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Ready to Help Your Student Discover Strategy & Insight that Opens Doors?
Rooted in motivational coaching and 20+ years of education and journalism experience, AYO's DREAM provides proactive admissions coaching and editing solutions to students and families ready to blaze bold paths to their choice campus. Our program is simple:
1) Weekly 1:1 Admissions Coaching with Malena Amusa, M.A.
Turn your scholar's unique gifts into a compelling admissions strategy through our proven DREAM Framework: Discover, Refine, Execute, Amplify & Make It Happen.
2) Structured, Multi-Level Essay & Application Review
Take the guesswork out of college essays with our DREAM Rubric & Scorecard, identifying exactly what each draft needs to achieve greater impact.
3) Accessible Virtual Support — Families Come First
Get flexible, personalized support that respects your family's schedule while keeping your scholar on track.
Families Purchase Renewable Monthly Coaching Packages or Stand-Alone Services, with Support Available Through the Submission of All College Applications.
Our Families Have Gained Admission Across the U.S.
Through AYO’s DREAM, we partner with families to provide weekly virtual coaching and strategic support for high school juniors, rising seniors, post-baccalaureate students, and aspiring graduate students pursuing STEAM, business, and humanities. We help students bring their vision and voice to applications for Ivy League schools, leading national and state universities, HBCUs, technical colleges, competitive graduate programs, exclusive academic programs, fellowships, and scholarships.
Students we’ve coached have earned admission to programs at Emory University’s School of Public Health, Cornell University’s business school, top design schools, UC Berkeley, and medical residency programs at Washington University School of Medicine—and more!
Our Secret is Harnessing True JOY
AYO means Joy in Yoruba! And it is our belief that every child has a true JOY that sparks their greatest dreams. We are on a mission to honor that JOY, so that we blaze paths with true vision, intention and impact, while celebrating the full humanity of every student!
Experience AYO's DREAM with Malena Amusa, MA
Led by professional coach Malena Amusa, MA—a Northwestern and Columbia University graduate, international journalist, dancer, and educator—AYO’s DREAM helps your student discover their voice, find deeper meaning in their experiences, and build applications that reflect their insight, hopes, and dreams.
Malena has coached hundreds of students and aspiring professionals worldwide, helping them turn challenges into clear strategies and gain admission to leading universities, professional programs, and residencies. We bring structure, creativity, and attentive listening to the process, helping your family move forward with less stress and greater confidence.
How to Work With Us
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Book a FREE Discovery Call to Learn How Malena & Team Can Empower Your Game Plan and Path to Success!
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Utilize Our Easy Workflow: Zoom for Coaching Calls | Google Drive for Email, Communication, Document Sharing & Data Tracking
Meet Your Coach
Experience & Calling
My passion for coaching began at Metro High School in St. Louis, Missouri, where I graduated in 2002. I went on to become an Economics Fellow with The Fund for American Studies at Georgetown University before earning my B.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University in 2006, with minors in History and Economics. I later earned my M.A. in Arts & Culture Journalism from Columbia University as a Barbara Fleishman Scholar.
My career has taken me from investigative health reporting at Women’s eNews, where my work earned a Ford nomination, to reporting in India, South Africa, and St. Louis, and teaching at the University of California, Riverside, Columbia College, and Nexplore USA. In 2010, I founded Amusa Communications and Addlife! World, LLC, an African dance company, and in 2025, Artsy-Preneur.com, and AYO’s DREAM. Today, I bring more than 20 years of experience in coaching, journalism, and creative leadership to my work.
MY FAVORITE THINGS
Nothing beats a lazy day giggling and chatting with my hubby and kids! My favorite autobiography is Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela, and I have a special love for neoclassical West African dance. One song that always brings me joy is “ABC” by The Jackson 5. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, tops my dream travel list, and if I had to describe myself in one word, it would be tenacious.
QUICK STATS
I've personally coached more than 50 students live and reviewed and edited 1,000+ college essays. Through my work with Empowerly College Counseling, 98% of students were admitted to at least one of their top-choice schools.
My biggest coaching win? Helping my best friend gain admission to her dream design cohort in L.A.
Unlocking Insight Blazed my Path to Northwestern & Columbia
I distinctly remember applying to more than 10 colleges, staying up until the wee hours brainstorming, writing, and re-writing. It was 2001, and I had cast my net quite wide, applying to top journalism and media schools—from Northwestern's Medill School to Mizzou's Journalism Program, Howard University, USC, and UNC Chapel Hill.
Luckily, I had the help of my close friend and Debate Team co-captain Diana, who was applying to Emory University. Together, we fretted, debated, and carefully crafted every detail of our personal essays. Over the span of two weeks, our writing went from didactic presentations of our vast achievements to heartfelt reflections on our personal influences. I began lasering in on a powerful opinion piece I read by Essence editor Susan Taylor that forever changed my life, teaching me that the true treasures of life are not the ones that jingle and shine.
This insight inspired me to dig deeper—beneath my tremendous GPA, extracurriculars, and accolades—and into my life experiences. I began to share what my family’s Civil Rights activism meant to me over the years, and how it shaped my desire to pursue a journalism program that would allow me to close the gap between America’s promise and its reality.
Weeks later, we were thrilled to receive acceptances to 90% of our choice universities—and Northwestern personally invited me to interview for my spot on campus.
Now, having earned elite degrees from Northwestern and Columbia University, and reporting news and performing globally, I realize how much co-writing with Diana shaped my journey. It gave me the reflection to reveal my weaknesses and a powerful echo when I was gaining strength toward creating a stand-out application.
The opportunity to help others through this key turning point is a great honor. Through writing, collaboration, and support, I know there are no limits to the dreams of driven leaders like you and I—or the amazing campuses we belong at. - Malena Amusa, MA
Check Out Our Success Stories & Get a Peak into our Life-Changing Process!
