Counselor Profile
Abdiel is a former Admissions Officer and Assistant Director of Undergraduate Minority Recruitment Program at Harvard University; Associate Director of Academic Advising and College Guidance at Geffen Academy at UCLA; and Associate Director of Counselor Engagement and Success at College Greenlight EAB.
As an admissions officer in the Harvard College Office of Admissions and Griffin Financial Aid, Abdiel evaluated thousands of applications as a member of the undergraduate admissions committee, trained alumni interviewers, liaised with the College’s Division 1 athletic coaches, and served as Assistant Director of the Harvard Undergraduate Minority Recruitment Program.
As Associate Director of Academic Advising and College Guidance at Geffen Academy at UCLA, Abdiel led curriculum development for the school’s 11th and 12th grade college guidance courses and also supported students and families in grades 9-12 in areas such as high school course selection, college list building, personal statements and supplemental essays, U.S. and U.K./Europe university applications, and more.
Additionally, Abdiel spent three years at EAB, an education research and consulting firm, where he designed and facilitated webinars, panels, conferences, and professional development opportunities for high school counselors and enrollment teams from highly selective universities nationwide. At EAB, he authored popular articles on topics such as college fly-in programs, pre-college summer opportunities, and national top-dollar scholarships for students.
While he has successfully helped students gain acceptance to universities of all types, he is most fulfilled when he can concurrently assist a student in gradually discovering who they are, who they want to become, and what are truly the best-fit colleges that would be lucky enough to serve as that student’s “home away from home”. Abdiel approaches all conversations with compassion, a listening ear, and an eagerness to ensure that his students and families feel heard and supported every step of the process.
Originally from Los Angeles and a proud first-generation college graduate, Abdiel holds a bachelor’s degree in child development from Tufts University and a master’s degree in education policy and management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is fluent in Spanish and French, previously lived in South America and France, and has extensive experience in working with families from various cultures and backgrounds. His demeanor is warm and approachable, coupled with a compassionate firmness that keeps students focused and motivated while reassuring them that they have a tireless advocate in their corner.
Outside of counseling, Abdiel is a triathlete, a loose-leaf tea enthusiast, a kyusu collector, and a spoken word artist. He enjoys hiking, traveling, and, most of all, drawing dinosaurs with his rapidly growing toddler.