Snap Academic Founder and Counselor

Mary Finn

Mary earned her BA from American University, Washington, D.C and she holds three masters degrees from Brown University, Providence, RI, St. John’s College, Santa Fe, NM and San Jose State University, San Jose, CA.

Mary is the founder and director of Snap Academics. Mary is an experienced teacher, college counselor, and school administrator with more than 20 years of professional experience working with college-bound young adults. Currently, Mary is an administrator for the San Francisco Unified School District’s (SFUSD) Dept. of College and Career Readiness where she manages a variety of programs for first-generation college-bound students in grades 6-12. Mary has worked with students from a wide range of family and cultural backgrounds. Mary specializes in working with students who have learning differences such as ADHD and dyslexia. Prior to her work in SFUSD, Mary served as the Dean of Studies at Lick-Wilmerding High School in San Francisco, CA, an independent private high school. In her role as Dean of Studies, Mary oversaw the UC course submission and certification process and the College Counseling Department. Mary teaches analytical and expository writing essay writing skills and has supported hundreds of students in the Bay Area and Washington, D.C. with personal essay statements from generating topics to polishing final drafts.

Each year, Mary’s students are accepted to a wide array of colleges and universities ranging from selective private schools, public colleges, and specialized art and music programs throughout the U.S.

In addition to one-on-one college counseling, Mary also writes curriculum guides for students about the college process. She was the lead author and content area specialist for the XQ Institute’s  College Pathfinder guides.

Mary has particular interest and skill in supporting students who are the first in their family to go through the U.S. college admission process as well as those students who may need extra support organization and deadline management and essay development.