About Our Admissions Counselors - Next Step Admissions

About Us

Next Step Admissions

Expert Admissions Counselors

About Next Step Admissions

At Next Step Admissions, our mission is to empower students to achieve their fullest potential in their educational journey. We are dedicated to providing personalized support and guidance to students, recognizing their unique backgrounds and aspirations. We ensure that every student receives the individualized tools and resources to succeed.

Building Strong Student Relationships For Success

Driven by our core values of compassion, integrity, and excellence, we build strong relationships with each of our students.

Decades of Counseling and Admissions Expertise

Using our expertise in counseling and admissions, we create tailored strategies to help students gain acceptance to top undergraduate and medical schools.

Academic, Personal, and Professional Skills Training

We believe in the transformative power of education and equip students with the skills and confidence to thrive academically, professionally, and personally.

Unwavering Dedication To Each Of Our Students

Through our unwavering dedication to student success, we aspire to make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve both in their academic and personal lives.

Meet The Next Step Admissions Team

Nicole Sam

Founder

Nicole Sam

Nicole completed her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at UCLA and went on to obtain a Master’s in Counseling, focusing on College Counseling and Student Services. With her strong foundation in counseling and over a decade of experience in higher education, she excels at building relationships with students and supports them in gaining admission to their desired programs.

She also served as the Director of Admissions at an educational technology company, through which she created and managed the Medical School Admissions Program, and personally supported hundreds of students in earning acceptances to medical schools. Nicole creates a trusting, nonjudgmental environment for students, focusing on their individualized needs and goals to support their short- and long-term success.

Eager to support you through your educational pathway, Nicole believes we are supporting students in obtaining invaluable life skills that will support them for years to come. While she enjoys working with all students, she truly excels at supporting nontraditional students, including immigrants, first-generation students, English language learners, career changers, and reapplicants.

Why Choose Us

Work With Us

Expert and Transparent Admissions Counseling Services

We bring a deep understanding of the application process and a commitment to helping students succeed. We offer transparent, realistic guidance rather than just telling you what you want to hear.

Admissions Counselor and Editor Teams With Strong Experience

We’re professional counselors and editors who review hundreds of applications annually and understand what schools seek in candidates. We prioritize your success, offering easy communication, flexible packages, and personalized services to meet your educational goals.

Each Admissions Counselor is Dedicated To Student Success

Our counseling background allows us to build a strong rapport with our students, supporting their personal and professional growth and the day-to-day specifications of the application process.

Our Student Testimonials

Students love working with our team of expert admissions counselors and editors at Next Step Admissions. See what our students have to say about our counselor services!

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“From one of the first applications I submitted to appealing a waitlist decision towards the end of my senior year, Nicole was always available and provided a great amount of support throughout my entire college application process. She directed me towards ideas I hadn’t considered and helped me with concepts that I struggled to understand. I am truly grateful for how she was able to translate my ideas and intentions into a strong application, allowing me to get into my top two schools (USC & UCLA).”

Justin

University of California, Los Angeles

“Nicole and her team helped transform me into an incredibly confident writer which was crucial for the entirety of my college application process. With her assistance, my personality was able to shine through in my application, which admissions committee members explained was a vital part of my success for schools like Michigan and UT Austin. Her expertise shined when I was waitlisted at my dream school (Duke) — she guided me through demonstrating interest and supplemental writing, ultimately leading me to get in. Without her help, the effort I put into my high school years could never have fruited into such success.”

Ethan

Duke University

“I cannot express enough gratitude for the incredible support and guidance my college counselor Nicole provided me throughout my academic journey. Thanks to her unwavering encouragement and support, I was able to get accepted to UC Berkeley for undergrad, and am now starting my 1st year at USC Law School. Her expertise and dedication were instrumental in helping me navigate each step of the way, and I truly would not be where I am today without her. If you’re looking for someone who genuinely cares about your future and will help you achieve your dreams, I wholeheartedly recommend Nicole.”