About

About Gail Nichols

I enjoy everything about college! From collecting sweatshirts to college sports to taking classes that continue to challenge me, I am always eager to learn all I can about the college world. Helping students find their university is not just a job, it’s a dream job for me.

My college experience began at Vanderbilt University, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Pediatric nursing has always been a love of mine, and it’s where I cultivated my passion for working with teenagers and their families. Even after I left nursing to spend more time with my family, my desire to work with and help teens was always present. When the time was right to head back into the working world, I decided to pursue my other passion in education. I had just experienced the college search with my daughters, and I found that I couldn’t get enough of anything college. After chatting with several professionals in the field, I decided to pursue a career in higher education and became an Independent College Consultant.

I attended UCI’s certificate program for Independent Educational Consultants, and never looked back. I have helped students and their families with the college process since 2010. I’m always excited about helping students to find their college fit in all aspects. Guiding students through this journey and helping them find their colleges makes me smile. And seeing their excitement when they find opportunities that they never imagined were possible are the moments that make this the best job in the world.

Gail Nichols

INDEPENDENT EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT

Credentials

  • Graduate of Vanderbilt University

  • University of California Irvine Extension Program for Independent Educational Consultant

  • Professional Memberships in IECA, WACAC, PNACAC, SACAC & NACAC

 
 

About the Essay Coaches

  • Taffeta Wood

    ESSAY COACH

    Taffeta Wood graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a PhD in Education. She also holds a certificate in Creative Writing from the University of California Los Angeles Extension. For fun, Taffeta enjoys cooking, writing, and exploring Northern California where she has resided for two years.

    Taffeta loves helping students reach their goals and communicate their voices. In her decades of teaching experience, she has found that everyone has a story that can help others see the world through a new and unrepeatable perspective. She is fully committed to helping you get your story onto paper so you can go to college ready to express your full self.

  • Rebecca Nichols

    Rebecca Nichols

    ESSAY COACH

    Rebecca graduated from Vanderbilt University with a double major in History and American Studies and a minor in African American and Diaspora Studies. These interdisciplinary courses allowed an opportunity to diversify her studies and helped to deepen her love of learning, reading, and writing. Since graduating, Rebecca settled in Nashville and prides herself on being a rookie composter. In her down time, she can often be found cheering on the Nashville Predators and University of Michigan Football.

    Rebecca loves coaching students through the process of finding their stories and their voices. She believes everyone can be a great writer given the right tools and strives to keep the process a fun and positive experience for the students.

  • Esther Hessong

    ESSAY COACH

    Esther earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and minor in Math and Science Education from the University of California, Berkeley. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Materials Science at UC Irvine. Between graduation and grad school, Esther completed her teaching credential in a high school chemistry class in Oakland, CA. Helping students achieve their goals brings her joy, and she has always found ways to mentor in surrounding communities. Fond of both her native Bay Area and newer home in OC, she spends her free time on foot, exploring the full range of California terrain.

    Everyone has meaningful experiences to share through writing. Esther knows all students can express themselves authentically and effectively to accomplish academic goals. She looks forward to guiding the process and celebrating student success.

  • Natalie Coleman

    ESSAY COACH

    Natalie graduated from Vanderbilt University (her dream school!) with a degree in English and secondary education. She is a Tennessee native and lives outside of Nashville with her husband and son.

    Natalie has loved to read and write for as long as she can remember, and she also loves to teach others. In her years teaching English, her favorite part was helping students discover their own voices as writers. She is excited to continue guiding young writers in preparation for college and looks forward to helping students express their unique personalities and perspectives in words.

Who We Work With

  • Students with learning differences: Every student is unique and we appreciate where each student is in their academics. We work with students who may have learning differences as well as students who have excelled in their studies.

  • Student athletes: We also help athletic students who want to find a college where they can be a recruited athlete or play their sport for enjoyment.

  • Student artists: Students who want to pursue their art or performance passions also find a place within our services.

  • Transfer students: Transfer students are always welcome.