Admissions Gambit Helps MoCo Families Apply to College (Sponsored)

Dr. Erwin Hesse and his wife, Andrea Hesse, are the Cofounders of Admissions Gambit, a Montgomery County based college admissions and essay development company. Both were born into humble beginnings with immigrant parents who were carpenters and cleaned houses for a living. Spanish was their first language, and both attended English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in their early elementary school years at MCPS. 


Despite their similar upbringings, both embarked on different paths. Andrea saw education as a stepping stone out of a low-income neighborhood and its perils. She focused on her academics, earning many honorable mentions and academic scholarships throughout her youth and into college. She graduated with an undergraduate degree in Communication from the University of Maryland, College Park and a graduate degree in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore.


Erwin followed the wrong crowd, became unmotivated, and his grades plummeted. After numerous disciplinary actions and barely graduating from Rockville High School, his only option for post-secondary education was Montgomery College, where he majored in criminology. One of his final courses required a class trip to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Boyds. A group of inmates agreed to speak with the students at the end of the tour. To Erwin’s surprise, two of his high school friends were part of the inmate group. “It was a surreal experience, but I learned to appreciate life and live up to my fullest potential,” recounts Erwin Hesse. Upon earning an undergraduate degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, College Park and a graduate degree in Public Administration from the University of Baltimore, Erwin went on to earn a Doctoral degree from Johns Hopkins University in Entrepreneurial Education in 2018. 


While earning his graduate degrees, Dr. Hesse worked inside of admissions offices at Maryland, Johns Hopkins, and Georgetown. Over the course of a decade, Erwin served as an Admissions Counselor, Associate Director of Admissions, and Executive Director of Enrollment Management. He has reviewed thousands of applications, led and trained admissions teams, and created and taught a graduate course on enrollment management at Georgetown University. Dr. Hesse was then hired by Amazon to build relationships with universities across the United States to recruit exceptional students for STEM roles within the company. 


When Operation Varsity Blues, better known as the college admissions scandal, rocked the nation, Erwin saw the inequity in access to one-on-one college guidance. He explains, “With affluent families’ ability to afford outlandish college admissions companies’ rates and in some cases bribe universities, how could ordinary families compete for admissions slots at universities? What would ordinary families do if they needed one-on-one guidance throughout the college admissions process but could not afford exorbitant rates? The counselor-to-student ratio across the US is 482-to-1. Parents and students are left with limited opportunities for personalized guidance on the entire process.” 


With Erwin’s decade of experience in college admissions and Andrea’s decade of experience as a Professional Editor, Admissions Gambit was established in early 2021. Their mission is simple: Provide expert level college admissions and essay development services at affordable rates. “Large college admissions firms charge families $10,000 or more and then hire someone like me for a quarter of the price to conduct the services,” says Dr. Hesse. Admissions Gambit cuts the costs by directly working with families.


Grounded in the Hesse’s humble beginnings, Admissions Gambit offers a scholarship at Andrea’s alma mater, Good Counsel High School, to a rising senior demonstrating financial need, a commitment to their community, and a 3.2 GPA. Additionally, for every five families that sign with Admissions Gambit, one rising senior of first-generation, low-socioeconomic background receives a free Admissions Gambit package to a college of their choice. In other exciting news, Admissions Gambit received a national grant from NewSchools Venture Fund to provide first-generation, low-income rising seniors free college admissions and essay development services in 2023. “We encourage eligible families from Montgomery County to apply,” states Andrea Hesse. The application will go live on their website in May. 


Admissions Gambit will be participating in MCPS’ Summer RISE program for 11th and 12th graders. “Through this exciting internship opportunity, students can learn about entrepreneurship and how we developed a model to give back to our community,” remarks Dr. Hesse. Finally, Dr. Hesse has been selected as the 2023 graduation speaker for his alma mater, Rockville High School. “It’s truly a full-circle moment for me. My message to the graduates: It is not how you start, but how you finish.”  

 
For more information on Admissions Gambit, visit their website at www.admissionsgambit.com or call them at 301-615-2232.

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FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival

Get ready to experience the vibrant colors, tantalizing flavors, and infectious rhythms of the Caribbean at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival! Hosted by RHU LLC, this exciting festival is set to take place on May 18, 2024, at the picturesque 16700 Barnesville Rd in Boyds, MD.

Step into a world where the Caribbean spirit comes alive! From 12:00 PM onwards, immerse yourself in a sensory journey that celebrates the unique culture, cuisine, and music of the Caribbean. Whether you're an African American, a Reggae or Soca music enthusiast, a wine lover, or part of the vibrant Caribbean diaspora, this festival promises to delight and captivate you in every way.

Let the enticing aromas of mouthwatering Caribbean dishes tantalize your taste buds. Feast on traditional delicacies prepared by expert chefs, showcasing the rich and diverse culinary heritage of the Caribbean. Indulge in flavorful jerk chicken, succulent seafood, and delectable plantain dishes that will transport you straight to the islands.

Accompanying the culinary extravaganza is a carefully curated selection of premium wines, ensuring the perfect pairing for your palate. Sip on fine wines from renowned vineyards, each sip a reflection of the Caribbean's vibrant spirit. Discover new flavors, expand your wine knowledge, and savor unforgettable moments with every glass.

As the sun sets, get ready to groove to the infectious rhythms of Caribbean music. Feel the pulsating beats of reggae, soca, dancehall, and calypso, moving your body to the lively melodies. Live performances by talented musicians and performers will keep the energy high, ensuring a night of unforgettable entertainment.

Don't miss this opportunity to embrace the Caribbean spirit and celebrate the arrival of spring in style! Tickets are available on AllEvents, so secure your spot today. Join us at the FEST OF SPRING Caribbean Wine Food & Music Festival, where cultures collide and unforgettable memories are made.

LIVE PERFORMANCES By: CULTURE Feat. Kenyatta Hill, EXCO LEVI, IMAGE BAND, RAS LIDJ REGG'GO with Special Guest SUGAR BEAR FROM E.U. & MORE! & MORE!

MUSIC By: DJ ABLAZE, DJ SMALLY & NAJ SUPREME

2 NIGHT Camping packages available: RV/CAMPER $200 | TENTS $150 Starting on Friday May 17 @ 5pm | 30 RV SPACES | 30+ TENT SPACES

KIDS 12 & UNDER FREE!!!

Bethesda Film Fest

The 2024 Bethesda Film Fest will feature five short documentary films made by filmmakers from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. Screenings will be held Friday April 5 and Saturday April 6 at Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema.

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