The Ivy Dream

Bill De La Rosa is a JD/PhD candidate at Yale Law School and University of Oxford, Hurst Horizon Scholar, writer, and public speaker. Raised in South Tucson, Arizona, he became the primary caregiver for his family following his mother’s removal from the United States during his sophomore year of high school. Bill graduated from Bowdoin College Phi Beta Kappa with degrees in Sociology and Latin American Studies, receiving notable awards such as the Dell, Gates Millennium Scholars Program, and Truman Scholarship. He was also named the 2016 national Hispanic Scholar of the Year. As both a Marshall and Clarendon Scholar, Bill completed two master’s degrees at the University of Oxford—one in Migration Studies and another in Criminology and Criminal Justice—and is now pursuing his PhD in Criminology, where he focuses on the human impact of U.S. border security policies. With extensive experience advocating for immigrant rights, Bill continues to advocate for immigrant rights and hopes to inspire others through public service and legal scholarship. This episode of The Ivy Dream‘s Aspire is hosted by Michael Justin Lee, CFA, America’s top admissions consultant and auditions coach. https://lnkd.in/euasKqTq #yalelaw #oxford #yaleuniversity #collegeadmissions

Kenzie Elizabeth is a performing artist who is currently earning her Master in Music (MM) in Vocal Performance: Musical Theatre at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. She is also a TikTok influencer with a following of 260k+. In 2018, she attended American Musical and Dramatic Academy (LA & NY campus) for a year before transitioning to Western Oregon University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in Acting. Her original music has an Alt-Pop feel with similarities to artists such as Sara Bareilles, Regina Spektor, and Fiona Apple. She also takes inspiration from Lizzy McAlpine and WILLOW. In this episode of The Ivy Dream‘s Aspire, she talks in detail about her applications to AMDA and Steinhardt. She also talks about the importance of signing an agent, the NYC art scene and the life of an artist in the city. The episode is hosted by Michael Justin Lee, CFA, America’s top admissions consultant and auditions coach. Michael is also a professional musical and cinematic artist. IG/TikTok: @kenzieeofficial #newyorkcity #newyorkuniversity #auditionscoach #nyusteinhardt #collegeadmissions https://lnkd.in/eRhgCNwu

Lesley Yupa is a first-year student at New York University studying Psychology and Global Public Health. Passionate about health and education equity, she hopes to pursue a career within the medical field as a physician. Lesley is also a 2024 Coca-Cola scholar, Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar, Milken Scholar, and a recipient of the BigFuture Scholarship. Lesley has worked in the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she helped verify physicians and practices membership databases and payments throughout the COVID-19 vaccine support program and assisted in the Data Collection for Equity Program. She conducts DNA Nanotechnology research at the NYU Ned Seeman’s Lab and is an active volunteer trainer at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital. In her free time, Lesley enjoys dancing, listening to podcasts, and learning how to rock-climb. Tune in to listen to Lesley talk about her application to New York University, Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and Milken Scholars Program. She also shares her career aspirations and life goals in this exciting new episode of Aspire, The Ivy Dream‘s podcast channel, where America’s top admissions consultant and auditions coach, Michael Justin Lee, CFA interviews current students and recent graduates of elite American universities. Link: https://lnkd.in/eMbUVQt6

Kuzey Kantarc?o?lu is a first-year student at Stanford University with an interest in computer science and linguistics. Fascinated by the function of language in both humans and computers, he aspires to advance AI language models. Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, he was an international college applicant. Outside of academics, he enjoys learning new languages and playing guitar, drums and trumpet. Tune in to listen to Kuzey talk about his application to Stanford and his career aspirations in this exciting new episode of Aspire, The Ivy Dream‘s podcast channel, where America’s top admissions consultant and auditions coach, Michael Justin Lee, CFA interviews current students and recent graduates of elite American universities. Each episode covers the unique story of a guest, their childhood, a meticulous account of how they tackled each aspect of the college application process to their dream university, and how their life and studies at that university have shaped them. Link: https://lnkd.in/e4HQp8sJ

Born in New Jersey and raised in Mexico and Philadelphia, Ben Hokenson is a senior at Brown University studying International and Public Affairs and Entrepreneurship. He also serves as a mentor and business advisor to graduate student founders in Harvard Business School's Field X and Field Y courses. Ben has experience building companies, including his own, in industries such as technology, social media, entertainment, and education. He has performed internal risk management consulting for Goldman Sachs in New York City and marketing consulting for Soulsight. Ben is a passionate musician and has experience as a professional singer. Ben is an alumnus of The Haverford School, Harvard Business School’s Summer Venture in Management Program, was a Latitude Fellow at The D. E. Shaw Group, an MLT Careers Prep Fellow, a 2021 Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar, and a Bridging the Gap (BTG) Power Awardee. He also studied at the The University of Edinburgh while pursuing his undergraduate degree. In his free time, Ben enjoys traveling, playing tennis, scuba diving, and cooking. We hope you enjoy this episode! https://lnkd.in/e8gjTwuN

Andrew Steen is the Founder of?Laptis, a tech-enabled platform that streamlines access to effective substance-use treatment. Andrew started Laptis as an extension of his deep desire for public service and social impact after he left the military. Andrew is also a rising fourth-year JD/MBA student at Harvard University and a graduate of Vanderbilt University, where he got his B.A. in Mathematics. Prior to Harvard and Laptis, Andrew was an Army Ranger. You can also read about him at https://lnkd.in/gRuNabHu Tune in to listen to Andrew talk about his life and career in this exciting new episode of Aspire, The Ivy Dream‘s podcast channel, where America’s top admissions consultant and audition coach, Michael Justin Lee, CFA interviews current students and recent graduates of elite American universities. Each episode covers the unique story of a guest, their childhood, a meticulous account of how they tackled each aspect of the college application process to their dream university, and how their life and studies at that university have shaped them. https://lnkd.in/ejyGw6Fc #usarmy #ivyleague #collegeadmissions #harvard

Machmud Makhmudov is a JD/MBA candidate at Stanford University, Knight-Hennessy Scholar, political organizer, writer, and higher-ed admissions coach. Born in Uzbekistan, he grew up near Atlanta and played baseball at Oberlin College, where he studied Politics and earned both a Truman and Rhodes Scholarship. After reading for an MPhil in Political Theory at University of Oxford, Machmud worked in speechwriting and on a number of political campaigns, including the Biden 2020 campaign. He also worked at the White House on the COVID Response Team and has recently spent time in corporate law firms as well. Machmud is a proud immigrant who hopes to continue to pursue public service in a variety of capacities throughout his life. Tune in to listen to Machmud talk about his life, career & aspirations in this exciting new episode of Aspire, The Ivy Dream‘s podcast channel, where America’s top admissions consultant and audition coach, Michael Justin Lee, CFA interviews current students and recent graduates of elite American universities. Each episode covers the unique story of a guest, their childhood, a meticulous account of how they tackled each aspect of the college application process to their dream university, and how their life and studies at that university have shaped them. https://lnkd.in/gZMxZtB7 #ivyleague #collegeadmissions #mba #knighthennessy #rhodes #stanford

Hayley Batson (she/her) is a graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts. She received a BFA in Theatre, studying at The Atlantic Acting School, Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, and Stonestreet Studios as well as minoring in Producing. Hayley is continually pursuing opportunities in the entertainment industry and loves collaborating with other artists whether in front of the camera or behind the scenes. Tune in to listen to Hayley talk about her life and career in this exciting new episode of Aspire, The Ivy Dream‘s podcast channel, where America’s top admissions consultant and audition coach, Michael Justin Lee, CFA interviews current students and recent graduates of elite American universities. Each episode covers the unique story of a guest, their childhood, a meticulous account of how they tackled each aspect of the college application process to their dream university, and how their life and studies at that university have shaped them. You can get in touch with her at [email protected] Instagram: instagram.com/hayleybatson Podcast: https://lnkd.in/eS_ZZ8_P #podcast #nyutisch #nyu #actors #spotify

Subham K. grew in a small village called Bidhan Nagar in northeastern India – a region graced by the proximity of four nations: Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, and Nepal. This exposure to a myriad of traditions kindled in him an aspiration that transcended the conventional. He received his bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur- the oldest IIT, inaugurated in 1951 by Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s inaugural Prime Minister. Subham advanced his educational pursuits with a master’s in Operations Research from Columbia University. He started his professional career at McKinsey & Company, specializing in strategic operations, digital transformations, and advanced analytics. He transitioned to join ConnectWise, a Thoma Bravo portfolio company, where he assumed the role of Strategic Initiatives Manager on the Growth Strategy team. In parallel, Subham co-founded Alokya, a venture that marries functional art with social purpose, partnering with rural South Asian artisans to meticulously craft premium products from sustainable materials. Currently, Subham is pursuing an MBA from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania – a strategic step towards realizing his vision as a social entrepreneur and leader. His passion for Alokya is more than a business venture; it's a mission to elevate India’s traditional folk art on a global stage and to weave a fabric of opportunity for millions of underprivileged artisans. His story is one of ambition, bridging worlds, and a relentless pursuit of impact, guided by the rich heritage of his homeland and a visionary outlook for the future. Tune in to listen to Subham talk about his life and career in this exciting new episode of Aspire, The Ivy Dream‘s podcast channel, where America’s top admissions consultant and audition coach, Michael Justin Lee, CFA interviews current students and recent graduates of elite American universities. Each episode covers the unique story of a guest, their childhood, a meticulous account of how they tackled each aspect of the college application process to their dream university, and how their life and studies at that university have shaped them. https://lnkd.in/eDvJWDdf #podcast #wharton #columbiauniversity #iitkgp #ivyleague #collegeadmissions

Meet Parizoda Asatilloyeva, a first-year international student majoring in Political Science at Columbia University. “Hailing from a small city in Uzbekistan, my transition to the bustling metropolis of New York has been nothing short of transformative. The rich combination of academic and cultural experiences here has broadened my perspectives in ways I never anticipated. At Columbia, I've had the privilege of connecting with individuals from every corner of the globe. This diversity not only heightened my awareness of personal biases but also fueled a newfound appreciation for my own cultural identity, a unique representation on this cosmopolitan campus. What sets Columbia apart for me is not just its esteemed academic environment but also its unparalleled location. Every glance out of the window reveals towering buildings that seem to house our future selves. This dual essence of education as both an academic and professional journey inspires me daily, creating a unique blend of motivation and opportunity that defines my experience at Columbia University.” Tune in to listen to Parizoda talk about her unique academic and personal journey exclusively from the dorms of Columbia University! #podcast #columbiauniversity #ivyleague #collegeadmissions #topuniversities #uzbekistan https://lnkd.in/eRFDajwF