About Lauren
Originally from the Boston area, Lauren Drake relocated with her family to Chapel Hill in 2005. Lauren had fond memories of the South from her undergrad years at Duke University and was thrilled to make North Carolina her new home.
When her oldest child was applying to college, Lauren realized that the process had become incredibly complicated. She quickly developed a deep passion for all things college-related, and was thrilled to discover a career that integrated her strengths and interests.
Lauren is constantly seeking out new information to add to her extensive repository of college knowledge, and her dedicated daily consumption of new data and industry trends sets her apart. She regularly attends industry conferences and tours colleges throughout the United States and Europe.
Teens and parents alike enjoy Lauren’s warmth and enthusiasm, as well as her resourcefulness. When not meeting with college-bound teens and their families, Lauren enjoys taking long neighborhood walks with her two doodles, singing along to her favorite ‘80s hits, and dreaming about her next overseas trip.
Why CG?
An intentionally small practice, CollegeGroove focuses on helping students make confident and well-informed college decisions. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, guidance is tailored to each student’s academic profile, goals, and priorities, enabling them to present themselves authentically throughout the admissions process.
Strong academic records are common among applicants to selective colleges. What matters most is how clearly a student’s strengths, interests, and priorities come through in their application materials. CollegeGroove helps students present themselves in a manner that is both authentic and compelling, improving how their application is understood and evaluated. Ultimately, this supports enrollment at colleges where students can thrive.
Lauren’s
Qualifications
Lauren is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association and the International Association of College Admissions Counseling. She holds a certificate in independent educational consulting from UC Irvine and is a UK Certified Counselor with the British Council, enabling her to advise students interested in UK universities. She is also a certified coach through the WOW Writing Workshop, which streamlines and simplifies the essay-writing process.
Lauren formerly served as the interim college counselor at Carolina Friends School in Durham, NC. More recently, she established the Facebook group “Chapel Hill/Triangle College Admissions Advice,” where she shares her admissions expertise with a broader community. She is currently co-chair of the N.C. Triangle Regional Counselor Group, representing over 70 area college counselors.
Lauren brings extensive firsthand knowledge of colleges across the country through regular campus visits, conversations with admissions officers, and ongoing professional development. With her informed expertise, families can make decisions grounded in a deeper understanding of campus culture and current admissions realities, not just published statistics.