VJB & Associates

CEO of VJB & Associates Worldwide.  Independent Educational Consultant.

Virginia, founder of VJB & Associates, has been in the field of education for more than 40 years. As one of the pioneers in the field of educational consulting, she’s been called the “guru of NYC private day schools” and “one of the greats of educational consulting.” She has been a counselor and Director of the American Field Service Boarding School Program for AFS/International, served as the Director of Admissions for a New York City private day school, and was the Director of ASSIST (American Secondary Schools for International Students and Teachers). She has served on the boards of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), The Town School, the Independent Schools Admissions Association of Greater New York (ISAAGNY), and the University of Vermont CE Board, and has been a panelist at the annual Educational Records Bureau (ERB) conference.

President of VJB & Associates Asia Pacific.  Independent Educational Consultant.

After working for years with VJB & Associates in the United States and in Europe, Jennifer launched VJB & Associates in Asia in 2008 to help Asia-based families and students realize the benefits of education in America. Having lived in the United Kingdom, Brazil and Singapore and having been educated in France, Australia and her native United States, Jennifer is familiar with the intricacies of what makes an overseas educational experience a success. Jennifer received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Vermont and attended private day and boarding schools in the USA. She has served on the University of Vermont CE Board, is a member of multiple educational associations and currently serves as IECA's leader for South Asia and the Middle East.

Independent Educational Consultant (Boarding School)

Brady graduated summa cum laude from the University of New Hampshire, with a Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Journalism. Her expertise in the field of language, along with her own rich experiences of studying overseas during her high school and college years, led her to a focus on teaching English as a Second Language. Her vibrant personality and ability to connect with students in and out of the classroom earned her an appointment as Head of International Recruitment and Admissions at a prominent boarding school. After leading this program for a number of years, Brady joined VJB & Associates, bringing with her valuable behind-the-scenes admissions experience and connections in the world of independent education.

Independent Educational Consultant (Boarding School & University)

Over the last fifteen years, Alison has shepherded many children through the boarding and day school admission process. Having attended The Chapin School and St. Paul’s School, she has a keen understanding of the high school landscape and she brings her wealth of knowledge to VJB’s educational placement services. With a degree in History from Brown University, Alison has been an Alumni interviewer for almost 25 years and she is well versed in college admissions as well. As a complement to the high school admission process, she is currently working towards a Certificate in College Counseling from the University of California, Los Angeles. Originally trained as a lawyer, Alison’s strengths include everything from navigating the essay writing process to connecting with teenagers and their parents. Alison understands the stressors for children and families during this process, and she approaches clients with warmth, empathy, and precision.

Independent Educational Consultant (Boarding School & University)

After attending the Taft School in Watertown, Ct, Victoria Binda graduated summa cum laude from Harvard in 2007 with a Bachelors of Arts in Romance Languages and Literature with special track in Latin American Studies. After college, she moved to Nicaragua for five years where she volunteered full time in literacy outreach, construction, and adult language education.

Victoria then moved to Brooklyn, NY where she taught Math, English, and Spanish at Brooklyn Heights Montessori. During this time she began tutoring and working as an independent education consultant for students at top high schools in New York City and Los Angeles, after 10 years Vicoria has developed a keen understanding of what it requires to succeed in a competitive and quickly changing academic landscape.

She loves to work with young people, strives to make studying a joy, and believes that the high school and college application process should be a positive and self-affirming experience. After a decade of teaching in the classroom, abroad, and over zoom, Victoria has learned how to bring out the best from her students- in school, on paper, and during interviews.

Independent Educational Consultant (Boarding School & Day School)

Having worked on both sides of the admissions process for more than 30 years, Leslie is exceptionally well-known within New York-area independent day schools as well as boarding schools throughout the country. She is highly regarded for passionately advocating on behalf of students and families and for her keen expertise in matching a student with the best school for him or her.  For 20 years, Leslie was the Associate Director of Admissions at Riverdale Country School, of which she is also an alumna. She interviewed hundreds of prospective students (and their parents) applying to grades 7-11 and endeavoured to attract the very best candidates to the school, admitting students who were both strong academically and who represented diverse strengths, talents, and interests. She then moved on to the Cathedral School of St. John the Divine, an independent, coeducational K-8 school, where for 12 years she was the Director of High School Placement. In this role, she brought her deep knowledge of admissions to the other side of the process, to students and families who were applying to boarding and day secondary schools. She advised families about the myriad excellent options for middle and high school, both day and boarding; consulted with students and parents about essays; explained the importance of standardized testing, transcripts, and extracurricular activities; prepared families for their school interviews; and advocated for each student with admissions directors. Leslie earned a BA in government from Connecticut College.

Independent Educational Consultant (University)

Joan has been a college counselor in high schools for over 40 years and enjoys a national reputation in the profession. Most of her working career was at the Garrison Forest School in Baltimore where she built their college counseling program and was deeply involved in professional organizations; she has held leadership positions in The National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and College Board.  As a NACAC Board member, she focused on promoting college counseling education for public school guidance counselors and ultimately created, with two other NACAC members, a series of college counseling handbooks for use in middle and high schools.  Over the course of her career, Joan has witnessed great changes in the admission process and has found her degree in counseling to be invaluable as she has shepherded students and their parents through the increasingly complex and stressful application process. Her focus has always been on finding the right higher educational match for students. She has worked with a broad range of students both domestic and international, including those with learning issues and special talents.  In addition to working with individual students, Joan has consulted with the college counseling offices in several schools. Working with high school students and their parents continues to be a joy for Joan who remains actively interested in the trends in college admissions.  She has a BA from Goucher College and an MS in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

Independent Educational Consultant (University)

With 43 years of experience, Terry has earned an outstanding reputation in college admissions and counseling. For 30 years he was the Director of College Counseling at the Taft School, Choate Rosemary Hall, Montgomery Bell Academy, and The Kiski School. He also spent 13 years on the college level, as an Associate Dean at Allegheny, Dean of Admissions at Coe College and as Upper School Head and Assistant Headmaster at TASIS -- England. A graduate of Allegheny College (BA in English, MA in Education), Terry has been an active member of the National Association of College Admissions Counseling and the College Board. He has served on the Counselors’ Advisory Board for SMU, the University of Michigan, and U.S. News and World Report's Annual College Ranking Issue. He also has served as an interim director, lecturer, consultant, and advisor for faculty, students, and families at schools in the U.S., Korea, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Paris, and Puerto Rico. Terry’s goals are clear: 1) to empower students to take charge of their college search process; 2) to explain the nuances of selective college admissions; 3) to ask thought provoking questions, 4) to offer advice about courses, testing, activities, and essays; 5) to provide honest assessments of admissions prospects; and 6) to help students maximize their opportunities for admission to colleges or universities that will best serve their post-secondary educational needs.

Independent Educational Consultant

Abigail Neave has been working with VJB & Associates for eight years, assisting families worldwide in coordinating everything from navigating the details of the application process to helping students streamline their applications. She directs the firm’s research efforts and, as an instrumental part of the VJB operations, she ensures that no detail is overlooked. Currently residing in New York, Abigail grew up in Europe and the U.S. and has also lived in Asia. She attended private school in New York City, boarding school in New England, and Parsons School of Design. An integral part of the day-to-day operations of VJB & Associates, Abigail is treasured by families for her calm, reasoned, and reassuring approach to all matters that arise in the process of applying to school.

Social Media

Grace Briggs attended Northfield Mount Hermon School and is currently at Reed College. Grace is looking to pursue an education and career within the public relations and media relations field moving forward. She is deeply interested in the various ways that individuals interact with social media, modern social media culture, and the business and marketing side of social media.