OTT Admissions: US University Admissions Counselling

Our approach

We don't polish applications. We find the story underneath them.

Most students arrive thinking their extracurriculars are too ordinary to matter. Our story-discovery sessions work like a conversation, not an interview, digging past the activity list to find what actually drives you. Then we help you build it into something real.

Before

"I play chess on Tuesdays with my friends."

After

"I founded a chess mentorship programme pairing seniors with kids in my old primary school, because chess was the one place I ever felt patient with myself."

An illustrative example. Every student's thread looks different.

How it works

Three steps, from first hello to submitted application.

One

Free 15-minute consult

We talk about your situation, your goals, and your timeline. No pressure, no obligation, just a chance to see if we're a good fit.

Two

Story discovery session

A guided conversation that uncovers the narrative admissions officers actually remember: the thread that connects your activities, your values, and your goals.

Three

Build & apply

We turn that story into a school list, a timeline, standout essays, and an application strategy built around what makes you, specifically, worth admitting.

Services

Two ways to work together.

Both start the same way, with a free consult so we can figure out what you actually need before you pay for anything.

Story & Essay Coaching

For students who have a school list and need help finding their voice.

$120 / hour

Story discovery session
Personal statement coaching, start to final draft
Supplemental essay review
Email support between sessions

Start with a free consult

Full Application Partnership

End-to-end support from strategy through submission.

$8,000 / year (up to application year) $10,000 in your application year

Everything in Story & Essay Coaching
Balanced school list & application timeline
Extracurricular & passion project scaffolding
Interview preparation
Priority support through submission

Start with a free consult

Starting early? The Full Application Partnership covers Year 9–11 roadmap support at the annual rate, stepping up only in your application year.

Brianna Ott

Founder, OTT Admissions

12 years teaching at top international schools, including in Shanghai and Hong Kong
3 years as a US admissions counsellor
Degrees from UNC Chapel Hill, Harvard Graduate School of Education, George Washington University, and the University of Hong Kong
Further coursework at Johns Hopkins
Currently completing a Diploma of Professional Coaching with the Australian Institute of Professional Coaches

About

Fifteen years in classrooms and admissions offices, focused on one thing: helping students tell the truth about who they are.

Brianna has spent over a decade teaching in leading international schools before moving into admissions counselling full-time. That classroom experience is what shapes the OTT approach. She's not just reviewing essays, she's spent years watching how students actually grow, and knows how to draw that out on the page.

Based in Australia and working across Australian and Asia-Pacific timezones, Brianna has particular depth supporting Chinese and Asia-based families navigating the Australian school system into US universities. Brianna is currently completing a Diploma of Professional Coaching, which builds on the conversational approach at the heart of story discovery.

NYU

Student admitted

NUS

Student admitted to Singapore National University

20+

Younger students on multi-year roadmaps (Year 9–12)

Common questions

Good to know before your consult.

Do you only work with students in Australia?

No. Australia is where the majority of families I work with are based, but I also support students across New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and international families living in Australia. If you're unsure whether your situation fits, just ask on the free consult.

What if my child hasn't picked a major or a school list yet?

That's completely normal, especially for younger students. Story discovery often happens before the school list is finalised. In fact, understanding what genuinely drives your child usually helps clarify which schools and programmes make sense.

How early should we start?

The earlier the better, but it's never too late to make a real difference. Families starting in Year 9 or 10 get the most benefit from a multi-year roadmap, while Year 12 families can still get significant help with essays and strategy in a shorter window.

Do you help with the actual application forms, like the Common App?

Yes. The Full Application Partnership covers the practical side too: Common App setup, activity lists, supplemental questions, and deadlines, alongside the strategy and essay work.

What happens after the free consult?

If it feels like a good fit for both of us, I'll recommend either Story & Essay Coaching or the Full Application Partnership based on where your child is at. There's no pressure to commit to anything on the call itself.

Do you work with students outside of private/independent schools?

Yes. While much of my direct experience has been with students at Australian private and independent schools, the admissions process itself is the same regardless of school type. Happy to chat about your specific situation on the free consult.

Every student has a story.
Most just haven't found it yet.