Get to Know Our College Admissions Experts
Decision Drop was founded by Josh Hudley and Lisa Clay, college counseling leaders with more than 50 years of combined experience in higher education. After beginning their careers in selective university admissions, including Lisa’s work as an admissions officer at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University and Josh’s admissions experience at Washington University in St. Louis, they spent decades guiding students through the college application process in public, independent, and international schools.
Together, they created Decision Drop to offer families a clear, calm, and relational approach to college planning. Their experience includes college list development, application strategy, essay coaching, selective admissions, Texas and Florida college admissions, international admissions, and supporting students with specialized pathways including student-athlete and arts applications.
Every student benefits from their complementary strengths and deeply personalized support. With firsthand knowledge gained from evaluating applications, visiting hundreds of college campuses, and serving in admissions and college counseling roles, they bring a thoughtful understanding of the process from every angle.
Lisa Clay
“Committed to helping students discover colleges where they will truly thrive by focusing on fit, authenticity, and personal growth.”
Lisa Clay is a college admissions expert with more than 25 years of experience in higher education, including 12 years as an admissions professional at University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University. During her time in university admissions, Lisa evaluated undergraduate applications and helped students navigate the admissions process from the institutional side of the desk.
After her work in university admissions, Lisa spent 15 years guiding high school students and families through the college planning and application process in Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida. This combination of admissions experience and high school counseling allows her to help students understand not only what colleges look for, but also how to build authentic applications that reflect who they are.
Lisa specializes in college application strategy, college list development, essay coaching, student storytelling, and helping families understand how to find the right college fit. She believes the strongest applications are not created by trying to fit a student into what they think colleges want to see. They come from understanding who the student is and helping them communicate that authentically.
Lisa has visited more than 370 college campuses and remains actively involved in the admissions profession through organizations including National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS), Texas Association for College Admission Counseling (TACAC), Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC), and The College Board. She previously served as Board Chair of ACCIS and continues to participate in professional conversations around college access, admissions, and counseling.
Outside of college counseling, Lisa and her family have fostered more than 90 rescue dogs through local animal welfare organizations. She also enjoys traveling the world with her husband, who has embraced the idea that “vacation” also means “visiting a new campus or seven.”
Learn more about Lisa’s college counseling approach, or explore Decision Drop’s college counseling services.
Josh Hudley
“Committed to student-centered guidance and loves helping students find the right-fit college experience that goes beyond the most recognizable name.“
Josh Hudley is a college admissions and counseling professional with more than 25 years of experience, including undergraduate admissions experience at Washington University in St. Louis and more than two decades guiding students through the college process in public, independent, and international schools.
Josh began his career working in university admissions before moving into high school counseling, where he has helped students and families navigate college exploration, applications, and decision-making. His experience evaluating students from the university side and advocating for them from the counseling side gives him a unique perspective on college fit, application strategy, and the factors that help students find the right environment.
Josh is passionate about helping students look beyond rankings and name recognition to discover colleges where they will genuinely thrive. He helps students develop thoughtful college lists, communicate their stories effectively, and approach applications with confidence and purpose.
With experience supporting students in diverse educational settings, including public, independent, and international schools, Josh brings a broad understanding of different academic environments and admissions pathways. He is particularly interested in helping students identify colleges where their academic goals, personal interests, and long-term goals align.
Josh maintains professional involvement through organizations including National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS), Texas Association for College Admission Counseling (TACAC), and The College Board. He has visited more than 200 college campuses across the United States and internationally, giving him insight into institutional cultures, academic programs, and campus communities.
Learn more about Josh’s college counseling approach, or explore Decision Drop’s senior counseling services.