Our Team
Eric Dobler
Founder & Independent College Advisor
Eric founded Dobler College Consulting in October 2011 after spending twelve years working with college-bound high school students and their families as a college admissions counselor and academic advisor. When he was in high school, Eric never had a plan. He never thought about the college process as a dedicated search. He never prepared for the SAT, let alone stressed out about it, and didn't tour either school he applied to until he was up against the May 1st confirmation deadline. It wasn't until he was in college when he started to realize his potential and stared putting it all together. As much as Eric enjoyed his college experience, he knows he missed out on a lot simply because he had no one to help him figure it all out.
Because of the path Eric’s life took, he believes it is important for students to seek out colleges where they will excel academically and socially without having to spend excessive amounts of money to do it.
Eric regularly attends professional conferences and tours numerous college campuses every year. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master of Science in Counselor Education with a concentration in Student Development in Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University. He is a professional member of IECA where he has served on the Business Practices Committee and the College Committee. Eric has also been involved in his local community, volunteering for the leadership team for his son's Cub Scout Pack for two years and also serving as a board member of the Cheshire Education Foundation, which raises money to support student scholarships and special projects for teachers.
Eric is an avid reader, is a self-proclaimed master chef (in-training), and loves to ski. Eric currently resides in Cheshire, Connecticut with his wife, Amanda, their two boys, Brady and Kasen, and their dog, Baxter.
eric@doblercollegeconsulting.com
C: 203.525.4096
Lara Poulios
Independent College Advisor
Lara has been an Independent College Advisor since 2014, working with students nationwide to guide them through college list development and the application process. During her training, she worked at a performing arts magnet high school, where she loved counseling students over the thunderous sound of tap dance classes held in the next room. It was there that Lara gained expertise in the unique college application process for students interested in theater, dance, music, and the visual arts.
Lara received her B.S. in Business Administration from Bryant University and earned a College Counseling Certification with Distinction from UCLA. She is affiliated with NEACAC and is a professional member of IECA, serving on the Finance Committee. In 2021, Lara earned the designation of International University Advocate through NACAC by demonstrating the ability to support students pursuing a college education outside the United States. She also participates in multiple professional development conferences and campus tours throughout the year.
Before she entered the world of college advising, Lara worked for twelve years in financial services, directing a team that developed corporate marketing and sales presentations.
An active member of the CT River Valley Chamber of Commerce in Glastonbury, Lara is committed to supporting community initiatives. Most recently, she has had the joy of mentoring students through the Matchlighter’s Scholarship program.
Lara is a music buff and has absolutely useless expertise in music trivia. She’ll challenge anyone to beat her in identifying 5-second clips of music from the ‘80s and beyond. In fact, she triumphed in a few intense music trivia contests, much to the dismay of her fellow cruise ship passengers who were just trying to enjoy a relaxing evening in the ship lounge.
When she’s not searching for a new Spotify playlist, Lara loves to watch the Red Sox, pick vegetables from the garden, and cook. Lara lives in southeast Connecticut with her husband and two sons, both of whom successfully completed the college application process and landed at Northeastern University in Boston.