About Us

We don’t just prepare applications—we help students find their voice, tell their story, and build a path with purpose.

Alexis Wolson is an experienced higher education and nonprofit leader with over 20 years of expertise and a deep belief in the power of words to open doors. As a former Vice Dean of Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania and Assistant Dean at the University of Miami, Alexis brings a rare blend of admissions insight, strategic communication, and storytelling skill to help students stand out in a competitive landscape.

Your College Key is led by a team of expert advisors who share a deep commitment to student-centered, ethical, and empowering guidance. With backgrounds in selective admissions, writing instruction, and educational leadership, we bring decades of experience to every student we work with.

Through personalized coaching and thoughtful feedback, we help students uncover the most authentic, compelling version of their story and express it with clarity and confidence. Whether it’s personal statements, activity lists, or short answers, we guide students in using language as a tool for influence, reflection, and self-expression.

Our advisors have worked closely with a wide range of institutions and students. We understand:

How admissions officers read applications
What makes students stand out
How to match students with the right-fit colleges for their goals

A group of graduates in blue gowns with red accents throw their caps into the air in front of a large building. The building has classical architectural features, such as columns and large windows, with some signage in a foreign script at the top.

I founded College Key because I saw a real need: students were working hard, challenging themselves in the classroom, showing up in their communities, and pushing to do their best, yet still struggling to stand out in an increasingly competitive admissions landscape. Numbers alone don’t tell the whole story, and a college application should reflect the person behind the achievements.

I knew I could help students shine by bringing their personalities, passions, and goals to the forefront. My goal is to help every student find their voice and present their most authentic, confident, and compelling self. So their application feels not just complete, but truly theirs.

-Alexis

Location

There are approximately 96 colleges and universities within a 50-mile radius of Philadelphia. Philadelphia's status as a major educational hub is further highlighted by the presence of over 120,000 college and university students enrolled within the city itself, and nearly 300,000 in the broader metropolitan area.