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What if the key to your college essay isn't the story you tell but the personal strength you discover while writing it?

About Decoding America

Identity-Based College Counseling & Workshops

At Decoding America, we see the college application process as an opportunity to empower students to uncover the power in their story. Many students don't realize how deeply their social identities shape their story. Through engaging workshops and one-on-one support, we guide each student to think deeply about their identity to own their story and transform lived experience into opportunity.

Founder & CEO

Decoding America emerged from Carolyn Siegel's inquiry into identity in the college process during her Education Leadership M.Ed. at Harvard Graduate School of Education, and it was catalyzed by a presentation she gave at a NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) conference, where she promoted the essential role of self-reflection in the college application process. Through Decoding America, Carolyn leverages her background in language teaching and college counseling to guide students to articulate what makes them unique from the start of the process thus strengthening their self-awareness for the journey through the application process and beyond.

Learn more about Carolyn

Our Services

student workshops

Student Workshops

Individual College Counseling

Individual College Counseling

Our student workshops guide students through thoughtful identity exploration and reflection to help them write meaningful, authentic college essays that stand out and truly reflect who they are. Optional post-workshop reports—available in basic and premium formats—help students take their next steps with clarity and confidence.

individual college counseling

Individual College Counseling

Individual College Counseling

Individual College Counseling

Through personalized one-on-one college counseling sessions, students explore their identities and reflect deeply, ultimately crafting college essays that clearly convey their authentic selves.

Testimonials

Carolyn is very personable and clearly has expertise in the modern college application process. Teens at our library have previously requested college-oriented programming and workshops, and the participants in each workshop were highly engaged and seemed grateful for the opportunity. [She was] very receptive to participant feedback and iterating/integrating changes.


-Gigi, Librarian, Sunnyvale Public Library


[Decoding America's Identity Lab] was a really helpful workshop because it really made me delve deeper into who I am as a person and what builds my identity. I really enjoyed this.

-Elizabeth, Student (Sunnyvale, CA)


[Decoding America's] different packages offered the flexibility we needed given  [our student's] student athlete situation. [He] felt very supported during the overall process and we were kept up to date from your detailed communications. We would highly recommend your services. 


-Fabio, Parent, Los Altos High School (Los Altos, California)




 


I felt extremely comfortable asking Carolyn questions and sharing concerns. She offered very clear and sensible insight, helpful constructive criticism and specific suggestions.


-Daphne, Senior, Madison East High School (Madison, Wisconsin)


Carolyn was an absolute delight to work with. She connected instantly with our teen, offering thoughtful insights into what to look for in a college and how to approach the application process with confidence. She built a strong, genuine relationship with her, showing true care and commitment every step of the way. More than just guiding her through applications, she helped her define what success means on her own terms—and empowered her to go after it. We are very grateful for her support and kindness.


-Parent, Los Gatos High School (Los Gatos, California)





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