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 how complicated the process had become. She quickly developed a passion for all things college-related. Now, Lauren is constantly seeking out new information to add to her extensive repository of college knowledge, attending industry conferences and college tours throughout the U.S. and Europe. Lauren briefly served as interim college counselor at Carolina Friends School in Durham, NC, and is currently co-chair of the Triangle Regional Counselor Group, representing over 60 area college counselors. She also runs the Facebook group “Chapel Hill/Triangle College Admissions Advice,” where she shares admissions expertise with her community.
Teens and parents alike enjoy Lauren’s warmth and enthusiasm. She brings extensive firsthand knowledge through regular campus visits, conversations with admissions officers, and ongoing professional development. With her expertise, families can make decisions grounded in a deeper understanding of current admissions realities. When not meeting with college-bound teens and their families, Lauren enjoys taking long neighborhood walks with her two doodles 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 and interests come through. 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.