Hi, my name is Abu Mian.

I graduated from the University of Notre Dame, and for nearly a decade, I’ve advised students and families through both mission-driven nonprofits and some of the country’s leading college admissions firms.

I got my start as an Advising Fellow with Matriculate, supporting high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds while still in undergrad. Since then, I’ve guided hundreds of students–from homeschoolers to top-tier private school seniors, from refugees to researchers, from first-gen trailblazers to Ivy League legacies–with clarity, strategy, and care.

My work in college advising is grounded in a lifelong commitment to service. From supporting patients as a Depression Care Manager through AmeriCorps, to working with grassroots nonprofits in Kansas City, London, and Cuenca, I’ve learned that meaningful change begins with listening closely and walking alongside people as they navigate hard decisions.

With a background in philosophy and years of experience helping students find their path, I approach admissions counseling as more than strategy. It’s about reflection, voice, and moving forward with conviction.

My process is guided by three pillars:

• [A]uthenticity – We begin with who you are. My academic background in existential philosophy—and experience tutoring student-athletes in that same subject—taught me that clarity starts with reflection. I know how to meet students where they are, simplify complexity, and create space for honest self-inquiry. Through deep conversations, I help students uncover their real voice. Not the polished one they think colleges want, but the one that genuinely resonates.
• [B]lueprint – This is where clarity becomes action. I build a personalized Notion dashboard that maps out every detail of the process: homework tasks, college list research, essay prompts, scholarship deadlines, recommendation planning, and more. It’s a system born from my work in nonprofit consulting and design thinking: intuitive, thorough, and student-centered. My students don’t just feel prepared; they feel in control. You’ll always know what’s next and why it matters. No more chaos.
• [U]plift – My work has always centered on steady, compassionate guidance. College admissions can be overwhelming, but with the right support, students grow as thinkers, writers, and human beings. I help families feel supported, grounded, and hopeful.

Click “Let’s Chat” to schedule your free 1-hour orientation meeting, or get in touch with me:

abu@askabu.com | +1 (201) 241-5656