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Admission Crew was founded in Fremont, California, in 2010 by Dr. Archana Sudame, who has advised students and families on college and graduate school admissions since 2003. The practice has grown primarily through referrals, long-standing relationships, and the trust of families who value experienced, direct, and highly informed guidance.

Admission Crew, LLC began after Dr. Sudame had already spent several years working individually with students pursuing undergraduate and graduate education. What started as a small, personalized practice gradually developed into a trusted advising resource for families throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

With majority of the students from high schools in Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, Fremont, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Redwood City, Belmont, Sunnyvale, San Jose and Cupertino, Admission Crew serves families across the East Bay, South Bay, Silicon Valley, and the Peninsula of the San Francisco Bay Area.

We also work selectively with students from other parts of the United States and with international families, particularly those from India. Prospective families may begin with a paid 90-minute consultation without making any long-term commitment. This meeting allows us to understand the student’s personal and academic background, address the family’s immediate questions, and provide detailed planning notes after the session. Families can then use those notes to evaluate our approach and determine whether an ongoing advising relationship is likely to be productive. Much of Admission Crew’s growth has come through personal referrals and returning families. We remain deeply grateful for that confidence and for the opportunity to have supported students across many stages of their educational journeys.

Dr. Archana Sudame: Scientist, Educator, and College Advisor

Dr. Archana Sudame combines more than two decades of college advising with experience in scientific research, university teaching, application review, educational policy, and professional peer mentoring. Her work is grounded in listening, intellectual breadth, and a realistic understanding of what helps students thrive in college, pursue meaningful undergraduate experiences, and prepare for fulfilling careers beyond admission.

Dr. Sudame began advising students in 2003 and founded Admission Crew in 2010. She has since mentored more than 2,400 students and families through college, graduate school, and career planning. She also served as an undergraduate application reader for Santa Clara University, evaluating more than 1,000 applications during one admission cycle.

She earned her Ph.D. from Rutgers University, conducted research at UC Berkeley, and completed a postgraduate certificate in College Admission Counseling at UC Berkeley. Her earlier career included scientific research, undergraduate mentoring, and teaching Environmental Science, Cell Biology, Microbiology, and related life-science courses at Rutgers and Santa Clara University.

Dr. Sudame has visited more than 200 colleges and universities, examining academic departments, research opportunities, and undergraduate engagement firsthand. She is a Professional Member of IECA and a member of NACAC, WACAC, and HECA. She also mentors newer educational consultants, founded the nonprofit STEM Outside the Box, and serves as Youth Services Chair for the Rotary Club of San Ramon Valley.

Saroda Chattopadhyay: Fremont and East Bay

Saroda is a passionate college adviser who supports students in navigating the complex UC and private college admissions process. She holds a certificate in College Counseling with distinction from UCLA. Saroda enjoys the process of brainstorming college application essays with Admission Crew students. Her patience and compassion help students find their essay voice easily. She also helps students select high school courses and summer activities based on the student’s strengths and interests.

Being an educator for more than a decade, she is very knowledgeable and can effectively communicate with students and parents, creating a relationship of trust. She takes the time to understand students’ needs and guides them accordingly. She is able to ease the anxiety and confusion of students and parents regarding the college application process guiding families to find the best-fit college for the student.

As an educator, Saroda has won several grants and awards including California State Finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. She holds a double Master’s Degree in Electronics and Telecommunications.

Jeanetta Jones Miller: College Admission Essay and Personal Statement Expert

Jeanetta has over twenty-five years of experience teaching high school English, especially juniors and seniors. She has had the opportunity to respond to thousands of student essays and enjoys helping students find creative ways to communicate effectively in their own individual voices. Jeanetta not only teaches writing, but her nonfiction has also been published in California English, English Journal, and Connecticut English Journal. She has written a widely circulated article called “A Better Grading System” and is currently working on a collection of creative nonfiction. At Admission Crew, with her excellent editing skills and writing experience, she offers the final feedback on college admission essays.

Johanah Hernandez: UC Essay Expert

Johanah has almost twenty years of college and career advising experience with diverse students and parents; thirteen years as College & Career Adviser at a local high school and five years as a Freshman/Transfer Application Evaluator at UC Berkeley. She obtained her certificate in College Advising and Career Planning, UC Berkeley in 2010-11.

Vasanta Kottapalli: STEM Programs and Essay Expert

Vasanta is passionate about helping middle and high school students discover their potential through hands-on scientific research. She has over twelve years of experience with Science Fairs and Competitions, with several more years of employment experience as a Silicon Valley engineer and mentor. At Admission Crew she helps students identify projects, find resources and solve scientific problems. Primarily, Vasanta counsels science and engineering-oriented high school students in planning year-round extra-curricular activities and summer activities and with her excellent essay and technical writing skills she trains them to write effective college admission essays during the application season. Currently, Vasanta works part-time with Admission Crew students on a case by case basis

Nivedita Krishnaswami

Nivedita is a trained Child and Family Counselor, with an experience as a school counselor for over 12 years. She has worked with children with different needs across different age groups. She has a strong background in Life Skills Training and Counseling. Nivedita has conducted many need based training and workshops for students, parents and for the teachers and faculties of different educational institutions.

Nivedita is a trained Life Coach from CTI, The Coaches Training Institute (https://coactive.com/), one of the largest in-person Coaching Institutes. The CTI coaching curriculum is accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF). Currently, she is employed with San Ramon Valley Unified School District (SRVUSD) as a Sr. Intervention Para. She helps children with social/emotional/behavioral challenges through non-directive therapy. She offers Life Coaching to high schoolers, parents, individuals and families in need. As an empathetic coach and educator, she engages and motivates her clients and students in taking up and overcoming challenges to reach their goal. Her thorough understanding of human psychology and behavior enables her to work with individuals of all ages.

Rob Humbracht

Rob has worked with 500 pre-meds and counting to help them achieve their medical school dreams. When not working with students, he travels the country presenting at med school admissions conferences. He also founded and edits the most popular pre-med blog, The Savvy Pre-Med.

Rob’s favorite moment of the admissions process is the phone call from a student who finally got in after never thinking they could. Rob’s company, Passport Admissions, helps students figure out how to stand out (both in and out of the classroom), develop their essays, and find and apply to the right schools for them. Passport offers free introductory meetings for Admission Crew students and families interested in pursuing a career in medicine. You can contact Passport here.