We have bee with CPE since 2011 when my daughter was in High school. Our experience has been great!…read moreBrian Safdari and his staff has been so wondeful guiding us parents and my daughter step by step along the way. For my daughter, having a counselor that helped her on the choices and decisions, made a great difference for her. They really take the stress away from our shoulders. Brian Safdari definetly is an amazing human been that truly cares for others. He's very honest and sincere and has been teaching and helping us how to save money for College. I'm truly grateful for all they have done for us!

I hired College Planning Experts for my daughter, and they delivered on what they advertise. Very…read moreprofessional, easy to work with, and my daughter got into her dream college with a huge scholarship, financial aid package, and degree. We now have another daughter who wants to go to college, and we will be hiring College Planning Experts to help her. Best money we've ever spent for our kids! I highly recommend them to anyone looking for help with college Planning and strategy.

Like any other high school junior going into his/her senior year, I was insecure about my SAT…read morescores and if my current score would get me into a good college or not. Before going into Elite's summer SAT boot camp of 2015, I took the test once and got a score of 1760 without any formal preparation for the exam. Upon signing up for Elite, I had to take a diagnostic test, which scored me somewhere in the high 1500s... I was told that Elite tests are generally more difficult than the actual tests, which was one of the reasons why I greatly admire this program. I knew that by signing up for this program, it would challenge and push me to learn more about and do better on the test. For my particular program, everyone was broken up into several classrooms, each with approximately 20 students. We had 4 teachers: one for math, one for writing/grammar, one for critical reading, and one for vocabulary. On the first day, we were given a backpack, 2000 flashcards with vocabulary, and workbooks to use in class and as homework assignments. The program was 8-weeks long with each day filled with a certain schedule. Every Monday, we would take a practice SAT exam (including writing) and the following day, we would get back the results and assess our errors. Test corrections were due at the end of the week. Every day, we were also assigned to learn 50 vocabulary words and be tested on 40 of those 50. Certain days of the week, there was also writing assessments, math assessments, and reading assessments. We had to score an 80% or better on all of the tests; otherwise, we would have to stay after class approximately a half an hour to an hour to relearn and retest on the material. Doing this for 8 weeks was quite intense... but I definitely got into the groove of it eventually. My scores on their tests did increase, and I was able to learn the structure of the test and understand what I needed to work on to improve my score. Ultimately, my scores in math and writing did go up, but my scores in reading remain around the same since the beginning since reading is something that requires yourself to focus and really work at to assess and understand the context of passages and articles. I had Ms. Jennifer Lambertis, Mr. Jihwan Kim, Mr. Bill Wang, and Mr. Turner as my instructors for these subjects. All did great and brought me to a greater understanding of all test elements except for Mr. Turner, who I believe fell short a bit, mainly because reading is such a broad and subjective area to teach and also to improve upon; also, he taught and brushed through many topics fairly quick and his reasoning for each answer was explained but it was difficult for me personally to grasp and fully understand how he concluded to the answers. Everyone else was fun and engaging, and I was able to take back a lot from what they taught me. Some were more stern than the others, but they all ultimately got me to push myself to improve on the other areas. In the end, I took the test another time (2 months after the program ended), and I scored a 1830 with areas in math and writing improved, but reading remained the same. This is accounted to many factors that I would blame myself for (not properly preparing, worrying too much on extracurricular activities, etc.) , but I must say that SAT scores are not everything that colleges look for. I did ended up getting into all of the schools that I applied to and I believe that it is due to holistic review of each college applicant. I know that Elite can also provide further assistance with these areas as well, but I did not take up on that offer and all of the applications by myself. I do have friends that have had remarkable SAT score increases due to this program; therefore, in judging the program in their goal of getting their members a better score on the SAT and a quality education of the material on the SAT, I would like to give them a high rating for all that they do because it is absolutely outstanding. Special shout out to Ms. Karen Kim, who works at the front desk and manages most of the workings of the building. :)

Customer Service Complaint - Northridge Location…read more I called the Northridge location to ask about their programs, consultation process, and fees. Unfortunately, the customer service I received was very poor and made the process unnecessarily difficult. Mr. Kim, the administrator, was very rude and would not provide any information over the phone until I registered online. After I completed the registration, he called me back but still did not provide the information I was requesting. Instead, he only asked whether I had received the email. I specifically asked whether the consultation was free, but he would not answer the question and repeatedly redirected me to the emails. I also asked whether he could answer a few basic questions before scheduling an appointment, but again, he refused to provide any information and continued directing me back to email. He would not even explain what types of programs they offer. When I asked to speak with a supervisor or someone in management, I was told, "Let's not go there." I found this response extremely unprofessional and dismissive. Customers should not have to register, schedule an appointment, and go through multiple steps simply to obtain basic information about services, programs, and consultation fees. The staff should be educated and prepared to answer basic questions and provide appropriate customer service. I then called the Wilshire location, and the experience was completely different. The staff there provided all the information I needed over the phone, including payment information and details about the programs. They were helpful, professional, and respectful of my time. The Wilshire location saved me a significant amount of time simply by answering basic questions over the phone. I strongly recommend that the Northridge location review its customer service practices and provide additional training to its administrative staff. The contrast between the two locations was significant and very disappointing.

I highly recommend this facility. The have been in business since 1976 & strive to meet the needs…read moreof the community. My wife & I were having serious problems & di SC n't see anyway out but to divorce. My wife phoned Friends of the family & was able to secure an appointment. We would have been divorced years ago if not the counselor guided through the process of communicating & expressing our needs & wants. That counselor, God bless our soul, equipped us with the tools needed for communicating & here we are 20 years later still happily married & utilizing the tools that we're given. Thank you Friends of the Family for saving our marriage & equipping us with the tight tools to navigate through this life! Betsy

receptionist is sooooo rude! I called thursday at 12:30 pm. I've heard great things about the…read morecounselors here, but you have to get through the receptionist first to make an appointment, so bear with her, she's the type of person that looks for an opportunity to be rude.

My son worked with Chris Savage and he was a great guide and cheerleader through the college…read moreadmissions journey. As a parent, if you really want to get in the weeds and be in the process with your kid, this might not be the service for you. But if you want to let your child own this part of their life and let them do it themselves but have a guide, Magellan was great. My son goes to a competitive LAUSD magnet and as good as they are, the counselors can't offer the same level of attention or resources as private schools. I saved all the money on private school tuition, so spending a little money for Magellan was well worth it. My wife and I didn't have the stress of nagging our son for a year and at the end of the day, he has a level of confidence and pride for this life milestone because he did it himself. He'll be attending UC Davis in the fall.

My daughter worked with Kathy Kelleher, who guided her from junior year when she needed help…read moreplanning her curriculum through the admission process of 2024 (widely recognized as the most difficult year to apply in the history of college admissions). From making college lists to making sure our daughter's essays were the best the could be, Kathy guided her, challenged her, and supported her throughout this journey. . and ultimately celebrated with her when she got into many great colleges and universities, many with substantial merit scholarships. I also appreciated Evelyn providing resources to parents, including live presentations and helpful articles and links. I highly recommend Kathy Kelleher at Magellan College Counseling!

As a parent, I want to leave a review that will honestly tell you who Meri is and what you can…read moreexpect from working with her. My child was accepted to USC's Viterbi School of Engineering with computer science in games, Boston University with Computer Science, New York University (NYU), and more! My child isn't an easy child and I know this, but Meri was about to understand, relate, and create a connection with her, which is the first important factor I noticed. She gave personalized attention based on her needs. I really liked how punctual Meri is. When she starts something, she takes it to the finish line with the student and didn't leave the work incomplete, even when I could tell it was hard for her. College applications are all about deadlines, and I was amazed at how Meri took my child through the process steadily and smoothly, without missing deadlines. I had no idea how tedious and nuanced college applications were. I couldn't have helped her on my own, and there was no way she could do this alone. From the beginning, I was looking for someone who would give Diana attention rather than taking a lot of clients and not providing value. So when Meri explained that she took a limited number of clients, and when I saw the quality of work that is produced from the process, I understand that she prioritized quality over quantity. She simply exceeded my expectations. Not only how well they stacked up the summer plans, created a profile, and finished college applications, but truly at how deeply Meri understands the system and the process. Her knowledge is just incredible. I am so grateful and I highly recommend her to everyone. Worth every penny.

Meri was truly God sent and an incredible blessing to our family during the college application…read moreprocess. She began working with our son at the start of junior year, helping him choose the right classes, pursue meaningful opportunities, and stay on track throughout high school. During senior year, Meri and her team guided him through essays, deadlines, and every step of the admissions process. With their support, he was accepted to several UC campuses and private universities, including his dream school USC!!! Meri provided not only expert guidance, but also genuine encouragement and support to our entire family. We are deeply grateful for her help and highly recommend Meri and College Who Consulting to any family seeking thoughtful and experienced college admissions guidance.

If I could give A+ Tutoring 10 stars, I would. My 14-year-old son has been working with them for…read moreabout a year. He had one tutor last year for math and another starting this school more geared toward ELA. Both tutors are exceptional, really getting to know him and how he works best and working that into his sessions so that they are effective, fun, and challenging.

As a homeschooling mom, I am incredibly intentional about my daughter's education. I want her to…read moregenuinely enjoy learning, receive an elevated education, and be taught in a way that honors her individual learning style. Because of that, I am extremely selective about who I invite into her educational experience. A+ Tutoring has truly become part of my team, and I could not be more grateful. From the very beginning, they have gone above and beyond to provide exceptional support and customer service. What has impressed me most is how thoughtfully they match each child with a tutor. They genuinely take the time to understand your child's learning style, personality, needs, and goals rather than simply assigning a tutor. And if something ever needs to be adjusted, they address it immediately. In my experience, they don't just solve the issue, they somehow manage to outdo themselves in the process. Mandy and Janelle, their incredible tutor matchmakers, are exceptional. They are attentive, responsive, intuitive, and truly invested in finding the right fit for your child. I have felt incredibly supported throughout the process. And then there is our tutor, Sonya Karl, who is EXTRAORDINARY. Sonya is deeply child-centered, incredibly intelligent, emotionally intelligent, patient, warm, and genuinely gifted at connecting with children. She has such a beautiful heart, and it is evident in the way she teaches. The most meaningful measure for me is this: my daughter is not only excelling academically, she genuinely looks forward to her tutoring sessions with Sonya. That says everything. Finding the right people to support your child's education is such an important decision, especially when you are homeschooling and creating an educational experience around your child rather than asking your child to fit into a system. A+ Tutoring understands that. I feel incredibly fortunate to have found them, and even more fortunate that they connected us with Sonya. They have earned my trust, my gratitude, and my highest recommendation.

If you're looking for a private school education but is not on your budget, VIPHS is an incredible…read moreoption. The school offers small class sizes and a supportive learning environment where teachers truly love what they do. They provide hands-on instruction, genuinely care about their students, and work hard to ensure every student succeeds and is prepared for college. The individualized attention each student receives is exceptional, and their main goal is that no student is left behind. Everyone at the school is welcoming, kind, and dedicated to helping students reach their full potential. My child absolutely LOVES going to school every day, which says a lot. Although VIPHS is a smaller school, students do not miss out on the traditional high school experience. The school goes above and beyond to provide fun activities, events, trips,and opportunities that create lasting memories and a strong sense of community. The only class they do not offer is PE, so it may not be the best fit for students whose primary focus is sports. Other than that, students are not missing out on anything. Thank you to everyone at VIPHS for the amazing work you do and for creating such a caring, supportive, and successful learning environment!

The food didn't arrive in time…read more.. All staff are very supportive of students being creative and learning. The school is very artistic, really influences students to develop their artistic interests meanwhile getting the required education they need to graduate high school. All accommodation that students may need are met and supported. The school is very helpful and supporting.

Milly, Gina and Bob are amazing. Bob is such a great tutor, he is so knowledgeable and patient. I…read moreHighly recommend his tutoring services. Gina and Milly are the best college counselors ever. They really help you with every detail when it comes to applying to schools. They are very hands on and always make sure you are doing everything you need to do for the application process. Thank you growing minds!!!

My son went to Gina when he was a junior and my only regret was not going to her sooner. She…read morehelped my son pick out classes that met his interests and would be helpful on college applications. She also helped him pick out summer school classes that helped boost his g.p.a.. When it comes to application and essay time Gina and her team are a well-oiled machine. I received regular calls and emails to make sure we were on track and it was a huge relief to have someone else looking out for the deadlines and due dates. One of the most important things about Gina is she really cares about the kids. She listened to him and what he wanted then worked to make our goals mesh. Even though college applications are over, Gina still reaches out to see how my son is doing and what he's decided to do about college. She is the best!!

Shannon is top notch. Her understand of the human body and the human mind is absolutely amazing…read more She is a highly educated woman who provides a very professional, safe and comfortable environment. Just a gem! Highly recommend! For the record- we drive 3 hours just to see her. There is nobody better out there.

My whole life I struggled just to write a single paragraph, let alone a paper required for school…read more After I barely graduated high school I attempted a couple college classes but failed miserably. It only added to my stress and anxiety that revolved around school and writing. We all knew something was very wrong but I never fit into any of the more commonly known learning disabilities. I started seeing a new therapist and psychiatrist who worked closely together. They suggested that perhaps I may have something called Written Expressive Disorder. This happened to be the break through that was needed. My grandmother delved into research about the disorder and came across something called an Educational Therapist. From there we discovered the amazing Dr. Shannon Kroner. I met with Dr. Kroner and immediately started working with her. We worked together for a year. By the end of that year I went from barely being able to write a single paragraph to writing a college level three page paper with confidence! I signed up for a religious studies class at Pasadena City College and finally experienced educational success on my own. Without the help of Dr. Kroner I never would have gained the confidence in my ability to write anything longer than three sentences or reach academic achievement independently.

Hiring a professional college counselor-separate from the ones available at the high school our son…read morewent to - was one of the smartest decisions ever. I did not expect the in house counselors who were very busy with an entire grade to really focus on one kid and it did feel like they had the school's best intentions as their priority; seeming to balancep percentages to certain schools and pushing the path of least resistance.. Our son came into this stressful process by word of mouth and the things he read, which seemed to be very much about the social atmosphere of various schools, which is important but there was a lot more to consider. Being 16+ he was bullheaded and as his parent I know nothing. Of course. So I interviewed a bunch of professionals. Catie was down to earth and knew so much about dozens of schools that I thought she was the best! After our first meeting I trusted her to work alone with our son so he would be free to really dig deep on what he wanted for himself. She helped him sort through his thinking about the college experience itself so social life would be in alignment with what he wanted educationally (small vs large college for example). By working alone together - and not me butting in and micromanaging - it empowered my son to really think more globally and realistically. (read: he couldn't blame me for anything LOL). Second best decision! Catie worked with our son to help him choose schools and organize his thinking around those choices - realistically. She managed expectations from the start then geared the applications around those schools, including the essays. She has a deep understanding for the process at each school so nothing is wasted. Then she assisted in every aspect of the process and went over the acceptance and declined results with him/us (I wasn't invisible) as they came in. Our son is thriving as a Junior in the University of Michigan- (double major computer science and economics)- his first pick. Go Blue. Chase College Counseling is Realistic, professional and worth every penny!

Catie Chase did a wonderful job supporting our family thought the college application process. She…read moreis encouraging, thoughtful, calm and organized. She minimized the stress that can come with the process and instead made everyone feel good about the work being done and the path down which we went. She deftly matched her support to our needs and was a real pleasure with which to work. I recommend her unequivocally.