College Admission Consultant
As a college freshman, Topher’s planned to become a civil engineer, but he graduated with a degree in psychology! With no clue that his career would unfold within the world of higher education, he worked at a high school with special education students for several years before beginning a part-time, temporary position at Stanford’s Career Planning & Placement Center in 1988. Before leaving the university in 1997, he facilitated the recruitment process by bringing employers on campus to recruit undergrads for internships and full-time employment.
He returned to his alma mater as an Undergraduate Admission Counselor to manage Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Texas territories. He visited, recruited, evaluated, and admitted athletes, freshman, and transfer applicants. At another Bay Area Catholic institution, he expanded and deepened his admission experience recruiting, admitting, and enrolling transfer students.
Those experiences prepared him to accept an adjunct counselor and instructor position at Ohlone College in Fremont. He counseled students through the application process for the University of California, California State Universities, and private universities. Later, he was promoted to Director of Admission and Records, managing all day-to-day operations and functions related to staff supervision, course registration, grade reporting, student transcripts, and website maintenance.
After leaving Ohlone College in 2011, Topher joined a Silicon Valley test prep/college consulting firm where he guided families needing help preparing their children for college. This detailed personality assessment for college majors, ACT / SAT strategy, summer activity planning, college list development, and college essay support. Topher has supported both high school and community college students as they navigate the application process to four-year universities.
In January of 2017, Topher launched Veritas College Advising to provide college guidance and coaching for young adults in need of expert advice. He has experience in engineering, the natural and social sciences, business, humanities, the arts. He specializes in supporting students with interests in computer science, pre-med, accelerated medical programs (BS / MD), and business.
Independent Educational Consultant
Santa Clara University
BA Psychology, 1986
MA Counseling, 1999