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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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

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!

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!

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 🙂

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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 🙂

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!!!

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!! 🙂

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! 🙂

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