Lauren has formed lasting connections with her students since taking over College Pathfinders eight years ago. As the sole business owner and counselor, she guides teens through every facet of the college application process, from researching colleges to writing essays.
Lauren did not intend to enter the field of education, but weeks after graduating from Chapman University in 2012, fate stepped in. Judy McNeely, who founded College Pathfinders thirty years before, asked Lauren if she would take over her practice. It was the chance to connect one-on-one with teens in this momentous stage of life that ultimately sealed the deal for Lauren, and her love for this work has only grown.
Instead of simply leading each student through the steps of choosing classes, acing tests, and filling out applications, Lauren sees the college application process as an opportunity for them to develop a strong sense of self. Where to go to college is just the first of many big decisions they will have to make in their adult lives. Why not help them find their own voice while they have the support of parents and mentors nearby?
In 2019, Lauren relocated to Harvard University to study Human Development and Psychology. While she loved working directly with students on the central coast, she had started to notice some disturbing trends. Gaining admission to good colleges grew more difficult every year, making teens compete for painfully high GPAs and perfect test scores. The level of anxiety she saw in her students become increasingly hard to ignore. Lauren's goal was to discover how she can best transform the college admissions process, making it less stressful and more meaningful. Now, armed with her Master in Education, she is ready to put that learning into practice.
