College Counseling & Admissions Guidance
Expert guidance from an MIT alumna with 20+ years of admissions experience — helping Americans abroad and international students navigate the US college application process.
What I Offer
From building your initial college list to preparing for your interviews, I guide students through every stage of the application process.
Develop a thoughtful, balanced list of reach, target, and likely schools matched to your academic profile and personal priorities.
Craft a personal statement and supplemental essays that are authentic, compelling, and strategically sound.
Develop a complete game plan — positioning, deadlines, early decision/action decisions, and how to present your full profile.
Practice and refine your interview skills with guidance from someone who has conducted hundreds of college interviews.
About Me
I'm Trinnie Kern, an independent college admissions consultant based in Frankfurt, Germany. I hold a BS in Electrical Engineering from MIT and a JD from the University of Washington in Seattle.
As an MIT alumna, I served as an MIT Educational Counselor for over 20 years — conducting alumni interviews on behalf of MIT and evaluating candidates firsthand as part of the admissions process. That experience gave me a rare insider's perspective on what top universities are genuinely looking for — not just on paper, but in a person.
My practice is based on genuine one-on-one support. Each student can expect an individually designed process focused on their strengths, goals, and story. I work with a select number of students each cycle to ensure every client receives the focused attention they deserve.
As a native English speaker who is also fluent in German, I specialize in working with Americans living abroad in Germany and non-Americans seeking to study at a US university.
Sessions are conducted online via video call, making it easy to work together regardless of where you are located. In-person sessions are also available for students in the Frankfurt area.
Student Voices
Ms. Kern was really easy to talk to and helped me think about what was most important to me in searching for a university.
I was really nervous about my college interviews so we practiced many interview questions which helped me feel ready for the real thing.
Trinnie helped me make a list of colleges to apply to and helped me brainstorm ideas for my essays. We also worked out a schedule for getting each of the pieces of the application done which was really helpful.
Student Acceptances Include
Why Choose Me
Two decades of evaluating students and understanding what admissions committees care about.
Direct experience with the admissions process at one of the world's most selective institutions.
I work with a limited number of students so that each one receives focused, individualized support.
How We Work Together
Every student's needs are different. I offer flexible packages tailored to where you are in the process. Pricing is discussed during your free consultation.
Focused support on your personal statement and supplemental essays — from brainstorming through final edits. Ideal for students who have their college list and strategy in place.
Targeted practice sessions to help you present yourself confidently and authentically. Especially valuable for MIT alumni interviews and other selective school formats.
End-to-end guidance from building your college list through final submission — covering strategy, essays, interview prep, and application timeline management.
The Process
We start with a no-obligation conversation to discuss your goals, timeline, and where you need the most support.
Together we design a personalized roadmap — choosing the right package, setting your milestones, and building a realistic timeline around your schedule.
We work through each step together — from college list to final submission — with regular sessions, feedback, and guidance tailored to your pace and needs.
Get Started
Whether you're in 10th grade just beginning to explore options, or in 12th grade ready to submit applications, I'd love to learn about your goals and discuss how I can help. Sessions are held online via video call or in person for students in the Frankfurt area. Reach out and let's start the conversation.
Request a Free ConsultationOr email me directly at trinniek2024@gmail.com
Flexible packages available — pricing discussed during your free consultation.
I typically respond within 1–2 business days.