DEDICATED EDUCATOR
Allie Timberlake, M.A. holds a BS in Mathematics from Loyola University New Orleans and an MA in Higher Education Administration from New York University. While in graduate school, she presented at regional and national conferences about multi-racial identity and published a paper on non-traditional first-generation students in NYU’s Journal of Student Affairs.
She brings a wealth of college admissions experience and counseling relationships to her role as an educational consultant, having worked at selective universities and selective high schools around the country for over 25 years.
EXPERIENCE
For more than a fifteen years, Allie Timberlake has helped over 1,000 students and their families navigate one of the most significant decisions of high school: choosing a college that aligns with the student's goals, interests, and aspirations.
Her approach extends beyond the application itself. Allie believes the college planning process should help students become more thoughtful, independent decision-makers. By encouraging curiosity, self-reflection, and meaningful exploration, she helps students better understand themselves while equipping families with the knowledge and perspective to navigate today's admissions landscape with confidence.
Drawing on years of experience in college counseling, Allie provides practical, individualized guidance that keeps the focus on finding the right fit rather than pursuing prestige. Her goal is not simply to help students gain admission to college, but to help them make informed decisions that position them to learn, grow, and thrive long after they arrive on campus.
MY STORY
Growing up, I wasn't asked what I wanted to become. I was simply told to go to college.
As a first-generation college student, college wasn't presented as one option among many—it was the goal. Like many students, I focused on getting there before I understood why I was going or what I hoped to gain from the experience.
I accepted a full scholarship to a university that, fortunately, proved to be an excellent fit. Looking back, I realize how lucky I was. I made a good decision without having the tools or guidance to fully understand why it was the right one.
When I arrived on campus, I chose to major in mathematics because it was the subject that came most naturally to me. It wasn't until my senior year that I began asking a question I wish someone had encouraged me to ask much earlier: What kind of work would actually be meaningful to me? That question shaped the next chapter of my life.
After graduation, I explored several different roles before returning to my alma mater to work in undergraduate admissions. Over the following years, I continued my career in higher education, eventually earning a master's degree and serving in a variety of leadership positions within the college system.
Those experiences gave me an inside look at college admissions, but they also taught me something even more important: choosing a college isn't simply about earning an acceptance letter. It's about finding an environment where a student can learn, grow, and thrive.
As my career progressed, I found myself missing the conversations that mattered most, the ones with high school students who were just beginning to discover who they were and what they wanted from their future. That's what led me to college counseling.
For the past fifteen years, I've had the privilege of helping students approach college planning differently than I did. Instead of beginning with rankings or prestige, we begin with the student. Together, we explore interests, identify strengths, ask thoughtful questions, and build college lists that reflect who they are and where they will flourish.
I believe the college search should do more than help students choose a college. It should help them become thoughtful, confident decision-makers who understand themselves, recognize what they need to succeed, and feel prepared for whatever comes next.
Because college isn't the finish line. It's one of the first important decisions students make as they begin building a life that fits who they are.
QUALIFICATIONS
Allie has worked in the college admission field for over two and a half decades. Her professional journey started at Loyola University in New Orleans, where she worked as an Assistant Director of Admission. Since then, she's helped numerous students gain acceptance to their desired colleges and universities.
2021 - Present
College Counselor, Academy of the Sacred Heart
2020 - 2024
Jump Start Counselor, Interface Education Services
2008-2011
Associate Director of Admission, Pace University
2006-2008
Senior Assistant Director, Graduate Enrollment, New York University
2011-2021
College Placement Counselor, Jesuit High School
2004-2006
Assistant Director, Student Affairs, The Juilliard School