Empowerly counselor Maame B. brings both firsthand experience and a strong track record of success to the table to help students achieve their dreams. Her commitment to excellence shows both in her work with students and in her outstanding academic career. Perhaps most importantly, however, Maame understands the student’s perspective facing the seemingly-overwhelming task of college admissions, and why guidance like this can make a world of difference. Her ability to listen and connect with students makes the counseling process personal and memorable.
I am so excited to introduce you to Empowerly counselor Maame!
This interview is Installment 7 in our Coffee with a Counselor series. To read more profiles like this, check out other posts right here on our blog and subscribe to our newsletter!
About Maame
Over the five years that she has been editing essays and coaching students, Maame has developed a keen sense of the admission process and has guided several students to get accepted into schools like Columbia and Johns Hopkins. A recent student herself, Maame earned acceptance into several top undergraduate and graduate schools including Harvard, Berkeley, and Columbia.
Today, Maame is working on her Ph.D. at Cornell University; she is a Henry Luce Scholar and a London School of Economics graduate. She currently resides in New York.
How did you hear about Empowerly? How did you get started as a counselor in the first place?
“I found out about Empowerly through a Google search. I had been a freelance admissions counselor and essay editor for a few years prior and was on the market to find a company that upheld my belief system and pursuit of academic excellence.”
Paying it forward
What experiences does Maame have that make her a great counselor?
“I came to the US in the middle of my sophomore year in high school. At the time, I had no support system (my parents didn’t attend college in the US and my school counselors didn’t think me a strong enough competitor for non-state schools).
I had to figure out everything on my own—testing, essays, recommendation letters, everything. Luckily, my hard work helped me prove my counselors wrong and won me a full ride to NYU.
In turn, the valuable lessons (and failures) from my personal admissions journey were quite useful when it was my sister’s turn to apply. After helping her extensively with the admissions process (she also won several full rides), I realized I had found my niche!
I am a great counselor because I deeply value the admissions process and believe it to be my duty to pay forward just as I did my sister and countless other students after her.”
How would you describe your approach to counseling?
“My approach to counseling is quite therapeutic for both myself and my students. I believe the application process can be a way for students to learn more about themselves and their motivations. As such, I push my students to reflect on their lives, not just the academic achievements they have had, but also the personal challenges they have overcome.
No story is silly. It could be as minor as a drastic hairstyle change or as major as a loss. Either way, I believe the admissions process is ideal for students to self-reflect and grow while working hard to get into their dream colleges, of course!”
Do you have a particular student success story to share?
“A low-income student in Maryland reached out to me once to help him navigate the college admissions process. He was an immigrant just like me and lived with his single mother who didn’t complete high school. We spent an hour every week working on his applications and essays but most importantly, we worked on his confidence.
Prior to our meetings, he didn’t believe himself a good enough student to apply to schools like UCLA and UNC. Well, he ended up being the only student at his high school to be accepted and receive a full ride to UNC!”
What is something you’ve learned from your students?
“My students have taught me the value of being a listener. During my sessions with my students, I have learned to listen to not only what is being said but also what is unsaid. This lesson has come in handy, particularly with my students who are shy and anxious about college and life after high school.”
One piece of advice you would tell students now?
“Tell your story. No matter how embarrassing or trivial it may seem to you, tell it. The application process is not only for colleges to see how great of a student you will be on their campuses, but also for you to learn more about yourself and your uniqueness.
Dig deep and tell your story.”
Final Thoughts:
The phenomenal counselor community at Empowerly understands the importance of each unique student’s journey. All you have to do is ask to get started on your own counseling journey. Talk to an Enrollment Specialist to get started on taking control of your future.
Sophia Minhas
Julia de Raadt