Greg Guss founded Concierge College Consulting to pursue his passion for mentoring and guiding students and families through life-defining decisions in the college choice journey. His expertise has enabled students from diverse backgrounds to gain admission to their dream schools across the Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, and other top-tier institutions nationwide and globally. Having traveled to all 50 states and 45 foreign countries on five continents, Greg has firsthand knowledge from personally visiting over 250 state and private colleges and universities, giving him unique insights into the varied landscapes of higher education.

A California native and UCLA English major, Greg brings the strategic thinking of a John Wooden playbook and the storytelling finesse of a seasoned writer to his work. His 20-year career as a journalist, editor, and award-winning writer for publications like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Encyclopedia Britannica has honed his narrative skills—a crucial asset in guiding students to craft compelling college application essays.

Additionally, youth sports coaching experience over two decades has significantly shaped Greg’s mentoring approach. On the field, he learned to connect and relate with young people as he helped them set and achieve goals, overcome challenges, and work as a team. These skills translate directly to college advising, where Greg guides students through the complex process of self-discovery, goal-setting, and achievement in their academic pursuits.

Greg’s empathy and expertise were enhanced by recently working with his two children as he guided them on their family’s personal college selection and application journey. His son, Ian, found his perfect match was the University of Alabama, a large public institution with 34,000 undergraduates, where he graduated summa cum laude as a triple-major. In contrast, his daughter, Julia, found her perfect fit at the University of Richmond, a small private liberal arts college with just 3,000 students where she is currently studying. “These contrasting choices demonstrate the power of personalized guidance in the college selection process,” Greg notes. “What works for one student may not work for another. My role is to help each student find their unique best fit, whether that’s a bustling large university or an intimate college.”

Greg’s approach is rooted in passion—both in encouraging students to choose their path based on their interests and in his own choice of college advising as a career. “I advise students to choose their path based on passion—and that’s exactly what I’ve done with choosing college advising as my career.”

A strong commitment to helping students find their ideal college match, combined with extensive knowledge and experience, makes Greg a valuable partner in the college selection and application process.