College Advising

Personalized Guidance, Every Step of the Way.

Zoe D.
Zoe D.
College Advising - Princeton Acceptance
As a parent, I cannot stress enough how much our family values Scott's help through the college application process. He guided my son in narrowing down his college essay topic and also supported him through the entire process, which led to being accepted to Princeton University. Scott is very experienced and pays attention to the details such that the essays have all the elements which the colleges look for. I strongly recommend East Coast Scholars for college advising.
Neha S.
Neha S.
College Advising - Georgetown Acceptance
Working with Scott on my son’s Common Application essay was one of the most seamless and positive experiences of the entire college application process. His expertise and guidance helped my son craft an authentic, compelling essay that truly reflected his personality and highlighted his strengths as a prospective student. Scott’s relaxed and supportive approach helped ease the pressure and made the process far less stressful for our son. We’re thrilled to share that he graduated this year from Georgetown—his top-choice school
Rina
Rina
College Advising
I first reached out to Scott when my twins were applying to college. I needed some last minute help and Scott stepped in right away. He was super responsive and helped us get everything submitted on time. He also took the time to walk through the applications and answer all our questions. Honestly, his timing and support made a big difference with their successful admission to their top choice schools. I'd definitely recommend East Coast Scholars. They're easy to work with, really know their stuff, and maintain that personal touch that makes all the difference. Scott's expertise as their director sets the standard for the quality of work across their entire team of college advisors.
Timothy Samuel
Timothy Samuel
SAT/PSAT
For the math class I was enrolled in my HS sophomore year, East Coast Scholars helped reinforce the concepts I was learning in my classes so that I had a thorough understanding before exams. Last year, I took the PSAT and my first SAT exam to help me establish a baseline and identify opportunities to improve my score. I am enrolled in the SAT prep class and am learning so many new concepts and techniques. The tutors explain things in easy to understand language and give me helpful ways to recall what they are teaching. They are helping me get better prepared to be even more successful when I take my next SAT exam.
Ryan Brush
Ryan Brush
Subject: Math
Tutoring with East Coast Scholars has greatly helped me to expand my knowledge around math. Without this I wouldn’t be able to achieve as much as I have. With my tutor I am actually excited to learn because of the great balance that is kept between learning and fun during the time. Overall I would highly recommend this tutor to many if they want to have fun while expanding their knowledge.
Sarah Varghese
Sarah Varghese
Communication, Quality, Professionalism
East Coast Scholars consists of tutors who really care about their students. They go above and beyond to ensure that the student is understanding the work by always following up with them before exams and challenging them more and more. They communicate plans for the student and initiates different strategies based on the individual students needs. Always professional. Always available for questions. Great company!

What we offer.

At East Coast Scholars, we know that the college admissions journey can feel overwhelming. Between choosing the right schools, preparing strong applications, and navigating financial aid, students and families often find themselves unsure of the next step. Our College Advising program is designed to provide clarity, confidence, and a personalized plan to help each student reach their full potential.

We take the time to understand each student’s academic background, extracurricular interests, and long-term goals. From there, we build a roadmap tailored to their strengths and aspirations. Whether a student is aiming for Ivy League admission, competitive state programs, or specialized fields, we provide expert advice to make their applications stand out.

List Development

We help students identify and refine a balanced list of target, reach, and safety schools that fit their academic profile and personal goals.

Application Strategy

We provide guidance on early decision vs. early action, timelines, and deadlines to maximize acceptance opportunities.

Essay Writing

We offer one-on-one support for crafting authentic, compelling personal statements and supplemental essays.

Interview Prep

We conduct mock interviews and coaching to help students showcase their strengths, empowering them with confidence.

Financial Aid

Assistance understanding FAFSA, CSS Profile, and strategies for identifying scholarship opportunities.

Athletic Recruitment

Expert advising tailored for student-athletes aspiring to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

Why Families Choose Us.

  • Proven Results – Our students gain admission to top universities and colleges across the country.

  • Holistic Support – We guide both students and families, reducing stress and ensuring everyone is aligned on the process.

  • Experienced Advising – Our advisors bring deep expertise in admissions, test prep, and youth development, creating a supportive and knowledgeable environment.

Meet Our College Advising Team

Our College Advising Team combines decades of experience in education, admissions, and mentorship — helping students gain acceptance to the world’s most competitive universities through personalized, authentic guidance.

Scott Hammer

Scott Hammer

Director of College Advising

Scott Hammer holds degrees in literature, education, and business from universities in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. His professional background combines experience teaching at top preparatory schools and serving as an academic advisor. Scott currently demonstrates strategic leadership as an executive at a prominent technology company, where he builds and manages high-performing teams that drive organizational growth.

Dr. Cole Malsky

Dr. Cole Malsky

Dean of Writing

Dr. Cole Malsky is a New York State public high school teacher with 12 years in education and prior faculty experience at Chaminade High School teaching AP courses and guiding students on college essays and applications. He combines deep classroom practice with strategic advising to help students find their voice and stand out in admissions. Dr. Malsky holds an advanced degree in Leadership and Administration and earned a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from St. John’s University.

Shavone Adams

Shavone Adams

College Advisor

Shavone Adams is an experienced education leader with a strong background in college counseling, student success, and program management. With a Master’s in Education and a proven record of building partnerships, implementing student support initiatives, and driving academic achievement, she is passionate about helping students realize their full potential.

Dr. Kathryn Mederos Syssoyeva

Dr. Kathryn Mederos Syssoyeva

College Advisor

Dr. Kathryn Mederos Syssoyeva is an industry-leading Admissions Counselor and Educator with 20 years of experience guiding students worldwide to top university acceptances, including Stanford, MIT, and UCLA. A Stanford PhD, Fulbright and Mellon Fellow, and published scholar, she empowers students to craft authentic, compelling applications that reflect their strengths, passions, and unique stories.

Lawrence Alexander II

Lawrence Alexander II

College Advisor

Lawrence Alexander II has more than 20 years of experience in education, with 15 of those years spent as a college counselor and most recently as an admissions officer at Brown University. Alexander prides himself on fostering deep trust and imagination with the students he advises.

Start Your Child’s Journey to Academic Excellence Today.

Book your free consultation and discover how our personalized guidance can help unlock their full potential.