Ashleigh Edwards

GENERAL BIO

Ashleigh Edwards, CEO and Head Consultant here at Sigma, is a West Virginia-born entrepreneur, writer, and educational consultant whose journey has defied convention from the start.

At 16, she left the U.S. for Korea alone, driven by the desire to build a life on her own terms. Inspired by the experiences of her great-uncle in the Korean War as well as by the “Miracle on the Han”, from an early age, she knew that South Korea was where she wanted to

This is the decision that would shape her worldview and ignite a lifelong pursuit of autonomy, education, and impact. Now based between continents, she blends Appalachian grit with global perspective in everything she does.

Ashleigh’s work lives at the intersection of authenticity and system-hacking. Her consulting philosophy cuts straight to the core: find the real stories, not the contrived narratives that look good on paper. She's living proof that beating elite systems doesn't require the right connections or generational wealth-just smart strategy and the nerve to execute it. This approach has made her a sought-after guide for students navigating competitive academic landscapes.

When she's not leading Sigma, Ashleigh channels her curiosity into talk show-style YouTube videos exploring current events and expat life, crafts short fiction, and subjects her friends to whatever existential question is currently consuming her thoughts. She recreates the comfort foods of home through cooking, occasionally dusts off years of dance training at workshops, and admits to being slightly obsessed with her three cats: Shasha, Dubu, and Bada.

Everything she does is a little bit nerdy, a little bit unorthodox, and absolutely Ashleigh.

Credentials

B.A. Johns Hopkins, Political Science and Writing Seminars; Exchange Year at Seoul National University GEC and GSIS Graduate Schools

Educator philosophy

With over five years of experience as an independent educational consultant, Ashleigh got her start in boutique admissions consulting firms in the heart of Gangnam. However, during her work with these firms, she was left appalled by the low quality of education, lack of organization, and inefficiency she witnessed. Beyond that, she found herself disturbed by the factory, one-size-fits-all approach to education paired with the sheer amount of fakery and fraud that other educational consultancies forced upon students and parents.

A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and former Questbridge Scholar, Ashleigh is deeply attuned to the barriers first-generation, low-income (FGLI) students face, as well as those of students who navigate Korean or transnational educational systems. She herself moved to Korea alone at age sixteen and later studied at Seoul National University, giving her insider knowledge of both American and Korean elite academic contexts.

the ashleigh approach:

Educational Innovation: 95% success rate helping students with competitive GPAs and strong extracurriculars gain admission to their target schools. Ashleigh has worked with dozens of applicants who have gone on to receive acceptances at Stanford, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Wellesley, USC, NYU, Parsons, Pratt, and other elite institutions. Her approach focuses on helping qualified students present their authentic stories in ways that resonate with admissions committees.

Teaching Philosophy: Students should develop as complete individuals-authentic intellectuals with a profound understanding of both their personal identity and scholarly purpose, enabling them to maximize their higher education experience.

Ashleigh edwards

The Scholar

From the challenges of small-town West Virginia to international education innovation, Ashleigh Edwards has transformed her own journey of overcoming obstacles into a systematic approach that helps other students achieve extraordinary academic success.

The West Virginia Foundation: Growing up in small-town West Virginia, Ashleigh understood firsthand the barriers that separate motivated students from elite educational opportunities. Limited resources, geographic isolation, and the challenge of navigating unfamiliar academic systems could have defined her limitations. Instead, they became the foundation for her expertise in helping students transcend their circumstances.

The Questbridge Breakthrough: As a Questbridge Scholar, Ashleigh didn't just gain admission to Johns Hopkins University—she mastered the art of translating authentic experience into compelling academic narrative. The Questbridge program, designed specifically for high-achieving, low-income students, became her laboratory for understanding exactly how elite institutions identify and select exceptional candidates from non-traditional backgrounds.

Johns Hopkins Transformation: At Johns Hopkins, Ashleigh experienced both sides of the elite education equation: the rigorous academic standards that elite institutions demand, and the sophisticated support systems that help students not just survive but thrive. This dual perspective—understanding both the challenges students face and the excellence institutions expect—became the foundation of her consulting methodology.

Why Americans Who Visited a Korean Hospital for the First Time Couldn't Believe Their Eyes When They See Their Medical Receipts | What Country, Neighboring Country EP.6 | America

Why is the Granddaughter of a Korean War Veteran Studying Korean Education? - American Seulgi

ashleigh edwards,

The Consultant

Ashleigh Edwards transforms ambitious students into successful college applicants through her revolutionary Common App Boot Camp system. As CEO of Sigma Education, she has engineered a proven methodology that eliminates the stress and guesswork from elite college admissions while maintaining an exceptional 95% success rate for qualified applicants.

Innovation in College Consulting: Ashleigh's systematic approach helps students showcase their authentic stories and achievements without the anxiety that typically plagues college admissions. Her Common App Boot Camp system has transformed the admissions process for students across two continents, providing structured pathways to extraordinary achievement rather than manufactured credentials.

Methodology: Ashleigh's approach focuses on authentic story development and systematic presentation, transforming potential into documented achievement through structured processes that make elite admissions accessible and manageable.

Current Achievement Record:

  • MIT Early Admission: Student accepted with Ashleigh's systematic approach

  • Cornell University: Multiple students gaining admission through her methodology

  • Elite Institution Pipeline: Consistent acceptances across top-tier universities

  • Competition Excellence: Students winning New York Times Youth Writing Challenge and International Social Sciences Competition for Youth

Partnership with Dr. Michael Hurt: Ashleigh collaborates with Dr. Hurt to combine her proven application strategy with his elite educational programming. Together, they create comprehensive preparation that produces students who don't just gain admission to elite institutions but arrive genuinely prepared for academic excellence.