Carla Goodwin, College Counselor
Shortly after graduating from Georgetown University, Carla discovered that the admissions process is one of the most fascinating wonders of the world. This passion, paired with her love of connecting with others, led her to pursue a career in higher education. Her professional journey has taken her from Admissions Counselor to Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at George Mason University, and later to Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Howard University. Through her direct experience in selection, application review, and enrollment management strategy, Carla brings invaluable insider knowledge to her college counseling practice.
Carla’s students have been admitted to a wide range of selective colleges and universities, including Berkeley, UCLA, UC San Diego, Carnegie Mellon, UNC Chapel Hill, University of Washington, Boston University, Emory, Macalester, Clemson, George Washington, Virginia Tech, Purdue, Ohio State, Fordham, Syracuse, Vassar, Oberlin, Wheaton, Wesleyan, McGill, LSU, UMass Amherst, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Beyond her individual counseling work, Carla has established herself as a leader in the profession. She was elected Executive Vice President of PCACAC (Potomac & Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling), following a successful term as Communications Chair. She also co-produces PCACAC’s podcast, The Anchor Exchange, which encourages professionals to empathize with student struggles while highlighting the unsung heroes bridging academic divides. Her commitment to professional development is further demonstrated by her completion of the PCACAC Leadership Education Certificate. Additionally, she has presented at multiple conferences on topics ranging from student worker pipelines to innovative communication strategies. In 2022, she was honored as PCACAC Counselor of the Year.
Carla’s counseling superpower lies in her authentic, honest approach, paired with her ability to nudge students toward recognizing their academic potential while meeting them exactly where they are. She thrives when working with families who are transparent, communicative, and open to the process, and she is particularly effective with students who need significant guidance and insight from someone with direct field experience.
Testimonials from Carla’s Collegewise families most often echo the sentiment: “Thank you so much for all your help—I couldn’t have done it without you.”
When she’s not immersed in all things admissions, Carla can be found singing her heart out at concerts (she has seen 99 musical artists live, including Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour twice), cheering on her beloved Giants and Serena Williams, or savoring a bowl of pasta.
Education & Experience
Georgetown University, B.A.
George Mason University, M.A.
Senior Assistant Director of Admissions, Howard University
Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, George Mason University
Admissions Counselor, George Mason University
Instructional Staff, George Mason University Honors College
Professional Organization Memberships
NACAC: National Association for College Admission Counseling
PCACAC: Potomac & Chesapeake Association for College Admission Counseling
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