Dilara believes that everyone has a unique personal journey on the road to college, and she excels at helping students chart their individual paths. She loves listening to her students tell their life stories and "geek out" about their interests, and she uses her ten-plus years of experience in higher education to develop college lists, application materials, and long-term strategies for admission.

"Teenagers are my favorite humans, and guiding them through the college process is an honor and privilege I cherish. I strive to provide my students with a working and thinking space that is free of judgment and open to fun and curiosity. Like colleges, no two students are alike, and I love listening to my students share their hopes and interests to provide them with the best college planning experience possible.

"My passion is guiding and supporting students through the college application process with minimal stress and maximum individualization. I have experience working with students from all backgrounds, and I start our meetings by checking in on what's going on in their lives so I can tailor our sessions to meet their needs. I pride myself on being an excellent problem solver and breaking down tasks into manageable steps that fit into their busy schedules. My goal is to empower students to take ownership of their college journey and to be their advocate, cheerleader, and number one fan.

Originally from the Bay Area, Dilara was an award-winning poet, passionate theater nerd, and fierce field hockey goalie in high school. She received her BA in English and Creative Writing from UC Berkeley, where she was editor-in-chief of the Berkeley Poetry Review and an Alpha Chi Omega sorority member. She received her MA in English from UT Austin, where she designed and taught the popular "Rhetoric of Female Pop Stars" course and worked as a writing consultant helping students draft essays, resumes, scholarship applications, and novels. When she isn't working with students, she enjoys bingeing reality TV and Star Trek with her husband and their pet dachshunds, Worf and Ruby.

"The college selection process was 100% Thea's, which is how it should be. She got amazing support and guidance from Dilara. And we parents were aware and cheering her on but not nudging, worrying, adding to her stress, or making decisions that should have been hers. Heaven!"

— Laura Beck