Educational Consultant Debra Felix

D espite being a former Ivy League admissions director, Debra Felix of Felix Educational Consulting doesn’t have an Ivy League-or-bust attitude. She has the patience to give complicated kids everything they need – including things they didn’t know they needed – but also has sufficient background in science to work convincingly with the nation’s leading STEM students.

How did you get into this field?

I taught science at eight schools in four states and Costa Rica, and was Director of Admissions at Columbia University. When I left Columbia and New York City to follow my husband to Bethesda, Maryland for his postdoctoral work at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) people started asking me if I  could help them get into college. The rest, as they say, is history.

What do you love about the work?

Gosh, everything! I love the kids I get to work with, and I share their excitement when they get into the college they know will give them the best education and overall experience.

Why do people hire you?

Most people hire me because a friend, colleague, or relative tells them to! Initially, I think people hired me because I knew admissions better than anyone else. I make this whole process easier, more efficient, more effective, and less stressful for families.

How do you feel about study skills?

Having good study skills can change a student’s entire life. Spending less time studying and getting better academic outcomes makes a student happier, gives her more time to pursue her non-academic interests, and puts her in a better position in the college admissions process.

What’s your favorite piece of advice to give students?

Go to a college where you will be challenged academically, have all the extracurricular experiences you want, and feel comfortable socially. If you do that, you will thrive for those four years and then step confidently into adulthood.