DJ O

Counselor

DJ takes a personalized approach with his students to ensure that he will be there every step of the way, from big picture brainstorming to the last word choice that completes a perfect essay.

Location: 
Santa Barbara, California

Education:
UCLA School of Dentistry
BS, Journalism, Northwestern University

Bio:
As a counselor at Moon Prep, DJ is committed to helping students navigate the college application process by finding their unique stories and crafting compelling essays that convey the true essence of the applicant. Through in-depth conversations and exercises, DJ works closely with each student to create personalized narratives based on life experiences and values that define who they are. From big-picture brainstorming to refining the final word choice, DJ is there every step of the way.

DJ was previously a dental student at UCLA School of Dentistry, bringing firsthand insight into the competitive admissions process of health profession programs. With an undergraduate degree in journalism and a background in storytelling, DJ offers a unique and comprehensive perspective on the college admissions process, especially for students pursuing BS/MD and BS/DDS programs.

Prior to dental school, DJ honed his writing and editing skills as a reporter for publications such as the Chicago Tribune and as a copywriter at a Chicago-based ad agency. His editorial journey began in college, where he served as editor-in-chief of a student publication, managing a team of writers and guiding them through the editorial process.

Student Placements:
At Moon Prep, we take pride in our students’ impressive acceptances and are honored to be part of their journey. Below is a selection of schools and programs to which DJ has recently provided guidance during the application process, along with some recent acceptances.

BS/MD Programs:

  1. Youngstown State University-BaccMed
  2. University of Oklahoma Medical Humanities Scholars BA/MD Program

BS/DO Programs:

  1. Missouri Southern State University-KCU Early Acceptance Program (MKEAP)
  2. Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) Early Acceptance Program
  3. Nova Southeastern University – Dual Admission Program (interview prep)

BS/DMD Programs:

  1. Detroit Mercy 7-Year Dental Program
  2. University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA) Medical Scholars Program (interview prep)
  3. Nova Southeastern University (NSU) Dental Medicine Dual Admission Program (interview prep)

Undergraduate Schools: 

  1. University of California Berkeley – Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences (EECS)
  2. University of California Los Angeles – Samueli School of Engineering
  3. Haverford College
  4. Carleton College
  5. Emory University
  6. Washington University in St. Louis
  7. Case Western Reserve University
  8. University of Texas at Austin
  9. University of Illinois Urbana – Champaign
  10. University of Rochester
  11. Baylor University
  12. Pennsylvania State University
  13. Rutgers University
  14. Hofstra University
  15. University of Illinois at Chicago