Luca, Computer Science, Cornell University, USA
My time with my U CAN Counselor was fantastic! He clearly explained every step of the application process at the beginning so I knew what was required of me. Nevertheless, he helped me through every single application, making me feel supported with all the decisions I made. He helped me see that my profile was more than just my grades, extracurriculars, and test scores - and that I had to let the personal part of me shine through my essays. From choosing which countries and application systems to apply to all the way to submitting my applications, he was with me every step of the way. He gave me unbiased advice and would answer any question I had, which alongside his expertise in the college admissions process, meant that I felt confident every step of the way. With his help, I was accepted into my first choice, Cornell University, where thanks to his help I’m going to be spending the next 4 years of my life at. If there’s anything I could change, it would be starting earlier - his advice from the get-go would have helped me immeasurably and I thoroughly recommend U CAN counseling to anyone interested in a knowledgeable, personal, and stress-free college application process.
Farah, Engineering and Technology, Twente Pathway College, The Netherlands
Deciding on a major and a university is no easy feat but with my U CAN college counselor this process became a lot less difficult. My counselor and I started working together at the end of my sophomore year of high school where he helped me in many different ways and advised me on how to make my profile stronger and a better candidate for universities. Then at the start of my junior year of high school together we started to see where I would be interested in applying and what major which was an extremely confusing and stressful process for me but thankfully having my counselor there with me every step of the way made it much more bearable. Then after having somewhat an idea of where I wanted to go and what major we started working on my personal essay which thanks to him breaking it down and guiding me by telling me to really dig deep into my experiences to find a topic and splitting it into sections with a deadline for each part which helped me not procrastinate and get it done. Finally my senior year of high school where my counselor made sure I kept track of all my deadlines and never missed one, proofread all my letters and statements before I submitted them to universities, and always being one zoom call away from helping me with any problem I was facing with an application or a university no matter how big or small. And for that, the experience I had working with my counselor is one I will never forget.
Talia, Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, USA
My journey with U CAN began at the end of my Junior year of High School when I first connected with my counselor. Our journey began by discussing the best options for me as a person, from environment and location to rankings and budget. What distinguishes U CAN Counseling from any other counseling service is their attention to your preferences and desires. Once we short-listed my preferred university choices, we began with the application process.
I felt very much at ease knowing that my counselor had all my dates, deadlines, and requirements ready for me. What gave me even more comfort was knowing that I could connect with my counselor at any given time and that they would give me the support I needed. Even at times when I felt behind on deadlines, my counselor would guide me and reassure me that we would submit everything on time.
After receiving my decisions from the universities I had applied to, my counselor helped guide me on choosing the right one for me. He was able to do that by explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each university through statistics, rankings, and student experiences. Ultimately, I decided on Purdue University.
Overall, I am very pleased with my experience with U CAN Counseling and am very grateful to my counselor for all the help that he has provided.
Mia, Marine Biology, Northeastern University, USA
Thanks to the support of U CAN College Counseling, the application process was smooth and successful; I got accepted into my first-choice university! My U CAN Counselor helped me create a strong application but also one that was unique to me, and he helped me pick the best universities for not only my career path but also my personal preferences. As an international student in a little-known academic program, the Swiss Maturity, my chances would have been lower, had it not been for my UCAN counselor. He was able to create a bridge of communication between my school and the university advisors and therefore increase their understanding of my academics. My counselor also kept me on track, being sure that I didn't miss any deadlines or get overwhelmed by the process. In the end, I was accepted into my top university and I don't think it would have happened without the help of U CAN College Counseling!
Clara, Exercise Science, The George Washington University, USA
The college admissions process is a very overwhelming one and even more so as an international student but throughout it all I felt extremely supported by my U CAN College Counselor. He guided me in every step of the way. What I especially liked about working with him was the fact that he helped me organize all of the work I needed to complete, which allowed me to not feel stressed throughout the whole process. It was extremely gratifying seeing that I had all of my college work finished quite early into the school year so that I could focus on my school work. I am so grateful for the fact that I got the opportunity to work with my college counselor, and I know for a fact that without him my college admissions process would have not been as smooth as it was. Thank you U CAN College Counseling!
Nathan, Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, USA
As an international student, the US college application process seems not only so complex but entirely different from that of any other higher education. Having been enrolled in the Swiss Maturity, a foreign and often unfamiliar diploma to US admissions officers, my application process was perceived as unpredictable and even disadvantageous. Through this, my experience with my U CAN College Counselor was thorough, organized, and precise, whether it be during the college selection process, essay writing, or interview preparations. My counselor guided me through the entirety of the process, was always available to meet and even kept me in check throughout otherwise confusing deadlines. His deep insight and commitment ensured that I not only fully understood every step of the application but did so in a timely manner. The resources and guidance I gained through my counselor were fundamental in my success, but ultimately, his management, organization and understanding of the situation are what I believe to have been the most important factors in my work with him. I can say with absolute certainty that this process was facilitated to an extent to which I could not have imagined at the beginning of my work with my counselor. I am extremely grateful for everything he has done for me and would therefore like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank him.
Zina, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, USA
I started working with my counselor at the end of my junior year, and continued to do so all throughout the summer of my junior year and my senior year. My counselor helped me incredibly from narrowing down a list of universities, to writing my application essays and preparing for alumni interviews. Above all, my counselor was always available to meet or to give me advice whenever I needed it. There was no limit on how much guidance I received. The resources which I gained access to through my counselor were also imperative in my college application process and I cannot imagine having had to go through the process without them. After hearing from all the universities I applied to, my counselor helped guide me to deciding on Georgetown University, a institution which I could not be happier to be attending. As a foreigner attending university in the US, it was also incredibly helpful to receive help with the visa application process and advice for the future. I am so grateful to have worked with my counselor who gave me all the guidance and encouragement which got me to where I am now!
Yash, Stern School of Business, NYU, USA
My experience with my U CAN College Counselor was nothing short of amazing! He started by explaining the entire process of applications to make me realize the responsibilities I would have to take on. As such, I knew, early on, that I would have immense support. My counselor made me understand that the application process was an outlet to express my story rather than just my grades, test scores, and awards. He guided me through every stage from choosing the right colleges to perfecting my essays and his support was invaluable. He always stood by me and was available to answer my questions at any given time. His deep insight into the college process ensured that my application was perfect. His commitment to my success also meant that I never felt stressed throughout the entire process. This allowed me to fly through the process stress-free while many of my peers constantly worried. By the end of it all, I was accepted to London School of Economics, Kings College London, University of Warwick, UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, Rice, Northwestern, NYU, Northeastern, Carnegie Mellon, and Babson. If I had to redo the college application process again, I wouldn’t change a thing except for starting earlier. As such, I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for everything he has done for me.
Annika, English, University College London (UCL), UK
Before starting my university application it seemed incredibly overwhelming, but once I talked to my counselor about it, and realized the support I had, everything seemed completely doable. My counselor helped me clear my mind and with his help I succeeded in being accepted to my top university. Not only did he make the application process bearable, but my counselor helped me with everything that came after, that I hadn’t even known to be prepared for. I can say with certainty that without his help, the process would have been a lot more difficult and stressful, so I’d like to truly thank him for his time and advice because now I’m exactly where I want to be and I’m not sure I could have done it as smoothly without him.
Tristan, Data Science & Economics, UC San Diego, USA
Going into the application process, I was completely overwhelmed, having countless questions and wondering where to begin. However, with the guidance of my counselor, what would’ve been a very stressful time turned out to be a smooth ride. My counselor helped me formulate my university list, prepared detailed plans for each application, and motivated me throughout the journey. Working on my own, I would have procrastinated all the work before the deadlines, but with the help of my counselor we made progress each week and I was able to finish all applications well in time. I found my counselor’s advice and guidance with my essays most helpful. My counselor really put all his effort into this process and I couldn't have asked for anything more. Knowing I could rely on my counselor at any time with anything served as a different level of reassurance. I am incredibly grateful to have him by my side leading me to where I am today.
Frederikke, Political Science, NYU USA
Being an international student applying for US universities seemed like a farfetched dream. However, after getting in touch with U CAN Counseling my dream became a reality. My counselor helped me find structure and clarity in the otherwise overwhelming application proces. My counselor helped guide me when I had to construct numerous challenging application essays. Moreover, when I was conflicted about which university was the right fit for me, my counselor presented me with an array of options and information that helped me find my best fit university. I’d like to thank my counselor for everything he did for me. I’m positive that I would not have accomplished the things I have without a hand to guide me when everything seemed inaccessible. My counselor made me feel safe whilst bringing out my best academic sides. Thank you U CAN counseling!
Marawan, Econometrics and Operations Research, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands
When I first signed up with U CAN College Counselling, I had no idea where I wanted to study or what career I wanted to pursue. With the help of my U CAN counselor, I was able to find the perfect program that suited me in the best location for that program. Throughout my senior year, I felt so comfortable and stress-free knowing that all my applications were fully taken care of. The most complicated tasks seemed so easy and quick. I was able to apply to eight top 100 universities around the world, where I got accepted into all eight but none of that could’ve been completed without the help of my counselor. There were countless benefits that came with my U CAN counselor, but the most important one was that he was always there for me and supported me every step of the way. He made sure all my essays were perfect and that I had the right courses in school to have a strong application. Any inquiry I had about any academic problem was answered very quickly and smoothly. In conclusion, this was one of the best decisions I ever made and no words can express how helpful my counselor was; I can’t even imagine where I’d be right now without U CAN College Counseling.
Belen, Communication & Media Studies, University of Calgary, Canada
My experience with U CAN College Counseling was nothing but spectacular. In the beginning, I was absolutely overwhelmed with the university process and didn’t know where or how to start. Then I was recommended by a friend to U CAN College Counseling, due to their incredible professionalism. I started working with my counselor the summer of my Junior year and throughout my Senior year. The amount of dedication, knowledge, and passion my counselor had made the process easy and fun. My counselor provided structure and the guidance I needed, from helping me understand the different complex university processes, to selecting possible undergraduate courses, to creating a university, list to writing essays. My counselor always put the time into his work to make sure I achieved my goals. I am super grateful for this experience, and I highly recommend them.
Youssef, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Purdue University, USA
The college application process: arguably, the most stressful time for a high schooler. That being said, my experience with the college application process could not have been more different. I started working with my counselor at the end of my sophomore year in high school and continued working with him throughout my junior and senior year. Throughout this time, I have felt incredibly supported, and not once have I felt stressed about not meeting a deadline or not being able to complete an essay. In fact, the whole process was actually quite enjoyable and that is all thanks to the help of my incredible counselor. In fact, he was not just my counselor who helped me with the essays, sending scores, narrowing down universities; I felt like I had a friend who supported me and was always willing to put in more work with me than he had to. Not only did my counselor guide me through the process and assist me in picking the university I would attend, he also listened to my questions and concerns and never ever failed to provide me with reassurance and the necessary answers to my questions. Additionally, he made amazing use of digital tools in order to lay out all of the information in a very clear fashion. This made the complex application process very simple and easy to navigate. I could not have gone through this process without my counselor and I am forever grateful that I have had the opportunity to work with him. To this day, after the process is all said and done, I still feel supported and am sure that this sentiment will carry on. I would not have been where I am today if it wasn't for my counselor and that is something I will never forget.
Carla, Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Canada
At the start of my university application process, I was completely overwhelmed and unsure of how or where to begin. However, once I started working with my U CAN counselor, I was provided with all sorts of structure and guidance. From helping me narrow down potential majors, to recommending universities, to keeping me on top of deadlines, my counselor was there to help me every step of the way. Something I found especially helpful was being able to receive professional advice on how to approach my personal essay. I can confidently say that his passion, knowledge, and interest to help students find the right university and facilitate the process was exactly what I needed. While many will recall the application process to universities as a stressful experience, I’ll remember it as an enjoyable one.
Arnav, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California (USC), USA
Hand-picking the best fitting institutions for me, pointing out details that I should include or exclude from my essays, and most importantly, laying down a path for me to follow for the next four years of my life. These are just a few of the many things my U CAN counselor helped me with. The university application process can be the most stressful and challenging period of time for a high school student, but having a great counselor can make this whole process feel like a breeze. I still remember the first meeting I had with my counselor. Not knowing where I wanted to study, let alone what I wanted to study, my counselor calmly, constructively, and carefully walked me through the whole process. At that moment, my family and I had realized that working with U CAN counseling was the best decision we could make. Working hand-in-hand with my incredible counselor for over two years provided me with the opportunity to construct elegant essays that got me into world-class institutions across America. Moreover, stuck in a dilemma between two academic program options, Business or International Relations, my counselor explained to me everything I needed to know about the majors and made sure I was content with my choice. I always tried my best to meet our internal deadlines and even though I couldn’t sometimes, my counselor was very understanding of my prior circumstances, deadlines, and commitments, and always encouraged throughout the process. His powerful, yet kind words are what pushed me to continually work hard and stay organized. One of the best pieces of advice that I got from my counselor was to do what I believe is best for me because and to not be influenced by the interests of others. It Is my immense pleasure to state that I will be attending the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, out of the handful of other universities where we applied to, with a Presidential Scholarship. NONE of this would have been possible without my counselor.
Leslie, BA (Hons) Interior Design, Glasgow School of Art, UK
I always knew that I wanted to study abroad. It seemed very intriguing but also incredibly overwhelming and scary. Therefore, having my U CAN College Counselor was probably the best decision I could have made.
Before changing my mind, my counselor helped me educate myself about philosophy and history of art. After limiting my search to Europe, I learned about different countries, universities, and programs. With my counselor’s help, I even visited a few unis before deciding to apply for Interior Design instead. Despite this shift, my counselor still had the best advice and many great contacts with admissions representatives at the relevant universities. The application process was quite complicated after deciding on nine European art schools. Being a non-native English speaker and a natural procrastinator, it was more than worthwhile to have someone on my side who guided me through the process, especially when I tried to understand the varying and complex requirements. My counselor’s experience allowed me to work on a perfectly suited schedule with plenty of time and little stress. He helped me formulate my ideas efficiently, focus my wording, and write professional application essays. In the end, I got accepted to all my dream universities, and now studying Interior Design at Glasgow School of Art.
Having now finished my first semester, I am convinced that without my counselor’s help, I would not be studying here in this city at one of the most renowned universities for interior design worldwide.
Philip, Aeronautical Engineering, Imperial College London, UK
Starting the university application process, I was unsure and had a short list of universities I wanted to apply to. My counsellor helped open my eyes to so many other universities that I hadn’t even thought of, which helped me explore in much more detail what I wanted to do following high school. Additionally, what was great about working with my counsellor was that fact that my interests and what I wanted to do always guided our work. Our conversations proved to be incredibly helpful as I learned more and more about what might suit me and which universities would allow me to pursue this path best. Once the application process had begun, my counsellor helped me understand how to embody my personality and find my voice with the numerous essays I worked on, helping me always focus on being authentic. He was always available for me throughout the entire process, no matter how many times I needed to meet, and he helped me stay on track. With my counsellor’s help I was accepted into almost every university I applied to, which proved to be an unexpected challenge as I needed to choose between so many great opportunities. Despite initially feeling overwhelmed with my choices and unsure about what I would do, my counsellor’s knowledge and guidance allowed me to narrow down those choices to what was best for me and my interests. Following this, I was lost as I was no longer sure which was my first choice. With his knowledge and guidance, he helped narrow it down to what we believed would be the best choice for me. I couldn’t be happier than I am now at Imperial College London and I can say that without my counsellor helping me along the way it would have been much harder.
Maggie, Political Science, American University, USA
I truly wouldn't have been able to do half the work I did without my counselor’s assistance. He really kept me motivated and looking forward. My U CAN counselor was a mentor, guide, and friend. He stood by and supported me at all times. Our work together consisted of through video calls and rigours working sessions. My counsellor assisted me in finding the right university for me academically, socially, and overall where I would find my place best. As an IB student, I found that my counsellor was extremely mindful of the stressful deadlines I had to deal with; yet, he was persistent that we work hard and continuously. My counselor did more than help me understand how to attack my essays, advise my college choices, and guide the process, he developed an extremely important relationship with me as a student. I genuinely appreciate his help this year and I am so grateful I had the opportunity to work with him; my counselor was a pleasure and extremely helpful. Once again, thank you so much, U CAN College Counseling!
Mohamed, Artificial Intelligence, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
Half-way through high school, I was in a state of confusion neither did I know where I wanted to go for university, nor I did I have any idea of what area of engineering or technology I wanted to study. My U CAN counsellor, however, proved to be an invaluable guide and mentor throughout the whole university application procedure. From suggesting studying Artificial Intelligence in the Netherlands, to guiding me through my student visa application, I can say with confidence that my counsellor played a major role in providing me with what I see were the most important pieces of information I needed during my university application process. And although the decision was completely mine, he gave me his personal opinions on what university to pick when the time came to choose. Missing deadlines or misunderstanding emails from the university were impossible as my counsellor was always a few moments away from answering any question I had. Working with my counselor eliminated any of the normal anxiety experienced during this process. Out of all the decisions that had to be made during the last year, getting help from U CAN was definitely the most rewarding.
Alessia, International Relations, Franklin University, Switzerland
The college application process is one of the first times you feel like you have to make a long term decision of what you wanna study and where and it is a challenging one. Due to the many options, it's hard to sit down and choose one university. Thankfully I had a counselor that has helped me with the entire journey. Most importantly my counselor made sure that every deadline was met but also that I was happy and confident with my decision. I originally had a very fixed mindset on studying in the Netherlands, but after researching with my counselor we found an even better place for me in Switzerland. By investing time into my passions and my personality, my counselor really helped me find the best-fit university for me but, in particular, found an atmosphere and placed that I feel comfortable and happy in. I was able to successfully apply to my university and got accepted to my first choice and second choice universities.
Mudit, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, UC Berkeley, USA
My counselor was the driving force behind the success of my application process. He helped me determine which universities to apply to where his knowledge of university admissions and experience dealing with international students proved most valuable. He was always available to answer any questions I had and carefully worked with me on my applications and essays, providing key advice. I was successful in my application process with acceptances from Georgia Tech, Cornell, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, UC Berkeley, Imperial College London, UCL, and a few others. Though making a decision was challenging, my counselor helped me pinpoint pros and cons which ultimately led to me choosing UC Berkeley. I am extremely grateful to have him by my side and am excited to attend Berkeley as an engineering student in the fall.
Liya, Geography, King's College London, UK
Even within the short period of our work together, my counsellor managed to leave a lasting impression. He helped me out through everything from the initial confusing stages of deciding what and where to study, to considering which universities would be the best fit, to writing my application and even simply getting excited about what I will be studying. The interest and enthusiasm that was shown were infectious and made the whole process significantly less stressful. I am extremely thankful for all of his hard work.
Kene, Biology, Cornell University, USA
My counselor helped me through a very tricky time. The summer before senior year, I moved from Houston overseas to Dubai. This move left me in a wash about my college applications. However, my counselor was able to help me organize my application, linking my career at my former and present high school by ensuring that I got letters of recommendations from here and there and making sure I was aware of my potential as an applicant and that I drew towards schools that would best suit me. Months later, we are at the end of the year, and I will be attending Cornell University this fall. I am very fortunate to have been in the hands of my counselor as they were able to guide me towards a University of my dreams.
Danya, Communication, UC Davis, USA
My counselor guided me through a decision I couldn’t have made myself. As an indecisive individual, I didn't have a plan and was lost between which universities to apply to. My counselor opened up my eyes to universities I’d never even planned on attending. Unable to visit these universities was hard for me to even consider them, however, my counselor was a valuable resource. As a high school counselor with abundant knowledge in his field, he embodies the essence of a wise educator. With his help, my difficult problems didn't seem so difficult. When I wasn’t admitted to my top choice, my counselor was able to show me why UC Davis, one of my last options, was the right fit for me through his research and prior knowledge. My counselor has also visited many universities, UCD being one, and assured me that this university would be the perfect fit for me. As a result, UCD went from being my last option to my first. I am incredibly happy with my decision and I have my counselor to thank
Omar, Economics, Concordia University, Canada
At the beginning of the university application process I can safely say that I was completely and utterly lost, to the point that I didn't know where to begin. I was recommended UCAN College Counseling by a friend of mine who informed me of the exceptional professionalism that I could expect from the counseling services . I am currently in Concordia University solely due to the fact that I made the conscious decision to work with UCAN College Counseling. My counsellor went above and beyond to provide his services to me on a frequent basis continually reminding me of important deadlines that were coming up and how I could meet them with a timely and simple plan. I could always rely on my counsellor to be there for me at any time be it morning, noon, or night and I could depend on him to get back to me with all speed when I needed revisions on essays, wanted to have a one-on-one meeting, or just had some questions that I needed help with. Only with UCAN College Counseling was I able to complete a process with virtually no stress whatsoever. Now, as I am in a university of my dreams and I can affirm that choosing to work with UCAN College Counseling was one of the smartest decisions I have ever made.
Eden, Bachelor of Science, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
When starting my application process, I felt daunted with the prospect that I would have to figure out everything on my own. Since I would be applying to an area unfamiliar with my counselor and I was overseas myself, it felt like the whole process would be a nightmare. However, this was not the case. My counselor quickly familiarized himself with the foreign system and made sure that I had everything I needed to ensure my application would be a success. I also knew going into it that part of the dialogue between my counselor and I would have to happen overseas, since I would move before I finished the process. My counselor put in the extra effort to make sure that this correspondence was as easy as possible, always answering my questions promptly and making a plan to ensure the documents I needed would reach me without delay. I have no doubt that without my counselor’s help and guidance, this would have been a much more negative experience for me. I would highly recommend my counselor’s services to anyone who is seeking some extra support or guidance in this undertaking. I could not be happier with the results.
Leo, Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Tech University, USA
I worked with my counselor during my senior year. As I was overseas during my high school days, his knowledge of the American university system and experience as an international counselor proved invaluable. While he skillfully guided me through the college selection and application process, he also encouraged my independent decision making in choosing a university that would best suit me. I am very fortunate to have had him on my side. My application process was very successful, as I was accepted to Georgia Tech, the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, Columbia University, Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Michigan, and the University of Texas. While making a decision was challenging, my counselor helped me choose the school that was the right fit for me and I could not be happier than I am at Georgia Tech.
Chae Won, International Relations, Indiana University, USA
The college application process is really one of the first times you get to sit down and seriously think about what you want to do with your life and where. There are so many factors that come into play when deciding where to go to college and having a qualified counselor there to help you with all this, especially as an international student, was extremely helpful. My counselor helped me in so many aspects, including filling out the minute details of the application, preparing for interviews, creating a college list, and making the final decision. While he was helping me with all this, my counselor made sure that I was making my own decisions and that I was 100% satisfied with those decisions. He was very efficient with his work and made sure everything was submitted well before the deadline. It really was obvious that he put care into his work to make my college application process as smooth and meaningful as possible. Most importantly, my counselor always had a smile on his face and was so easy to talk to during this stressful application season; college applications didn’t seem like a tedious, daunting task with his guidance. He made this process so meaningful for me and I am beyond happy with the decision I have made.
Henry, Liberal Arts, Leiden University College, The Netherlands
Throughout the process of applying for universities and colleges, your counselor can be the most important figure in guiding you to the success of your applications. My counselor successfully helped me in applying to various universities in Europe, with my final decision taking me to the Netherlands for my continuation of studies at Leiden University College The Hague, where I now study Liberal Arts. I was privileged enough to have a dedicated counselor who not only positively encouraged me with my choices, but provided me with feedback and revision to my apps, as he advised me in making additional adjustments and adding content to my applications, in a field where not all application processes were alike for the universities I applied to. Furthermore, my counselor was easy to access if I had questions or concerns, as well as sharing his own personal knowledge with me to make sure I fully understood the process. I had the confidence knowing that my counselor cared about the well-being of my college future. I appreciate all the effort my counselor did for me with my college counseling.
Liza, Mathematics & Computer Science, Lawrence University, USA
Having a variety of interests in high school - music, sports, and computer science - I wanted to find a college that would allow me to pursue all of these interests in a structured environment. This was not an easy task. My counselor's experience and insight not only allowed me to choose the university that brought all of these interests together, but that was also a fantastic fit for my personality. I couldn’t be happier with my decision!
Alex, Business Economics, UCLA, USA
Up until halfway through Junior year, I was completely lost when it came to what I wanted to do after high school. To this day, I hold a strong belief that going to sit down with my counselor was the best decision I made in this process. This is because I was not only finally set on a proper path in my future planning, but I also made a great friend; my counselor did not only know and do his job unbelievably well, but he also made it pleasant and allowed me to enjoy the process that others found very stressful and confusing. I can safely say that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the incredible amount of knowledge, patience, and overall support that my counselor provided. I thank him for always being there and putting maximum effort into what he does, and now I could not be happier with where I have ended up. I always think about how one person can make such a difference in turning a dream to reality, and I feel that my counselor is another example of just that.
Chen Yin, BFA Visual Effects, Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD)
I received wonderful assistance from my counselor when I was applying for universities. He helped me consider aspects such as how many IB credits can be transferred, scholarship opportunities, and the benefits of the location of universities for my major. It would have been very difficult for me to narrow down the universities that were a good fit for me, but with his guidance, I was able to successfully apply to the university of my top choice and get accepted.
Sidhant, Economics, UCLA, USA
I have been working with my counselor for nearly two years, and it has truly been a very organized and pleasant experience. Moving to a different schooling system in the middle of my high school career, my counselor was there to help me navigate the ocean that is the college admissions process. Although this period is usually considered to be one of the most difficult in a high school student’s life, I was in very good hands. My counselor was always at my disposal, and if I ever required any assistance or had any queries he was simply an email away. He emphasized the importance of the “good-fit” model when narrowing down a list of universities, and was critical in every step that I needed to take to apply to my dream schools (SAT/ACT, class selection, essays, and interview preparation.) I was truly fortunate to have such an experienced individual by my side. I was able to become familiar with every aspect of the admissions process, and was instructed how to tackle each part to achieve the most success. It was only with his guidance that I was blessed with acceptances to UCLA, Tufts University, Boston University (with a scholarship), Wesleyan University, UCSD, and many other fine American institutions. I was also waitlisted by Cornell University and UC Berkeley, also some of the best universities anywhere in the world. None of this would have been possible without my counselor, and I am truly grateful to have had him by my side during this stressful, but exciting time in my life!
Ksenia, International Relations & Art, Lewis & Clark College, USA
My counselor really knows both the students he works with as well as the schools he recommends for them, which makes his guidance in the process invaluable. The college I ultimately attended was suggested to me by my counselor, and it ended up being an excellent choice because of both the campus culture as well as its strong community of international students and Third Culture Kids (TCKs). Moreover, since he had familiarity with and a contact at the college, the application process was much smoother and it was much easier to get a response from admissions whenever I had any questions or concerns.
Sami, Economics & Engineering, Claremont McKenna College, USA
From the start, my counselor was an essential force in my college process. He aided me with determining which ten colleges would be the "best fit", he read over my Common App essay, and always made himself available. He has a thorough understanding of the college process, and was a pleasure to work with. I ended up at Claremont McKenna College and couldn't be happier. I absolutely love CMC and to this day am thankful for his support and encouragement through the whole process.
Souheil, Cinema and Media Studies, University of Southern California (USC), USA
My counselor went above and beyond to understand my character and passions. In doing so, he positioned himself well to holistically assess my credentials. He then subsequently provided a realistic list of all the safety, target, and reach schools in line with the my activities and transcript. The counselor made sure to take into account all factors when considering what universities were a good fit including location, social environment, acceptance rate, and educational programs at schools. The overall counseling experience was very personalized and effective. It provided me with realistic and pertinent information on the current college environment and application process. By the end of the application process, I felt comfortable in both my applications and my choice in universities.
Zohayr, Economics, University of Pennsylvania, USA
My counselor assisted me throughout the college application process, from beginning to end. He started off by helping me formulate a list of colleges that I would apply to, based on my personality, preferences, and the concept of "best fit." Then, he guided me through the depths of the Common Application and various state school applications. Finally, my counselor supported me as I waited for decisions. Throughout the process, if I needed any assistance, my counselor was just an e-mail away. With his invaluable help, I was accepted to and have chosen to attend the University of Pennsylvania.
Doni, BMus Musical Performance, Brunel University, London, UK
My counselor was critical in the events that led to me attending Brunel University in London. Over the final year and half in high school, in his capacity as my college counsellor, my counselor prepared me with an effective schedule to get the most out of the application process. He helped me choose London as it was close to home (Scotland) and gave me the best chance to follow my music career in a city with an amazing culture for music. I know I wouldn't be where I am today without my counselor's wonderful guidance.
Adam, Mechanical Engineering, Auburn University, USA
My counselor helped me with my college decisions much more than I thought a counselor could. I only had three colleges on my list and no idea where to go from there, so we met many times and he guided me to many more possible colleges based not only on my grades, but also his personal knowledge of me as a person. My counselor's level-headed and easygoing nature made made it easy to build a personal relationship with. Once we established our relationship, he used his personal knowledge of me as a student and person to guide me to achieve my goals and find the right college, as well as help me get in with his thorough understanding of the application process. Since then, I have realized that Auburn is the perfect fit for me and I am incredibly happy with my decision.
Antoine, Business, Florida Atlantic University, USA
My counselor was amazing throughout the entire stressful process of applying to universities. From finding the right fit to the actual application process and the finalization of the last documents asked by schools, his counseling enabled me to be stress free and to not lose focus on my studies. I now study at Florida Atlantic University and everything is going well. I definitely see myself graduating from here and everything has happened fine thanks to the work I have done with him.
Keunwoo, Psychology, University of Minnesota, USA
Finding the right college for me would have been so much more daunting if it hadn’t been for my counselor’s help. Starting out, I had no clue on how to approach the college search process but with my counselor's insightful and compassionate one-on-one counseling sessions I was able to decide what my priorities were and find a place that would satisfy my needs. My counselor is very systematic and detailed in his approach and weighing out my options with him really helped me devise an effective and financially viable application strategy. I am very grateful to have had him guide me through the process. I am extremely satisfied with my choice and I definitely recommend him to anyone seeking support and advice on choosing your college!
Alex, Engineering, Texas A&M University, USA
My counselor was a great help throughout the entire college process. His immense knowledge of the entire application process made the process much easier. He helped me find schools that not only fit me academically, but also took the time to get to know me as a person and find schools that was right for me personally. I am studying engineering at Texas A&M now and found that it is the perfect school for me. I am very grateful for the immense help and support from my councilor that brought me to finding my perfect school.