Live into who you are

Personalized guidance to be prepared before the college admissions process and beyond.

Live into who you are

Personalized guidance to be prepared before the college admissions process and beyond.

About Us

Gina lee

I am an independent college counselor who works with US and international students to identify and attend best-fit colleges. My expertise stems from experiences as the former Director of College Counseling and 11th/12th grade Academic Dean in high school and as a parent of two children who went through the college admissions process and attended Harvard College. I enjoy witnessing personal transformations through relationship-building, a changed mindset, and a winning attitude regardless of the limited resources or how big the dream might be.

My Background

Early in my career, I saw how powerful storytelling began with a compelling creative strategy. As an advertising account executive working with clients like Procter & Gamble, AT&T, and Citibank in Asia and the US, I gained an intuitive understanding of what made brands sticky. Later, I volunteered in schools and non-profit organizations by helping with strategic planning, marketing, and fundraising while raising my children. Ultimately, I mentored high school and college students in college admissions and career planning while completing the UCLA College Admissions Certificate program. 

After launching my business as an independent counselor, I was invited to become the first Director of College Counseling at a newly founded international boarding school, American University Preparatory School. There I built a comprehensive college counseling program and collaborated on the academic advisory team. Students in the inaugural graduating class received admissions to prestigious universities like Stanford University to liberal art schools like Bryn Mawr College.

Today, I solely work as an independent educational consultant guiding students to craft their authentic stories while also developing partnerships with various industry experts.

Duhee lee

I am an independent college and career counselor. On the college side, I work with both US and International students aspiring admissions to best-fit colleges to highly selective ones. I especially enjoy working with students interested in STEM majors, environmental science, and architecture. On the career side, I work with both individuals on their career goals, and with companies providing staffing review, executive coaching, portfolio assessments, and process improvements.

My Background

From 2020 to 2022, I was an Educational Counselor for MIT responsible for conducting applicant interviews and providing individual candidate reports to the Admissions Office. Each year, I saw many impressive candidates, but very few are selected for admission. Since 2011, I have been providing career and resume advice as an MIT Career Advisor for the Institute Career Assistance Network (ICAN).

Interviewing candidates inspired me to begin working directly with students in preparing their candidacy for the application process and career development.

In my previous careers as an architect and director of real estate, I specialized in envisioning “what could be”. When programming new or re-imagining existing building projects, I loved analyzing what each project was when I began work on it and then envisioning the design that would make something new and memorable.

Now I love bringing my envisioning skills to working with students and young or transitioning career professionals to help them discover how they will

“Live into Who You Are”

How can We help you?

We understand the enormous pressure students feel to perform sometimes at the cost of their well-being and even family harmony. Having gone through the admissions process as parents twice, we empathize with families who feel anxious facing the ever-changing college admissions landscape, especially in the post-COVID age. No two students are alike. So, we provide personalized expertise for the individual needs and educational goals of students in 8th to 12th grade while helping families navigate this season of uncertainty.

Gina is a professional member of the NACAC, WACAC, INTLACAC, IECA, and HECA. She also completed the UCLA College Counseling Certificate program with distinction. She is a proud University of Michigan Wolverine. Reach her at: gina@ginablee.com

Duhee is an Associate Member of IECA and has completed the Independent Educational Consultants Association Summer Training Institute program. He played Ice Hockey for MIT and received his Masters of Architecture degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Reach him at: dlee4@ginablee.com

About Our Team

Aaron Ashby, Film portfolio consultant

Project ADVISOR for The Project Pod

Aaron offers guidance and portfolio reviews for students through the film portfolio application process. Whether assessing required materials or evaluating works for filmmaker events and exhibitions, he brings professional insights bridge the gap between creative aspirations and successful outcomes.

Aaron Ashby Romero is a Black-Thai American writer, director, and producer. His mission is to connect people from diverse—even clashing— cultural backgrounds and life experiences through thought-provoking, emotionally-compelling, and context expanding stories.

At the tender (read: totally normal) age of 18, he left the comforts of his bunk bed and went to Los Angeles on a full-ride scholarship to the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

After producing a series of multimedia art shows in South LA, Aaron turned to virtual reality production to develop an artistic practice that combines his experiences in filmmaking, art installation, and community building. Aaron has created commercial and narrative content in North Carolina, Los Angeles, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Aaron has produced and directed virtual reality short films with Sony Pictures, Jaunt Studios, Strivr Labs, and Baltu Technologies. His work has been featured at Sundance Film Festival, ArtShare LA, and all major virtual reality platforms. In addition to writing and directing, Aaron leads creative writing and filmmaking workshops for K-12 students.

DUHEE LEE, RESEARCH ADVISOR THE RESEARCH POD

POD Programs Administrator

Duhee Lee brings a broad spectrum of experience in design, construction, and real estate asset management to advise students in their research of the economics, financing, public policy, and history of affordable housing in the US.

He began his career as a registered architect in the State of New York, has years of design and construction experience in the field and has lead projects valued at more than $1B over his career, and overseen a real estate portfolio with a total market value of $2.9B.

Duhee was at MetLife and their Real Estate Investments department for over 20 years and left as the Director of Asset Management for the Southwestern US, plus HI, and MEX. He was later the Director of Corporate Real Estate at Southern California Edison overseeing a real estate portfolio of over 6.0MSF and an annual construction budget of over $110M. He is now active as an independent commercial real estate consultant. Duhee graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Art and Design from MIT, and delivered his Masters of Architecture thesis from the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University on “Of House and Home – Elderly and Childcare Facilities.”

JOanna chin, ACADEMIC MAJOR & CAREER ADVISOR and writing Specialist

Joanna currently serves as Assistant Director of Advising and Retention at New York University Liberal Studies where she also completed her graduate studies in Social Work. Joanna’s Bachelor of Arts was completed at Wheaton College, majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies, English, Psychology, and Anthropology. Her six years of experience in higher education ranges from mentoring students to find their passion and purpose through the transition to college, career coaching, and developing resources for students to thrive in and outside of school.

A New York native, she is equally invested in making time to write poetry with her cat Darcy beside her computer, exploring nature on trips outside of the city, and critically analyzing period dramas for her own personal delight.

marian chen, project advisor THE PROJECT POD

Marian Chen holds a Master of Architecture degree from UCLA School of Art and Architecture and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design and Analysis from University of California, Irvine.  Her academic studies awarded her the honor of Cum Laude upon graduation and induction into the Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society in liberal arts and sciences.

In architectural practice, she has worked on large scale projects such as hospitals, cancer centers and  school master plans. Her time with the renowned firm Hodgetts and Fung specializing in museum designs allowed her the unique experience of shaping exhibitions at the Temporary Contemporary (now The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA) for a curated show featuring prominent artists such as Cindy Sherman, Ed Ruscha, and Dennis Hopper. 

In recent years, Marian has taught a variety of subjects to high school students including: Architecture Studio, Visual Arts Studio, Mural Art, Makers’ Lab, and Global Studies. In addition to teaching, she has advised and supported students in developing their portfolios for submission to college.  She is a hands-on educator who is passionate about engaging, ideating and creating with her students.

Kieran Collen, portfolio & visual art consultant

As part of Kieran’s ongoing commitment to student development, he offers guidance and portfolio reviews for students through the visual art application process. Whether assessing required art materials or evaluating works for artist events and exhibitions, his professional insights bridge the gap between creative aspirations and successful outcomes.

Kieran Collen was born and raised in Zimbabwe and attended boarding school in South Africa before moving to the United States as a political asylee. He graduated with Honors from Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL, where he majored in Illustration. His creative proficiencies encompass a wide range of disciplines and media, including digital illustration, drawing, painting, photography, and a focus on sculpture. Following his graduation, he worked at multiple high-end art galleries.

He returned to Ringling College of Art and Design as an Admissions Counselor for three years, reviewing hundreds of portfolios, recruiting students around the United States, and participating annually in the National Portfolio Day. His pursuit of merging the creative fields with business led him to Northwestern University, where he earned his master’s degree in Leadership for Creative Enterprises. His thesis focused on disruptive start-ups in the creative industries and the strategic alignment between for-profit and non-profit organizations. He continued his work in the creative field at a fine art gallery in Chicago while concurrently developing an online augmented reality marketplace for the sale of high-end products, primarily fine art.

After leaving Chicago, Kieran now serves as the Vice President of Operations and Business Development for a Washington DC-based data analytics company. While working in the business world, Kieran’s ambition to help students achieve their creative goals has never stopped.

8th Gr |Freshman |Sophomores |Juniors

Student Profile Planning

Map academic coursework and extracurricular activities annually. Research and plan summer programs & projects. Educate and plan standardized test preparations. Explore potential college majors and future careers through personality and interest assessments. Encourage periodic academic, extracurricular, and well-being check-ins. The perfect time to envision and start a personal development project.

TOOLKITS

Freshman |Sophomores |Juniors |Seniors

Personal Development Coaching

Help evaluate personal growth through self-reflection. Coach life skills like time-management, decision-making, self-advocacy, relationship building & networking, curating projects, and more. Brainstorm and design personal development projects (PDPs). Help prepare for college interviews or pitch presentations. Provide expertise in creating student resumes.

Juniors | Seniors

College Application Guidance

Strategically review student profile. Guide students through college visits and identifying potential college majors. Customize a balanced, best-fit college list. Navigate early admissions options. Brainstorm essay ideas, help develop and edit personal statement and supplemental essays. Review entire college application. Advise on visual art or film portfolio submissions. Help prepare you for college interviews.

Personal Development Projects

Make a real-world impact while understanding the world, building character, and developing skills.

This is where we love making the magic happen for your student through creative and collaborative projects.

PDPs are especially designed to begin in 8th, 9th, or 10th grade.

Use the Contact Button for more details.

The Project Pod

8th Gr|Freshman|Sophomores|Juniors

The Project Pod

Collaborative Process to Personal Development Projects

The Project Pod programs teach motivated students the needed skills to make portfolio-quality works to develop their own ideas, showcase their work, and help change the world. Project areas include Visual Storytelling & Multimedia Production and Architecture. More information…

The Research Pod

Freshman|Sophomores|Juniors|Seniors

The Research Pod

Collaborative Growth Through Individual Research

The Research Pod program was launched to fill the gap in high school research-based writing skills and teach motivated students to make high-level intellectual connections and become more effective writer to develop their own ideas and help change the world. More information…

Other Summer Programs

Freshman|Sophomores|Juniors|Seniors

Other Summer Programs

View In-person and On-line Programs by Majors / Interests

These program lists are only viewable by student/family clients.

Contact us

The Research Pod program was launched to fill in the gap in high school research-based writing skills and teach motivated students the needed skills to make high-level intellectual connections and become more effective writers to develop their own ideas and help change the world.

Who is this program for?

The Research Pod programs are designed for 9th to 12th High School students who are interested in the intersection of historical research and current events. Students will develop the critical thinking skills required to write a higher-level subject commentary. This program will be offered in the 2023 Summer Session from 06/10 - 07/30.

Programs offered:

History, Economics, and Geo-politics

History, Economics, and Public Policy of Affordable Housing

For more information about The research Pod, registration, and tuition, contact Duhee Lee at dlee4@ginablee.com

The Project Pod program was launched to fill in the gap in high school personal development projects and teach motivated students the needed skills to make portfolio-quality works to develop their own ideas, showcase their work, and help change the world.

WHO IS THIS PROGRAM FOR?

The Project Pod programs are designed for 9th to 12th High School students who are interested in pursuing personal development projects in the areas of design, architecture, video production, and filmmaking. Students will develop the critical skills required to create noteworthy projects that display a depth of work. This program will be offered in the 2022 Summer Session from 06/12 - 07/25.

For more information about The Project Pod, registration, and tuition, contact Duhee Lee at dlee4@ginablee.com

*results over the last 5 years

Testimonials