Tony Carnahan - Founder

Tony has been working with students for nearly 20 years in a wide array of areas.  From coach and teacher, to administrator, to counselor he has worn many educational hats and has enjoyed every step along the way.  As a college counselor for 17 years he has spent a great deal of time tracking the ever changing landscape of college admissions.  Much of his research and information is data-driven but he is also fully committed to the individuality of each student and each student's individual path to the right college community.  Tony has extensive experience with students of all kinds and has a deep understanding of the academic and social opportunities at schools across the country.  During his career he has spent time on nearly 500 college campuses, worked closely with admissions officers, college coaches, and high school counselors to ensure that students have the chance to thrive at the university-level and beyond.

Professional Career Path:

1997: Graduated from the University of Scranton with degree in History.  Regional All-American and Captain of the soccer team.  Spent a year as an assistant coach before heading off to grad school.

1997-99: Graduate Assistant Soccer Coach with the Men's Soccer Team at the University at Buffalo.  While at UB completed M.ED. degree in School Counseling.

1999-2002: Dean of Students, Assistant College Counselor, AP European History Teacher and Head Boy's Soccer Coach at St. Anselm's Abbey School in Washington, DC.

2002-2012: Director of College Counseling at St. Benedict's Preparatory School in Newark, NJ.  Also a member of the soccer coaching staff, history teacher, member of the admissions committee, Chair of the Honor Code Committee, and helped to usher the school through the transition to a block schedule as the Dean of Instruction.  

2011-2015: Independent College Counselor at Ivy Educational Services, NJ.  Spent time overseeing the work of fellow counselors as well as working on the search, application, and selection process with a full caseload of students and families.

2013-present: Founding Director of College Counseling at YSC Academy in Wayne, PA.  YSC Academy is the first school in the country to be affiliated with a professional sports team (Philadelphia Union, MLS) with a goal of helping student-athletes reach their potential both in the classroom and on the field. 

2014-present: Founder of Coastal College Counseling.  Tony founded CCC with the goal of bringing a calm, organized, collaborative approach to Monmouth County, NJ and beyond.  

Professional Memberships: NACAC, IECA, NJACAC, PACAC, HECA