Jared Hobson
Jared serves as President of Great College Advice, where he sets strategic direction for the firm as well as being involved in sales & marketing and consulting. Jared is excited to lead Great College Advice in its mission to empower students and reduce stress in the college admissions process. Jared’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin as well as an MBA from Cornell University’s Johnson Graduate School of Management. While at Cornell, he served as an admissions reader and interviewer on its Student Admissions Committee.
A Passion for Research
Jared spent the first 25 years of his professional life in the investment management industry primarily conducting research on individual stocks. One of Jared’s favorite activities while analyzing public companies was to go on-site and ‘kick the tires’ by meeting with company executives and taking facility tours to gain a clearer picture of a company’s culture. Similarly, one of his favorite activities in college admissions consulting is visiting colleges and speaking to admissions officers, students, professors and anyone else willing to answer a few questions. Having met with thousands of public company executives whose goal is to convince you to buy their stock, he understands the importance of college applicants presenting a concise, unique story to admissions officers.
Mentorship
Jared’s commitment to mentoring younger people in the financial services industry has fostered a passion for guiding students through the complex world of college admissions. His dedication for ‘going the extra mile’ in studying every aspect of a company transitions well when it comes to helping students research colleges. His approach emphasizes individualized attention and finding the right fit for each student, aligning perfectly with Great College Advice’s core values.
Education
- University of Wisconsin-Madison: BBA Finance; Graduated with Distinction
- Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University: MBA with a concentration in finance. Served on the Student Admissions Committee.
- UCLA College Admissions Counseling Coursework
Professional Associations
Jared is a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). He regularly attends their training programs and conferences, including the IECA Summer Training Institute.
Personal
Jared lives outside Denver with his wife and two daughters. A proud native of rural Wisconsin, Jared enjoys skiing, jeep explorations, travel, and long dog walks while also listening to his favorite college admissions, financial, and pop culture podcasts. Jared and his family are also very active volunteers in the Denver community, with Jared having served on the Board of Directors for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation since 2020.
TESTIMONIALS
“Great College Advice lives up to the name! Advisors worked with me through my application process, providing excellent advice tailored toward my educational goals. Advisors responded quickly and allowed me to finish my applications well ahead of my deadlines, despite submitting my materials to them late. Absolutely would recommend.”
– Jessica F.
Student
“Great College Advice helped my daughter get accepted to an Ivy League college. They offered great advice that we could not find elsewhere. I recommend them to all of my friends and family.”
– Juliet G.
Parent