With over twenty years of experience in college admissions and counseling, Brooke Millan comes to ESM Prep with the belief that there’s a great college for every student.

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Brooke began her admissions career at her alma mater, Oberlin College and Conservatory. After traveling the world guiding hundreds of young musicians through the rigorous process of auditions, she moved back to her hometown of Los Angeles where she attained her MFA in Film Production from USC while working in admissions for the Thornton School of Music and the School of Cinematic Arts. After graduation, she fulfilled a lifelong dream of working in Disney Feature Animation as a production supervisor for three films: The Princess and the Frog, Winnie the Pooh, and Wreck-It Ralph.

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Realizing her true passion lay in helping young artists achieve their dreams through higher education, Brooke served as the director of admission at Otis College of Art and Design and ArtCenter College of Design, once again traversing the world reviewing portfolios and providing college and career guidance for young artists.

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In 2019, she moved north where she reviewed transfer applications for UC Santa Cruz. In 2022, she switched to the “other side of the admissions desk” and worked as a college counselor for high school students through a Bay Area non-profit called Students Rising Above.

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Brooke is a member of numerous professional organizations in admissions counseling, including NACAC (National Assoc of College Admissions Counselors), NCAN (National College Attainment Network), and formerly a member of NPDA (National Portfolio Days Assoc). She’s spoken at both NCAN and NCCPC (Northern California College Promise Coalition) on college access and retention topics.

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While she counsels students in all academic areas, Brooke has first-hand experience in visual and performing arts as well as STE(A)M-related fields. She is also deeply knowledgeable about the UC application process, with particular emphasis on PIQ structure and Common Application essay topics.

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She lives in Santa Cruz with her husband Doug and 6 hilarious chickens. She’s currently training for the Santa Cruz 70.3 Ironman triathlon and taking classical guitar lessons whenever she can.