Who We Are
Blue Jay Academy is powered by a team of award-winning educators and expert mentors from top universities and industries. Our mission is to help students unlock their creativity, think independently, and build projects that are both meaningful and entirely their own.
Our advisors include graduates and faculty from leading institutions such as Harvard, Columbia, Oxford, and UC Berkeley, with professional experience spanning education, research, technology, social impact, and the arts. Whether a student dreams of launching an original research project, founding a nonprofit, or producing a creative portfolio, our team is here to guide them every step of the way.
Our Team
At Blue Jay Academy, students work closely with a small, passionate team of mentors dedicated to helping them grow as writers, thinkers, and creators. Each of our partners brings deep expertise, a student-first mindset, and a track record of success in college admissions and beyond.
Humanities Department | Social Sciences Department | STEM Department | Customer Service
Melissa - Humanities and the Arts
MA, University of Chicago | BA, Sarah Lawrence College | Oxford Visiting Scholar
Melissa holds a master’s degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing and Asian Studies from Sarah Lawrence College. She also spent a year at the University of Oxford, specializing in classical literature and poetry.
As a seasoned English writing and admissions essay instructor, Melissa has helped students craft over 1,000 successful application essays, earning admission to schools such as Columbia, Cornell, UChicago, Oxford, Wellesley, UC Berkeley, UBC, NYU, UVA, Emory, Barnard, Georgetown, Tufts, UCL, and the University of Edinburgh.
Her students have received top honors in international competitions, including:
• 🥇 The New York Times Teeny Tiny Memoir Contest (1% acceptance rate)
• 🏅 The New York Times Annual Student Reading Contest (7% acceptance rate)
• 🏆 Scholastic Writing Awards (National and Regional)
• 🌍 John Locke Essay Competition (Global Shortlist)
Melissa is also a published author, known for her bestselling essay collection and nonfiction works featured in outlets like People’s Daily. She specializes in combining creativity with structure to help students strengthen their voice, clarify their ideas, and tell stories that stand out.
Annie – Social Sciences
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Annie holds a bachelor's degree from Johns Hopkins University and brings experience in psychology, economics and business. She specializes in interdisciplinary studies and analytics in social sciences and has helped students achieve success in admissions and research. At Blue Jay Academy, Annie focuses on supporting students in discovering their strengths and is passionate about helping students pursuing their research interests and making an impact in the social realm.
Zoe – STEM
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Zoe is a [Professional Title] with a background in [Field or Discipline]. She earned her [Degree] from [University], and has worked on [Projects, Publications, or Initiatives]. Zoe supports students in [Area of Focus], helping them [What Students Learn or Achieve]. Her approach combines [Two Key Skills or Traits] to guide students in developing meaningful and impactful work.