Lei is an undergraduate college counselor known for combining a strong understanding of student development with a proven ability to deliver results.

With advanced academic training — including a master’s degree from the University of Southern California, a Ph.D. in Social Gerontology from Miami University, and a graduate certificate in Applied Statistics — he brings a long-term, research-informed perspective to undergraduate planning. He understands not only how admissions systems operate, but how students’ interests, motivation, and identity evolve throughout the high school years.

With more than 15 years of experience in university admissions, Toby supports students as they develop thoughtful, compelling applications to leading universities in the U.K., the United States, and around the world. His work focuses not just on where students apply, but on helping them understand who they are as learners and how to communicate that clearly through their applications.

Before joining Interface, Toby served as an admissions officer at the University of Oxford and later worked closely with students applying to highly selective universities across the U.K. and internationally. During that time, he helped hundreds of students navigate competitive admissions processes and developed a deep understanding of how admissions readers evaluate academic preparation, intellectual curiosity, and personal character.