Meet The Creators

Dennis Liu

Co-Founder

Dennis Liu is a co-founder of Olive Tree College Applications, where he helps students craft compelling applications and gain admission to top colleges.

Dennis graduated from Cornell University with a degree in Economics and a concentration in Computer Science, while also completing premed coursework—giving him a unique ability to guide students across a wide range of academic paths, from STEM to business and beyond.

For over 26 years, Dennis has worked closely with young people as a mentor, pastor, and coach, helping them navigate major life decisions with clarity and confidence. During his 23 years in ministry, he guided countless students through personal growth, academic direction, and the college application process in an informal but deeply impactful way.

He later transitioned into formal college admissions coaching, working full-time with a consulting firm where he helped students develop their applications—especially their personal statements and essays—with a focus on authenticity, clarity, and strong story telling.

  • Stanford

  • Vanderbilt University

  • the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)

  • UC Los Angeles

  • UC San Diego

  • UC Irvine

  • Rutgers New Brunswick

In recent years, he has continued this work privately, helping students gain admission to highly competitive schools, such as:

  • Purdue University

  • Baylor University

  • Northeastern University

  • UT Austin

  • USC

  • Virginia Tech

  • SUNY Stonybrook

Deepak Jain

Co-Founder

Deepak Jain is a Cornell University graduate, where he earned a degree in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science.

He began his career in New York City working in the startup space, gaining early exposure to technology, systems, and scalable growth. He later transitioned to lead his family’s furniture business, where he successfully expanded operations and transformed it into the largest furniture showroom in New Jersey by square footage.

Deepak brings a rare combination of technical expertise, entrepreneurial vision, and operational excellence to Olive Tree, with a focus on building scalable systems and sustainable growth.

Sakshi Jain

Co-Founder

Sakshi Jain brings a global business perspective shaped by her upbringing in India and education in Dubai, where she earned her degree in Business Management.

While her family has three generations of experience in the jewelry, gold, and bullion industry across India and Dubai, Sakshi’s own professional growth has been rooted in helping expand and elevate her family’s furniture business in the United States. Working alongside Deepak, she has played a key role in developing the company’s marketing, design, and sales strategy, contributing to its growth into one of the largest furniture showrooms in New Jersey.

As a mother who has personally navigated the college admissions process for her children, Sakshi offers valuable insight into the needs, concerns, and expectations of families. She plays a key role in shaping the client experience and ensuring that Olive Tree remains both practical and deeply attuned to the families it serves.

Student Outcomes

turn “ordinary” activities into compelling narratives

build confidence in their story

approach the application process with strategy and purpose

communicate their experiences clearly

Our approach goes beyond editing essays. We helps students understand who they are, what they’ve done, and how to present it powerfully.

At the heart of our work is a deep belief that every student has a unique story worth telling and with the right guidance, that story can open doors.