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THE FOUNDER
Anita Katyal Rane
ABOUT ME
ANITA KATYAL RANE (AKR)
Mentor. Mom. The Person Who Gets You.
When you first meet me, you might think,
"Wow, calm and collected!"
Spend five minutes with me, and you'll realize—behind that calm is a whirlwind of insight, stories, and possibly too much coffee.
HOW I DO WHAT I DO
I'm the founder of the ACE program—the place where ambition meets heart. Over the years, I've guided hundreds of students to elite universities: Ivy League, Oxbridge, Stanford, LSE—all without losing my sense of humor (or my sanity).
My approach? Not cookie-cutter. Not robotic. Just authentic, strategic guidance that reveals your unique story—with a dash of fun and a sprinkle of sass.
Because here's the truth: every student is unique.
My job is to help you see that about yourself.
And then? We show the world.
THE PASSPORT PART OF MY STORY
I've lived and worked across India, Dubai, and Canada—which means I can decode late-night WhatsApp panic messages, decipher international grading scales, and still make you laugh about it.
I'm an alumna of the University of Toronto, an entrepreneur (yes, across multiple industries), and a qualitative researcher who's talked to more people than your favorite LinkedIn influencer. Add in my corporate training stints at IBM, and I can run a workshop on literally anything—from essay-writing hacks to leadership lessons to why your kid suddenly thinks TikTok is a career path—and make it fun, relatable, and actually memorable.
Translation:
Whether you're a student, a parent, or a corporate team, I speak your language. Literally and figuratively.
THE MOM CARD I ACTUALLY PLAY
My two grown kids (25-year-old son, 21-year-old daughter) were my first "students." I've survived the highs, the lows, and the occasional eye-rolls that come with parenting ambitious humans.
Spoiler: It's a lot of eye-rolls.
But here's what that gave me: I've been on both sides of the admissions table. I've been the anxious parent refreshing her inbox at 2 a.m., and I've been the mentor helping families survive the process without losing their hair or patience.
Empathy isn't a buzzword for me. It's how I live, every single day.
I GET YOUR KID
(NO,REALLY)
I have been called the “Student Whisperer” - and honestly I’ve earned it!
I don't just guide students—I get them. Thanks to my two grown-up "teachers," I'm fluent in Gen Z: the lingo, the memes, the late-night worries, and those small joys that make their world spin.
I know what drives them. I know what drains them. I know how they see the world—from homework stress to app obsessions to everything in between. If there's a secret code to understanding today's students, I've cracked it.
That means mentorship with me isn't a lecture. It's a real conversation.
THE ACE PLAYBOOK
(MY SECRET SAUCE)
Everything I do comes down to three simple things:
Accuracy: No "apply everywhere and hope for the best" nonsense. I'm strategic, intentional, and real.
Commitment: From the first brainstorm to the acceptance dance—I'm with You, not just Present.
Empathy: I've been the student. I've been the parent. I've been everything in between. So I get it.
Basically? I've got your back. And your parents' too.
A LITTLE ABOUT ME (BEYOND THE RESUME)
I read voraciously—coffee and books are my love language.
I travel whenever possible, collecting stories and inspiration that somehow always find
their way into my workshops.
Students and Parents call me "the calm in the chaos"—someone who listens, laughs, asks the right questions at exactly the right moment, and does the victory dance with you when you get that acceptance letter.
THE REAL TALK
Looking for a mentor who's smart, experienced, funny, and genuinely human?
That's me.
I don't just help you get in. I help you grow into who you're meant to be—with confidence, clarity, smiles,
and maybe a little (okay, a lot) coffee along the way.
MEET THE TEAM
At AKR, my strength isn't just me—it's the incredible people around me. Each team member brings a unique blend of expertise, experience, and genuine passion. From guiding students through IVY League applications to shaping professionals' career paths, we combine strategy, creativity, and real care to help every person reach their full potential.
Together, we're not just mentors. We're your people.
Resha
Shukla
Lead Counselor
📍Nagpur
Aparna Ahmad
Advisor
📍Australia
Priyanka Mall
Psychologist
📍Ireland
Gauri Chandanshive
Counselor
📍Mumbai
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Sarthak
Ligam
Software
Developer
📍Mumbai
Vishwesh
Kadam
Web Developer/
Graphic Designer
📍Mumbai
Student Mentors & Industry Experts
Real journeys. Real insights. Our student mentors share hands-on experiences from academics and extracurriculars, while industry experts bring real-world knowledge and career guidance. Together, they give students the tools, confidence, and perspective to excel, stand out, and shape their future.
Swathi Sriram
Student Mentor
Ambika Kapoor
Student Mentor
Aaron Salve
Student Mentor
Mohnish Chaudhari
Student Mentor
Aarushi Chavan
Student Mentor
Ramaa Parulekar
Student Mentor