We believe in miracles...
The team at University Connection, fondly known as the Orange Team, works in unison to draw out the best from students; they do everything to make their dreams for college and life matter. The Student Success Mentors at UC play a key role in deciphering, guiding and facilitating student careers.
What's so "orange" about the Orange Team?
Well, for one, since orange is a combination of red and yellow, the Orange team at UC is a combination of two worlds too! A little bit of this and a little bit of that – the highly energetic and extremely bright, the relationships focussed and yet the widely networked team knows what’s best for their students! The spirit of learning, the ability to take in life experiences and make them part of who they are – diverse in perspective & inclusive in personality – makes them awesome! All in all, when you connect with the Orange Team – you connect with a believer, a joyful, warm, creative, bright person who resonates with the core vision of UC – Making this world a better place, One student at a time!
We believe in miracles...
The team at University Connection, fondly known as the Orange Team, works in unison to draw out the best from students; they do everything to make their dreams for college and life matter. The Student Success Mentors at UC play a key role in deciphering, guiding and facilitating student careers.
Charushilla Narula Bajpai
Founder
Charushilla Narula Bajpai
Founder
She is not only the Founder Director and Key Mentor of University Connection, over the years, but she has also been applauded for her edu-preneurship and her ability to be able to steer young adults.
As a leading college planning firm, University Connection has mentored thousands of students to make it to top universities such as NYU, Columbia, UCLA, Parsons, Durham, King's College London, UC Berkeley, USC, LSE and many more. Students have also received millions of dollars in scholarships and UC has recently been awarded for excellence in counseling at the EdTech Awards 2020.
Charushilla believes that young minds carry the power to change the world and she personally trains her team of counselors to ensure that college admissions are but a by-product of the life they mentor. Her mission is to empower lives - one student at a time.
Komal Singh
School Outreach & High-School Students’ Mentor
Komal Singh
School Outreach & High-School Students’ Mentor
After a long teaching stint in the United States, she started her association with India’s leading college planning firm, University Connection, only because their vision of “making this world a better place – one student at a time” resonated with her.
Namrata Sharma
Research Counselor and Student Mentor
Namrata Sharma
Research Counselor and Student Mentor
Boasting postgraduate qualifications in Clinical Psychology, Social Work, and Disaster Management, Namrata stands armed with a formidable arsenal of knowledge and skills, poised to effectuate positive change. Her rich professional tapestry, interwoven with engagements across government, private stakeholders, and grassroots organizations, amplifies her transformative capabilities while seamlessly aligning with University Connection's mission. Moreover, Namrata's understanding of education policies and students' unique needs complements UC's inclusive ethos. Together, Namrata and UC empower students, igniting academic aspirations.
Ishpreet Kaur
Research Counsellor & Student Success Mentor
Ishpreet Kaur
Research Counsellor & Student Success Mentor
Ishpreet Kaur is a Research Counselor and Student Success Mentor at University Connection. Having guided students applying to universities across the EU, UK, US, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India, she adopts a strengths-based, personalized approach to college planning. Ishpreet works closely with students and families to navigate career exploration, profile building, aptitude assessments, and application strategy, ensuring every decision aligns with a student’s individual aspirations.
With a Master’s degree in Social Work and training in personality development, psychoanalysis, and aptitude-based guidance, Ishpreet brings both empathy and structure to her work. Her experience with diverse learners and grassroots education initiatives has deepened her understanding of student psychology, enabling her to support students not just strategically but emotionally through this pivotal phase.
Beyond counseling, Ishpreet also manages and creates content for University Connection’s social media platforms, translating admissions insights into relatable, accessible guidance for a wider student community. Creative, warm, and deeply compassionate, Ishpreet is known for her ability to make students feel understood and empowered. At UC, she grows alongside her students, helping them find direction, build confidence, and turn their aspirations into meaningful outcomes through a supportive admissions journey.
Ucey
University Connection Bot!
Ucey
University Connection Bot!
The Orange Team also has a secret club of Connects who help add value to every application. We are grateful to all of our secret club members who choose to stay anonymous and yet help us make an impact. Much love
UC Peer Mentors
They are the chosen ones! The UC Peer Mentor Support Network is made of students wanting to ensure that others aren’t subjected to the anxiousness they went through during their college application process. They are simply here to give back and develop life-long friendships 🙂
This community includes UC Alumni – students already studying at the university of their choice. Do read about them and get inspired.
We at University Connection believe in providing our students with the best advice throughout their college applications journey and beyond.
From the first-hand experience of applying, waiting for results, finalizing colleges, and then getting ready to go to the university, no one knows the anxiety, excitement, and tension that follows, better than our alumni! Frankly, they are the real mentors.
UC Peer Mentor Support Network: a one-to-one interaction open to any student looking for a little extra company and friendship during their time at University Connection. We are endeavouring for a close-knit community wherein Mentors can offer fresh perspectives and additional support to our aspiring applicants stemming from their past and present collegiate experiences.
The idea, in short, is to be able to build a community of learners and doers who can depend on each other for advice and support!
Shauryaveer Chandwani
My top reasons to mentor: I would love to guide the students to their dream college and help them make a good start to their college life where they can explore and at the same time have fun and live the experience. As a UC grad, I'm psyched to rock with the team. Learning, growing, and swapping wisdom with my buddies, all while helping fellow students shine – it's like the dream team! This crew? Oh, it's my vibe! Always yearned for a work fam that's more homey than formal. Plus, those rockstar counselors? They've got wisdom I'm ready to soak up like a sponge.
Nandan Saraf
My top reasons to mentor: Mentoring students offers personal fulfillment as one passes on knowledge, skills, and insights. It enhances communication and leadership skills, fosters networking opportunities, and leaves a lasting impact on their lives. The exchange of perspectives sparks innovation, and one's guidance boosts confidence and career success.
- Email:nandansaraf08@gmail.com
Dhanashree Bonde
My top reasons to mentor: To me, it’s all about the privilege of rendering help through my experiences. What’s better than getting to relive my journey through peer-mentoring students with objectives and ambitions, wanting to pursue this very beautiful world of IR theory!
Kriti Gunashekaran
My top reasons to mentor: My drive to take part in these activities is rooted in my desire to aid students who've faced situations similar to mine. This journey isn't just about enhancing my communication skills; it's about offering much-needed assistance to those navigating university choices. Simultaneously, I'm eager to meet new people and expand my network, recognizing the value of such connections for personal and professional growth.
Siyaa Mittal
My top reasons to mentor: Becoming a peer mentor allows me to blend my academic knowledge, practical experience, and passion for helping others. I want to create a positive impact in our academic community by sharing insights, guiding fellow students, and fostering a supportive environment. By collaborating, learning from each other, and striving for excellence, we can enhance our university journey. I'm excited to embark on this new chapter, ready to share, listen, and build a community that uplifts and empowers. Here's to making a meaningful impact and inspiring growth within our academic family!
- Email:siyamittal03@gmail.com
Nandini Narula
I look forward to working at UC as a peer mentor!
My top reasons to mentor
I believe that my own application process has taught me a lot, whether it be how to enhance my writing, organise my calendar to fit in recreational activities and time to work on my applications, or even how to handle rejection. I trust that the entire Road Trip has helped me grow, and ‘be more’ as a student, and as an individual, and I wish to impart the knowledge I have and share the experiences that have made me the person I am today. Along with this, I feel that I am good at verbal and written communication and wish to benefit other’s lives in the process of further understanding human endeavour.
Devyani Chandra
My top reasons to mentor
I am part of the peer mentor network so that I can learn from my fellow mentors and mentees. It will also help me in gaining work experience from this opportunity.
Samarth Ghai
My top reasons to mentor
The UC Peer mentor network will help me gain valuable work experience and soft skills by mentoring other students. I want to use the knowledge that I acquired in the last two years to help students navigate the college admissions process. This will only strengthen my network and help me meet new people.
Sahaj Goyal
My top reasons to mentor
I really believe that by passing on what I have learnt to my mentees, I am not just helping them, but I am also able to further build my network of connections who can later be an asset to my career. Also, I believe that a mentor-mentee dynamic really helps you understand each other and inspire each other to grow because everyone has their unique story of struggles and breakdowns, and then learning to get back on their feet. Lastly, I just like helping people
Noor Sharma
My top reasons to mentor
I believe that the UC peer network would be an interpersonal journey of growth. It’s a chance for me to expand my network and gain some insights from the mentee as well. I would love to talk about my college experience and help a fellow student out, we all understand how stressful it can get!
Rohil Bhanot
My top reasons to mentor
I want to help people using my experiences, expand my network and improve my communication skills.
Ria Malik
I am a part of the Psychology Society and had been elected as the Mental Health Awareness Rep. and Welfare Officer at the Warwick Student Union.
My top reasons to mentor
I am currently a mentor for 2 societies and I love how you get to know people with the same interests. Additionally, being a part of this network will help me gain work experience.
Smiti Patni
My top reasons to mentor
I am a part of the UC Peer network so that I can clear confusions about the creative industries and engage with like-minded individuals. I hope to build a network of creatives by the end of this all.
Simran Chhabra
My top reasons to mentor
I have experience in working with teams which allows me to understand and adapt myself to their needs as a team. The peer network at UC will give me an opportunity to connect with driven and like-minded people who want to go out into the world and make the best of the plethora of opportunities that are available in the world. Not only will that help me build my network but it can also benefit the mentee to take advantage of my connections.
Ashinjina Santram
My top reasons to mentor
As I have gone through the process myself I know how difficult it can get. Being advised by elders can be frustrating and intimidating, as a peer mentor I would be more like a friend who can provide them with help and support. I am looking towards becoming a counselor myself, so I believe that this will give me an insight and experience into what it feels like. I feel this will be an opportunity for me to grow as well. Meeting new people and engaging with them will help me become more understanding and empathetic.
Are you a University Connection Alumni?
Have you just completed your #CAAS Program at UC?
Then, you are invited to join the exclusive community of UC Peer Mentors. We support each other even after getting into university!
If this is something that interests you, please fill out this interest form and let us know what you think!
Charushilla Narula Bajpai Founder Director & Key Mentor The true meaning of life lies in trying to make sense of this all-pervasive question. Moreover, while most careers are seen as a means to an end, the most fulfilling careers are an end in themselves. They become you. Fortunately, today, more than ever before, students can choose to think beyond conventional fields beyond Medicine and Engineering, they can become explorers, deep-sea divers, designers, artists, nutritionists, media experts, sports managers – anything is possible. University Connection is an attempt at making every dream come true!"