Charles Lu, College Counselor
Dr. Charles Lu’s career has centered on expanding access, equity, and success in higher education—and now, he brings that same dedication to his students at Collegewise. With more than a decade of leadership experience at institutions including Johns Hopkins University, the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Texas at Austin, Charles has developed and led nationally recognized student success programs, reviewed thousands of college applications, and mentored students from all walks of life as they’ve launched their higher education journeys. His students have been accepted to colleges and universities across the country, including Harvard, Columbia, Brown, UPenn, Yale, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, University of Chicago, Duke, Rice, Northwestern, MIT, Berkeley, UCLA, University of Michigan, University of Virginia, and Pomona.
Charles brings particular strength in working with students from multilingual, multicultural, and first-generation backgrounds, as well as those pursuing STEM, pre-health, and research-driven academic paths. He’s also a former admissions reader and seasoned essay coach who brings exceptional insight into what makes an application stand out. His approach blends thoughtful guidance with high standards, helping students unearth meaningful stories, set ambitious goals, and present their authentic selves on every part of the application.
Charles holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy from The University of Texas at Austin, and he most recently served as Branch Chief of Strategic Initiatives and Engagement at the National Institutes of Health. But behind the titles and accolades is someone whose passion for counseling is deeply personal. As a first-generation college student, Charles knows how transformational the right support can be, and he’s committed to ensuring that today’s students don’t have to navigate the process alone.
As Charles puts it:
“As a first-generation college graduate and the first in my family to navigate the higher education system, I often reflect on how transformative it would have been to have had a dedicated college counselor by my side. The journey was filled with uncertainty and unanswered questions, and I’ve made it my mission to ensure that today’s students and families don’t have to face those same challenges alone.”
An avid traveler who has explored over 20 countries—always taking in street food and strong coffee—wherever his feet may find him, Charles is also a co-founder of a nonprofit that supports first-generation students.
Education & Experience
University of Texas at Austin, Ph.D.
Loyola Marymount University, M.A.
University of Texas at Austin, B.S.
Associate Dean, Johns Hopkins University
Director, Office of Academic Support & Instructional Services, UC San Diego
Executive Director, Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence, UT Austin
Professional Organization Memberships
NACAC: National Association for College Admission Counseling
NASPA: National Association of Student Personnel Administrators
Ready to tackle the admissions process?
AS SEEN IN
