About
Founder – Eric Endlich, Ph.D.
Dr. Endlich is dedicated to helping students worldwide successfully apply and transition to college and graduate school. As a clinical psychologist as well an educational consultant, he is especially passionate about guiding students with learning differences, emotional challenges or other disabilities.
He is a Professional Member and Board Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and has served on their Learning Differences/Neurodiversity and Diversity/Equity/Inclusion Committees. In 2020, IECA honored Dr. Endlich with an inaugural “Making A Difference” Award for his contributions such as a database of neurodiversity-friendly colleges. (Learn more about this honor here.) He has also served on advisory boards for the UCLA Tarjan Center, College Autism Network and Association for Autism and Neurodiversity (where he helped found the Neurodiverse Couples Institute).
A professional writer and editor, he is a longtime advisory board member and contributor for Personal Best/Oakstone Publishing. In 2021, Exceptional Needs Today Magazine honored Dr. Endlich as a Top Contributor for his article, “7 Things Students With Disabilities Should Do When Starting College.”
He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in English from UC Berkeley, where he was awarded a Regents Scholarship (highest honor) as well as the President’s Undergraduate Fellowship for original research. He went on to earn graduate degrees in psychology from NYU and BU, and a certificate in independent educational consulting from UC Irvine.
Dr. Endlich has taught at Tufts University, Suffolk University, Boston College and UMass Boston; he currently co-teaches the “Working with Students with Learning Differences” course through the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education with Dr. Marci Schwartz. Dr. Endlich has also served as a Primary Researcher on a U.S. Dept. of Education-funded project to develop college readiness software for autistic high school students, an advisory board member on a National Science Foundation-funded program to improve mentorship for STEM-focused autistic students and a Co-Investigator on an Institute of Education Sciences-funded study to improve student-teacher relationships for autistic children.
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“The chances of getting into the best-known colleges may be decreasing, but we can help find a school that will be a great match for you – whether you’re a straight-A, B, or C student.”
– Eric Endlich, Ph.D, Founder of Top College Consultants
The Top College Consultants Team
All TCC team members work in close collaboration with each other to ensure that our students benefit from our decades of collective experience. We believe this professional partnership provides our families with the best services possible. Families contract directly with our team members (not TCC), and a portion of fees paid by families to team members goes to TCC to support this partnership.
Jamey Becker, MS
A student-centered professional educator, Jamey has nearly two decades of college advising experience with a focus on working with neurodivergent students. Jamey worked for many years as the Director of College and School Counseling at Archbishop Curley High School in Baltimore, MD, where 1 in 4 students were neurodivergent and/or on an IEP. He has…
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…helped place students in colleges all across the country and world. He has also coached and guided many student-athletes and is a former D1 soccer player.
Jamey’s approach in working with young people is grounded in getting to know each student, seeking to develop an understanding of what motivates them, and empowering them to be at the center of their process. He is passionate about reducing stress and confusion within the college admissions process. He strongly believes a successful college search is a healthy college search where students can develop self-advocacy skills.
He earned his BA in Philosophy from Loyola University Maryland, which included several Ph.D. courses during his junior year abroad at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium). Jamey earned an MS in Education from Northwestern University, focusing his thesis on the student experience of transitioning from high school to college. He is a soccer enthusiast, an avid reader and a fan of all things Baltimore/Chicago-related, and spends much of his free time coaching baseball and soccer with his three sons.
Jennifer Quinn, BA
Ms. Quinn specializes in supporting neurodivergent students through the college admissions process with personalized strategies and expertise. With over 17 years of experience, including 13 years as the owner of a learning center, she has worked with students diagnosed with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Executive Functioning Deficits, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia,….
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…sensory disorders, NVLD, auditory processing issues, epilepsy, and other learning and neurological differences.
A professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) with a Learning Differences specialty designation, Ms. Quinn holds a BA in English from Hofstra University and a College Counseling Certificate from Rice University. She has been trained in executive function coaching and is currently pursuing an Advanced Certificate in Disability Services in Higher Education from CUNY School of Professional Studies to deepen her expertise in supporting students with diverse needs.
Ms. Quinn has a proven track record of helping students with learning and neurological differences gain admission to colleges that provide strong accommodations and welcoming environments where they can thrive. She works closely with families, tailoring her approach to each student’s unique strengths and challenges, and helping them find the support they need to succeed.
In addition to college counseling, Ms. Quinn draws on her background in senior-level positions in New York City’s financial industry. This experience complements her practice’s broad range of personalized services and tools.
An avid reader and outdoor enthusiast, Ms. Quinn enjoys spending time with her family and their Great Pyrenees dogs. She is committed to helping students find their path to success and independence in higher education.
Kristi Ramey, BS
Ms. Ramey has a true passion for strategically guiding students to colleges that fit who they are and helping them showcase their character, strengths, and accomplishments in a way that makes them stand out. She has worked with many students who have been admitted to their desired schools both in the U.S. and abroad. Before starting as an educational…
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…consultant, Ms. Ramey worked as a project and program manager at one of the world’s largest IT corporations, honing skills and techniques that she now uses to keep students on track throughout the many parts of the application process. She holds a B.S. in Scientific and Technical communication from the University of Washington (Seattle) and spent her early career as a technical writer, where she developed a strong foundation of interviewing, interpersonal, and communication skills that she now leverages when helping students create compelling narratives for application essays.
Ms. Ramey received her training in college admissions counseling from UC Berkeley as well as the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) Summer Training Institute. She has also completed a certificate in executive function coaching.
Ms. Ramey tours colleges and attends professional trainings regularly. She is an Associate Member of IECA and a member of both the National Association for College Admissions Counseling and the Western Association for College Admissions Counseling. Ms. Ramey has completed additional coursework through UC Irvine in working with neurodivergent students, and has experience assisting students with a variety of learning differences. She finds joy in guiding each of her students through this transformative journey.
Melanie Mac Caskie, M. Ed.
Melanie has spent more than a decade helping students achieve their college goals in a wide range of settings: universities large and small, public and private, highly selective and open-access, first-year admissions and transfer, admissions and advising. This diversity of experience has given Melanie the depth and breadth of knowledge needed to help…
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…students navigate towards the best colleges for them.
From her training and experience as an academic advisor, Melanie brings a skills-based approach to working with students. Each student has a unique set of strengths and growth edges; Melanie helps them get the tools and information they need to forge their own paths to success.
Melanie graduated cum laude with a BA from the State University of New York, Purchase College, where she double majored in Anthropology and Literature. In 2020, she earned her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration at Northeastern University. Melanie is an associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association.
She lives in an old house in western Massachusetts, where she enjoys reading, sharing good meals with friends and family, and walking her sweet but mischievous golden retriever, Tilly.
April Miller, M.S., CCC-SLP
With over 20 years of experience in the education field, Independent Educational Consultant (IEC) April Miller guides neurodivergent students and their families through the college planning and application process. She specializes in working with students diagnosed with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia…
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…Language Processing Disorders, Auditory Processing Disorders, Executive Functioning Deficits and Nonverbal Learning Disabilities, among others.
Ms. Miller earned a Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders from Ithaca College and was awarded a Certificate in College Counseling with Distinction from UCLA. She is a Nationally Certified Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with direct clinical experience working with diverse clients from birth to 18 years. As a Clinical Faculty member at both the University of Washington in Seattle and Towson University in Baltimore, she facilitated the clinical competencies of undergraduate and graduate students in the management of diagnostic and treatment remediation for pediatric clients. As a Clinical Instructor at Maalot Baltimore, she taught undergraduate courses in Speech and Language Development and the Diagnosis and Treatment of Childhood Language Disorders.
Ms. Miller’s passion and purpose is to empower students to find their own voice, use it to self-advocate and actualize their dreams!
Alisha Uppal, M.S., NCC
Ms. Uppal specializes in essay advising for students applying to undergraduate and graduate programs. She guides students in navigating the essay writing process with structure and clarity, allowing them to craft compelling narratives that highlight their unique strengths…
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…Ms. Uppal has worked with students nationally and internationally on both college admissions and essay advising processes. She draws from her experiences as a Seasonal Application Assistant and Reader for Richmond University, Alumni Interviewer for Emory University, and Lead Advisor for an international college advising firm.
Ms. Uppal graduated with a B.A. in Psychology, English, and Classical Studies from Emory University. She has earned a M.S. in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.
In addition to being a college admissions consultant, Ms Uppal is a practicing mental health therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). This perspective allows her to provide a uniquely supportive environment for students.
Lisa Andrews, MSW, M.S., M.Ed.
A results-oriented professional school counselor, Ms. Andrews has developed college and career readiness programs increasing students’ emotional growth, learning engagement and college acceptance rates. She is the former Director of Training at the California College Guidance Initiative, and former department chair and lead school counselor at Ganesha…
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…High School in Pomona, CA. At the University of La Verne’s School of Education (Educational Counseling Department), she teaches graduate courses and serves on the graduate admissions committee.
Her commitment to deep equity work involves equalizing the playing field and creating pathways to college success for underserved students with exceptional learning needs.
Ms. Andrews is Board President of the nonprofit Gladeo (a free, inclusive career guidance platform), and an essay reader for the Gates Millennium Scholar Program, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Light and Achievement Scholarship Fund.
She earned her BA in Communicative Disorders from University of Redlands, MSW from University of Southern California, Masters in Educational Leadership from Concordia University, and MA in School Counseling from University of La Verne. Lisa is a music enthusiast and avid tennis player, and loves USC football and all things Trojan-related.
Jennie Swenson, BA, BS
Ms. Swenson has over a decade of national and international experience as a youth advocate and educator, including five years as a Post Secondary Counselor for Fusion Academy. Ms. Swenson is passionate about connecting with each individual to discover their personalized path. She especially enjoys helping students identify meaningful extracurricular activities…
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…as well as capture their unique voice for essays and interviews.
Individualized meetings include standardized testing planning, creating a college list, pursuing aptitude testing, identifying a major, building a resume, assembling a portfolio, writing essays, preparing for interviews, selecting a college, mastering life skills and more..
She received her Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA Extension, is a certified yoga and HeartMath instructor and has worked as an English, Psychology, and Life Skills teacher. She earned a BA in English and BS in Communication Disorders with a Minor in Music from Brigham Young University. An advocate for service learning, Ms. Swenson wrote her undergraduate honors thesis on post-operative speech therapy for individuals with cleft palate in Amman, Jordan, and taught English to youth in leprosy colonies in India. After graduation, Ms. Swenson worked with children and adults with learning differences in clinics and schools. She enjoys traveling, live music, and spending time with friends and family.
Jonah Fishel, BA
Jonah Fishel is an experienced educator and private tutor specializing in test preparation and academic support for students with learning differences. With nearly a decade of one-on-one tutoring experience, he has helped students build confidence, master challenging subjects, and achieve their academic goals. Before founding his own practice,…
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Next Step Prep focuses on thorough test prep for students with learning differences by emphasizing test-taking strategy for students who struggle with standardized tests. Tutors also work to identify gaps in each student’s knowledge and fill those gaps with instruction tailored to that student’s thinking styles. The company is notable for its “All-Inclusive” approach, in which students work with a team of tutors and learning specialists to transform their test scores with a custom program designed by Jonah to maximize their score.
Jonah holds a B.A. in Storytelling from the College of William & Mary, where he was one of four 1693 Murray Scholars in his class. He also minored in Computer Science and Religious Studies. In his test-taking days, he scored in the 99th+ percentile on both the SAT and GRE using the same strategies he now teaches his students.
With a deep commitment to supporting students who have been overlooked in traditional classrooms, Jonah Fishel and Next Step Prep specialize in helping students with learning differences build test-taking confidence and achieve success on the ACT and SAT.
Our Mission
To improve access to college for students worldwide, especially those with learning differences or emotional challenges.
Our Values
Top College Consultants prides itself on simplifying the college admissions process for families. Our experienced team is dedicated to supporting families every step along the way. Learn more about why families trust Top College Consultants here. We are guided by 3 core values:
Excellence
Top College Consultants strives to provide valuable guidance to students and families throughout the process.
Inclusion
We believe that all students, regardless of their challenges, deserve access to a quality college education.
Learning
Our diverse team of lifelong learners is passionate about helping and inspiring students.
We’d love to learn more about you and your family’s college admission needs. The best way to get started is to schedule a free intro call below!