Sophie Heller, College Counselor
Sophie Heller has spent the last 10 years working in higher education, admissions and essay coaching. Sophie started her career mentoring students in the Speaking, Arguing and Writing Program at her alma mater Mount Holyoke College (B.A. in English). She served as an admissions officer for study abroad programming across Spain and Latin America for American colleges and universities and as a community relations advisor for the Association of American University Programs in Spain (that’s over 100 American university programs operating in Spain!).
In 2021, Sophie earned her PhD from Georgetown University in Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies during which time she spent 5 years advising and teaching undergraduates. In 2022, Sophie accepted her position as an Assistant Professor of Teaching at Georgetown University with a joint appointment between Georgetown’s Main and Capitol Campus. Sophie is Georgetown’s first faculty member to hold such an appointment. She currently instructs courses ranging from Spanish language to advanced literature and film; she also advises Georgetown undergraduates in finding internships and other pre-professional opportunities, assists students with graduate school admissions essays and designs innovative curriculum for new Georgetown courses. Sophie is also a faculty member in Georgetown’s Doctor of Liberal Studies Program and currently instructs a foundational humanities seminar for doctoral students. Sophie also occasionally serves as Professorial Lecturer at the George Washington University.
Sophie first began her counseling career at Collegewise in 2021 and has a genuine love of crafting the most impactful applications and essays alongside each of her students. Sophie’s counseling style is collaborative, patient and energetic. Sophie loves working with high school and college students because she thinks it is one of the most exciting times in life. She believes the process of choosing a college is an opportunity for every student to explore their passions, goals, and academic trajectory with enthusiasm and joy. Sophie’s recent Collegewise students have received acceptances to UCLA, USC, and the University of Michigan amongst many other highly selective colleges and universities.
A fun fact about Sophie is that she worked at the Embassy of Finland throughout graduate school teaching Spanish to diplomats (and picking up a little Finnish along the way!). Sophie is a Seattle native who loves a good PNW hike or mountain road trip -- she also learned to salsa dance during a semester she spent researching in Bogotá, Colombia and regularly returns to Spain to visit friends and family.
Education & Experience
B.A., English, Mount Holyoke College
M.A., Spanish, Middlebury College
Ph.D., Georgetown University, Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies
Professional Organizations Memberships
NACAC: National Association for College Admission Counseling
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