About

Jennifer Williams Taylor brings a wealth of experience in college admissions, business strategy, and higher education leadership. As the Founder and Head Advisor of Avalon College Advising, she leverages her deep expertise to guide students and families through the complex college admissions process with clarity, strategy, and confidence.

Ms. Taylor holds an MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. from the University of California, Davis. Before entering the world of college admissions, she built a successful corporate career as an executive at Fortune 500 pharmaceutical companies, including Merck and Abbott. Even in these roles, she remained deeply committed to youth development, serving on nonprofit boards such as Hidden Villa, Palo Alto Family YMCA, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula.

Transitioning into higher education, Ms. Taylor took on senior leadership roles, including Senior Director of Admissions at Santa Clara University, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Enrollment at Presidio Graduate School, and college admissions reader at Stanford University. Through these positions, she has reviewed thousands of undergraduate and graduate applications, giving her an insider’s perspective on what top colleges seek in applicants.

Now, through Avalon College Advising, Ms. Taylor works one-on-one with students to build compelling applications that highlight their authentic strengths. She specializes in guiding students looking for the best-fit schools where they can thrive academically and personally. Her approach emphasizes developing standout essays, strategic extracurricular positioning, and building a cohesive narrative that makes applicants truly shine.

As a recognized expert in the field, Ms. Taylor is a Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) and an active member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) and the Western Association for College Admissions Counseling (WACAC).

When she’s not advising students, you’ll find her exploring national parks, hiking Bay Area trails, or diving into a great book—often on the recommendation of her students!