Our Core Values

• We guide each student to define and achieve their goals and celebrate their individuality. 

• We are a team. You get our collective experience and expertise.

• We partner with our clients. 

• We are always innovating, with an eye on current trends and adapting to be our best.

• We think outside of the box. We encourage our students to do so as well.

Elisabeth Morgan, MALS, CEP

Founder and CEO, College and Graduate school consultant

Betsy Morgan is a recognized leader in the field of educational consulting. She has spent more than 25 years in the fields of college admissions, teaching, and educational planning. In 2003, she opened College Matters, LLC to focus on giving students the individual attention and focus they need to help them succeed. 

Betsy has been asked to present at over fifteen national conferences, including at the Johns Hopkins CTY forum, IECA, and NEACAC, and is regularly invited to speak to journalists on myriad topics in higher education. She is also an instructor in the University of California Irvine master’s certificate program in Independent Educational Consulting, grooming the next generation of leaders in the field. 

As the only consultant in Connecticut with a Graduate School designation from IECA, recognized by significant experience in the specialty, Betsy is well-positioned to guide and advise students pursuing graduate degrees in medicine, physician assistant, psychology and neuroscience, and other health, STEM, and PhD programs. 

In 2013, Betsy was honored to receive the Irving W. Katz Award for Distinguished Service for her years of work with and dedication to the A Better Chance organization. She is passionate about equity and inclusion in education and recognizes that for many students, their journeys are those of excitement and anticipation as well as uncertainty and trepidation. In 2021, she received a certificate from IECA for completing the Education Intensive in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

Betsy received her Master's level College Counseling Certificate from UCLA Extension. She holds a BA in Mathematics from Gettysburg College, has completed Master's level course work in Business Administration at the University of Connecticut, and holds a MALS in Social Sciences from Wesleyan University. In 2014, Betsy earned the distinction of becoming a Certified Educational Planner, the highest accreditation in the field.

Sarah Rickelman, MBA

Senior admission Consultant, College and MBA

Sarah joined College Matters in 2008 and has assisted students with both the college and graduate school process. Sarah’s many years of experience in conjunction with her certificate in College Counseling from UCLA Extension enables her to provide families with a wealth of knowledge in the ever-changing field of college and graduate school admissions.  Meeting with admission representatives, visiting colleges and seeking out current information through memberships in several educational consulting associations ensures that Sarah will provide clients with thorough, and well-informed advice. 

Prior to College Matters, Sarah worked in finance on a deal team in private equity in Washington D. C. and subsequently in Hartford, Connecticut.  Working on financial transactions across a broad spectrum of industries, Sarah understands how to work collaboratively with different stakeholders, to build trust, and to ask appropriate questions which helps families in navigating the college and graduate school process. Sarah’s attention to detail enables her to hone in on a student’s strengths and unique attributes that translate to a compelling applicant.  Using her analytical skills, Sarah operates with a well-formulated plan, breaking a complex and multi-faceted process into manageable deliverables.  Further, Sarah leverages her background in finance to understand the dynamics of financial aid and merit money and its impact on affordability for families as well as its effect on the college admissions landscape.

As an active member of the community, Sarah has been involved with the Shoreline Arts Alliance as a board member and secretary.  In addition, Sarah has served as chairperson of the Cultural Arts Committee as well as treasurer of the Island Avenue School Parent Teacher Organization. 

Sarah received her BA in Economics from Dickinson College and her MBA from the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business.  She also holds a certificate in College Counseling from UCLA Extension.  Currently, Sarah lives in Madison, Connecticut with her husband and three children.

Marcy Beatty

Senior college admission Consultant

Marcy uses an individualized and holistic approach, excellent communication skills, and a refined process and timeline to guide students toward putting their strongest application forward, helping to lower the stress that many families experience. Her past roles in education, youth development, and business marketing align well with helping students and families define their needs and goals to find and apply to “good fit” schools.  Marcy understands the parent perspective, as well, having experienced the college search process with her two grown children.

She received a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA Extension, Awarded with Distinction in November 2017, and continues her professional development as an active member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association to stay current in this ever-changing field.  Over the past several years, Marcy has visited over 100 colleges and continues to visit college campuses and attend meetings with admissions officers to gain insight into the best matches for her students.

Her earlier education and background include earning her B.A. in Government from St. Lawrence University, where she also completed coursework for secondary school teaching certification.  After graduating, Marcy pursued a business career in marketing. Before joining College Matters, she spent eight years working to empower middle and high school-aged students through Madison Youth and Family Services programming. She lives in Madison, CT with her husband and black lab, Piper, whom you may meet during Zoom meetings.

Gilbert Guo

SENIOR College admission consultant

Gilbert’s life work has been centered around guiding teenagers in the right direction and having fun along the way. He understands that his students are at a confusing, but critical time to build life skills and make informed decisions about the first steps after high school. When he graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BA in Communication, he completed a full-time TESOL Teaching Certification at Rennert in New York City. This certification prepared him to teach IB English B in Shanghai, China, where he built lasting relationships with his students and gave them practical advice to prepare for their American, UK, and Canadian college applications.

Upon returning home to the US, Gilbert was motivated to continue giving students valuable guidance on their postsecondary plans. He reconnected with College Matters, the company he turned to for college guidance when he was in high school. Now, he holds a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA Extension and is also a Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). He has the expertise to guide students through the essay process with his training through the WOW Writing Workshop. Most importantly, he has over 70 in-person and virtual college visits, so his students know what to expect when they arrive on campus.

Outside of College Matters, he has a network of over 60 educational consultants to bounce ideas off of within College Consultants of Colorado. He does independent professional development to learn about the future of higher education and alternate paths to the four-year degree to help students who are unsure if college is right for them. He has spent hours deeply researching college lists for Dr. Steven Antonoff’s book The College Finder, a book designed to help students and families find colleges that match their preferences.

Gilbert expects each of his students to come to every meeting ready to work and have great discussions. When the application process is all finished, his students and families feel like they genuinely did their best, feel like they had someone who carefully listened to them, and were mentored in a way that eased a stressful process.

Want to get to know Gilbert more? You can see him in action interviewing past College Matters students on our YouTube page here and schedule time to chat with him by clicking on the FREE INFO SESSION button on the top right of your screen.

Taylor Nietlisbach

College admission consultant

Taylor brings a wealth of experience and passion for education in her role as an Educational Consultant at College Matters. Taylor earned her BS in Elementary Education with a concentration in Writing from the University of Connecticut and went on to complete her MA in Curriculum and Instruction, also from UConn. As part of her graduate program, Taylor had the opportunity to do her teaching internship abroad in London, instilling in her a love of travel and expanding her worldview.

With over five years of experience teaching across various demographic areas, Taylor has developed strong relationship-building skills and extensive knowledge of special education, IEPs, and 504 plans. Her time in the classroom has allowed her to understand the needs of different types of learners. Since joining College Matters, Taylor has pursued continuing education at the University of California Irvine with a focus on college counseling and educational planning.

Taylor finds joy in guiding students through the exhilarating and sometimes daunting college admissions process. She loves mentoring students to identify their passions and find the best academic, social, and financial fit. Taylor builds meaningful connections with each of her students and empowers them to put their best foot forward on their college applications.

Christine Dokko, JD

COLLEGE ADMISSION CONSULTANT

As a former college admissions professional and parent of two undergraduates, Christine has experienced both sides of the college application process. She loves working with students during this exciting phase of their lives and believes that it can and should be a positive period of self-discovery and growth.

After a career as a trusts and estates attorney in New York City, Christine transitioned to the field of college admissions, spending several years as an admissions reader for highly selective institutions. As an educational consultant, her priority is to guide students through a clear, well-informed and organized process that helps them put their best foot forward and reduces stress for them and their families.

Outside of work, Christine dedicates her time to education-related causes, including serving as an academic advisor, college essay coach, and secretary to the board for Guilford A Better Chance. She has also served as a volunteer with the college access program at LEAP in New Haven, on the board of The Walden School, as a parent ambassador for the admissions office at Hopkins School, and as an alumni interviewer for Harvard University. 

Christine received her bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and her J.D. from New York University School of Law. She holds a certificate in college counseling from UCLA Extension and is a Wow Writing Workshop certified essay coach. Christine is an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association.

Shelly Milstein, JD

LAW SCHOOL ADMISSION CONSULTANT AND ESSAY SPECIALIST

Shelly Milstein graduated from The University of Michigan Honors College with Honors in English and received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law School. At both universities, Shelly worked in the Office of Admissions and, until recently, served as a Georgetown University Law Center Admissions Alumni Interviewer and a University of Michigan Alumni Association Membership Ambassador.

Shelly practiced as a litigation attorney for over two decades, trying numerous jury cases and participating in appellate work. She spent a dozen years dedicated to the practice of Education Law. She also served on her local Board of Education.

For the past several years, Shelly has focused on helping students showcase their strengths in order to gain admission to the schools of their dreams. Her practice has included working for a prestigious Atlanta high school as well as working privately with individual students throughout the Atlanta area and around the country.

Rebecca Chase, MEd

Essay SPECIALIST

Becky comes to College Matters as an Essay Coach, focusing on helping students present college essays that reflect their own unique talents, qualities and personalities.  She has years of experience in working in college environments, having been the Women's tennis coach at Yale University, as well as the tennis and squash coach at Tufts University and Trinity College.  

Becky received her BA from Williams College in Psychology, completed Master's level course work at Tufts University and holds a Master's of Education from Cambridge College in Massachusetts.  Becky has also worked as a grant writer and educator internationally with the National Peace Foundation and Save the Children.  Since 2007, however, Becky has been working as an essay specialist independently and for College Matters. In 2012, she formally joined the College Matters team and brings her knowledge and insight to College Matters' students.

Katie Condulis

Client Experience Manager

Katie joined our team as our Office and Client Experience Manager in 2018. She makes sure that all client families receive the attention and care they need during what can be a stressful, and exciting, time in their lives.

After a long career as a Physical Therapist, Katie decided to take her skills in a different direction. In addition to her PT career, Katie has held multiple volunteer positions in her hometown of Old Saybrook, as well as gained experience leading and spearheading many community outreach events. As a parent who has successfully navigated the college admission process with her children first hand, she understands the journey from the client perspective as well. 

Most weeks, Katie is in the office from 10 am to 3 pm, Monday through Thursday, which is a great time to call or email with any questions.