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Deena Maerowitz, J.D., M.S.W.

Principal, College and Graduate School Advising
deena [at] thebertramgroup.com
(646) 206-7128

Deena has had a multifaceted career, including experience in graduate admissions and working in the public policy arena around education.

As an educational consultant, Deena advises students throughout the entire college admissions process, planning both undergraduate and graduate educations. Her clients have been admitted to Ivy League and top tier colleges throughout the United States.

Deena graduated magna cum laude from Mount Holyoke College and received her law degree and Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut. She has served as a Counsel in the U.S. Congress, where she focused on education issues, and in the private sector for national public interest organizations, such as the Children’s Defense Fund. Prior to becoming an educational consultant, Deena was Associate Director of Admissions at Columbia University Business School, where she reviewed hundreds of applications and gained keen insights into what makes a candidate stand out.

What families say about working with Deena:

"We are SO grateful that we were lucky enough to work with Deena on our daughter's college process.  Deena was absolutely incredible - supporting our daughter in working through her choices, challenging her to write the best possible essays, and keeping the whole process grounded and positive." — Parent

"Hey Deena! I called a couple days ago to share the Yale news. I’m doing great. My whole family is ecstatic and we really can’t thank you enough for helping me get to this point. Really could not have done it without you." — Student

"Deena, cannot thank you enough for all the calls, the nudging, the reality checks, the editing, the pep talks, the good advice and the patience.... phew!  Really and truly..." — Parent on daughter’s acceptance to her first choice college

" I hope you know what an amazing advisor you have in Deena.  It seems counter intuitive, but I am finding managing the educational challenges of a super bright student more challenging than if she were struggling in school.  Deena is so good at this and I am so grateful." — Parent

"Thank you so much Deena!  We were tearful when we heard the news!  We are so appreciative of your genuine interest and expert guidance."—Parent's comments about Deena's sucess working their daughter after attending a therapeutic program 

"We still think about you and what an indispensable help you were in getting her where she is now. We would recommend the Bertram Group to ANYBODY!—Parent

"Thank you for the help with my application and all the encouragement for the past year that has gotten me to this point. I'm expecting to hear from my transfer schools in the first weeks of May.  I know it was a scramble at the deadline there, but I am really proud of the story the essays tell.  Couldn't have done it without you."—Transfer student

"Thanks again for your tremendous help thus far.  We couldn't have done it without you and we feel very appreciative of your knowledge and kindness."—Parent

“Hi Deena, I got into Haas (Berkeley) and Tuck (Dartmouth)!!! Thank you so much for all of your help through the application process!! Your insights and feedback on my applications were so helpful and really helped me develop an application that demonstrated who I am and what I hope to accomplish.” — Student

“Deena was helpful in my self-exploration of strengths, as well as my weaknesses, and motivated me to understand and explain my personal and professional goals. She has a genuine interest in her clients’ success. I still keep her posted on my endeavors.” — Student

“Within minutes, Deena really ‘got’ my son and there was immediate rapport among the three of us. She managed to make him feel confident about applying to some top schools. And she gave advice—especially about the interview—that just wouldn't work as well coming from a parent. It was fun, helpful, informative, and incredibly efficient, too.” — Parent

“You were by far the hippest college counselor I’ve ever met. I loved telling my friends about you and how much you helped me in finding the college of my dreams!” — Student

“The college discussions encouraged a self-awareness and self-definition that was invaluable to my daughter. Deena enabled her to find a good college match, to look deeper and broader. Deena helped her, in her essay and interview, present her best and truest picture to the admissions committee.” — Parent

“Deena helped in ways that my children really needed—making sure that we had considered all the possible options, reviewing and refining their resumes, and answering all the little questions about timing and how to put their best foot forward that only someone who knows the process from the inside out can answer.” — Parent

“Deena Maerowitz made all the difference for 2 of our children during the college admissions process. She focused on the strengths of each child and provided invaluable guidance that only years of experience could provide. As concerned parents, we appreciated Deena’s’ depth of knowledge, sensitivity and strong communication skills. The process completely empowered both my children in their college search and application process. The guidance and preparation  she provided maximized every opportunity and got them into the best college possible. If I had been 'guiding' my sons, it would have been much more stressful (and difficult on our relationship). The deadlines and structure that Deena provided my sons was perfect for them. They both had a much more positive and manageable experience than many of their peers. She gave us much needed peace of mind and wonderful results.” — Parent

"We were thrilled with Deena's approach and calm demeanor. She demonstrated a broad understanding of how to identify the right schools and how to position our daughter to get in.  For anxious parents, she also played a wonderful role in helping to provide encouragement and needed feedback--never an easy thing to do.  The acceptance email to our daughter for early decision would not have happened without Deena's guidance and hard work." — Parent

"My daughter was terrified of the college interview process; therefore, we decided to get her a college coach.  After 1 or 2 sessions with Deena, we were amazed at how confident and poised she became.  She felt very comfortable and empowered during her college interviews.  We cannot thank Deena enough for the professional coaching she provided to our daughter.  Ultimately she was accepted Early Decison at Wellesley!" — Parent

"Deena is an amazing educational consultant.  When she first met my daughter, she immediately connected with her much more than other counselors. Deena was able to navigate the application process to a successful conclusion. She was invaluable as a knowledgeable ally and a trusted sounding board. She provided critical insight from the initial applications, through the interview process and into the subsequent selection. Perhaps most important, Deena created a tailored and personalized approach, never falling back on a standard response to each challenge.  By the end of the process, I could tell that Deena was as emotionally invested in my daughter getting into her dream school as we were.  We are all very grateful for her help and I highly recommend her as a consultant." — Parent

"What I wanted in a consultant was someone who could steer my son through the essay writing process without the drama.  We had had our fair share of family arguments about what to write, when to write and what sort of thing schools expect.  Our son's nerves were getting increasingly frayed.  Deena's sensible approach diffused a lot of the anxiety.  The initial meeting was conducted via skype because of time constraints and Deena quickly put my son at ease.  Deena provided a clear sense of what she does and how she worked.  Her guidelines for turnaround time and clear boundaries set the tone for her interactions with my son.  Throughout the process Deena was professional, patient, knowledgeable and focused.  She was flexible while keeping my son focused on his goals.  Her critiques were clear and to the point resulting in essays that were concise but thoughtful.  She is not only an expert editor she is also extremely knowledgeable about the college process and was able to help my son think through the selection of essay topics.  Her patience as she highlighted areas that need strengthening or simplifying was much appreciated by my son.  Deena does not write the essays but she facilitates the process and my son's writing is much stronger as a result.  Deena is patient, flexible and highly experienced in working with adolescents.  In short she is a highly competent professional." — Parent  

"A thousand thank you's. The challenging students who ultimately end up successful have got to be your most rewarding. We couldn't have done it without you!"—Parent

"It should go without saying that I certainly couldn't have done any of it without you and your outstanding guidance, advice, and scrupulous edits! Obviously I'll be sure to recommend you without the slightest hesitation to anyone and everyone I know who's considering applying to business school going forward"—Candidate upon admission to Wharton

"Deena, I want to send a special thanks your way.  I can’t tell you how much it meant to us to be able to send out her college application last night - and send it out with confidence.  I know that you are totally swamped so thank you again for taking the time to review the essay.  I am grateful to you as a professional but also as the fabulous person that you are.  It’s such a stressful time for us and all families.  Thanks to you it’s less than it could be. You really help make an unpleasant process as pleasant as possible."—Parent

"Deena, Thank you extremely much for all of your great insights and wisdom thus far. Our regret will remain that we did not find you before now!"—Parent

"I just wanted to let you know that I got into Cornell early! Thank you so much for all your help; you really helped me improve my application!"—Student

"Our son is very enthusiastic with the process. He said you are 'amazing and super smart'…his words." —International parent of US boarding school son about his reaction to meeting Deena

"I also want to thank you for all of your help with the college application process. You helped select and refine the list, keep our daughter on track, and your guidance as well as essay revisions were amazing and so helpful."— Parent

"Thank you so much for all of your help with our daughter and her essays and moral support! She is beyond thrilled and could not have done it without you. Your calm manner, rational approach, and wise words were truly amazing and we are all so appreciative! — Parent on her daughter's early decision acceptance to Duke

 

Affiliations include:

  • Professional member, Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)
  • Member, Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants
  • Member, National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC)
  • Member, Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA)

 

Publications and Interviews include: