Skip to main content

Kara Courtois

College Admissions Consultant She/Her/Hers
Kara Courtois
College Admissions Consultant
Former admissions officer Barnard College

My Background

I came to College Coach with a combination of experience in college admissions and teaching in elementary and high schools in Washington D.C., California, and Florida. Upon graduating from the University of Notre Dame, I volunteered as a teacher for two years with an AmeriCorps-sponsored program while earning a master of arts in teaching. Having taught in urban areas with students who had great needs of all varieties, I was honored to transition to working in college admissions at Barnard College. I traveled extensively, recruiting a huge diversity of academically gifted young women from the Midwest, NYC public high schools, and internationally. College admissions at a highly selective college gave me the unique opportunity to mesh my classroom teaching experience with an ability to understand what colleges seek in their students today. Additionally, having been a competitive high school athlete in track followed by rowing on the varsity crew team at Notre Dame, I know the extra demands student athletes juggle. I enjoy helping them figure out how to balance their athletic interests with their academic goals.
Kara was the BEST editor, and the BEST interview prep person, and a deeply supportive coach. Simply phenomenal.
Parent of a MIT student

Why I Joined College Coach

I came to College Coach with a combination of experience in college admissions and teaching in elementary and high schools in Washington D.C., California, and Florida. Upon graduating from the University of Notre Dame, I volunteered as a teacher for two years with an AmeriCorps-sponsored program while earning a master of arts in teaching. Having taught in urban areas with students who had great needs of all varieties, I was honored to transition to working in college admissions at Barnard College. I traveled extensively, recruiting a huge diversity of academically gifted young women from the Midwest, NYC public high schools, and internationally. College admissions at a highly selective college gave me the unique opportunity to mesh my classroom teaching experience with an ability to understand what colleges seek in their students today. Additionally, having been a competitive high school athlete in track followed by rowing on the varsity crew team at Notre Dame, I know the extra demands student athletes juggle. I enjoy helping them figure out how to balance their athletic interests with their academic goals.

Get to Know Me

My Education

University of Notre Dame Bachelor's in History
University of Portland Master's in Teaching
I have worked with students interested in:
  • Accelerated dental - BS/DDS
  • Accelerated medical - BS/DO
  • Accelerated medical - BS/MD
  • Aerospace
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Aviation
  • Biochemistry
  • Business
  • Communication
  • Computer science
  • Dance
  • Data science
  • Economics
  • Engineering
  • Fashion
  • Film
  • Government
  • Graphic design
  • HBCUs
  • Hispanic serving
  • Honors programs
  • Humanities
  • International relations
  • Ivy league
  • Journalism
  • Large State Schools
  • Marine biology
  • Mathematics
  • Military/Service academies
  • Music
  • Nursing
  • Photography
  • Physical therapy
  • Political science
  • Pre-dentistry
  • Pre-law
  • Pre-med
  • Pre-veterinary
  • Psychology
  • Religiously affiliated schools
  • Religious Studies/Theology
  • Research universities
  • ROTC
  • Science
  • Small liberal arts colleges
  • Social Sciences
  • Sports analytics
  • Teaching/education certification
  • Technology
  • Theater
  • Two year colleges
  • Visual and performing arts
  • Women's colleges
I have also worked with:
  • Athletes
  • First-generation students
  • Gap year students
  • Home schooled students
  • IB program
  • International students
  • LGBTQIA+ students
  • Non-traditional students
  • Students with learning differences
  • Transfer students
Emily Toffelmire

Some of my favorite pastimes

Running, yoga, hiking, volunteer work, traveling, reading, writing, cooking, doing arts & crafts with my kids.

Learn more about other College Coach admission consultants including Jennifer Simons today!

Interested?

Interested in learning more about how our college admissions counseling services can help your student succeed?

Call 877-402-6224 or complete the form for information on getting your student started with one of our experts.

Inclusion Matters Here Pride Flag