Meet Theo!

Theodore (Theo) Twidwell, College Counselor

Over the past five years, Theo has guided a diverse caseload of high school students through the college application process across multiple countries, helping them gain admission to competitive universities in the US, Canada, the UK, and Europe. His students have been admitted to highly selective institutions including University of Pennsylvania, Georgetown, USC, NYU, UC Berkeley, the University of Toronto, Queen Mary University of London, and Erasmus University Rotterdam, among many others. 

As a first-generation college graduate, Theo brings an authentic understanding of the transformative power of higher education to his work with families. His approach centers on empowering students to take on the admissions process on their own terms, helping them feel confident and prepared rather than overwhelmed. His experience spans the full spectrum of student competitiveness—from those targeting Ivy League institutions to students seeking the best fit regardless of rankings—and he takes particular pride in helping every student clarify their goals and choose universities that align with their unique interests and profiles.

What makes Theo’s experience particularly unique is his five years working as an independent college counselor in Mexico City, where he developed expertise not only in U.S. admissions but also in navigating international applications and supporting students from diverse cultural backgrounds. His fluency in Spanish and deep cultural competency from his years in Mexico City have given him unique expertise in working with both international and domestic families and students navigating cross-cultural educational transitions, serving families ranging from those deeply familiar with the admissions process to those encountering it for the first time.

As a Lead College Mentor at Mosaico Mentors, Theo developed and led workshops for school counselors throughout Mexico City on topics ranging from the Common App to stress management, and he has trained new mentors on essay writing and building strong student-mentor relationships. A graduate of Macalester College, Theo has also worked as a Senior College Coach at an independent college planning firm in Mexico City.

Now back in his home state of California, Theo can often be found swimming, exploring national parks across the US and Mexico, and indulging his passions as both a foodie and a self-described “huge geography and history nerd.”

Education & Experience

Macalester College, B.A. 

Lead College Mentor, Mosaico Mentors

Senior College Coach, Independent college planning firm

AmeriCorps Promise Fellow, Breakthrough Twin Cities

Writing Preceptor, Macalester College

Professional Organization Memberships

NACAC: National Association for College Admission Counseling