programs and raised funds to annually support about 100 students from Boston public schools, many of whom were first-generation from immigrant backgrounds like me. I worked with students and families, coordinating campus visits, monthly mentorship forums, and admission and financial aid workshops. I have successfully assisted students in gaining admission to highly selective colleges and securing prestigious scholarships. By combining my expertise in college admissions with a passion for fostering inclusive environments, I strive to empower students to achieve their academic and personal goals.

It was a meaningful and rewarding career!

The many facets of my career led me to independent educational consulting when I became a stay-at-home parent after the birth of my second child. It wasn't easy, but I was firm on that life-changing decision.

Since the transition, I have consistently worked with a small group of students each year to supplement the counseling they receive from school counselors. I also completed a graduate-level certification in College Counseling from the University of California, San Diego, and founded Trang College Counseling.

Visit my LinkedIn page to view my professional experience and skills.

My commitment to advocacy extends beyond my professional endeavors, as evidenced by my volunteer work at the Matchlighter Scholars Program, where I offer pro-bono counseling services and mentorship to first-generation and low-income students.

My mentees have gained admission to highly selective colleges and received prestigious scholarships such as the Hispanic Fund Scholarship and the full-tuition POSSE Scholarship to Boston University.

Personal…

Currently, I reside in Southern California, between San Diego and Orange County, with my husband and two sons.

Due to my husband’s profession, we have moved quite a bit and lived in various locations, including Minneapolis, a few cities in Massachusetts, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego.

When not working with students, I continue to strengthen the counseling curriculum and develop new counseling skills by reading books and taking webinars. I also stay updated with current topics and news related to higher education for trends, changes, and issues in the ever-evolving college admission landscape.

Outside my working hours, I enjoy spending leisure time with my family. We like to watch TV shows together; our current family’s favorites are Jeopardy, Psych, and Shark Tank.

I also like to cook, explore different restaurants and cuisines, read crime-suspense fiction, watch crime documentaries (20/20, 48 Hours, American Greed), and indulge in Asian dramas for 20+ years.