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About Us
The Distinctive Difference

The Distinctive Difference

Distinctive College Consulting focuses on the unique value that we bring to the table as college consultants with degrees from elite institutions and as experts in higher education. With years of experience working at universities, we know what makes applicants successful college students.

Dr. Victoria Tillson Evans, Founder and President

Our Professionals

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Dr. Victoria Tillson Evans, Founder and President

Dr. Victoria Tillson Evans is the Harvard-educated founder of Distinctive College Consulting, one of the Washington, D.C. area’s most successful college consulting businesses. Dr. Tillson Evans previously served on the faculty at some of our nation’s most prestigious schools, including Middlebury College and Harvard University, before launching Distinctive College Consulting in 2013.

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Dr. Adrian Cho, College Consultant and Essay Specialist

Dr. Adrian Cho brings a wealth of academic experience from Harvard University (Ph.D., Speech & Hearing Sciences), Northwestern University (M.S., Biomedical Engineering), and Michigan State University (B.S., Physics). He has an extensive background in tutoring and teaching students in both classroom and one-on-one settings. His personalized approach empowers students to maximize their academic potential and achieve their goals.

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Dr. Adam Muri-Rosenthal, College Consultant

Dr. Adam Muri-Rosenthal is a former academic dean of Harvard’s Adams House and of Loyola University Chicago’s Center in Rome, Italy. He holds an A.M. and Ph.D. from Harvard University, an M.A. from Middlebury College Language Schools, and a B.A. from Vassar College. He brings extensive years of experience in teaching and academic advising to help his Distinctive students grow as both students and writers!

Education

Our experience as professors and teachers at elite schools means that we know what attributes and extracurricular activities make students successful. We understand how to spark students’ excitement for learning, showing them how to relate their interests to those of great thinkers and ideas. With Distinctive, preparing for college is not merely a process, it’s a learning experience.

Experience

Victoria and Nora’s combined experiences as consultants, writers, and faculty will help your family understand the ins-and-outs of the admissions process. Whether your child desires to attend a small liberal arts school or a large university, they ensure that their students put their best foot forward with the colleges of their choice.

Essays

Having published several professional articles, revised hundreds of student essays, and earned numerous competitive distinctions, Victoria and Nora know what it means to write, and write well. They approach their students’ admissions applications with a keen eye to style and content, allowing them to distinguish themselves in their achievements and voice.

Our Memberships

We are members of the most prominent professional associations for higher education admissions consulting.

Testimonials

"Victoria was our trusted ally, confidant, and adviser from the very start of the college application process. Her knowledge and advice were critical to our son’s success. She guided him through high school junior and senior years, encouraging him to think realistically about college and how to maximize his chances. Victoria also managed us, the parents, very effectively with great reserves of tact and diplomacy. While it was our son who worked hard to earn his place in college, Victoria was the guide who made sure he made the most of his talents. Thanks to excellent teamwork, our son has been accepted into an excellent college that was at the top of his reach list."
Parent
"Without your guidance I would have been lost in the college process, thank you so much for helping me gather my thoughts when I couldn’t, thank you for helping me express myself when I felt confused, and most importantly thank you for helping me find my home for the next 4 years!"
Grant
Thank you for everything that you did during my college application process! I appreciate you taking the time to help me brainstorm, plan, and write my college essays. I know that I could not have gotten in to my first choice without your help and guidance.
Dina
"Thank you so much for your steady hand, your exceptional expertise and your proactive approach to handling the application process. Both [my daughter] and I feel that you gave her the best possible application to the best fit schools while spreading the work load out sufficiently that it was, while challenging, manageable."
Brad
"You have made the process so much easier and I will be sure to recommend you to others that I know will soon be beginning this process. It really has been a pleasure to share this stage of my life with you for the past 3 years and your help will no doubt benefit me for the rest of my life and for that I thank you!"
Selam
"After months of working with Adam, I can truly say that I am so grateful to have had someone to guide me through the college application process. It seemed daunting at first, especially the many essays that were required, but applications became simple thanks to his help. If I ever came across anything I was unsure of, Adam was always just an email away. Thank you Adam and Victoria for helping me get into my number one school!"
Zosia
I cannot thank Adam and the Distinctive team enough for their guidance and support throughout the college admissions process. There is so much nuance that would have been impossible to navigate without their help. Because of Adam, I was able to uncover aspects of myself that remarkably enhanced the story I told through my application, helping me take it to a whole new level. I could not have gotten into my dream school without Adam going above and beyond to provide meaningful, constructive feedback and being so committed to helping me reach my full potential!
Zoe