Meet Tiffany Claflin

Tiffany Claflin is an admissions expert and author of two books demystifying the application process. She discovered her passion while working in a bilingual preschool program for Japanese-speaking children in San Francisco. There, she noticed the anxiety parents felt around kindergarten admissions — and found her calling. Today, she guides families across the Bay Area and beyond with clarity, compassion, and a bit of humor.

What was your first job?
I took Christmas card photos for vacationing families in Biddeford Pool, Maine. I loved every minute — joyful people, stunning coastal backdrops, and I made plenty of money for gas and beer!

Share a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know:
I was the mascot at Middlebury College in Vermont! I entertained crowds at football games and special events. It was a total blast.

What’s one TEDx talk, book, or podcast that inspired you recently?
The book Fantasticland! — it’s like a modern Lord of the Flies and offers a dark but brilliant sociological take on teenage culture and how people cling to humanity amid chaos. It really made me reflect on American cultural dynamics.

Describe your talk in 3 words:
Impossible task! Freedom from conformity.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Keep going. It gets WAY BETTER.

Favorite place in New Hampshire?
Mount Monadnock — I have fond childhood memories climbing that majestic peak.

What song captures the essence of your TEDx talk?
“Just Like Fire” by P!nk. Its message — always be yourself — perfectly reflects my talk, personality, and values.