PrepNow Tutor - Alex C.
Dr. Alex Castilla earned his BA in sociology before completing his MA in International Studies of Education with Honors at New York University. He later earned his MPhil and PhD in Comparative and International Education with Honors from Columbia University. While there, he served as President of the Society for International Education and was selected to participate in advanced internship training in public diplomacy and communications through the U.S. State Department. As a scholar and professional writer, Alex published Re-imagining European Identity Politics in the 21st Century, based on his doctoral research at Columbia.
Alex began working in college admissions advising after mentoring students who were applying to highly selective universities. Drawing on his expertise as a professor, writer, and communications specialist, he realized that he could apply those skills to guide students through one of the most important academic transitions of their lives. Since then, he has spent more than fifteen years advising students and families through the college admissions process —especially those applying to highly competitive STEM and business programs— working with more than 400 students and maintaining a 100% college placement record.
In addition to his work as an admissions strategist, Alex has served as a sociology and international politics professor in both the United States and Europe. His experience as an educator strongly informs the way he approaches college counseling. “Students are going through an exciting period of discovery and growth,” Alex says. “Yet the admissions process can feel overwhelming. Families often come to me feeling uncertain about where to start. My role is to help transform that uncertainty into clarity, confidence, and a thoughtful strategy.”
Alex is particularly well known for his work helping students craft compelling and authentic personal statements. As an Ivy League–trained scholar, State Department trained communications specialist and published writer, he teaches students how to develop essays that reveal intellectual curiosity, leadership, and purpose. His approach combines analytical rigor with storytelling, helping students present their experiences in a way that resonates with admissions committees.
Over the years, Alex has collaborated or worked with former admissions officers from Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Brown, the University of Chicago, Stanford, and MIT. These collaborations have provided valuable insight into how admissions decisions are made and inform the strategic guidance he provides to students on school selection, application strategy, and interview preparation.
Working with a limited number of students each year, Alex provides highly individualized mentorship throughout the admissions journey. Families value his thoughtful guidance, innovative strategies, and ability to transform what can feel like a stressful process into a manageable and even exciting experience. His students have earned admission to a wide range of selective universities in the United States and abroad.
Students have also secured competitive scholarships, leadership positions, and internships with organizations including the U.S. Congress, the U.S. State Department, major Wall Street firms, and leading Silicon Valley technology companies. Since 2014, Alex has also coached students and alumni through Columbia University’s Center for Career Education, helping them shape meaningful careers in fields such as STEM, law, and business. He also works with military veterans transitioning from service into higher education and the civilian workforce.
“Every student I work with has a unique story,” Alex says. “Families work with me because they want their students to approach that moment with a clear strategy, strong preparation, and the confidence to compete at the highest level. My goal is simple: to help students present their achievements, ambitions, and potential in a way that opens doors to exceptional universities that are a great fit.”
