Learn a little
ABOUT US
Identifying colleges which are a "good fit" and navigating the increasingly complex and competitive admissions process can be overwhelming. We are a guiding force, patiently assisting you as you evaluate each choice along the way.
Our founder, Reena Kamins, deliberately chose to work at different types of institutions so that she could serve a broad range of students. After 15 years at multiple institutions, she decided to focus on the best part of higher education—working with students—and left behind institutional priorities and politics.
She built a practice that is a safe space for individuals to reflect on their goals and prepare for their futures. Believing that a comfortable environment is a productive environment, we always have snacks (and sometimes puppies) on hand. Our location is convenient, and our office is inviting.
Having co-taught a college course on the psycho-social adjustment to college, Reena is an expert at minimizing the stress and anxiety associated with the college application process.
Reena Kamins
MEET REENA
The founder of College, Career & Life, Reena Kamins, is an enthusiastic and dedicated professional with a determination to advocate for her clients that is unmatched. By encouraging individuals to acknowledge their strengths and passions and helping them discover the wealth of opportunities available to them, she enables them to attain their goals.
Reena earned a BA in anthropology from Brandeis University. She also completed coursework in Higher Education Administration at Boston University and holds a Masters Degree in Applied Psychology with a concentration in Counseling and Guidance from New York University.
She discovered her passion for guiding students as a work-study student at the International Business School at Brandeis, then named the Graduate School of International Economics and Finance. As the school grew, Reena assumed financial aid, admissions, and student life responsibilities. Those growth opportunities enabled her to transition to a full-time position upon graduation and to serve as the Interim Dean of Admission just a year later.
After several years, she moved to New York to serve as the Director of Admission for the dual-degree programs between Columbia University, Barnard College, and the Jewish Theological Seminary. During her tenure at JTS, Reena began working as an independent educational consultant (IEC); she also decided she wanted experience at a larger, more traditional university. After five fun years living in Brooklyn, she accepted a position at Rutgers University. There, her responsibilities included working with Educational Opportunity Fund students as well as Mason Gross School of the Arts dance and theater candidates. Always wanting to learn more, Reena left Rutgers (and the most wonderful colleagues anyone could ever have) and accepted the Director of Admission position at The Pingry School. After two years in that role and serving as a member of the senior administrative team, she decided she wanted to focus on helping students identify the range of schools available rather than promoting just one and began working full-time as an IEC.
To better serve her clients, Reena is an active member of multiple professional organizations including the New Jersey Association for College Admission Counseling (NJACAC) and the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA). She is currently the HECA Community Rep for “South” Jersey and previously served on the Program Review Committee for the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Reena makes it a priority to visit at least ten schools each year and, to stay abreast of current trends in corporate America and complement her experience writing resumes and interviewing thousands of individuals, she participates in professional development seminars and networking events each month.
Reena gives presentations locally and internationally on the inner workings of the college admissions process. Her goal is to educate communities on trends in higher education, financial aid, and the holistic review process. In addition to those broad themes, she’s done workshops on everything from completing the Common App and writing effective essays to preparing for interviews and identifying the best teachers to write recommendations. She loves introducing the process to people in this interactive way and customizes each presentation to the size and needs of the group.
Based in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, Reena serves families and individuals around the world. Technology has allowed her to work with families in 20 states from Washington to Florida and every continent but Antarctica. Wherever you are, you will not find a more passionate advocate than Reena Kamins.