We take an empowering, women-centered approach to the college prep, search and application process.
Through individualized college counseling, unique college tours, and enrichment programs, we’re committed to helping girls from around the globe seize opportunities for higher education in the U.S.
Hammer, meet glass ceiling.
Here's the big idea.
Through our services, young women will be introduced to top women’s and co-ed colleges across the U.S, gain a greater understanding of how gender impacts our lives, and connect with phenomenal women across academia and industry. No more “dream schools” - we’re wide awake and making it happen.
You're one of a kind AND part of a community.
Every girl is unique. That’s why we take an individualized, mentor-like approach in our college counseling services -- but don’t think you have to go it alone! Global Girls Prep tours have a collaborative, supportive small group dynamic that inspires solidarity and encourages friendships with the other students on our tours. Looking for a friend who’s just as motivated and excited as you? Try 10.
Who's on your team.
You’ll have the full support of our experienced and highly qualified team of professionals every step of the way as you map out your journey to higher education. Your mentors are former U.S. admissions officers and college counselors, who know the process from the inside out. Real women. Real answers. Real world success.
Networking like a boss.
We help build you a safety net of inspiring women working in the fields you’re considering, or to show you opportunities you didn't know existed! After all, the college admissions process is about more than just that magical moment when you open your acceptance letter - it’s about finding the best resources to shape your future. Got a question? Ask her. Or her. Or her or her or - you get the point!
Meet the Team
Julie Kling
Founder
Julie (she/her/hers) is a feminist educator with over a decade of experience in college admissions at Washington University in St. Louis, New York University, and NYU Shanghai. After leaving admissions, Julie worked as an independent college counselor with students from all over the world before launching Global Girls Prep.
As a member of Int'l Association of College Admissions Counseling, her passion is to connect young women with opportunities that position them for future academic and career success.
Member, Int'l Association of College Admissions Counseling
MSc, London School of Economics & Political Science
BA, Washington University in St. Louis
Amy Chou-Sheikh
Instructor: Women-in-Action
Amy (she/her/hers) has over a decade of experience building people power through social justice philanthropy, youth development, leadership, and advocacy.
Amy is currently the Sr. Program Officer at the Brooklyn Community Foundation where she manages a portfolio of grantees working towards racial justice in Brooklyn.
Amy was formerly Sr. Program Officer at The New York Women’s Foundation working across areas of economic security; anti-violence and safety; and health, sexual rights, and reproductive justice.
BA, Harvard University
MPA, New York University (NYU)
“I enjoy working with the young women in the Women-in-Action (WIA) program because of their passion, curiosity, and commitment to making the world a better place. I always look forward to seeing them grow as change agents in their communities.”
Janna Emig
Creative Portfolio Mentor: TV/Film Production, Dramatic Writing
Janna (she/her/hers) has worked in post production on a wide range of projects, including the Netflix series Maniac and the Academy Award winning film I, Tonya. After graduating with a B.F.A. in theater from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, she discovered her interest in film editing, and completed intensive editing training at Manhattan Edit Workshop.
BFA, Tisch School of the Arts @ New York University (NYU)
“I love mentoring young filmmakers as they take the first step in their storytelling careers, helping them shape their portfolio to highlight their unique point of view.”
Mica Le John
Instructor/Mentor: Women-in-Action
Mica (she/her/hers) is an educator, technologist and writer whose work uses an intersectional lens to explore the relationship between art and technology. She has worked with youth across North America with organizations such as Built By Girls, The New School, No Longer Empty and City-As-School. A graduate of the New School (NYC), Mica holds a B.S. in Liberal Arts, and completed the Riggio Honors Program for Writing and Democracy.
BS, The New School
Certificate in Design Management, Ryerson University (Canada)
“I love working with Global Girls Prep students because it enables me to hear how the next generation approaches the world, learning about the tools they want to build in order to bring about positive outcomes.”
Sarah Means
writing mentor: college essays
Sarah (she/her/hers) has taught English in Parisian high schools, worked on education and writing projects with the film distributor Rising Alternative, New York Theatre Workshop, and the Cultural Services of the French Embassy.
AA, Bard College at Simon’s Rock
BA, Rutgers University
“It is a great joy to work with the clients at Global Girls Prep to help them be the best writers they can be and get into the college of their dreams! “
Jennifer Noriega
Project coordinator
Jennifer (she/her/hers) is a bilingual marketing and communications professional with experience in multiple sectors including education, consulting and non-profits. She has worked on gender equality awareness projects in Central America and the Caribbean, and held liaison roles at the International Council for Adult Education and the International Language Schools of Canada, where she focused on improving Latin American and European market coverage.
BA, Concordia University (Montreal)
“I’m passionate about gender diversity and gender equality, and I believe it starts with education, where young women should be given the tools and opportunity set to shine and thrive - a stepping stone for gender equality in all other dimensions of human interaction.”
Emily Oliveira
creative Portfolio Mentor: Visual Arts + Architecture
Emily (they/them/their/she/her/hers) is an interdisciplinary artist based in Brooklyn, who has worked as an art educator and tutor for over 10 years. She received her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, studied performance at Brown University, and is currently an MFA candidate at Yale.
She has exhibited and performed widely in venues including BRIC, CUE Art Foundation, Wave Hill, Vox Populi, SPRING/BREAK Art Show, Columbia, SOHO20, and Ars Nova. She has received awards and residencies from institutions including MAD, Yaddo, Ars Nova, and BRIC. She was a 2019 Van Lier Fellow at Wave Hill and a 2020 NYFA Artist Fellow. In 2023, she will be the Abbey Awards Fellow at the British School at Rome.
BFA, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)
Electives, Brown University
MFA Candidate, Yale University
“I love helping a student find her voice - creating a portfolio and a body of work that tells a story about who she is, how she sees the world, and what she will bring to a college or university. Getting to be a part of that journey, and meeting these young women as they embark on a lifetime in the arts is incredibly rewarding, and I am inspired by the passion and creativity of these girls every day!”
Emily Ruderman
writing mentor: college essays
Emily (she/her/hers) is an editor, copywriter, and marketer based in NYC. She also works as a Learning Specialist at Tiffany & Co. In this role, she helps to develop and deliver educational training to employees across the organization. Outside of work, Emily an active member of the Blue Hill Troupe, a volunteer theatre organization that performs musicals, Gilbert & Sullivan operettas, and concerts for the benefit of local charities.
BA, University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)
“I thoroughly enjoy editing essays for Global Girls Prep because it is empowering to help young women share their stories and brighten their futures. I hope to help shape the lives of the next generation just as many strong women did for me.”
Angela Tilley-Ruiz
Instructor/Mentor: Women-in-Action
Angela (they/them/their/she/her/hers) is a student-centered professional who advocates for access, equity, and inclusion. She earned her master’s degree in Applied Women’s Studies with a concentration in Higher Education, focusing on media literacy and body-positivity through a social justice lens. Her past experience includes working for Pitzer College in the Office of Admission and serving as the Assistant Director of Career Services and Internships at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Los Angeles. She has worked with the Geena Davis Institute on Gender and Media, and volunteered with the Feminist Majority Foundation, LGBTQ Resource Center, Latinx Student Union, Black Lives Matter, and the Community Engagement Center.
BA, California State University – Dominguez Hills
MA, Claremont Graduate University
“I enjoy connecting with so many exceptionally bright and talented young women through my work at Global Girls Prep. Having this unique online space to share and learn from each other has enabled dialogue centered on equity and social justice that most traditional classroom settings lack. It’s an honor to teach young global citizens with purpose who are the leaders of tomorrow.”
Adriana Tosun
Writing Mentor: College essays & Women-in-ACtion
Adriana (she/her/hers) teaches writing to undergraduates at the University of California - San Diego, where she is also currently pursuing her MFA. Before moving to California, she taught English in France, and then in New Jersey, where she worked with 9th-12th graders at Fusion Academy - Morristown. Two of her plays have been produced in New York City, her experimental interactive work has been installed in New York City and London, and her comics have been displayed in San Diego.
BA, Rutgers University
MFA Candidate, University of California – San Diego
“I enjoy working with Global Girls Prep students on their college essays because all women have the right to a rigorous and supportive education at a school they love, and because I deeply care about helping students showcase their unique voices, talents, and dreams.”
Dallas Woodburn
Writing Mentor: Women-in-Action
Dallas (she/her/hers) is a writer of fiction, nonfiction, and plays. Her debut YA novel, The Best Week That Never Happened, was released from Month9Books in April 2020. Her nonfiction has been published in Family Circle, Writer’s Digest, The Writer, The Los Angeles Times, Modern Loss, and more than two dozen Chicken Soup for the Soul series books. Her plays have been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, South Lake Tahoe, and Maryland.
BA & Merit Scholar, University of Southern California (USC)
MFA, Purdue University
“I love working with Global Girls Prep students on their writing because I learn so much from their insightful perspectives, intelligence and compassion, and their genuine interest in these topics. They are eager to learn and to receive feedback to make their writing the best it can be. It is truly a pleasure to help them revise multiple drafts until they have a finished piece they are proud to call their own.”
Dana Zullo
creative Portfolio Mentor: Visual Arts
Dana (she/her/hers) provides professional guidance and support to teach visual art and design students how to craft stand-out portfolios and navigate the college application process with confidence. Her goal is to motivate students to continue performing, learning, adapting, and growing. She draws on years of experience in the field of art and design where she worked in museums and galleries such as: The New York Transit Museum, Caren Golden Fine Art, and Crown Point Press.
Experienced as a published author of artist biographies, Dana helps students explore their own unique qualities and provides guidance to present portfolios in compelling arrangements. She also taught secondary school art in Ghana for two years in the Peace Corps and was a Senior Enrollment Representative at the Savannah College of Art and Design.
B.A. Columbia University, Visual Arts
M.A. San Francisco State University, Equity and Social Justice in Education
“I connect and coach with compassion, and work persistently to achieve preferred outcomes for my students. I take pride in being the bridge between aspirations and opportunities for all students.”
Neha Raval
INSTRUCTOR: WOMEN-IN-ACTION
Neha (she/her/hers) has more than ten years of experience working in global health and gender justice. She works with Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Neha also worked with Frontline Solutions, advising private foundations and nonprofit organizations, Global Fund for Children, and the New York Women’s Foundation. She served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Moldova and speaks English, Gujarati, and Russian.
B.A. Rutgers University, Women’s Studies
M.A. American University’s School of International Service, Certificate in Nonprofit Management
"I love working with students to help solidify their vision and turn their dreams into reality. I also love helping young women think critically about the world and their place within it."