College Admissions Experts

Personalized college planning can indeed make a significant difference in helping students navigate the admissions process and secure spots at their desired schools. With AAA’s experience and knowledge of campuses across New England and the United States, students will benefit greatly from our approach and guidance every step of the way.

Eric Simonelli

Eric Simonelli is the Co-Founder and expert College Admissions Consultant at AAA, guiding students through the competitive college admissions process. With over 25 years of experience in secondary and higher education, Eric combines strategic admissions insight with a deep understanding of high-achieving academic trajectories and competitive college preparation. A member of the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA), he served for thirteen years as an Admissions Advisor and Athletic Liaison at the University of Rhode Island, and most recently spent eight years as the Director of College Counseling and Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach at La Salle Academy.

Eric has built strong relationships with college admissions representatives, providing students with an insider’s perspective on what top-tier colleges seek. A former Division III collegiate basketball player, Hall of Fame inductee, and 1,000-point scorer, he also brings extensive expertise in athletic recruitment and the collegiate club sports process.

Raised in Duxbury, Massachusetts, Eric earned a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from Endicott College and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Rhode Island. He works closely with ambitious students to maximize their academic potential, helping them secure opportunities at leading colleges and universities. He is currently the Senior Basketball Director of Higher Learning Basketball, a youth skill development program, and a volunteer Commissioner for the Warwick (RI) Police Athletic League (PAL) Youth Travel Basketball program, balancing his time between coaching and college planning.

Gabriella Caprio

Gabriella Caprio is the Co-Founder, Head Writing Coach, and experienced College Admissions Consultant at AAA, where she guides students and families through the college application, admissions, and financial aid process. With a hands-on approach, Gabriella helps make the journey both manageable and enjoyable. In addition to her work at Academic Admissions Advisors, she serves as a lead World Languages teacher in the City of Providence, Rhode Island, bringing over two decades of experience in secondary and higher education.

Gabriella, who is trilingual,  possesses a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the University of Rhode Island and a Master’s Degree in Education from Rhode Island College. She is chair of the education committee at the Providence Performing Arts Center. Some of her clients have attended Auburn, Boston College, Boston University, Brown University, Clemson, College of the Holy Cross, Johns Hopkins University, Northeastern University, Northwestern, San Diego State University, Providence College, Tufts, University of New Hampshire, University of Rhode Island, Villanova, and Wake Forest.

  • College Admissions Consultant & Essay Coach

    Anne Clawson brings more than 20 years of experience in college admissions and student advising. A former Admission Advisor at the University of Rhode Island (URI), Anne has extensive firsthand insight into the application review process and what colleges look for in prospective students.

    She previously served as a college counselor at La Salle Academy in Providence, RI, where she guided students through every stage of their college planning journey. Anne currently works at the Community College of Rhode Island and is also an expert college admissions consultant, where she helps high school students with the college admissions process, and college students explore transfer pathways and two- to four-year transitions.

    Anne’s deep knowledge of admissions practices, combined with her supportive, student-centered approach, makes her an invaluable resource for families navigating today’s competitive college landscape.

  • College Admissions Consultant & Essay Coach

    Darcy Flaherty is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in higher education. She began her career at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, RI, as an Admissions Advisor until 2013, before transitioning to the University of New England in Biddeford, ME, where she served as the Director of First-Year Admissions for 8 years. With a Bachelor's degree and a Master's Degree in College Student Personnel, Darcy brings knowledge and expertise to her consulting practice. Passionate about empowering high school students to reach their full potential, Darcy is dedicated to providing strategic guidance and college solutions in higher education.

  • College Essay Coach

    Gregory Rosewell has been an educator for over 20 years. With a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Vermont, and a Masters in Education from the University of California at Santa Cruz, Gregory is currently a member of the English Department at North Kingstown High School.  He is a certified Rhode Island educator and is a fully trained and practicing Advanced Placement (AP) instructor.  

    In addition to his classroom teaching experience in North Kingstown and California, Gregory has an extensive background in the outdoor education field, serving a broad range of students from a variety of different backgrounds and ability levels.  This experience shaped his educational philosophy and taught him how to foster a safe and supportive, yet rigorous and challenging learning environment. 

  • College Essay Coach

    Mary Ellen Raposa has worked in the field of multilingual education for over 20 years and currently teaches for the Providence Public School District. She has been a writing coach for the past 10 years, helping students with their college application and scholarship essays. Additionally, she is a Learning Guide/Adjunct Professor at Roger Williams University, where she assists teacher candidates through a rigorous competency-based certification program. She also serves as a Language Proficiency Screener at the Providence Schools Registration Center.

    Mary Ellen is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications from Emerson College and a Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from the School for International Training. She is Nationally Board Certified in English as a New Language and has served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala.