What Our Clients Say About Us
Our past clients have been kind enough to share their experiences with us below. As you can see, we have students spanning many years. Their testimonials are but a snippet of their journey experience. If you’d like to know more, please approach us for more on that student’s story (with their identity kept confidential, of course!).
N.b. Different students are comfortable with different levels of sharing, which explains the variance in their background data.
I am here to help my kids to become better people, not to merely send them to top universities. That’s my pride.’ This is what Ally said through our countless communication on WhatsApp.
Meeting Ally was the gift for our family.
I still remember the day how she welcomed my son. He was quite sensitive, low self esteem, yet stubborn and trying to find out who and what he was. He wanted to express himself, but also anxious to speak out. I think she knew from the beginning that the journey would be very tough, but she said ‘Try me. I’m good’. Since then, she gave everything to him ‘unconditionally’ and had his back always no matter what. Even when I wanted to give up upon him, she said ‘Let’s do it together’. I cannot say he was academically enough to pass his dream school's standard. However, with her immense care, understanding and love, he transformed himself to the young adult with resilience and grit. He never stopped himself from trying. He tried to open the door to the dream at every angle. He and I sometimes felt about ourselves as insignificant, small and lonely through this journey. Yet, the existence of Ally always gave us confidence and comfort. She was the reason we could keep ourselves going forward.
Flipping back every moment we spent with her, I just realize she welcomed not only my son. She welcomed our family, the ‘perfectly imperfect family’ as my son named.
Thank you, Ally. Thank you for being his role model. Always hope I can find better words to express my gratitude other than ‘Thank you’.
He is proud to be your ‘kid’ forever.
Parent of K.H., Kellet School, Class of 2024, Cornell University
I am immensely grateful for the exceptional support and guidance provided by Antonia throughout my application process for both UK and US universities. Her expertise proved invaluable when crafting UK personal statements and US essays. Not only was she efficient in her responses and feedback, but she also ensured that the whole process was incredibly stable and smooth. Working with her was an absolute pleasure; her support and ability to navigate through my ideas, translating my thoughts into compelling narratives, were commendable. Her insightful advice, unwavering dedication and genuine care for her students make her an outstanding counsellor. It has been a privilege to work with Antonia!
N.T., Benenden Schoool, Class of 2024, LSE
Antonia's assistance was incredibly helpful during the UCAS and US application processes. She guided me through writing my personal statement, offering valuable feedback. She supported my Cambridge interview by sharing useful tactics and made each session a great learning experience. With Antonia's help, applying to UC colleges was surprisingly easy, we swiftly completed the essays and filled in the application form. I'm grateful for all her help this year!
V.T., Benenden Schoool, Class of 2024, Cambridge University
Quantum and Antonia have been incredibly supportive during my college application journey. They were transparent with my options and were very systematic in guiding me every step of the way - whether it was creating my college list, refining my personal statement or preparing for interviews. I was definitely in excellent hands and am very grateful!
R.L., an international school in H.K., Class of 2024, Cambridge University
Ally not only provided me with much-needed guidance for an otherwise overwhelming college application process but also taught me to have confidence in my abilities. When I first met Ally I was at a low point with below-average grades and somewhat low self-confidence. Throughout my time working with Ally, she has been so much more than just a counsellor, she was my mentor who taught me how to pick myself up and raise my grades and my friend who saw so much more in me than I ever did and always tried her best to convince me to believe in myself. In the process, I learned how to turn my passions into extracurricular activities that could populate my resume and how to find my voice in writing my college essays, a skill that I am beyond grateful for to this day. Thank you Ally for not only assisting me in being admitted into my dream school but also instilling confidence within me and allowing me to shine through the toughest years of my high school career 😊.
A.W., CIS, Class of 2024, Wellesley College
Ally is the type of person you want in your corner in the 12th round. If you're getting beat badly, she’s there to cheer you on. If you're winning, she helps you see through to victory.
Ally is honestly one of the most supportive people I have ever met. Yet, she blends this support with a pragmatic and unfiltered perspective. Ally also does not sleep. Whether it is the weekends or 3 a.m., Ally will reply to my midnight rant filled with nerves about upcoming deadlines and essay ideas. I’ll often set my phone down, thinking I am going to get a reply in the morning. Just 2 seconds later, I get a text back on my phone from Ally.
Ally is also someone who genuinely cares about her students. Ally takes the time to get to know you, to understand your interests, hobbies, and worldviews. This became apparent when I began writing essays. I would always have an idea but lack the ability to communicate and execute the idea in a college essay format. Yet, Ally, almost as though reading my mind (or more likely than being telepathic, just simply knowing me well), was able to clarify my thoughts and bring in her own personal experiences to connect to mine. This process of back-and-forth caused my essays to change drastically from the 1st draft to the 100th, and I couldn’t have gotten into any of the universities I got into without the help of Ally and this process.
Through working with Ally, I have not only been able to realize my dream of attending Stanford University, but I have also gained a lifelong friend. Truly, I am so grateful to have been able to work with Ally!
C.C., Harrow HK, Class of 2024, Stanford University
Have you ever met anyone who genuinely enjoys the college process? I never thought I would. That is, until I met Ally.
Walking into her office sometimes even at 11:00 pm – way past her work hours – I knew I would be met with a passion that energized me more than any of the energy drinks in her mini-fridge ever could. It’s definitely true what other people say about Ally: that when you send her your drafts at times that can’t be called night anymore and rather must be classified as early morning, you can crawl under your covers knowing there will be a .docx file waiting for you when you get up. My mix of anticipation and anxiousness waiting for that very file to load up can only be explained by one of Ally’s greatest strengths: her REALNESS. Ally does not sugarcoat anything and gives you everything as is, which was exactly the North Star I needed while wading my way through the fog and chaos of this process. Her other greatest strength, in my opinion, is her aptitude to help you tackle topics other counselors might ask you to avoid, but ones that are truly unique and authentic to you. She takes the time to understand everything about your story so you can navigate sensitive topics with pinpoint precision and her hawk-like eyes for red flags, crafting a cohesive and refreshing essay over multiple iterations. But above all, Ally genuinely CARES. It was incredible to have a friend to talk to that I knew always had my back, whether it was filling up our one-hour slots with rants about my college list or being locked in the office until I had a first draft for my essays (if you’re an avid procrastinator like me, you’ll thank her later).
As a kid, I loved the movie The Greatest Showman and the song A Million Dreams; I thought it epitomized the flurry of hopes I had for my future – the ones that kept me up at night. And now, as I continue my journey at Stanford University, I have Ally to thank for helping me reach one of the most far-fetched of my million dreams.
D.C., HKIS, Class of 2024, Stanford University
On the first day I met Ally, she greeted me with a photo of her breaking a slab of rock after hearing that I practiced taekwondo as well. I loved how unfiltered she was even when I had only just walked into her room, and immediately knew I wouldn’t regret taking on this college application journey with her.
Ally is the person who taught me the value of authenticity, as she is someone who genuinely loves what she does. Even when I sent her my essays well after midnight, I could go to sleep with the peace of mind (or the mental preparation) that her edits would be waiting for me by morning. Whenever I got the notification of the .docx file Ally sent to me, I experienced a mix of anticipation and apprehension, knowing that it would likely contain her very thorough and critical comments. Most of the time, I would need a good night’s sleep to fully digest her feedback and push myself to reach greater limits. But despite the rigorous critique, Ally’s occasional praise, as simple as “I like this!”, would brighten my day and spur me to work harder. As a true workaholic, Ally always puts her “kids” first before herself (but please take care of yourself too! Less Red Bulls, less Monsters, more goddess-like spas!)
While I’m beyond excited that I’m heading off to my dream school, Cornell Engineering, I’m even more thrilled to have gotten a best friend out of it. Ally’s efforts to know all her “children” just as if they’re her high school best friends is what makes her so special and fun to work with. Whether it was listening to my indecisive rants about my college list, supporting me through academic pressures, or getting teary eyed over the phone immediately after I finally received my acceptance letter (while she was on a run in Japan), I loved every moment of working with her. This will truly be an irreplaceable memory, and it’s one I want everyone to experience with Ally!
H.S., CIS, Class of 2024, Cornell University
"Ally never referred to us as her ‘client’. She always called us as her ‘students’ or more commonly, her ‘kids’. There are myriad of ways to describe Ally as a person. Like her collection of MIT T-shirts with chemistry jokes that she wears religiously or the cans of Monster she consumes daily, but I think this speaks the most volume about her. She cares about us, regardless of whether we are deserving or not.
I’m quite certain that I was the most annoying one out of her ‘kids’, which is corroborated by the fact that most of my texts were during the late night or the early morning hours. Yet, without fail, she responded immediately each and every time. It came to a point where she often joked that her job was a minimum-wage job mostly due to the immense care I required from her. Despite getting grades that were not up to both of the standards numerous times, she always comforted me and stood beside me every time. That’s Ally for you.
In the office, Ally’s famous for being a workaholic, everyone knows that. For the first few years, I didn’t get why she was like that, I didn’t get why she stayed awake each night so late. So I asked, “Why can’t you take a break?”. “I want to”, she replied. “Then why?”, I continued. Then looked up and said, “Cause I love what I do”. For some reason that conversation was something I never forgot. I remember it vividly like it was yesterday. She cared immensely about us, beyond what her job required.
Today, we are in a such fast pace world that nothing matters more than results. Yet such a futile approach often undermines the compassion and care one possesses. In this scenario, Ally is probably one of those such people. She took me in as a kid who had mediocre grades at best. A kid who was rejected by other admission consultants. She welcomed me with a smile.
I will be the first to admit she is harsh. My essay feedback always ended with her comment in red, with her brutally honest opinion. But by the end, Ally was more of a mentor than an admission consultant. She went to hell and back to get to where I am today. I owe her everything.
You are my hero, a friend, and most importantly my one and only mentor.
Thank you, Ally"
I’m quite certain that I was the most annoying one out of her ‘kids’, which is corroborated by the fact that most of my texts were during the late night or the early morning hours. Yet, without fail, she responded immediately each and every time. It came to a point where she often joked that her job was a minimum-wage job mostly due to the immense care I required from her. Despite getting grades that were not up to both of the standards numerous times, she always comforted me and stood beside me every time. That’s Ally for you.
In the office, Ally’s famous for being a workaholic, everyone knows that. For the first few years, I didn’t get why she was like that, I didn’t get why she stayed awake each night so late. So I asked, “Why can’t you take a break?”. “I want to”, she replied. “Then why?”, I continued. Then looked up and said, “Cause I love what I do”. For some reason that conversation was something I never forgot. I remember it vividly like it was yesterday. She cared immensely about us, beyond what her job required.
Today, we are in a such fast pace world that nothing matters more than results. Yet such a futile approach often undermines the compassion and care one possesses. In this scenario, Ally is probably one of those such people. She took me in as a kid who had mediocre grades at best. A kid who was rejected by other admission consultants. She welcomed me with a smile.
I will be the first to admit she is harsh. My essay feedback always ended with her comment in red, with her brutally honest opinion. But by the end, Ally was more of a mentor than an admission consultant. She went to hell and back to get to where I am today. I owe her everything.
You are my hero, a friend, and most importantly my one and only mentor.
Thank you, Ally"
K.H., Kellet School, Class of 2024, Cornell University
Despite meeting Ally quite late into the college application process, mid year through IBDP1, she has helped so much in recuperating my losses in the past. Even though I had a relatively low predicted grade compared to the rest of my cohort, I still managed to get into a top university (Boston University) due to my essays and my story, which I believed were my strongest assets. Ally helped me create an authentic profile that truly represented who I was, and based on that formed a college list that genuinely excited me, from safeties to amazing alternatives to my previous dream school which quickly replaced it . With Ally's guidance, I successfully tackled (really) complicated topics and stories in my essays, avoiding potential red flags and conveying them in an engaging and logical manner. Throughout many drafts of the same essay that had minor changes each time, Ally patiently helped me refine my essays, allowing for more meaningful reflections that showcased the qualities that ultimately lead to me getting in. Thanks to Ally for believing in me when others and even myself didn’t.
M.H., CDNIS, Class of 2024, Boston University
Sabrina has consulted me from the beginning to the end of my IBDP Journey (2022-2024.) She has recommended me excellent tutors and opportunities such as the NYU Summer Program which has led to me being admitted into my dream school, which was once a pipe dream. Sabrina has kept me on-track with my academics and has helped me focus my time into where it would benefit my application most. The atmosphere inside the offices has always been welcoming, and during the most arduous times of high-school it became a place where I could focus. From offering tips in requesting recommendation letters to relentlessly sharpening my essays, my experience with Sabrina has been nothing but positive. Thank you Sabrina!
M.Q., RCHK, Class of 2024, NYU Tisch
I am so grateful for Ally and Sabrina’s support throughout the entire college application process. I started working with them in the Spring of my sophomore year, and at the time, I didn’t know what I wanted to major in— I didn’t even know if I wanted to go into STEM or the Humanities. However, after countless long Zoom sessions where Ally and Sabrina asked me thought-provoking questions about my future goals and their insistence that I choose a field of study that would be suitable and enjoyable for me, I finally realized that I wanted to pursue engineering. When searching for schools to apply to, Ally and Sabrina gave me invaluable insights into the schools’ cultures and whether or not they would be a good fit for me, allowing me to learn more about them beyond what I could find on their websites or learn about on their webinars. Their support for me while I was writing my college essays went above and beyond, and they were available every step of the way— whether it was 6am or 11pm— to help me. Ally’s brutally honest yet constructive comments pushed me to think bigger and dig deeper, and to produce essays that were authentic to myself while answering the prompt (which I forgot to do in a couple of instances). I am so lucky to have had Ally and Sabrina as counselors— I couldn’t have done it without their guidance and support!
J.N., Miss Porter's School, Class of 2024, University of Pennsylvania
Sabrina has helped me immeasurably throughout the college application process. As a first-generation college student, I was overwhelmed by my options and struggled with assembling a list of colleges to apply to. Sabrina helped me narrow down my list by contributing her experience with schools in the US and questioning me on what I wanted out of my college experience. Her constructive feedback on my college essays have helped me greatly improve my writing skills and hone my “writing voice”, which will serve me well in the future. Throughout this incredibly stressful process, Sabrina has been my number one supporter, always cheering me on through my highs and reassuring me through my lows. She has also been patient with me while I figured out what aspects of myself I deem most important when writing college supplements, which sometimes resulted in me submitting my college supplements later than I said I would (sorry, Sabrina). My most memorable moment was my first meeting with Sabrina, when she asked me “What do you care about?”. This question really pushed me to think about my values and interests, which then helped me write passionately and authentically about myself later on. Thank you so much to Sabrina for supporting me throughout this very stressful process, for giving me friendly reminders and helping me set realistic goals, and for being there for me. I couldn’t have done it without you!
J.Y., Northfield Mount Hermon, Class of 2024, Tufts University
I absolutely enjoyed working with Ally and Anson during my university admissions process. Ally’s expertise in college-specific information and essay-editing was something else; while her comments were sometimes harsh, they were always very constructive, which was exactly what I needed. She sifted through my heaps of random ideas and helped turn my rough drafts into polished pieces; I was always worried that my experiences would be inadequate, but she made me realise what I had done was enough. I’m especially thankful for Ally’s willingness to provide last-minute assistance when deadlines were looming; she truly never gives up on her students.
When it came to applying to UK universities, Anson’s guidance proved indispensible as well. I was daunted by my personal statement and didn’t know what to write, so it was a relief when Anson told me my ideas were good; he carefully tailored my points towards the course I was applying to (Natural Sciences) to show I was a good fit. He also provided extra chemistry mock interviews, and one of the questions ended up being on the actual interview! I cannot describe how excited I was when I was able to explain to the interviewer the intuition I gained from Anson. His tutorials also helped me understand chemistry better (in fact in an interdisciplinary, Natural Sciences spirit, which high-school syllabi don’t provide), which was a greatly rewarding experience.
With their help I ended up receiving an offer from Cambridge; I’d heartily recommend their services to anyone who’s passionate about their subject and wants to show their best.
When it came to applying to UK universities, Anson’s guidance proved indispensible as well. I was daunted by my personal statement and didn’t know what to write, so it was a relief when Anson told me my ideas were good; he carefully tailored my points towards the course I was applying to (Natural Sciences) to show I was a good fit. He also provided extra chemistry mock interviews, and one of the questions ended up being on the actual interview! I cannot describe how excited I was when I was able to explain to the interviewer the intuition I gained from Anson. His tutorials also helped me understand chemistry better (in fact in an interdisciplinary, Natural Sciences spirit, which high-school syllabi don’t provide), which was a greatly rewarding experience.
With their help I ended up receiving an offer from Cambridge; I’d heartily recommend their services to anyone who’s passionate about their subject and wants to show their best.
B.C., Oxford International College, Class of 2024, Cambridge University
Hi Brendan. It’s Helen here.As Adam’s parent, I owe you a huge thanks for walking this journey of uni application with Adam. UBC is indeed the first choice of Adam and ours ( although we look forward to the rest of the application results as well ). The offer would not have been possible without all your dedicated assistance and professional advice throughout. Adam and us are truly lucky to have you as our consultant! 🙇🏻♀️ 👍Much appreciated ! 🙏😊
A.T., ICS, Class of 2024, UBC
The summer before applying to university, I was going to quantum about once a week and meeting with Sabrina and Brendan. These preparatory meetings helped me understand exactly what kind of application veterinary universities were looking for. I was able to get a second hand opinion on many aspects of my preparation, on internships etc…. Personally, going to quantum was most beneficial for personal statement advice and interview prep. Quantum noticed my shortcomings when it comes to interview skills almost immediately and sharpened them once interview time came a few months later. By the time I had my interviews, I was able to communicate all my passions and personal experience with veterinary medicine to judges. Overall quantum gave me the confidence to pursue the university of my dreams and trained my skills needed to get accepted.
C.H., Kellet School, Class of 2024, Royal Veterinary College
Talking to Emma has helped with my university application a lot. She has been able to help not only show my passion but also my experience on my personal statement. It was great since Emma would ask me questions to make sure that my genuine feelings across each stage of my application. I’m very grateful for her expertise and helping make the process way less stressful. This is why I would highly recommend Emma!!!
A.B., Brighton College, Class of 2024, Bath Spa University (Contemporary Dance)
I am immensely grateful for the help that Emma has provided for me through one of the most challenging and nerve racking experiences in my academic career. Emma not only acted as a counsellor, but also as a mentor as she helped prepare my portfolio and understanding of my creative expression. She shaped my mindset, built confidence, and fostered my personal growth. Not only was she patient and understanding, she was also strict when she needed to be when it came to meeting deadlines. Most notably, she helped tailor my personal statements into something that was personal yet provoking. I am thankful for her guidance and thrilled with the results.
E.C., USC, Class of 2024, RMIT University
I had the opportunity to work with Emma on my MBA applications, and she was exceptional. I received offers from both Yale SOM (with a 120k scholarship) and CBS and was waitlisted at Wharton - I wouldn't have been able to do this without her! Emma has an incredible talent for understanding what makes each applicant unique and helping them showcase their strengths in their essays. Emma's attention to detail, constructive feedback, and ability to frame ideas in a captivating and persuasive way truly set her apart. She has a knack for conveying thoughts and ideas in a clear and concise manner while also being able to engage the reader in creative ways. Thanks to Emma's help, I was able to craft compelling essays that truly represented my personality and experiences. I highly recommend Emma to anyone needing help with their undergrad and master's applications. She is a true professional and a pleasure to work with! Thank you, Emma, for going above and beyond for me!
B.W., Northeastern University, Class of 2024, Columbia University, Yale University
I want to thank Emma for her invaluable support throughout the admissions process at Duke. Her guidance helped me understand program requirements with clarity, and her organisation and reminders kept me on track to ensure that I met each deadline promptly. I especially appreciated her guidance on selecting and the right individuals to approach for my letters of recommendation. Thank you for always going above and beyond!
D.U., Sevenoaks School, Class of 2022, Duke University
I am lucky to say that my parents didn’t have many expectations for me when it came to applying to university but that also meant I entered the whole process lost and with very little direction. Thankfully, I had Emma’s guidance and support while brainstorming about where to apply, finding the best fit, choosing the right major, writing countless essays, and even preparing for interviews. Expressing myself effectively through my personal statements was a particularly daunting task for me, but over the course of our many meetings she patiently helped me find my voice. Thank you for your encouragement and for believing in me!
M.K., CIS, Class of 2019, Cornell University, Northwestern University and CMU
As someone who found the college admissions process daunting and confusing, I am very grateful for Conrad's guidance and support. Conrad helped me tackle the process in manageable pieces, offering constructive feedback on my essays which was always the right balance between advice and questions to get me to reflect on what I really want to say, ultimately allowing my essays to authentically showcase who I am. Conrad was always ready to answer any of my questions and his extensive knowledge was what reassured me through the application process. When we compiled a list of schools, Conrad thoroughly discussed various schools with me to curate a personalised list when I had no clear idea of what schools I wanted to apply to. I definitely attribute my excitement towards attending Pomona in the fall to Conrad as he’s supported me throughout my journey, giving me confidence that I’ll be attending a college that is best for me.
C.K., Shatin College, Class of 2024, Pomona College
I am happy to tell you that I have received an offer of scholarship from the HKSES. [Anson's] interview preparation helped a lot, and it was great working with [him]. Thank you, I am truly grateful for what you have done for me.
C. L., HKBUAS, Class of 2023, Imperial College
I approached quantum as I needed help with a personal statement for an exchange programme that I wanted to apply for. Brendan assisted me during the brainstorming process, the initial draft and final proofreading. He knew how to ask questions to help me express my thoughts precisely. He also helped on the tone and delivery of the essay.
J.C., Graduate student, Class of 2025, CUHK
Anson has been very helpful during my Medicine application process to the UK. In particular, since my interview skills were not as solid, he was very constructive towards developing my interview skills by both giving me advice on how to improve, as well as valuable practice in a more professional setting. Overall, I really enjoyed his continuous encouragement and support during these two years, which gave me the confidence to succeed in my application.
T.C., CIS, Class of 2023, Bristol
As a parent of three students who received college counseling from Ally, I am delighted to recommend her as an exceptional college counselor. Her expertise, dedication, and personable approach made a significant impact on the success of my children's college application process. Ally is an experienced and knowledgeable college counselor who understands the complexities of the college admissions process. She takes the time to get to know her students' strengths, interests, and goals, creating a customized plan for each student's college search and application process. Her expertise and up-to-date knowledge of the college admissions process ensure that students are well-prepared and confident as they navigate the process. What sets Ally apart is her dedication to her students. She is always available to answer questions, provide feedback, and offer support. She fosters a collaborative relationship with her students, empowering them to take ownership of their college search and application process. Her friendly and approachable demeanor makes her a pleasure to work with, and her sense of humor and positive attitude put her students at ease. Thanks to Ally's guidance, my children - Regan, Bridgette, and Parker - were all accepted into amazing schools that were well-matched to their academic and personal interests. Ally's commitment to her students' success is evident in her work, and her positive impact on our family will be long-lasting. To sum it up, Ally is a knowledgeable, dedicated, and personable college counselor who goes above and beyondto help her students achieve their goals. Her expertise and commitment to her students' success make her an exceptional asset to any institution. I highly recommend Ally to any student seeking guidance and support through the college application process.
Parent of P.B., HKIS, Class of 2023, Amherst College
I am thankful to have worked with Ally and Antonia. The combination of their expertise and experience in HK, UK and US universities made the college application process smoother and more bearable. No matter the time of day, both of them were always eager to answer my countless questions on Whatsapp or edit my essays with great detail (and honesty). Ally was always there to listen to my life stories and ask probing questions to fully understand my personality, guiding me to choose my ‘best fit’ university list and essay topics that embraced my quirks. Antonia was always there to help me through the UK and HK admissions process by tailoring my personal statement (almost 30 times) and leading me through intense preparation sessions where she would patiently identify my weaknesses and give constructive feedback. Thank you for everything!
Y.W., CIS, Class of 2023, UC Berkeley (and UK and HK Medical Schools)
We cannot take it lightly at all when you are led to the bumpy ride in applying for colleges. There is no doubt for students and parents to feel overwhelmed by the college application process, the loads of stress mounting on a daily basis. For some students, they envision a clear path aiming to reach for their goals. However, what is needed to accomplish will take more than a determined mind in this long and complicated process. Would it be helpful to have some experienced experts to guide us through the lengthy and complex process ? My answer is yes !
We are extremely grateful for having Anson as Spencer's consultant, not only he is professional in what he does. Indeed, Anson is the ultimate consultant we ever needed. Throughout our meetings and conversations over many minor and significant issues, he is efficient and responsive to our requests and he is very organized which is so crucial especially there are confusions about the specific terms and requirements from different colleges.
He knows very well how to prioritize the best interests for Spencer. Not to mention that he strategically knows how to inspire Spencer on those essay writing which we all know how significant it is to make a good impression for the admission officers.
Based on his extensive knowledge from his experience for colleges in US and in UK, he serves as a guiding light to sort out the procedures step by step and he would manifest a checklist that is tailor made for the student as useful references.
Anson is an excellent communicator and he enjoys being a mentor for Spencer, he watched his growth while working with his strategic planning, essay writing and he is even eager to know Spencer's aspirations. They share their appreciation for music and Spencer loves playing jazz piano. He gains more confidence from Anson's encouragement and support. A nourished relationship fosters a strong bond between them. How fortunate that he is accepted by NYU and will flourish his musical career in the future.
With much of our gratitude, Anson is more than a college admission consultant to us, he will be in our lives, as we will always be in touch.
As Spencer will continue to grow and we must invite Anson in joining our celebration for the success of the tremendous milestone of his new college life!!
P.L., Parent of HKIS Student, Class of 2023, NYU
Would like to thank Ally for her help to my son during his college application process and we are happy that my son got admitted ED into his first choice school! What I am most impressed and moved is that Ally did not just treat my son as a customer and the application as a project. Instead, she has really devoted her time and energy to try to know more about him, and always pushed him to think deep into what he really likes. During the whole process, my son did not just get into his first-choice school but I should say that he understands himself more - his passion, his interests and what he wants to do for his life. This, to me, is what differentiates Ally to other consultants whom we have met!
W, A local school in H.K., Class of 2023, Cambridge and UPenn
My time working with Conrad has only been half a year, but his advice has been indispensable through my college application process. Before meeting Conrad, I’d been struggling with my common app essay despite working for three months straight. Conrad understood my needs and personality and showed me essay types that would fit my goals and writing style. Despite doing 20+ drafts before meeting Conrad, I finished the essay just 3 drafts later after meeting Conrad. It was just the spark I needed to get my gears turning to write my essays and supplementals. He could give precise feedback that would enhance my essay, and trained me in managing phrasing and word count.
Other than essay advice, Conrad’s expertise let me navigate the complex US admission landscape with confidence: with his insider experiences of the unis I applied to. In the end, it was also he who convinced me to commit to Carnegie Mellon over Cambridge with his objective comparisons. I definitely wouldn't have had the choice if not for Conrad’s help. Finally, Conrad helped me know more about myself and realize my quirks: this has been just as important to me as all the college advice he has given.
I'd prefer my testimonial to not have my name or high school name (initials are fine) as they could be quite identifying. I genuinely couldn't thank you enough for one the help and advice you've given me to achieve my goals.
I.A., A local school in H.K., Class of 2023, CMU and Cambridge U
My favorite thing about working with Ally is her genuine passion for her students, shown through how she goes above and beyond what the job description of “admission consultant” entails, stepping into innumerable roles: supporter, friend, mentor, cheerleader — the list goes on. Once, to help me think through a prompt, she zoomed me in after working hours during dinner time on her dining table. This was only one of many experiences that reflect Ally’s personal approach towards my college process. Every step of the journey, Ally was a text or call away, ready to address any questions I had within minutes. The sheer proximity and personalisation of Ally’s mentorship is inimitable. She catered her admission insights and our discussions around my interests and personality, which was formative not only to my personal growth, but how I shaped my application. I could always count on Ally to give her real and “unfiltered” opinion on my essays. Ally’s direct and critical comments were initially difficult to accept, but through time they sharpened my writing skills to craft concise and compelling essays. I am so grateful to have gone through this process with Ally’s guidance and support.
A, An international school in H.K., Class of 2023, Columbia University
Throughout the entire application process, Ally has always been a supportive advisor and a driving force that pushed me to work harder in school, write better essays and further develop my portfolio. From the very beginning, Ally always rooted for me to get into my dream college, even when I didn’t believe in myself. She provided me with the space to develop my interests, introduced me to colleges that fit me, and always kept me on track with my grades and essays. Ally, thank you for supporting me throughout the entire journey, despite many others doubting my chance of acceptance. Just as you said, “Let’s prove them wrong”. Words cannot describe how grateful I am to have you as my counsellor. I wouldn’t have gotten in without your guidance and support.
K, A local school in H.K., Class of 2023, Duke University
I am a mother of three kids. When my eldest child was applying for universities in the US, I started to look for college consultants and met Ally in 2011 in a seminar on admissions consulting. I was quite impressed with her knowledge of admissions and considered consulting her. Eventually my eldest kid chose not to use any consultants, but for my second child I consulted Ally three years before he applied for colleges. Under her guidance, my second child was able to build up a good activities resume, and Ally also did a great job in guiding him throughout the application process. Eventually he was accepted by one of his top choices. We were elated!
A few years later we asked Ally to advise my youngest. Ally took up the case and did all the advisory herself. She was as passionate about her work as the day I first met her, and she really cares about all her students! This is what sets her apart from others. Eventually, my youngest got accepted by a top ranking college!
Thank you Ally!
J.C., J.C., J.C., Parent of three 3 CIS students
Anson was immensely helpful in getting me ready with my UCAS application, especially the personal statement and interviews. We are able to get along really easily as he was extremely nice and friendly. I had much more confident in my personal statement after the refinement during tutorial sessions. I was really glad to be able to work with him, and would definitely recommend him to people who wants guidance for UK University applications!
M.K., PLKCKY, Class of 2023, Imperial College and UCL
Working with Sabrina was amazing and I want to thank her for her invaluable guidance and support during my college application process! Being the oldest kid in my family, I walked into the process of applying to college blindly. I didn't necessarily know where to start and felt overwhelmed by all the different steps that needed to be completed. Sabrina helped so much with direction and kept me on track throughout the whole process, as senior year was extremely busy for me. She also gave me a lot to think about all the way from selecting colleges, finding a good fit, perfecting essays, preparing for interviews, to finally accepting my admission. I am so grateful to have had Sabrina's support and guidance that kept me at ease during the most difficult time of high school. Again, thank you Sabrina! I couldn't have done it without you!
S.M., GSIS, Class of 2023, Claremont McKenna
Sabrina has been my counselor since mid 2022 until the end of 2022. She has given me full support in writing my college essays and other academic materials. Sabrina helped me a lot and guided me through the past 6 months. She responded promptly whenever I had any questions. She's always patient, caring, and encouraging during this very critical moment. I'm really thankful for Sabrina because I got into my early decision with Northeastern University with her help. I highly recommend Sabrina to anyone without reservations!
J.T., Fairmont Prep, Class of 2023, Northeastern
College application is indeed an exhausting process, yet with Ally and Sabrina, it can also be a journey of self-discovery. Ally and Sabrina have extensive knowledge about the universities in US and UK, including their vibes, their unique programs, and their admission preferences. I actually enjoyed the school researching process, in which I was constantly asked further questions on what I truly want from the college experience. This ensured I wouldn’t regret going to any school I apply to, and clarified my preferred life style, social circle, and learning environment. Sometimes the self discovery could be very intense. Being directly questioned “WHO ARE YOU” by Ally during the essay brainstorm sessions was an unforgettable experience, so was receiving paragraphs of excessively honest comments on the draft I just submitted an hour ago. (Thank you Sabrina for softening them down). I feel very luck to meet Ally and Sabrina and it was a fun time to work with them. I really hope they can sleep more and drink less RedBull/coffee
M.M., CIS, Class of 2023, Barnard College, Columbia University
My understanding of things surrounding university before coming to Antonia was very limited, I didn't know what I wanted to study, what schools are good, how to apply, how to present myself. Antonia made it really easy to help me understand all those things and more. Antonia was really understanding of my situation, being an IB graduate herself, she understood fully the kinds of stress and work we had on our plate, she was very understanding and patient with me when I couldn't get things done but also pushed me to put my best foot forward. She also shows empathy with our academic and personal life. She never stopped encouraging me, it was a really nice comfort knowing that there is someone like Antonia that understands the stressfulness of this curriculum, someone who shares her own stories of university life, someone who will give you advice with the intention of looking out for you, someone who is genuinely happy for you when you succeed. I would not be where I am without Antonia's guidance and support. Thank you so much Antonia!
N.W., CDNIS, Class of 2023
Super happy with how everything turned out and my offer 🥹 Definitely talk to Conrad if you're looking for help with applications! I trust him and would pick him again in a heartbeat for sure!
N.W., a Boarding School in the U.K., Class of 2023
Working with Sabrina was very enjoyable! She is very perceptive of her students; her advice was very specific and catered to my interests and my personality. She took into account all factors of applying to university: the personality / working environment of the school, the strengths and weaknesses relative to the student, and also whether it is a good fit for the student or not. It’s not just about gaining admission into any college possible. She is also very talented at writing concisely and precisely; through her refining my essays and giving me constructive feedback, I learnt how to improve my own writing. Working with her was also super easy as she is very efficient and responsive even under stressful circumstances. I felt supported the entire time. Not only did she help me through her counselling and guidance during the complications of the application process, she also opened my eyes to consider different courses and pathways for my future through conversations about our mutual interests, so I can confidently say I learnt a lot from her 🙂 Thank you Sabrina!!!
J. C., CIS, Class of 2022, New York University
Thank you so much to [Ally and Sabrina] for all the advice and guidance over the months we worked together. At the beginning of my gap year I had little confidence in myself and towards the college application, but I definitely got a push in the right direction after our meetings.
[...] since our first meeting, I was comforted by your understanding of my situation last year and had a lot of confidence in working with you. Mentally, it was very challenging for me at the beginning, but after some time and some offers, I am definitely more optimistic and feeling like myself more now.
I'm overjoyed and grateful to be admitted to USC and all my other schools, and it definitely wouldn't be possible without both of your mentorship. Honestly it hasn't really sunk in yet, but I'm definitely looking forward to college life. Throughout my months of working with Quantum, I could tell they have a team who genuinely cared for their student’s outcomes as an individual, and I would definitely recommend them to any student applying for competitive colleges.
W. L., Shrewsbury, Class of 2021, University of Southern California
Throughout my time working with her, Ally was always more than a counselor. She was a mentor, a guide, and above all, a friend. Her guidance helped me discover my interests - several of my extracurricular activities developed into my passion and meant so much more to me than just a stepping-stone to college. Ally was also extremely patient and always wanted to listen to what I had to say. Not once did she get annoyed at the hundreds of drafts I sent her day and night, and she was always there to ask thought-provoking questions that allowed me to truly show my inner self in my essays. I could not be more grateful to her for the enlightenment she has inspired in me and her support in allowing me to fulfill my ambition of attending my dream school.
R. M., SIS, Class of 2022, Georgia Institute of Technology
When I was first told I was going to be working with Ally – an Army veteran who attended arguably 2 of the best universities in the world – I was honestly scared and a little intimidated. But boy was I wrong. While my twisted instincts to complete tasks last minute made my life harder than it should’ve been, Ally stuck with me and worked around it. After writing countless essays, receiving harsh yet constructive feedback, not only have I realized the forte of Ally’s patience, it was Ally’s humor and compassion that shone brightly at the end of my tunnel. She didn’t tell me how to improve, she showed me what I was capable of. As the college process is tough, giving up on myself was easy, but giving up while working with Ally is most certainly not.
O.H., CIS, Class of 2022, University of Southern California
There is no doubt the college admissions process is a journey and looking back, one I could not be more grateful than to have spent with Conrad and Sabrina. I still remember when waking up to their emails felt like a ritual, and I would spend my day working through their tireless, thorough, and just slightly brutal comments. While working on the essays, it was clear they understood me for me — and they always ensured I brought those aspects of my personality across in my writing, whether it be in 650 words or just 200 characters. Their breadth of knowledge is also unparalleled — like many, I entered the admissions process not knowing where to apply or even how to begin. They helped me discover new schools and explore the unique programs and campus culture in each location, which also allowed me to improve the quality of my essays. Lastly, senior year was incredibly stressful for me, and I cannot imagine not having their supportive presence or their humorous yet practical comments every Tuesday afternoon. You’re in good hands — and good company with Conrad and Sabrina.
G. Z., Island School, Class of 2022, Pomona College
I started working with Ally and Sabrina late August during my application year, and I cannot thank them enough for their assistance. From building up my profile, to selecting universities, and the countless drafts of university supplements, they really go in-depth to understand your interests and personality, and listen to your opinions, always placing the final decision in your hands. Their extensive knowledge of different universities and programs helped me to find universities and programs that fit my personality as well as help me present myself to admission officers in the best way possible, making the entire application process a lot simpler and smoother. To me, they were much more than "University Consultants". Ally's work ethic, passion, and attitude (sometimes forthcoming when needed, but other times making lots of jokes) is highly inspirational, she keeps pushing me to work hard and to dream big, to constantly improve myself. I aspire to be like her one day. Sabrina's enthusiasm, engagement, and energy always puts a smile on my face, and is always there to motivate and help when I'm struggling with brainstorming ideas, or trying to communicate a specific point in my essays. Thank you Ally and Sabrina for all your hardwork, effort, and patience throughout the application season, putting up with all the last-minute edits to the drafts. Without your assistance, I would never have been able to gain these amazing acceptances and become the person that I am today. Thank you 🙂
T.C.L., KGV, Class of 2022, Carnegie Mellon University
Anson constantly challenges me to think and pushes me to my limits as well as providing advice in all aspects of the application and the subject. In addition to that he is also very supportive, making him an excellent AC!
J.C., Brighton College, Class of 2022, Imperial College
Anson was the main reason I was able to get into University of Cambridge. He is incredibly enthusiastic about what he teaches, and is determined to pass on the joy of learning. He also encourages critical thinking, guiding me towards finding my own solutions instead of providing me with model answers. With this, he successfully transferred skills for active learning instead of mere knowledge, helping me improve academically in the long run. As an Oxford alumni, Anson also understands what qualities top admissions officers look for, and tries to develop those characteristics in his students. Furthermore, I noticed how Anson is sensitive to every students’ strengths and personality, and designs content accordingly. He is also good at developing healthy bondings with his students, easily becoming their role model, encouraging healthy attitudes and character development. I am confident that it would be a joy for any student to be taught by him.
C.L., Cardiff Sixth Form, University of Cambridge
After getting into a top undergrad program (CMU) with Ally's help, I sough her again in 5 years later for grad school applications. Ally worked off of my goals, helped find programs fit for me, and made my essays specific and grounded. Most of all, Ally never wasted my time. She is concise, to the point, and accurate about what different schools are looking for. There is no doubt that she is the person to go to for college admissions.
S.L., CMU (Grad School Applicant), Harvard University
Choosing Ally as a college counselor was one of the best decisions I have made in high school. As a high school student, I was certainly very confused about which summer school or classes to choose to explore my interests, but Ally was able to help me understand how I can pursue my interests in the last 4 years. She was able to find the college that was best fit for me, and help me achieve my goals of getting in the college. Furthermore, Ally pushed and challenged me both academically and my character to reach my potential and be the best version of myself I could be. She made me work harder and help me grow into the person I am now. Simply put, Ally was a god send and I am very thankful for her help in the last 4 years.
G.L., HKIS, Class of 2022, Babson College
Working with Ally was an experience that words cannot describe. It often went like this: I’d wince, taking a deep breath before reading Ally’s painfully helpful comments on my college essays; I’d swallow, mentally preparing myself for Ally’s ruthless accusations of me being “out of it”; I’d breathe a sigh of relief, at the same time dreading the moment Ally pushes me forwards. But precisely because of her razor-sharp wit, I was able to reach even greater heights than I’d dreamed of. Precisely because of her relentlessness, I was (almost) always on top of things. Precisely because of her high standards, I could truly rejoice whenever she approved my writing. We took so many calculated risks together that the application process was almost enjoyable. Now, as I reminisce about the Greek boy essay or that questionable translation piece, I can look upon my year with Ally with heartfelt fondness. It was painful, it was fun, it’s still surreal! I strongly suggest you all dive headfirst into this exhilarating journey with Ally!
C.D., ISF, Class of 2022, Princeton University
We are thankful to Antonia for her continuous care, support, and patience with our son. We witnessed his exponential development under her careful guidance.
Antonia’s personal and hands on approach helped our son gain confidence and become passionate about his subject of interest. Her continuous support and guidance throughout the application process motivated him to attain the highest of standards in his oxbridge preparations. Her professionalism in answering our queries on university choices, subjects selection and entry rules immediately put our worries at ease. We would highly recommend Antonia to prospective students wishing to apply to top universities.
Parent of I.G., Tonbridge School, UK, Class of 2022, University of Cambridge
Ally and Conrad are veterans in the field. I was a client back in 2013 to make my first steps in entering US colleges. Quantum produces their own research, and with their knowledge, and experience in the admission office, they present your case in best possible shape. I do admit they do have many clients, but they never fail to deliver, and they’re attentive with great care. High number of clients also reflect good data points. Many careers define people with their education, and it’s incredible tough to navigate this process on your own, or only with your academic guidance counselor. They gave me sound advice and were always very realistic with me. Never overpromised, and their target that set for you will align with the results. Furthermore, there were workshops at the time to help your application in a group setting. Group environments are also a good gauge for your efforts for success, this may push you further if you try. I highly recommend to people who can afford this service, that these individuals would benefit from maximal admission results. Through this journey, Ally and Conrad may inspire you through their professionalism as well, I wish you the best of luck!
H.T., Graduate, University of Chicago
Conrad and Sabrina gave me“permission to unleash all my chaos” in this testimonial, reflecting the level of personalized care, kindness and support they have given me throughout this college process.
I first joined them in the summer right before my senior year and despite the late start - they took me in with open arms willing to help me with essays on a sunday right before the deadline, embracing my chaos of weirdly formatted drafts, and answering my annoying question and stickers on whatsapp within matter of minutes.
Their willingness to get to know each student - not just as a client - but far far beyond it, giving advice from a wise mentor, providing banter from a good friend, and comfort of a home has been one of the highlights of my senior year. I could not have done this process without them 🙂
H.K., HKIS, Class of 2022, Yale University
Prior to meeting Conrad, I was consistently told to pursue other majors since my dream major was too niche or "Unheard of". Worse, I started meeting up with him less than weeks before deadlines were due. I felt defeated amidst the ever-changing beast that is college admissions.
Yet despite all these challenges, Conrad has single-handedly (and quite literally) changed my life by making my dream of pursuing my beloved passion in my Top-choice, and VERY reach, university into a reality. He helped me tailor a list of universities I would thrive in, helped me find the confidence I never knew I had while preparing for interviews, and guided me to bring out the "real" me into my essays. All within a month!
No matter how many impromptu late night Whatsapp messages of me asking for feedback on essays, to every thinkable (and sometimes really dumb) questions I had on Universities, Conrad was always there with a plethora of information that eased every step of the college application process. Quantum, with open arms to all students, genuinely wants to see all their clients pursue and thrive in what they ACTUALLY dream of doing (which is unlike MANY other admission councillors in Hong Kong, full shade). Quantum can and will bring out the best of you, being the foundation to getting in to universities you could only dream of. Conclusion? Thank you thank you thank you thank youuuu so much!!!
T.P., HKIS, Class of 2022, University of Southern California
Counselling with Antonia and Ally not only helped me shape my college applications to its fullest potential, but also made me realise the extent of my potential as well. They both made a tremendous effort in understanding my personality and in helping me demonstrate myself effectively in my essays and extra-curriculars! It is also thanks to their enthusiasm that I have become more self-aware and confident throughout the entire process, and I couldn't be more grateful for their expertise. They're both just excellent and I highly recommend them!! 🙂
F.Y., KGV, Class of 2021, University of Chicago
My first session with Antonia came at a time when I had just confirmed my university subject choice. Looking back, I could proudly say that she enabled me to realise and reach my full potential. She was a person that I could always warm up to – always happy to answer my questions and providing me with advice. She led me through the seemingly impenetrable Oxbridge admissions process one step at a time, making sure that I fully comprehend the necessary skills and knowledge required at each stage. Thanks to Antonia, I was able to discover my interests within the subject, which were then fused into my personal statement. Rigorous interview trainings with her also helped me develop my own opinions on issues verbally. I am immensely grateful for the unparalleled support Antonia provided to me – beyond enhancing my application as my counsellor, she gave me the encouragements that I needed and boosted my confidence as my mentor.
C.H., A local school in Hong Kong, Class of 2021, University of Oxford
I truly appreciate all your (Ally) great support to my kids for their U application. They are lucky to meet you on the way to top U. They couldn’t have been done it without you. Your professional advices, experiences, patience are the most powerful motivation to success. You are the greatest! Please accept my deepest thanks!
Parent of T.L., A local school in Hong Kong, Class of 2021, University of Chicago
I cannot begin to describe how grateful I am for all your help there past 3 years. From the hundreds upon hundreds of drafts that it took to complete the UChicago uncommon essay, to the fact that you got out of bed to edit my application once in tenth grade, thank you for putting your 100% into everything you do. Your work ethic and genuine love of learning is so inspirational, and I aspire to be like that one day. 😊
Your hard work could have changed, nevermind, it HAS changed my life. I never would’ve gotten into my dream school without you, so thank you so much for that, I will be endlessly grateful.
Good luck with the rest of your students this winter, I’ll make sure to help them as much as I can by supporting them. I hope you take some time off after the college craziness is over, especially how incredibly hectic this year was.
H.K., HKIS, Class of 2021, University of Chicago
I started working with Conrad the summer before my senior year. Before coming to Quantum Prep, I remember visiting multiple Admission Consultants and feeling judged for my passions and extracurriculars. What made Conrad different was that he embraced my experiences and interests and taught me how to present them on paper. Within the short amount of time we worked together, he helped me find confidence in my achievements and develop a clear direction in my application. He constantly helped me refine my ideas in my essays and was always prompt to give me feedback. Thank you, Conrad, for your patience and for putting up with all my last-minute revisions and late-night texts! I couldn’t have done it without you.
J.L., CIS, Class of 2021, University of Southern California
I started university counselling with Antonia in late in september, a bit panicked and stressed about the university application process. I was quickly reassured after our first meeting and had already started working on my personal statement. I don’t know what I would have done without Antonia’s guidance, her knowledge and experience gave me assurance and relief. With Antonia’s help, I was able to secure a spot in studying something I truly enjoyed in a university that was most suitable for me.
A.S., Badminton School, Class of 2021, UCL
Working closely with Ally and Conrad during this process was a privilege. I benefited greatly from their support and guidance, as they helped me select my universities, brainstorm essay ideas, revise drafts, plan extracurricular activities, and prepare for interviews. Through the insightful conversations in our meetings and detailed feedback on my essays, Ally and Conrad helped me communicate who I am to the admissions officers. They consistently pushed me to stay motivated, positive, and produce the best work. Without their help, my admittances to these top universities, in both the UK and the US, would not have been possible. Thank you for believing in me!
Z.A., Discovery College, Class of 2021, Duke University
I started working with Ally in my sophomore year of high school. At first, I was very uncertain about the college admissions process and of potential fields I wanted to go into. She provided guidance in my journey to discover programs to explore my interests and also introduced me to colleges that would fit me. Working with Ally made my college application process so much easier and smoother. I felt much more in control and confident about my application. The majority of our work together involved writing college application essays. Ally gave me many tips and incredibly detailed edits that I simply wouldn’t have gotten from books or online articles. Not only did my essays improve, I also felt like I grew as a writer. I would recommend her service for anyone looking to save themselves much unnecessary stress and for genuine advice for the college application process.
R.N., CIS, Class of 2021, Vanderbilt University
I’m an avid storyteller. My graduate applications reminded me the importance of writing on the page—careful communication. This demands an attuned, vigilant third eye. For me, this was Ally.
“Show, don’t tell” in effective storytelling entails a narrative route sign-posted with “why” and “how” instead of “what happened”. No matter how well you write, you can’t drive alone. Ally’s feedback turned my stories into compelling narratives. Without her, I would have driven blindfolded.
Graduate schools ask:
1) Why You (key experiences)
2) Why This Program (What you hope to gain, how it furthers your career)
Graduate admissions look for personal stories woven with professional outlooks. Ally helped me frame my experiences as fueling my need for a graduate degree to achieve my career goals, encouraging me to research classes, professors, and opportunities. Her intuitive questions structured and enriched my applications.
This fall, I am enrolling in my dream Master’s: Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Consulting Ally, I realised this program perfectly tied my passion with practicality. She’s taught me to “Dream specific and dream big”, showing me the importance of having the right supporters along the way.
E.F., Wellesley College, Class of 2021, Harvard Graduate School of Education
I worked closely with Ally during my university application process. During this time, she worked attentively and thoroughly with me. In particular, Ally spent a great deal of time trying to understand my interests and passions and guided me towards numerous schools that I had previously never even considered, for programs that I had previously never even heard of. She and the team also provided insightful advice when I was developing my application and helped me tune my write up for all the schools that I applied to. It was with her help that I managed to not only get into an Ivy League school but also properly understand what I wanted to get out of my college experience well in advance of my peers. If I were to go through the entire application process again I’d definitely choose to work with Ally!
J.C., CIS, Class of 2013, Cornell University
What makes Ally different is that she really tried to understand me and listen to what I wanted. She was not just a consultant; she was a mentor who steered me to believe in who I am and to find a path which matched my interests. Looking back, it was truly ironic that I avoided having my college on my application list until I was convinced at the last moment that it was for me. Ally allowed me to come to this conclusion on my own, because she knew that only if I am true to myself, would I have a chance of being matched with the right schools. I am now enjoying a career as a mechanical engineer in the Bay Area and I think Ally played a big part in taking me there. I owe a big thank you to her!
H.C., A boarding School on the East Coast, US, Class of 2015, MIT
The college admissions process has certainly been one of the defining challenges of my life; however, I can only imagine how much more difficult it would have been without Antonia. She was always ready to help with the numerous hurdles I faced, including (but certainly not limited to) questions about the process and brainstorming ideas. I was struck by the candor and openness with which she approached our discussions; she incorporated intriguing personal anecdotes to transform what would be a boring old meeting about college into an animated conversation that propelled me through the application process. Moreover, she encouraged me to deeply explore aspects of my own identity throughout the process, which is something that extends far beyond college. Having someone to rely upon in such a rigorous and important procedure was infinitely important—thankfully, Antonia has played that role excellently for me!
C.C., A boarding School in Massachusetts, US, Class of 2020 , University of Chicago
Antonia has been a great help to our son in his search for college. She's knowledgeable, attentive and always responds promptly to our questions. We are happy that our son has an early offer from U of Chicago.
Parent of C.C., A boarding School in Massachusetts, US, Class of 2020, University of Chicago
Ally really invested time into getting to know my children well. She tried to understand what motivated them, and to identify strengths and weaknesses. She also encouraged them to pursue their passions outside of academics, which helped to develop their confidence and made them more interesting as individuals in a sea of applicants.
Ally’s in-depth knowledge of different universities and their programs helped my kids to zero in on institutions that would be a good match for them. Her past experience with many counsellees gave her a sharp sense of each school’s selectivity, which enabled my children to have a realistic picture of their chances of admission to different institutions. In the end, my kids were more than thrilled that they had the opportunity to enroll at one of their top three choices, and were accepted to many others. It was a perfect fit for all three of them!
Parent of C.L., N.L. and E.L., An international school in Hong Kong, class of 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively, UCLA Engineering, Princeton, USC Cinematic Arts Respectively
Throughout the years building up to university applications, Ally has become more than my consultant - she's become a family friend. She pushed me to dream bigger and aim higher. She helped me realise my passion for both art and engineering, and I wouldn't be where I am today if she didn't both nurture and yell at me for not giving it my all. Also had the pleasure of working with Antonia and Conrad when writing personal essays. It was fun bouncing off ideas with the trio, and they would always give me honest and constructive feedback. In all, I love all three of them!
F.Y., An international school in Hong Kong, Class of 2018, University of Pennsylvania
Thank you so much for helping me with my college stuff in the past 4 years. There is no way I can get into Cornell without your help. Before meeting you, I have no ambition on anything. My only goal was to graduate high school and get into a random college that would accept me. However, you helped me to discover my potential and passion in engineering and I realized that I could do so much better than simply graduating high school. To be honest, without you, I would never push my own limits and would be satisfied with an SAT of 1420 (hahaha). I am very grateful for everything you have done for me such as planning my summer, preparing for summer camp stuff, as well as editing my college applications. I am soooooo HAPPY.
J.C., An international school in Hong Kong, Class of 2020, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Cornell University
帶着我的offer來給我的中介打廣告了!他太好了,是我申請季的👼!人好nice,特別靠譜,文書一流!吹爆!UCAS和CommonApp 的文書都得到了[school counsellor]的誇獎!英美申請都可!
I am grateful to have had Conrad’s guidance during my college admission process. He provided me with useful information, constructive feedback and kept me in check in terms of deadlines. I appreciate his encouragement during this stressful application season, he inspired me with many examples and supported me thoroughly in writing my essays. He is very professional and knowledge, especially when it comes to picking the right college and the right degree.
I am grateful to have had Conrad’s guidance during my college admission process. He provided me with useful information, constructive feedback and kept me in check in terms of deadlines. I appreciate his encouragement during this stressful application season, he inspired me with many examples and supported me thoroughly in writing my essays. He is very professional and knowledge, especially when it comes to picking the right college and the right degree.
A.W., Shenzhen College of International Education, Class of 2020, Emory University
It is my honor and privilege that I was a student of Ally and Conrad. They have taught me more than university applications. To me they are my “life consultants”. They have provided me not only consultation to construct my essays but also new insights and wisdom to how I should view the world and those around me. As a result of their mentorship, I received Ivy League and other top university offers.
I am currently a year 2 student in Chinese University of Hong Kong studying International Business and Chinese Enterprise (IBCE). The reason why I decided to choose CUHK is because both my parents graduated from this university. My dad, whom I idolize, believes CUHK is a place where I can mature and propel as not only a student but also as a person.
G.H. ISF, Class of 2018, CUHK (Also received an offer from Cornell)
I don’t think I’ve written anything of substantial length to you that is not returned loaded with amendments, strikethroughs, and red text that occasionally is in capital letters and decorated with exclamation marks. So writing this becomes more unnerving than it ought to be.
There were countless times I metaphorically banged my head against the screen at your brutally honest and hence terribly useful comments, which reminded me of how much I’ve learned from you in terms of writing, communicating, looking at the world, and understanding myself.
I remember feeling frightened by your no-nonsense attitude and the verbal/intellectual challenges you casually throw at me, but my uneasiness soon turned into respect and a desire to live up to your pace and standards. I’m proud of myself for surviving your comments and making something out of it. And I thank you for bearing with me and pushing me to do things I never thought I could. What I took away from the last 2+ years I spent with you was a university offer, a lifelong aspiration, and an attitude towards working and learning.
As I think of you now, I can see you working, simultaneously, on your laptop and phone, probably at either 2pm or 2am. You’re probably swearing at some student’s writing either because it’s too shxx or it’s brilliant. As I leave for the US, I will remember this scene as one of the main driving forces that brought me to my dream school.
L.H., An international school in Hong Kong, Class of 2019, Engineering, Duke University
Thank you for helping me so so much in the admissions process and without you I would never have made it into my US schools. I also learned a lot more about myself after meeting you and you helped me in seeing what I really want with my life. I also really enjoyed spending time with you as friends after the admissions and you gave me someone I could really trust for an honest opinion when needed. Talking with you is always really insightful and rewarding. Thank you for believing in me all the way even when I didn’t believe in myself!
J.L., ICS, Class of 2017, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University
I was one of the many people who had no idea what they were doing at the beginning of the college process. I was also one of the many people who believed I could navigate the process on my own. Upon my first consultation with Antonia, I realized that experience and industry insight can tell you what university websites can’t. She helped me build a college profile that was unapologetically me and fit well with the colleges I was applying to. Antonia’s perceptiveness and attention to detail not only enabled her to help find fitting colleges for me - and more importantly with me, but it also helped bring out the essence of my character in writing my personal statement and supplements. Under her guidance, I managed to get into my first choice college that I firstly would not have applied to had I not consulted with Antonia, and secondly would never have dreamed of getting into. The college process was by no means an easy one, but having an admissions counsellor definitely streamlined the journey and I cannot imagine having gone through it successfully without Antonia’s direction.
S.M., CIS, Class of 2018, Barnard College
I've been a student of Ally's for almost three years now. Throughout the whole process, Ally has helped me mature and align my interests with my goals. Ally and her team helped me find my dream school - a STEM-focused liberal arts college, and helped me achieve my goals. I could not have done it without them.
J.L., Oundle School, UK, Class of 2019, Harvey Mudd
I am grateful to have had Antonia’s guidance through this labyrinthine process -- I felt well-supported and sure-footed throughout the entire process. I appreciate her acute and thorough feedback while brainstorming my personal statement and when preparing for interviews, most of all her efforts in encouraging and bringing out my own voice.
A.L., St. Paul’s College, Class of 2020, Oxford, Lady Margaret Hall
We want to express our gratitude to Antonia for her professional, experienced and caring service in guiding my son to pursue his dream and got offers from those leading law universities in UK. He would not be able to achieve this without her help.
Parent of A.L., St. Paul’s College, Class of 2020, Oxford, Lady Margaret Hall
Antonia could not have made me feel better prepared and confident in my college application process. Using both an extensive knowledge of the industry and an instinct for what I wanted in a essay, she structured a one of a kind admission journey for me. Everything I produced and prepped was met with sharp and constructive feedback - a no frills approach I highely valued in my college process. Not only did I come out of meetings with Antonia with application specifc knowledge that my school counsellors had not shared, she also provided insight into current events, politics, and finding a job post graduation. Thanks to Antonia, I’m in my dream school - but I also have an understanding of various paths my future career could take. This holistic, above and beyond approach included feedback and email responses all hours of the day - something I really valued in the last minute essay crunch and preinterview nerves. Overall, I had a wonderful experience working with Antonia and I cannot recommend her enough.
E.M., An international school in Hong Kong, Class of 2020, Oxford University, Wadham College
Working with Ally and Antonia was a wonderful experience. Having worked with them for three years, I benefitted tremendously from their expert guidance, whether that be with high school course selection, planning my extracurricular activities, scheduling my standardized testing, and creating my college application portfolio. The numerous one-on-one sessions I had with Ally where we discussed my interests and personal stories really helped me find an essay topic for my US applications that would allow admissions officers to gain a clearer understanding of who I am. Likewise, Antonia helped me navigate the UK application process and ran me through several mock Oxbridge interviews so that I was well-prepared for the actual thing. Most importantly, throughout the entire essay process, Ally, Antonia and Conrad all provided me with very insightful comments and scrutinized every little detail to make sure that I was set up for success by the time I finally decided to press ‘submit’. I would recommend their services to anyone.
D.Y., HKIS, Class of 2019, Oxford University, Oriel College (Also attained offer from Williams College)
My college admissions journey was typical - tough, painful, fraught with deadlines and immense academic stress - which makes me ever so grateful that I had Antonia as my college counsellor throughout this process. From narrowing down possible reach, target and safety schools to churning out essays and reworking drafts, Antonia always offered me both sound, practical advice and a shoulder to cry on if needed. Together, we worked through endless revisions of my Common Application essays, and there were many errors I wouldn’t have spotted without the guidance of her careful eye. Even when I made last-minute changes to my game plans (like attempting to write my UCAS essay within two days, which was unwise), she helped me complete my tasks smoothly and efficiently. Most notably, when we went through the grueling mechanics of Cambridge interview training and I was on the verge of giving up, she insisted I push through and encouraged me endlessly. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am at today if it wasn’t for her - both in terms of the college offers I have, and in terms of my emotional and mental maturation.
B.C., A local school in Hong Kong, Class of 2020, Cambridge University, Magdalene College
From the moment I met Ally my heart just settled. She intently listened to my litany of woes and scheduled an appointment to meet with my daughter. My daughter was definitely not going to study math or science and a liberal arts degree was most likely not going to retain her interest. This teenager, however, had many non-academic gifts wrapped up in an outsize personality that needed to be channeled. Ally saw that. I didn’t. Instead of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, Ally set out to find the right fit for my square peg daughter. She ran a series of tests to better understand my daughter’s strengths, determine where she could potentially thrive, and made suggestions that neither my daughter nor I would’ve ever considered. Although Ally’s work is college counseling, it is so much more than that. The impact of her work resonates far beyond the college application process. A better description would be life counseling. This testimonial simply does not do justice to the depth of our gratitude to Ally and all she’s contributed to our family.
Parent of I.P., SIS. Class of 2012, Les Roches, Switzerland
My gap years and mild ADHD made it hard not only for me to find colleges but also for college counselors to help me. Conrad doesn't only provide assistance here both in college search and in writing skills, I'm particularly grateful of his incredible insight to higher educations across the U.S. which allowed me a seamless transition into Boston and return to academia. Thanks to his consistency and strong communication skills I find him a reliable solution for my college application process.
F.C.,CIS (Gap Year), Class of 2018; Emerson College
I was lucky enough to work with Conrad for three years. He supported me in all aspects of my college application process, from helping me brainstorm essay ideas to revising drafts as deadlines drew near. Through our meetings and his detailed feedback of my essays, Conrad pushed me to think deeply about who I was as a person and helped me refine my ability to communicate myself authentically. With his guidance, I was able to express aspects of my character to admissions officers that would otherwise be left unsaid. Moreover, he has extensive knowledge of individual school cultures, which he used to help me target my essays uniquely for each of my choices. I can say with confidence that my admittances to the University of Chicago and the University of Cambridge would not have been possible without him. Conrad worked very hard to help me achieve my dreams (including numerous last-minute edits and late-night calls), and I highly recommend him for anyone looking to put their best foot forward for their top choice universities.
C.T., Some International School in Hong Kong, Class of 2015, University of Chicago (also attained offer from University of Cambridge)
Despite the stress and confusions during my college application process Conrad had been a well-positioned light house guiding me through and made sure that I navigated on the right path. He gave me a lot of support and advice in constructing additional materials that could help my application stand out. His patience and guidance helped some one like me, who has a wide range of interests, to better identify what I wanted to study in college. Conrad is also really detailed in recommending which colleges would be a good fit for my personality and interests. When I was trying to nail down my final choices, Conrad was also very helpful in analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the colleges, as well as referring alumni contacts that I could talk to and to gain a better understanding of the schools. With his help, I was able to secure different scholarship offers from a number of colleges. He also encouraged me throughout the two years of my IB diploma studies whenever I felt stressed and anxious; he is really attentive and a great mentor you can rely on! 🙂
W.L., An international school in HK, Class of 2020, Wesleyan University (Freeman Scholar)