Expert,
Expert,
strategic
personal
proven
focused
strategic
strategic
personal
proven
focused
strategic
strategic
personal
proven
focused
strategic
admission support
admission support
admission support
We guide students and families through every step of the college admissions process - from building a thoughtful college list to submitting strong, authentic applications.
We guide students and families through every step of the college admissions process - from building a thoughtful college list to submitting strong, authentic applications.
We guide students and families through every step of the college admissions process - from building a thoughtful college list to submitting strong, authentic applications.
0%
0%
Admitted to at least one top-five choice
$0M+
$0M+
In scholarships earned
0
0
Average applications per student
0%
0%
Admitted early
0%
0%
Admitted to at least one top-five choice
$0M+
$0M+
In scholarships earned
0
0
Average applications per student
0%
0%
Admitted early
0%
0%
Admitted to at least one top-five choice
$0M+
$0M+
In scholarships earned
0
0
Average applications per student
0%
0%
Admitted early
Expertise
Expertise
A strategic, student-centered approach to college admissions.
A strategic, student-centered approach to college admissions.
We approach college admissions as a strategic process. By understanding each student’s goals and context, we build a clear plan that guides college selection, applications, and essays. Our role is to provide steady guidance so students stay on track and submit authentic, well-considered applications.
We approach college admissions as a strategic process. By understanding each student’s goals and context, we build a clear plan that guides college selection, applications, and essays. Our role is to provide steady guidance so students stay on track and submit authentic, well-considered applications.
services
Explore our comprehensive service offerings
Explore our comprehensive service offerings
Explore our comprehensive service offerings
We offer structured guidance across every part of the college admissions journey.
We offer structured guidance across every part of the college admissions journey.
We offer structured guidance across every part of the college admissions journey.
Foundation (Grades 9–10)
Long-term guidance to align academics, activities, and goals with admissions outcomes.
Positioning (Grade 11)
Turn strengths into a clear, credible direction. We help students prioritize depth, leadership, and a profile that makes sense to admissions readers.
College List & Timing
Build a balanced list of schools on academics + culture. By mapping deadlines and calibrating risk, we ensure you make smart choices as your priorities evolve.
Independent Research Mentorship
Work 1:1 with a PhD mentor to design an original project. Learn to source, write, and finalize a paper or proposal.
Essays & Narrative
Write with clarity and purpose across the personal statement and supplements. We help students find the strongest angle and keep the voice authentic.
Execution & Final Review
Stay organized through portals, submissions, and last-mile details. We support interviews, final checks, and decision-season planning.
Foundation (Grades 9–10)
Align academics, activities, and interests early. Build direction and habits that support future admissions goals.
Profile & Research (Grade 11)
Develop depth, leadership, and a clear student profile. Option to complete an original research or passion project with mentorship.
College Strategy & Essays
Create a balanced college list and timeline. Craft strong, authentic personal statements and supplements.
Applications & Final Review
Manage portals, deadlines, and submissions with confidence. Get interview prep, final checks, and decision-season support.
Foundation (Grades 9–10)
Long-term guidance to align academics, activities, and goals with admissions outcomes.
Positioning (Grade 11)
Turn strengths into a clear, credible direction. We help students prioritize depth, leadership, and a profile that makes sense to admissions readers.
College List & Timing
Build a balanced list of schools on academics + culture. By mapping deadlines and calibrating risk, we ensure you make smart choices as your priorities evolve.
Independent Research Mentorship
Work 1:1 with a PhD mentor to design an original project. Learn to source, write, and finalize a paper or proposal.
Essays & Narrative
Write with clarity and purpose across the personal statement and supplements. We help students find the strongest angle and keep the voice authentic.
Execution & Final Review
Stay organized through portals, submissions, and last-mile details. We support interviews, final checks, and decision-season planning.
Case Studies
Case Studies
Our Success Stories Real Results, Real Impact
Our Success Stories Real Results, Real Impact
About our team
Our advisors come from Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Georgetown, Brown, Duke, Dartmouth, UCLA & UChicago - bringing firsthand experience navigating selective admissions. We work closely with each student to provide thoughtful, personalized guidance at every step.
Raj Hamlai
Founder
Raj Hamlai
Founder
Founder
Raj combines a passion for education with a strategic mindset. He holds a BA in Economics with a minor in Geophysics & Planetary Physics from UCLA and secured early admission to the UChicago Booth MBA program, where he is currently in his deferral period. Since 2019 Raj has been guiding students through the college admissions process with insight and dedication. He is accomplished musician with an ABRSM piano diploma, Raj also sang with UCLA’s Grammy-winning Chamber Singers throughout his undergraduate years. His background—spanning academics, business, and the arts—enables him to mentor students on everything from competitive academic applications to polished arts supplements, ensuring they present a complete and compelling candidacy.
Natalie Baltimore
Principal Counselor
Natalie Baltimore
Principal Counselor
Principal Counselor
Natalie brings a profound dedication to global service and a sharp strategic insight to Momentum College Prep. She holds a BA in International Development from UCLA as well as a MS in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University. With extensive expertise in strategic development and nonprofit management, she is deeply committed to Momentum’s mission: to empower students through expert, personalized college admissions counseling, helping them gain access to transformative educational opportunities. Natalie’s unwavering commitment to service and her keen strategic insight play a vital role in shaping the future of aspiring students around the world, guiding them toward success in their academic journeys.
Dr. Joy Li
Senior Consultant
Dr. Joy Li
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant
Joy blends deep knowledge of academic research with experience in mentoring students in different parts of their academic journey. She holds a BS in Biomedical Engineering from Cornell, as well as an MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Duke University. Joy has 9 years of experience in interdisciplinary research, including expertise in Spectroscopy, nanoplasmonic platforms, and machine learning. She has co-authored 8 peer-reviewed journal articles and presented her work at multiple international conferences. Joy has a lifelong passion for teaching, serving as a teaching assistant for 5 semesters in university, as well as teaching dance, figure skating, and aerial arts throughout her life. During her studies, she has mentored high school, undergraduate, and graduate students in research projects. Her experience in mentoring and research will help her guide students towards academic success.
Leah Chen
Senior Counselor
Leah Chen
Senior Counselor
Senior Counselor
Leah is a graduate of Georgetown University, where she earned a BA in Physics with a minor in Public Health while completing the pre-medical track. She is currently based in Amsterdam, pursuing a Master’s in International Public Health as a Fulbright Scholarship recipient. Leah brings extensive research experience in both nanoparticle physics and public health, alongside her work as a college admissions consultant, where she emphasizes a patient, creative, and ambitious approach to storytelling. Her interdisciplinary background enables her to guide students in crafting rigorous, well-rounded applications that connect academic strength with meaningful impact.
Robert Farbman
Senior Counselor
Robert Farbman
Senior Counselor
Senior Counselor
Robert is passionate about helping students succeed in the college application process. He holds a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University, and is fresh off of the application process to begin pursuing his J.D. this fall. He has years of experience teaching students, guiding writers as an undergraduate law review editor, and mentoring incoming transfers to Cornell, which he uses to help students navigate the admissions process with confidence. At Cornell, Robert landed competitive internships spanning legal research abroad, corporate financial compliance in NYC, and federal agency work across the United States, while singing in an a cappella group and being part of a fraternity. His breadth of experience makes him a strong guide for applicants looking to craft compelling applications and present themselves authentically.
Allison Nathan
Senior Consultant
Allison Nathan
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant
Allison is passionate about learning and excited about helping others achieve their fullest potential. She is a third year student at Dartmouth College majoring in Biology and minoring in International Studies and Spanish on a pre-health track. Allison is excited about science and global health policy--working in a polio research lab and on a variety of Global Health Programs at Dartmouth. She has studied and worked abroad in both Peru and Argentina and is passionate about travelling and intercultural understanding. In her free time, Allison trains triathlon on her college club team, volunteers at the local VA, and enjoys cooking and hiking with friends!
Audrey Wijono
Senior Consultant
Audrey Wijono
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant
Audrey’s mentorship centers care and curiosity to support students in their goals. They are a recent graduate of Brown University with a B.A. in History, and are currently working with the United Nations. Audrey brings experience supporting students through personal statements and supplemental essays, with a focus on crafting thoughtful, individualized narratives. With a background in the arts, creative writing, and historical research, they believe every student has their own authentic voice. Audrey’s priority is to equip students with everything they need to articulate themselves with clarity and confidence.
Ezekiel Wells
Senior Consultant
Ezekiel Wells
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant
Ezekiel blends on-the-ground storytelling with rigorous academics and institution-building. He is a student at Harvard University studying statistics and economics, with a focus on political polarization, social mobility, and large-scale systems change. Ezekiel is the co-founder of Crossroads America, a documentary storytelling project that reached millions of viewers by capturing candid conversations across the United States, from rural towns to major cities, about building trust in America during a particularly divisive time. Having lived and attended public school in China, he brings a deeply global perspective to questions of education, narrative, and civic trust. This combination of analytical thinking, lived experience, and creative storytelling enables Ezekiel to mentor students not just on competitive applications but on how to articulate purpose, curiosity, and impact with clarity and conviction.
Katie Jain
Senior Consultant
Katie Jain
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant
Katie is passionate about mentorship and dedicated to helping students grow into confident, capable storytellers. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Brown University with a double major in History and International & Public Affairs. Katie brings experience as a university Teaching Assistant and SAT tutor, and is especially excited about supporting students interested in the humanities, social justice, and community engagement. She has worked closely with children through volunteer tutoring and enrichment programs, and enjoys reading, chess, and puzzle games in her free time.
"I met with three different college counselors before choosing Momentum, and I'm so glad I did. They were the only ones who really took the time to get to know me and my goals, and they helped me develop a realistic plan for achieving them. I couldn't have gotten into my dream school without their help."
Momentum Client -
UChicago '27
"I met with three different college counselors before choosing Momentum, and I'm so glad I did. They were the only ones who really took the time to get to know me and my goals, and they helped me develop a realistic plan for achieving them. I couldn't have gotten into my dream school without their help."
Momentum Client -
UChicago '27
"I met with three different college counselors before choosing Momentum, and I'm so glad I did. They were the only ones who really took the time to get to know me and my goals, and they helped me develop a realistic plan for achieving them. I couldn't have gotten into my dream school without their help."
Momentum Client -
UChicago '27
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