About Empowered Access

Hi! I’m Lizette Paredes, founder of Empowered Access.

I work at the intersection of adolescent development and selective college admissions.

For nearly two decades, I’ve worked directly with teenagers and inside the admissions world — guiding students in ways that support their growth while positioning them strategically within a competitive system.

My Background

I’ve worked on both sides of the desk:

Undergraduate Admissions at USC
Reading applications, supporting recruitment, and gaining first-hand insight into how decisions are made.

Over 15 years as a College Counselor
Supporting teens of all backgrounds — first-generation, international, gifted, neurodivergent, and high-achieving students — through academic, personal, and post-secondary planning.

I hold a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from USC and completed the College Admissions Counseling program at UC Berkeley. I stay current through ongoing training with ASCA, NACAC, and IECA to ensure my guidance is ethical, informed, and aligned with best practices.

My Approach

The college application process is not just an admissions exercise — it’s a developmental moment.

Adolescence is a time of identity formation, increasing independence, and emerging self-direction. At the same time, selective admissions has become more complex and competitive.

Most professionals understand one side of that equation.

I bridge both.

I help students clarify who they are and what they want — and translate that clarity into a cohesive, strategic application that reflects both authenticity and institutional awareness.

The result isn’t just acceptance letters.

It’s students who grow through the process, and parents who feel the relief of moving forward with clarity and confidence.

Outcomes & Philosophy

College admissions outcomes are influenced by many factors — academic preparation, institutional priorities, timing, and fit.

My role is not to manufacture an applicant.

It is to help students understand who they are, clarify where they thrive, and present themselves thoughtfully within a competitive landscape.

Over the years, students I’ve supported have earned admission to institutions including:

Highly Selective Universities

Princeton University
Yale University
Johns Hopkins University

New York University
University of Notre Dame
Washington University in St. Louis
University of Southern California
University of Michigan
University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Berkeley
Pomona College
Scripps College
Tulane University

Flagship Public Universities

University of Texas at Austin
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign
University of Wisconsin–Madison
University of Washington
Pennsylvania State University
Ohio State University
University of Iowa
University of Missouri
University of Oregon
Clemson University
University of Colorado Boulder

California Public Universities (UC & CSU)

University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, San Diego
University of California, Davis
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of California, Riverside
University of California, Merced

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Berkeley

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly Pomona

Cal State Monterey Bay
California State University, Long Beach
Cal Poly Humboldt

San Diego State University

Private & Mission-Driven Institutions

Loyola Marymount University
Chapman University
Santa Clara University
Pepperdine University
Marquette University
Howard University
University of San Francisco

Admission to a well-known institution is not the only measure of success.

The outcome I care most about is alignment — students enrolling in environments that challenge them appropriately, support their development, and reflect their goals and values.

Selective admissions decisions involve institutional priorities beyond any counselor’s control. What I provide is thoughtful strategy, honest feedback, and guidance rooted in both adolescent development and admissions insight.

Schedule a Consultation