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Application.
Please attach your resume and transcript here.
Will not be processed until application fee is deposited at payment page.
University of Chicago — Ph.D. in Sociology (Undergrad @ UCLA)
Ryo brings his passion for equitable access to global education to Luminate, where he helps students navigate international admissions and discover academic pathways i. As a Ph.D. candidate in sociology, he guides students in transforming their personal and academic interests into compelling applications that reflect their voice and potential.
Prior to joining Luminate, Ryo led workshops and summer sessions in Japan, where he introduced students to disciplines like sociology and political science. These experiences helped students map their interests, where many have later shared that they chose their major thanks to those sessions. He also offers mentorship on finding research and extracurricular opportunities connected to students’ values and goals.
Ryo believes mentorship is a mutual process. While supporting students in developing their academic paths, he also learns from their diverse perspectives and aspirations. He’s here to help students ask deeper questions, explore bold ideas, and take meaningful steps toward their future.
Stanford University — M.S. in Computer Science
Yuina brings her passion for global education to Luminate, where she helps students explore academic opportunities abroad. As she prepares for graduate studies at Stanford University, she is excited to help high school students craft authentic, purpose-driven college applications that reflect their unique voice and potential. Yuina is committed to guiding students to thrive in international academic spaces. Fostering independent thinking and helping students navigate complex academic routes with clarity and confidence.
Prior to joining Luminate, Yuina gained experience in academia and tech surrounding AI as a research assistant and software engineer. She has also supported students through roles in computer science, international admissions, and intercultural mentorship—mentoring over 100 students through complex academic and cultural transitions, with a focus on admissions and STEM pathways.
Yuina believes that college is a time to explore widely and pursue what excites you most—and she is here to help students take those first bold steps.
Middlebury College — Double Major in Computer Science & Economics
Coco brings deep empathy and support to her students in the role as a mentor at Luminate. She specializes in helping students articulate their personal journeys through essays, combining reflective storytelling with a keen eye for detail. Her approach to application coaching is grounded in effective communication and careful listening, ensuring that each student explores their thoughts deeply, express their voice clearly, and deliver their message with power and precision.
Prior to joining Luminate, Coco has working closely with Japanese high school students applying to universities abroad over the course of two years. Her expertise not only strengthens students’ applications but helps them craft authentic, compelling narratives that reflect who they truly are—beyond grades and test scores—so they can thrive in the next chapter of their academic journey.
The students Coco has mentored have gone on to earn acceptances from Ivy League institutions, top U.S. public universities, and leading liberal arts colleges—often with scholarships. Several were also awarded merit-based scholarships from Japanese foundations.
University of Toronto — Double Major in Public Policy & Economics, Minor in Applied Statistics
Through Luminate, Kei leads a curated mentorship team that supports Japanese High School students in crafting purpose-driven college applications. He is committed to redefining how Japanese students navigate the college admissions process — making it more accessible, efficient, and transformative. His mission is to help students craft applications that not only open doors to world-class universities but also act as a launchpad for clarity in their academic and professional paths.
Prior to founding Luminate, Kei worked across political, corporate and nonprofit sectors — including experiences with the office of the former Prime Minister, international consulting firms, education-focused NGOs in Southeast Asia, and international research initiatives.
Kei has also coached students through scholarship applications, policy competitions, and essay-based admissions to top universities, with each and every student making it to a top 50 University and just under a million dollars of scholarships in total across his students.