By Trevor Anderson
Bowdre Fortson Clayton ’12 found her perfect fit: Wofford.
Now, she’s leading students to their dream schools and building Bowdre Consulting, the educational admissions consulting venture she started three years ago.
Clayton is channeling her decade of experience in admission work to guide clients through the complex and often daunting process of finding their perfect academic fit and ultimately, unlocking their full potential.
“We go through the smallest details,” Clayton says. “I’m going to uncover exactly which school checks all of the boxes for you and your family.”
Clayton’s passion for admissions is inspired by her experience at Wofford, where she found community, completed her bachelor’s degree in religion, served as team manager for a run of formidable men’s basketball teams and was part the Delta Delta Delta sorority.
“I arrived at Wofford not really knowing what I wanted to do, just that I wanted to be here,” she says. “The college offered a lot. I realized that the more I got involved, the more I learned. So, I took advantage of those opportunities.”
Clayton’s admissions career began in 2014, when she landed the role of assistant director of admissions at St. Margaret’s School in Tappahannock, Virginia, the boarding school she attended. A year later, she became the director of communications and alumni relations for St. Gabriel’s Catholic School in Austin, Texas.
In 2016, Clayton joined Wofford’s Office of Admission, eventually becoming assistant director of admission and director of admission alumni engagement. By 2019, she was back at St. Margaret’s, this time as director of admission. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Clayton saw an opportunity to broaden her scope.
“I had a lot of families I had worked with reaching out to me for support,” Clayton says. “I realized I could help more people and place students at institutions all over the world. … I did a little research and just prayed that if I went out on my own, people would hire me. So, I took that leap of faith in March 2021.”
Clayton’s consulting firm started with three clients and has since grown tenfold. She now serves students of all ages in the U.S., the Caribbean and Germany as they navigate various challenges. Her services include consulting, test preparation, counseling, life coaching and more.
To enhance those services, Clayton has assembled a small team, developed proprietary software to streamline the admissions process and leveraged her vast connections in the admissions world.
“I want to help all my clients reach their full potential,” she says. “I love that I get to be part of a student’s story of finding their place and belonging just like I did at Wofford.”
Clayton plans to expand and evolve her business, adapting to changing needs and opportunities to drive continued growth and success.
“She took the leap, and it has paid off,” says Jordan Clayton ’12, her husband. “She has done a phenomenal job of finding a balance in her career and her family life. I am so proud of her, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”