Philana Tenhoff

Philana Tenhoff

Philana Tenhoff

Former Associate Director of Admissions at MIT
Former Associate Director of Admissions at Macalester College
Former Assistant Director of Admissions at Macalester College
Former Admissions Counselor at St. Olaf College

3 Years in MIT Admissions
9 Years in Macalester Admissions
4 Years in St. Olaf Admissions
20,000+ Applications Read and Evaluated

Philana earned her Bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College and Master’s degrees from St. Mary’s University in Minnesota. With over 16 years in admissions, she has a track record of building relationships, creating accessible education policies, and increasing diversity in student bodies.

Her career includes roles at St. Olaf College, Macalester College, and MIT, where she focused on student recruitment, application evaluation, multicultural programs, and strategic policy development. Philana's efforts notably increased diversity at Macalester College and involved key advisory roles at MIT.

Prior to joining Solomon, she also worked as an Independent Educational Consultant, aiding students in gaining admissions to top universities.

What happens if you are rejected early decision?

What happens if you are rejected early decision?

By Philana Tenhoff / 11/22/2024

The college admission process is filled with uncertainty. With so many colleges to pick from and multiple ways to apply, it’s no wonder that students and families become stressed during the process. One way to reduce uncertainty and anxiety is to apply early decision to your first-choice college.  Why submit an early decision application? Here…

How early should I start preparing my child for the Ivy League?

How early should I start preparing my child for the Ivy League?

By Philana Tenhoff / 07/05/2024

There is no set age to prepare your child for the Ivy League or Ivy-like schools. However, there are many habits we can foster from a young age. Academic prowess, a high level of personal development, along with a strategic approach are all necessary while positioning your child to apply to an Ivy League or…

Why Extracurricular Activities Matter in College Admissions

Why Extracurricular Activities Matter in College Admissions

By Philana Tenhoff / 09/15/2023

Students spend hours, weeks, and even years committing to activities they hope will make them stand out in the college admissions process. Does it really make a difference if you play soccer, volunteer as a math tutor, play the piano, serve as president of the student council, or write for the school newspaper? As a…

Why should I consider attending a liberal arts college?

Why should I consider attending a liberal arts college?

By Philana Tenhoff / 08/01/2023

Most of my clients are looking for brand-name schools, you know, the ones you see on TV or where everyone’s had a distant cousin, a co-worker, or a neighbor attend. They prefer name recognition, and let’s be honest, parents want to tell their friends that their child is attending ‘that’ school. But the reality is,…