Students who have worked with us have been accepted to these colleges & more:
Reviews
“Lani helped us, a first generation immigrant family, to navigate the complexities of the Great American College Application Maze.
We are from India and come from a very competitive arena ourselves. However, things are very different in the United States and we were quite lost and overwhelmed with how to begin helping our daughter research colleges and prioritize the many steps in the very complicated college application process.
Lani is a kind, empathetic and knowledgeable person. She was able to connect with our daughter and us, and guide our daughter into making the right decision for herself.
Our daughter is now a sophomore at Tufts, happy as can be, and after a year of exploration at one of the best colleges in the country, decided on a career path she is passionate about.
We will always be grateful to Lani and we strongly recommend her mission.”
— Sanjay and Sharbani L., parents
“The college admissions process can be rather stressful, especially when you are doing it for the first time, with twins. Lani has been a lifesaver. She has guided our children for over a year now through this important journey. It has been thoughtful and individualized for each child, strategic and purposeful. By educating all of us about the entire process, she has helped make each stage less stressful.
Our children seem to be far ahead of most of their peers in terms of college research, college essay preparation, and having a very clear understanding of what to expect in the next few months. As we approach application time, each of our children has a well thought out path towards being accepted at a school which will fit their academic and social needs as they prepare for their future beyond secondary education.
Lani knows all the logistics of the monumental and overwhelming college preparation and admissions process and has brought it to our children in a way that has addressed their psychological well being while encouraging them to strive for greatness.
Thank you Lani and Ethos Admissions!”
- Cathy and Barb K., parents
“I was an Italian exchange student in the United States in 2021. I discovered I wanted to broaden my opportunities by applying to American Colleges and European Universities outside of my home country. During this process, Lani was my coach. She helped my parents and I understand the American application process which, as an European student, was really difficult to decode on my own. She guided me especially through financial aid and scholarships opportunities, and helped me select the best colleges to apply to that fit my priorities and interests and also were welcoming to foreign students.
Lani helped me improve my writing skills in my third language by teaching me how to write in a formal context. Most importantly, she was also a source of support. I was going through a lot of different emotions during that time, but having her as my guide helped me manage the situation in the best way possible.
My journey with Lani was excellent, I found a life-long connection far from home and a skilled coach who helped me during one of the most challenging times as an international student.”
- Danila A., student
“Working with Lani is an absolute dream. She collaborates and shares vital college admissions information in an effort to empower all educators to support students to pursue their best-fit educational destination. While I worked with Lani as an educator, I knew I always had someone that I could go to for insight and guidance. Her personal and professional experiences make her an incredible asset to any college and career program.”
- Jackie L., high school counselor“Having the ability to receive help from Lani Willmar when applying to college was one of the best things that could have happened to me. When starting the college process, I felt overwhelmed and easily stressed by the most minor task. However, I was presented with the opportunity of having Lani as a mentor through this process. I soon came to learn that the cohort I joined was filled with people like me, motivated and eager. Although we were alike we were also very different and unique. The students who participated in this program were from different cities, different backgrounds, and as individuals we all wanted to go to college for different majors.
When the program started I only knew two people, but that quickly changed. Lani made sure that we mixed and mingled amongst us. She accomplished this by either assigning work where we would help one another or we would have outings that really helped our community building and helped us get out of our comfort zone. These outings included college visits, roller skating, and grabbing food as a group. I can gladly say that now four years after I am currently rooming with another student that was part of this program at College of the Holy Cross, and am still in contact with several other students who I now have the privilege of calling friends.
But what of the academics portion of the program? When tackling the college process I didn't even know where to begin. As a first generation student I had no clue where to start, and I was not the only one. Lani made sure to be tentative to this fact and started the group by the basics, what size school we wanted to go to, how far we wanted to go and the major we were seeking a degree in. After this, we went to talk about the financial part of applying to college. We talked about making school the most affordable, and extra supplements to achieve the best probability of getting accepted to the school you desire to go to.
Overall, I will never forget the time I spent under the wing of Lani, she helped me every step of the way until the day that I got accepted to the college I attend now.”
- Cesar G., student
"I cannot thank Lani enough for the invaluable support and guidance she provided during one of the most important times in my life.
As a high school student navigating the complex world of college applications, having a dedicated coach and friendly peers by my side made all the difference. I was given tailored advice and recommendations on navigating the admissions process while offering a community of students who were also applying and helped each other out. It made me feel assured and joyful in my last year of school.
As a result, I not only gained admission to my dream college, but also encouraged me to help other students navigate college admissions and internship recruiting.
Without a doubt, it was a turning point in my educational path, and I highly recommend Lani to any student wanting guidance and companionship during the college admissions process!”
- David M., student
“As a first-generation, low-income, Afro-Latina immigrant student with dreams of securing a college degree, I found myself facing the daunting challenge of college applications, feeling alone and lost at sea. The college admissions process seemed like an insurmountable mountain, immersed in hyper-competition. But amidst this uncertainty, through my cohort facilitated by Lani I found comfort, peace, and clarity.
From the moment I joined this college-readiness program, I felt that the struggles, fear, and anxieties that consumed my family and I were not only just recognized, but most importantly addressed. Throughout my time during that program, I did not feel like I was competing with the other participants; however, we became a genuine support system for each other. No longer was I just a face, or a number in the crowd of applicants; I was an individual with a unique story to tell and dreams to fulfill.
As my time in the program progressed, all the resources offered to me, ranging from the workshops on “Finding Your Right College Fit” and writing your personal statement, to having access to one-on-one mentoring I encountered the resources that would help me thrive through the application cycle and beyond. Participating in a college-readiness program opened my eyes to the power of defining my own narrative. I recognized that college was not just a destination but that the next four years would be a continuation of my journey. Therefore, through the program I was able to find the best institution for me that would offer me the opportunities to not only grow professionally, or a student, but as a person as well.
Lani’s program is not just about checking off boxes on an application; it is rooted in embracing your roots, and forging the path that you believe is best for you. Today, as I reflect on my journey, I now stand as a proud college-graduate with a bright future ahead; which is as a result of being part of a program rooted in the power of community.”
- Stephany Z., student
“I could not recommend Lani enough. Her support, expertise, and planning made sure that I had everything I needed to make the overwhelming college application process easy. I was initially nervous to apply to college, and felt like the next steps were out of my reach, but Lani kept me on an organized and effective schedule that made me feel ready for any deadlines and confidently guided me through every step. She helped me find the right fit while providing me with exactly the right tools and knowledge I needed to do so, and I am now headed to a school that I am confident is perfect for me under her instruction."
- Zoe M., student“I remember being very overwhelmed by the process of applying to colleges, especially since students at my public high school would often apply to over 10 schools, each with their own demanding applications and tedious financial requirements. Lani helped me build valuable skills like self advocacy, and effective storytelling, that would allow me to develop my voice in what can often feel like a very impersonal application process. Not only was Lani an amazing coach, when I finally did receive acceptances, she helped me navigate the grisly financial aid process. I come from a low income family, and knew I could not attend college without sufficient financial aid. When I received my first financial aid statement, requesting a few thousand dollars above my EFC, I was disheartened and disappointed.To me, this hurdle felt like the end of my college application journey. Lani approached this situation calmly, and showed me how to advocate for myself with confidence. I appealed to my university, and was able to attend without adding to my family's financial hardship. Lani is the person who introduced me to Wellesley College, so I can confidently say I would not be a Wellesley Alum without her.”
- Juliette L., student
“During my senior year of high school, Lani played a foundational and instrumental role as a college advisor within Onward We Learn. I was a part of Onward We Learn’s “Honorific Team”-a group of dedicated students like myself, who understood the importance and opportunity academic excellence would provide for us heading into this next chapter of life.
Mentors like Lani helped me feel like there was a community around me. Lani wanted to see myself and my friends enter our dream institutions, together, while not feeling that competitive edge just to get in.
In addition, Lani assisted me in writing my personal statement, when meeting 1-on-1. I had many ideas, but didn’t know how to effectively express my culture, strengths, motivations, and academic interests within my personal statement. Luckily, her expertise helped say what I wanted to convey in a truthful and formal way. Reflecting on this experience, I could not be more grateful for her assistance.”
- Jarel M., student