Rod

Description

Rod specializes in admissions counseling for students interested in pursuing business, pre-med, STEM, and political science or international relations; international students; and students applying to highly selective schools.

For Rod, the appeal of college counseling lies in bringing transparency to a process that can feel shrouded in mystery. He also relishes helping students find an institution that matches not only their interests but their personalities as well. Rod finds it rewarding to be a part of a student’s self-exploration to better understand themselves and how they would fit in culturally at an institution.  

Rod is a former associate director of admissions at Case Western Reserve University, where he reviewed thousands of domestic and international applications across close to 100 majors and areas of concentration. At Case Western, he also served as the admission liaison for the Pre-Professional Scholars Programs in medicine and dentistry and accumulated a considerable wealth of experience serving on the selection committees for combined bachelor’s and medical/dental medicine programs.   

Rod’s counseling approach is fluid, and he aims to meet students where they are to ultimately help them break down the stressful and sometimes overwhelming college admission process into parts that are much easier to manage. Rod is laidback and just as comfortable working with students that need a firm guiding hand as he is with students that might require a more hands-on approach.   

His advice to students: if you plan ahead, set realistic expectations, accept that there are no guarantees, and have an open mind about the process, the journey to finding your best-fit college will be fun. College exploration can be exciting, and it is his goal to help students get excited about the process.   

He has traveled extensively internationally, led international recruitment initiatives at the university, and was a part of the committee for international admissions. Due to his considerable international admissions experience, Rod is familiar with many curricula and secondary schools around the world.   

Rod holds a master’s in business administration from Case Western Reserve University, where he also completed his undergraduate education with degrees in biology and French. 

Outside of his passion for working with students, Rod is an avid soccer fan. During his free time, you can find him at a local soccer field or plotting the optimal strategy for his Fantasy Premier League team. Rod has also been to several World Cups, Copa Americas, and a Euro tournament. Additionally, Rod loves reading and counts 12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson as one of his current favorite books.