Alessandro brings analytical depth, empathy, and creativity to his role of Head Advisor at AtomicMind, where he empowers students to craft powerful narratives grounded in authenticity and originality.

‍Where did you go to school and what inspired you to pursue a career in education?

I moved to the U.S. after graduating high school, and went on to earn a Bachelor’s in History at Yale and a Master’s in International Economics and Politics at Johns Hopkins. During my junior year of college, I spent two trimesters at Oxford as part of their Visiting Students Program, which gave me the opportunity to immerse myself in the University’s world-renowned tutorial system and gain a deeper understanding of the UK higher education landscape—an experience I regularly draw upon when advising American and international students applying to Oxbridge and other top UK universities.

Along the way, I started tutoring for the SAT, TOEFL, and GMAT, and that soon expanded to encompass college essay support, interview prep, and admissions coaching. My passion for teaching and helping students achieve their full potential has led me to a fulfilling career in education. Over the years, the students I’ve worked with have gained acceptance into highly competitive institutions across the United States and abroad, including Columbia, Brown, Cambridge, the University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern, UCLA, and many others.

‍How do you tailor your approach to meet the unique needs of each student?

Working with students from 7th to 12th grade (and beyond), I’m used to adjusting my approach and communication style based on each student’s personality, academic priorities, and executive functioning skills. Some students thrive with a high level of independence. They feel internally motivated to take ownership of the process, and look to their head advisor as a mentor as much as a sparring partner to bounce ideas around, challenge their assumptions, and explore new creative angles. Others benefit from greater structure and closer collaboration to stay organized, manage their time effectively, and keep on track. As students mature and develop intellectually and emotionally, my role shifts accordingly, whether that means offering more space to encourage autonomy and accountability or stepping in to provide hands-on support and step-by-step supervision when necessary. What I believe makes the AtomicMind team stand out within the college consulting space is our shared commitment to delivering expert guidance while at the same time building trusting relationships to respond to our students’ changing needs in real time.

‍What’s your strategy for helping students discover and communicate their personal narrative?

For students who come to us early on in their high school careers or even during middle school, it is important that they begin their journeys with an open mind and a desire to seek out new ideas and experiences. Freshman year in particular should serve as a time of intellectual and personal exploration—an opportunity to join different clubs and organizations, meet new people, and step outside one’s comfort zone. Families sometimes worry that their children might fall behind if they don’t settle on a clear trajectory right away—and understandably so, given the ever-increasing expectations placed on students applying to highly competitive institutions. That sense of urgency, however, can be counterproductive, as it inevitably reduces the surface for cross-contamination between subjects and activities, closing the student off to the very kind of interdisciplinary scholarship that often makes for the most compelling and distinctive application narratives. One of my primary responsibilities is to guide students and families in balancing these competing priorities from the outset to ensure that academic rigor and purposeful direction go hand in hand with uniqueness and authenticity.

With older students who are closer to the admissions cycle, the focus is less on finding new passions and more on showcasing the depth and scope of their existing interests and accomplishments. At this stage in the process, I’m still actively helping students strengthen their résumés by applying to relevant programs and internships, securing summer research opportunities, winning awards, and spearheading high-impact initiatives, but the emphasis lies on polishing their stories and positioning them as undeniable candidates for admission to top universities. As junior year grades become available and college lists crystallize, rising seniors must also be ready to pivot and create highly targeted application strategies depending on the specific schools and majors under consideration.

‍How do you strike a balance between encouraging ambition and managing expectations?

Students can get overconfident at times, and when that happens, I initiate an honest conversation to channel their energy and enthusiasm in a positive direction while setting the right expectations. Every year, college admissions become more and more grounded in empirical data, so it is crucial that students (and families) fully understand how closely their grades, test scores, and metrics are tied to their admission prospects. On the other end of the spectrum, many students are afraid to aim high for fear of disappointment, so they need an external source of validation on top of their parents, teachers, and counselors—someone in their corner who can provide reassurance and inspire them to dream big. In both cases, I’ve learned that the key is trust: young people can see through insincerity very easily, and respond best when they know without reservation that the person they’re opening up to has their interests at heart.

‍Can you share a memorable story where your work had a lasting impact on a student?

Last year, I had the privilege of working closely with a remarkable young man preparing for a career in medicine with the goal of one day contributing to advancing our scientific understanding of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and other neurodegenerative disorders. Getting to know him throughout the process was extremely rewarding, and served as a powerful reminder of why I chose this profession. The student's determination and strong academic credentials, combined with our team’s mentorship and ongoing support, ultimately led him to secure a full-ride scholarship at Emory University, where he’ll continue to pursue his dream of becoming a neurologist and improving patients' lives through research and care.

Which one of AtomicMind's Head Advisors is the best fit to guide you on your academic journey? Contact us today for a free consultation!

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