Testimonials
“John has also helped my daughter grow as a person. From helping her build her time management skills to offering advice on how to resolve problems with friends, classmates, etc., John has been a great mentor to my daughter in every way.”
When my daughter first entered high school, we didn’t know what to expect or how to prepare her for the next four years and beyond, but luckily, we met John. From the very beginning, John has always been professional, dedicated, genuine, and kind. Although he did help my daughter build her resume, that’s not all he did. He guided her through a journey of discovering what her interests and goals for the future were. From providing educational opportunities to recommending extracurriculars, John helped my daughter not only find, but also pursue her interests.
In addition to all the educational guidance, John has also helped my daughter grow as a person. From helping her build her time management skills to offering advice on how to resolve problems with friends, classmates, etc., John has been a great mentor to my daughter in every way.
After three years of guiding my daughter through what is high school, this past year, it was finally time to begin the college application process. John provided us with a list of recommended colleges. Then, once she had decided which schools she wanted to apply to, he began to help her craft her essays. Because John had truly gotten to know my daughter as not just a student, but a person, he was able to really help my daughter bring out the parts of herself she wanted to highlight in her essays.
Now, at the end of this long and tiring, but rewarding, journey, my daughter has been accepted early decision into Duke University. I am so thankful to John for all that he has done for my daughter, and I would absolutely recommend him!
“My dad’s stance was, for a long time, that we didn’t need a counselor because he could tell me everything the counselor could. As college application season rolled around the corner, his stance changed drastically.”
Getting a counselor was one of the most impactful things I did in high school. At first, I wasn’t sure whether I needed it and I was looking into it because other people were doing it. As time progressed, I realized that for some reason, John telling me to do something was just different from your parents telling you to do something. I appreciate how he is a friend/big brother figure, and never forces you to do anything – it’s more of a recommendation.
My dad’s stance was, for a long time, that we didn’t need a counselor because he could tell me everything the counselor could. As college application season rolled around the corner, his stance changed drastically. The amount of help you get before senior year is just adding up to this culminative semester of just grinding out essays, but John really helped me manage my time and provide inspiration. Their comprehensive college list for you was probably the most useful resource I had, and I am grateful that they compiled a list with so many possibilities and it also set my mind at ease.
I can confidently say that without John, I would not have gotten into Michigan or half of the other schools I was accepted to.
“My parents and I were equally lost when it came to preparing for college, but John quickly helped us develop a long-term plan to point me in the right direction. John customizes each step of the plan to the student’s needs, with the main focus being on what the student wants to achieve.”
I’m incredibly grateful to have worked with John Chen, my counselor, for almost all of high school. My parents and I were equally as lost when it came to preparing for college, but John quickly helped us develop a long-term plan to point me in the right direction. John customizes each step of the plan to the student’s needs, with the main focus being on what the student wants to achieve. He consistently finds the best academic programs and extracurricular activities that most fit into his students’ interests because he understands our passions and motivations.
In addition, John is a very proactive counselor who will get things done. He has a strong focus and long-term vision that really helped me stay on task and he prepared me with the right time-management skills and study habits. John is organized and diligent, as he’s always clear and active with communication and committed to making sure that his students produce their best work.
Not only is John a dedicated mentor, he’s also a kindhearted friend. The college application process was perhaps the most stressful experience for me during high school, which I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to handle as well without John’s help. Throughout that time, he kept me motivated and on track but was also careful to never push me too hard. I can tell he truly cares about the well-being of each individual student, as he puts in the extra time to give insightful life advice and offer emotional support.
Thanks to John, I was accepted into all the UC’s I applied to and will be attending Cornell University this fall. It’s been a great three years under John’s guidance!
“Though I was taking good classes, my grades were pretty bad, and I desperately needed help. John helped me manage my time wisely so that I could stay on top of things even through the stressful junior year.”
John started working with me when I was a sophomore. Though I was taking good classes, my grades were pretty bad, and I desperately needed help. John helped me manage my time wisely so that I could stay on top of things even through the stressful junior year. Not only did he help me with school work, but he also guided me to improving various life skills including interpersonal social skills by prodding me out of my comfort zone and to interview complete strangers! It was a great experience and I am now more comfortable with striking up a conversation with anyone I meet.
During the college application process, John couldn’t have been more helpful! He worked with me throughout the whole process, offering timely feedback and insightful comments. He makes sure every essay written is the best version possible, even going as far as helping me scraping an entire essay that we spent over a month on because we found a better topic. John also helped me tremendously on choosing which colleges to apply to and offering advice while respecting my own opinion. Thank you John for these past few years! I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.
Update: I am now attending USC Marshall School of Business after considering offers from UC Berkeley, University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Washington University in St. Louis, and other schools.
“Although I was doing fine without John (4.0 GPA, already participating in school sports and clubs), John introduced me to opportunities that I didn’t even know existed… more importantly, helping me find my career interests through exploring the research programs he introduced.”
Simply put, John was the best counselor I could’'ve ever imagined. Without him, I doubt I would’ve been accepted to schools like UC Berkeley or UCLA.
Imagine this: I’d just received a F on my AP Physics C exam, and as a 4.0 student, this grade hit me very hard. I told John, and he immediately met with me virtually. After consoling me, he created a detailed cost-benefit table of different scenarios: dropping the class (it’d show on my transcript), getting a B or worse, and more. In the end, I had the choice in choosing what to do, as I’ve always had with John. I decided to try for an A. From there, John created a study table where I could log my study progress, which I used religiously. At the end of the semester, I got an A and one of the strongest letters of recommendations my physics teacher wrote that year. Sure, without John’s support and guidance, I would’ve picked myself back up eventually – just not in time.
Funnily enough, I was hesitant about becoming John’s student sophomore year. I didn’t want a third parent nagging me, and thought I was already doing fine (this was before I took physics).
However, I’ve learned that those two concerns were unnecessary. First, John is really more of a friendly figure than a parental one. He’s easy to talk to – not just about academic-related things but also about personal troubles. While this may seem unimportant, it’s actually extremely beneficial in mitigating the stress that the high school and college application process creates.
Second, although I was doing fine without John (4.0 GPA, already participating in school sports and clubs), John introduced me to opportunities I didn’t even know existed – not only leading me to a new level that I wouldn’t have achieved alone, but more importantly, helping me find my career interests through exploring the research programs he introduced. For example, I was able to participate in 3 research projects over my time with John – the first two introduced me to biology and chemistry, while the last combined those interests with math, leading me to apply for applied math focusing on life science in college.
John covers all bases – from high school and college applications to friendship – making him the best counselor one can imagine.
“John helped me develop life habits, such as balancing football and academics, taking care of my own health, learning what to prioritize, helping me find my beliefs and values, and countless other things.”
What can I say about John, except the best things. I worked with John throughout high school, not just college applications. Although, he helped me through my college applications by making me write essays over and over again until I got them perfect, or getting me into a school whose average GPA was much higher than mine, John helped me with so much more than that. He helped me develop life habits, such as balancing football and academics, taking care of my own health, learning what to prioritize, helping me find my beliefs and values, and countless other things. He also helped me and my parents reach out to tutors when I was struggling in a certain class.
Foremost, he helped me communicate with my parents a lot better. My parents and I often had different views and different expectations, but John helped us bridge that gap coming to mutual agreements about everything. He taught us skills to communicate that come in handy now, when it comes to talking about summer plans or just communicating in general. He’s helped improve my relationship with my parents, and made me a better and more caring, and more well rounded.
Furthermore, he goes beyond academics. He’s always more than willing to help me with something else. For me, he helped me with the normal high school drama, like finding a girlfriend, cultivating and maintaining a relationship, and dealing with heart breaks. Finally, John treats me and my family as if we’re part of his family.
Having worked with his wife for SAT/ACT english as well as my own english classes, I’ve developed a close relationship with both him and his wife. I always feel comfortable asking for something, whether it’s figuring out how laundry machines work in college, learning how to cook, having my resume looked at, or preparing for an interview. I’m always excited to come back home from college and stop in to catch up with them, as they always have exciting stories or helpful advice for my own life. John, and his wife, Lynn have helped me develop in so many ways, and I am forever grateful for the countless wisdom they have given me.
“John continuously checked-in and offered encouragement as a mentor, transcending the traditional role of a counselor. The life long skills that I have learned from him show his dedication to getting the best out of every student, as well as his commitment to helping you accomplish the goals you have set for yourself.”
The best choice I made in high school was to start consulting with John. His system and approach is well-crafted to help students maximize their potential throughout high school and the college application season. His personalized counseling method focuses on getting to know the students, something that is lacking at other counseling firms.
What separates John from other counselors that I have tried to work with in the past is his proactivity, communication, and experience. Every month, we collaborated on a plan which included specific goals and tasks like finishing half of a bot, app, or online course. John continuously checked-in and offered encouragement as a mentor, transcending the traditional role of a counselor. The life long skills (time management, organization, communication, etc.) that I have learned from him show his dedication to getting the best out of every student, as well as his commitment to helping you accomplish the goals you have set for yourself.
John minimized the stress of the college application process. The summer before senior year, I regularly met with him to plan, edit, and finalize my college essays. Most of my applications were finished before finals, which allowed me to focus on school. From long conversations about essay topics to the comprehensive college list he proposed, John efficiently guided me through the labyrinth-like process of college admissions.
Like I said before, John is more than just a counselor, he is a mentor and friend. Without him, I definitely would not have as many college acceptances as I do now.
“While swimming in the hellish waters of junior year and college applications, John was always there with the very necessary flotation devices and emotional support to navigate through the distressing time.”
Just like any other teenager, I had no clue on what I wanted to do in life. I juggled a few interests like marine biology, business, and art, but still had no idea on where to start. That is why I began to look for a counselor.
But after meeting with a few companies, I couldn’t bear to sit with some of the people I met with. If I was going to work with them for the next three years, I needed to find the one that worked for me. I needed someone that would understand MY interests and be a helping hand for every step of the way.
When I met with John for the first time, I knew he was the counselor for me – dedicated, relatable, and chill.
I started working with him and he immediately focused on my main concern of figuring out my interests. He gave me an intensive test to further explore my personality type, helping me narrow down my interests. He also suggested several online courses to help me make my decision.
While swimming in the hellish waters of junior year and college applications, he was always there with the very necessary flotation devices and emotional support to navigate through the distressing time. John helped me prioritize and ground myself while also building up my confidence.
When college application season came around, John compiled a recommended college list for me. But it was a daunting list with very prestigious schools. I had little confidence in my ability to get in, like the competitive summer programs that I somehow got into. Imposter syndrome was in full swing and I was mentally ready to enroll into De Anza but he pulled me out of that mess. When completing the actual applications, I struggled with conveying myself but he guided my narrative. I could just shoot him a quick text to get a question answered.
I think the ability to openly communicate with him is what makes John so special. He is a confidante, a friend, and a mentor. He didn’t just care about me academically, he cared about me as a person and sat through all of my rants about kpop and dank memes.
If you are looking for a genuine, down to earth, and well-informed counselor, John is your man. He set me on the right path for my future and made sure I was always one step ahead. Now, as a second-semester senior, I’m grateful that he pushed me to finish my applications a month early. On top of that, I was accepted into my ED school, Emory University, where I plan on studying business.
“Having started consulting with John early on in high school, I’ve only recently begun to realize how transformative the process was–for both my college application and personal development.”
Having started consulting with John early on in high school, I’ve only recently begun to realize how transformative the process was – for both my college application and personal development. I can safely say that without John’s guidance, I wouldn’t be close to the person I am today.
The biggest impact that I feel John brings to the table is his unique ability to help you achieve your full potential. Like numerous other students, I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted to study at the beginning of high school. During my freshman and sophomore years, however, John encouraged me to participate in new activities and step out of my comfort zone to uncover my legitimate interests. Not only was this crucial for my personal development as I become increasingly open to new experiences, once I had an idea about what I was truly passionate about, I worked together with John to create a roadmap for the rest of high school.
In monthly meetings, I would check in with John to discuss my goals and further ways to explore my passions. Whether it was starting a nonprofit or business, or applying to summer programs, John was there every step of the way assisting me to make sure I achieved my desired results – as long as I was motivated enough to put in the dedication and effort necessary to succeed. Additionally, John’s guidance was invaluable in the development of my character. He constantly encouraged me to pursue options I had never even considered, such as a summer job, where I surprisingly learned lessons that I hadn’t in research positions or internships. As a result, I was able to develop a clear theme in my personal characteristics, academics and extracurriculars that really shone in my college application and conveyed my authentic self.
I’m extraordinarily grateful to have had the opportunity to work with John over these past few years. I would wholeheartedly recommend John for anyone searching for college consulting and life coaching.
“I’m nowhere near the same person I was at the beginning of high school, and much of it is thanks to John’s guidance over these years. Not only has John introduced me to countless opportunities and helped me achieve my goals, he has also taught me how to be responsible and professional.”
Looking back on the four years where I’ve had John as my counselor, the personal development I see in myself is hard to believe. I’m nowhere near the same person I was at the beginning of high school, and much of it is thanks to John’s guidance over these years. Not only has John introduced me to countless opportunities and helped me achieve my goals, he has also taught me how to be responsible and professional.
During my monthly meetings with John, we would check in and discuss my academic goals. When I failed to reach them or was struggling in a class, John always pushed me to come up with strategies for myself to do better next time. By encouraging me to actually do something about my problems rather than just tell myself to “try harder,” John was able to help me become a more proactive person and take responsibility for my actions.
John also introduced me to many extracurricular opportunities and summer programs that helped me refine and develop my passion for business. I knew early on that I was interested in business, but would have been completely lost in navigating myself to explore the field without his guidance. Through his recommendations, advice, and help with applications, I have been able to hone in on my passion for business and strongly gear my extracurriculars towards this interest.
I was very impressed with my experience in the college applications process with John. I found the brainstorming sessions with him extremely useful and productive, and with his help, I was able to write essays that I was genuinely proud of. What I appreciated most about this experience was the attention to detail that John put into my essays. At times, the countless scrapping of ideas, restarting essays, and revisions seemed meticulous to me. Every time he asked to do another revision, I kept thinking “how are we still not done??” However looking back, I know that this process was necessary and I’m insanely grateful for John’s commitment to making my essays the best they could possibly be.
I really appreciate that John is so chill and that he focuses on helping me learn and grow from my mistakes. Many of the lessons that John has taught me have developed into good habits that I know will benefit me later on in college and in life. I am so incredibly thankful to John for guiding me through my high school journey and helping me get into my dream school, NYU Stern. I highly recommend John as counselor!
“As a friend, counselor, essay editor, and whatever else you need, John thinks of you as a whole person, not just as a client.. After every college decision, acceptance, waitlist, or rejection, he always asks the question that matters the most, “How are you feeling?”
Starting in high school, I did not know what I wanted to do with these valuable four years of my life. My peers and I were very STEM focused, but I needed to know how to stand out amongst them. John helped me explore/diversify my interests beginning in freshman year, encouraging me to try out new clubs, classes, and activities.
Although my public school has academic and college counselors, school resources are stretched thin and counselors do not have enough time for you. John constantly provides custom, tailored support, and I know that I will always feel supported and heard by him. As a friend, counselor, essay editor, and whatever else you need, John thinks of you as a whole person, not just as a client. After every college decision, acceptance, waitlist, or rejection, he always asks the question that matters the most, “How are you feeling? He is present to answer any of your questions about college, especially on topics regarding academics, research, clubs, etc., and I can always count on his excellent guidance. He taught me how to write a waitlist LOCI, what questions to ask a college interviewer, and how to frame an essay.
In the fall, I plan on attending UC Berkeley to study Molecular and Cellular Biology, receiving early acceptance as a Regents’ and Chancellor’s scholarship top candidate. I also got into many top 20 schools due to John’s counseling services. I am eternally grateful to John, as he was instrumental in pushing me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to engage in my most impactful high school experiences. Additionally, he helped me discover a possible career path for my future, combining and gauging all of my diverse interests.
I owe much of my high school success to John Chen; he is everything you can ask for in a college counselor and more.
“John’s essay bootcamp is the best at preparing anxious seniors early in the summer, greatly reducing the stress of writing college essays in the year. Anyone who wants to get into their dream school should definitely choose John!”
I have worked with John since freshman year, and I had an amazing experience with him as my counselor. Coming into high school with no idea about the steps required to be a competitive applicant for college, John first helped me determine my interests and worked with me on applying to extracurricular programs that I had genuine interest in, boosting my profile. From there, John assisted in developing a list of schools and majors, playing to my strengths, and gave me great tips on my essays and interviews, which I believe played a major role in my acceptance at my ED school Duke! More specifically, John’s essay bootcamp is the best at preparing anxious seniors early in the summer, greatly reducing the stress of writing college essays in the year.
In addition to college applications, John is a friend, first and foremost, he is someone that I can chat with about things that are happening in my life. Anyone who wants to get into their dream school should definitely choose John!
“John was always there to guide me, answer all of my questions, and provide support, helping me grow as a student. Knowing that he was there gave me a lot of confidence to step out of my comfort zone and try new experiences.”
One of the best things I have ever done for myself was getting John as my consultant. Without his help and support, I can confidently say I would have not been able to successfully make it through high school and the college application process.
When I first entered high school, I had no idea how to build a robust college resume. During our first meeting, John gave me an outline of what my ideal CV should look like as well as a roadmap to get there. Starting freshman year, John would routinely meet with me every 2 weeks to check on my progress and make sure I was on track. John directed me to apply to relevant and competitive research programs, and gave me advice on which courses to take in high school. John was always there to guide me, answer all of my questions, and provide support, helping me grow as a student. Knowing that he was there gave me a lot of confidence to step out of my comfort zone and try new experiences.
When it was time to start my college application process, John made sure that I started early and helped me stay organized. We collaborated to develop a thorough list of colleges to apply to, which included reach, target, and safety schools. Personally, the hardest part of applying to college was writing essays. John proofread, gave insightful editing recommendations, kept me motivated, and on schedule. Thanks to him, I finished all of my applications and essays comfortably before the deadlines. The stressful, confusing college application process was more manageable because of John’s adept guidance. I am grateful to John and happy to say that I was accepted early into my first choice school, Emory University.
“The collaborative effort of suggested programs, essay guidance, and improved writing skills helped bolster the content of my college application essays. I was always given the freedom to choose what I wanted to do, and I always felt like I had autonomy over my decisions with full support from John.”
I couldn’t have made it through my college experience without John. Neither myself nor my parents had any idea on what I needed to do in order to start my college application process. Every meeting, John would check up on how I was doing, and asked about my highlights and lowlights of my week. John is a great friend in addition to being a great consultant.
Sophomore year, John helped me figure out which major I wanted to pursue to begin applying to summer programs, and was keen to make them fit my academic interests, strengthening my profile. John assisted in formatting and editing my summer program application essays, teaching me techniques and strategies that translated into strategies for college applications as well. The collaborative effort of suggested programs, essay guidance, and improved writing skills helped bolster the content of my college application essays. I was always given the freedom to choose what I wanted to do, and I always felt like I had autonomy over my decisions with full support from John.
Sometimes, filling out the applications would get confusing, but I could always text or email John about any questions I had throughout the process. He brainstormed outlines with me when it came time to start my college app essays, and made specific recommendations to my drafts. I am thankful that he was so encouraging, constantly telling me how proud he was of my work – which kept me motivated. Due to this, I will be attending Cornell University College of Engineering! I highly recommend John.
“From the two years we worked together, John has been a constant confidant, and has always made me feel welcome as a friend who I could consistently count on and ask for advice. Working with him has been an honor and I am so grateful for the opportunity.”
Before working with John, I had absolutely no idea where to begin my college application journey. However, with his help, I was able to complete the process efficiently with results I am beyond satisfied with. He provided me with abundant resources, including, but not limited to: summer programs, online classes, and internship opportunities, which contributed to the success of my college applications. From the two years we worked together, John has been a constant confidant, and has always made me feel welcome as a friend who I could consistently count on and ask for advice. Working with him has been an honor and I am so grateful for the opportunity.
“I was encouraged to take ownership of my essays early on, which made me well prepared for the college app process I underwent in early 2021. When I was confused with filling out my applications or writing my essays, John helped me get on my feet and fine tune my personal narrative, the basis of all of my essays.”
I am so grateful to have worked with John for the last couple of years. Through this time, John has always been super helpful with applying to summer programs, time management, writing essays, and navigating the application process.
John works hard to understand each student’s unique interests, and his support in finding interesting summer opportunities in my intended, niche major, was no easy feat. When brainstorming, we would talk about my previous experiences in my intended major and why I loved the subject. By next meeting, he came with fascinating facts that I could tie into my work experience and further my passion towards my intended major. He taught me useful skills by using pros/cons lists, and developed timelines for summer program deadlines. I was encouraged to take ownership of my essays early on, which made me well prepared for the college app process I underwent in early 2021. When I was confused with filling out my applications or writing my essays, John helped me get on my feet and fine tune my personal narrative, the basis of all of my essays.
One can consider John as a knowledgeable, friendly, and honest college counselor, a person who has great influence and importance in my life. Without him, I would not be the person I am today, and I would probably not have gotten into Stanford, where I will be studying next year.
“I really appreciate John’s tailored approach to my interests and how he helped me brainstorm ways that played to my strengths. From creating the college list to writing essays, the whole experience felt like a conversation, rather than someone telling me what to do.”
I had a fantastic experience with John. One of my friends recommended John to me, and I decided to schedule a consultation to learn more about his college consulting. I was the first person in my family to go to college in the U.S. and was feeling nervous about the whole process because I could not ask my family about it. I wanted more guidance with the college application process, and he helped me understand it more clearly, answering all of my questions.
After the consultation, it was clear to me that John would be a good fit for me. He took the time to learn my whole profile and understand who I am as a student. From there, the college application process went really smoothly and was relatively pain free. I really appreciate John’s tailored approach to my interests and how he helped me brainstorm ways that played to my strengths. From creating the college list to writing essays, the whole experience felt like a conversation, rather than someone telling me what to do.
Overall, I don’t think I could have had a better college application process and I’m excited to be attending UC Berkeley this fall! If you are looking for a college application consultant I highly recommend John!