Aja Altenhof
she/her
Aja Altenhof

About

I went to the University of Pennsylvania (C’ 21) where I double majored in Linguistics & Cognitive Science and graduated magna cum laude. I just finished my Masters in the Evolution of Language and Cognition at the University of Edinburgh, where I graduated with the highest honors. In 2023, I worked at Princeton University as a research specialist in a computational neuroscience lab. Now, I’m a PhD student in Linguistics at UW Madison. Fall 2024 will be my sixth admissions cycle working working in college advising! I emphasize a holistic approach to advising. I'm here to guide my students through every step of the process, from creating the perfect school list and admissions narrative, through submission and finally, interview prep. I have extensive experience teaching both the SAT and ACT allowing for the seamless pairing of tutoring and admissions guidance. Finally, as someone who studies and writes about language for a living, I am a precise and effective editor. There is nothing mo...

Aja helped students get into:
University of PennsylvaniaBrown University
Duke UniversityVanderbilt University
University of MiamiUniversity of Florida
Cornell UniversityJohns Hopkins University
University of Pennsylvania
Brown University
Duke University
Vanderbilt University
University of Miami
University of Florida
Cornell University
Johns Hopkins University
Aja helps with…
College Interviews
Highly Selective College Admissions
Standardized Tests (SAT/ACT)
College Applications & Essays
School-Specific Supplemental Essays
Madison, WI
5 years of experience
English | Spanish
University of Wisconsin-Madison – PhD | PhD student in Linguistics, focused on experimental and computational approaches to language evolution
University of Pennsylvania – BA | Cognitive Science & Linguistics
Psychology
Computer Science
Language
Linguistics
Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
Next available sessions
According to your time zone (CUT)
Fun Facts
🙏
Best piece of advice
"At the end of the day, you are going to college — not your parents or your friends — and you deserve to be happy there."

💼
First job
Camp Counselor

📚
Favorite book
A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab

📓
Favorite subject in school
English

🎵
Favorite artist
Taylor Swift

🪄
Hobbies
Reading, Powerlifting, Baking

My process

I take a holistic and structured approach to advising, ensuring that each session supports the next and centers the student's needs. As a low-income student, I am intimately familiar with the ins and outs of financial aid and securing lucrative scholarships. As an academic linguistic, someone who thinks about words and meanings for a living, I am a meticulous, knowledgeable and constructive essay editor.

Packages

Advising - 5 hours

5 hours

For families looking for a little additional support during the college admissions process!
$700($140/hr)
Save 7%

Test Prep - 5 hours

5 hours

For families interested in boosting their ACT or SAT scores, this package includes 5 hours of test prep tailored to the student's needs!
$500($100/hr)
Save 33%

Advising - 10 hours

10 hours

For families looking for help on a couple of key schools
$1,300($130/hr)
Save 13%

Advising - 25 hours

25 hours

For families looking for greater support across the admissions process. Perfect for students with more supplemental essays!
$3,000($120/hr)
Save 20%

Advising - Unlimited

50 hours

Unlimited college support! Best for families with a long college list composed of lots of competitive schools!
$5,250($105/hr)
Save 30%

Advising hours

College admissions advising

$150.00 / 60 min

Set a focus for each session or get help with any aspect of the admissions process.


Essay Brainstorming

$150.00 / 60 min

Too many ideas? Too few? In this session, we will find the right path for your essay


Essay Editing I

$300.00 / 120 min

Receive comments and revisions for a 500-600 word essay paired with a 1 Zoom hr meeting to apply them!


Essay Editing II

$225.00 / 90 min

Receive comments and revisions for a 200 - 400 word essay paired with a 45 min Zoom meeting to apply them


Getting to know you! (and me!)

$20.00 / 30 min

Let's chat to discuss your college goals. Decide if I'm the right match for you!


Interview Prep I (General)

$187.00 / 75 min

Learn all the information you need to nail your next interview!


Interview Prep II (Mock Interview)

$187.00 / 75 min

Put your new skills to the test in a mock interview!

Recent reviews

5.0(14 reviews)

“Thanks Aja! The comments and suggestions were really helpful!"

Wei W.

“Amazing and talented Aja was excellent in reviewing my daughters essay to update/review. I was impressed with College Vine but more impressed with Aja. High recommendations from this family."

Nick M.

“Not only does Aja have a wealth of knowledgeable and experiences in her expertise, she’s also very personable and easy to talk to! I can see my daughter working with Aja very well. Really appreciate her sharing and guiding us through the nuisances of college admission process. Thanks Aja! Look forward to working with you more :)"

Ed C.
Join a quick meeting
Let’s chat
Any questions? Let’s hop on a quick call to learn more about your needs in the admissions process and how I can approach them
Join a quick meeting
Let’s chat
Any questions? Let’s hop on a quick call to learn more about your needs in the admissions process and how I can approach them
Madison, WI
5 years of experience
English | Spanish
University of Wisconsin-Madison – PhD | PhD student in Linguistics, focused on experimental and computational approaches to language evolution
University of Pennsylvania – BA | Cognitive Science & Linguistics
Psychology
Computer Science
Language
Linguistics
Neuroscience
Cognitive Science
Next available sessions
According to your time zone (CUT)
Fun Facts
🙏
Best piece of advice
"At the end of the day, you are going to college — not your parents or your friends — and you deserve to be happy there."

💼
First job
Camp Counselor

📚
Favorite book
A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab

📓
Favorite subject in school
English

🎵
Favorite artist
Taylor Swift

🪄
Hobbies
Reading, Powerlifting, Baking
Tips for success
1. Prepare for your first session
Plan out the questions and topics you'd like to discuss. If you'd like to work together in the long term, discuss expectations for each other.