As a parent, I've navigated the college admissions journey firsthand with my two daughters. Through this experience, I witnessed how overwhelming and opaque the process can be—the countless choices, the uncertainty, the lack of clear guidance.
My eldest daughter earned a $180,000 scholarship from RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), top 10 Return on Investment among nationwide colleges. My youngest was accepted to Harvard through Early Action. These successes didn't come from luck—they came from strategic planning at an early stage, data-driven decision-making, and authentic storytelling.
But I also learned something more important: families need a partner who truly understands both the analytical and emotional sides of this journey. Someone who can cut through the confusion with clear insights while supporting students to build their authentic brands.
That's why I founded Criterion Admissions—to share these learnings and help other families navigate this critical journey with confidence, clarity, and success.
— Bonnie, Founder of Criterion Admissions
Bonnie Wen brings over 20 years of Fortune 500 experience launching global brands and driving over $100 million in business. She holds a Master's in Journalism and an MBA. As founder and CEO of Criterion Admissions, she helps high school students navigate competitive admissions, discover and build their own authentic brands based on their passion and strengths, strategize academic and extracurricular plans, and execute seamlessly. Her approach combines data-driven insights, personalized mentoring, global perspective, and resilience. Bonnie lives in Wellesley and has two daughters—one a senior at RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute), the other a freshman at Harvard.
Dr. Andrew Foland brings a decade of experience in academic admissions, advising, and essay coaching. A former Harvard professor (and admissions committee member), Cornell Ph.D., and Harvard undergraduate, he brings unparalleled insight into the admissions process. He excels in guiding students to articulate their unique stories, ensuring applications stand out in competitive admissions processes. Dr. Foland also adopts the concept of economic portfolio management in college selection, using patent-pending modeling to evaluate the likelihood of being admitted to each college and recommend a strategic list to achieve the best outcome for matriculation.