Helping Hand College Guidance – maximizing your chances of college admission. College admissions counseling for Los Angeles and beyond; college consulting with freshman, transfer and international students.

Helping Hand College Guidance is a top college admissions counseling company servicing Los Angeles and the surrounding areas.
Distance counseling is available by Zoom.

Are you searching for top Los Angeles college admissions counseling services? Our college counselors have the answers you need.

By providing one-on-one support and expert guidance to students and their families, Pam can help maximize a student’s chances of admission at the schools of their choice. Pam simplifies and breaks down the application process into manageable steps and keeps students aware of upcoming deadlines. As a result of the knowledge and extensive experience that Pam shares with them, students and their families are better equipped to make important educated decisions and achieve a vying edge when applying to colleges. Students are also able to avoid making costly mistakes by carefully selecting a target list of universities. If you are considering transferring colleges, Pam’s experience assisting hundreds of transfer students can ensure a smooth and successful process. With Pam’s professional direction and expertise, international students can feel confident that they are submitting their best application possible. Pam, as a college advisor, provides comprehensive college essay writing and application help throughout the admissions process that will help you reach your goals without the stress.

If you are searching for the best, most advantageous private college counseling that will strive to provide an upper hand in college admissions; you have come to the right place. Whether you are in Los Angeles or out of the area, feel confident that you are presenting your best application and essays possible by contacting Pam at Helping Hand College Guidance.

Testimonial: "After a rough admissions process coming out of high school, I had lost most of my confidence in my abilities and the idea that I could attend a top university. Today, I have been admitted to Vanderbilt University, University of Southern California, Emory University, and Boston College (every transfer application I sent in). Pam was instrumental in highlighting specific parts of my application, and her knowledge of the admissions process is unparalleled. She knows how to take personal statements and supplemental essays to the next level, all while being the most supportive and welcoming character. From the first call, it is very evident that she cares deeply about the students she works with and Helping Hand College Guidance played a significant role in my success. I highly recommend her to all applying to college!" JD- Pasadena, CA

College Counseling Services

Counseling services in the greater Los Angelesarea. Included in our service area are Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Malibu, Westwood, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Beverlywood, Culver City, Hancock Park, San Fernando Valley (including Sherman Oaks, Encino, Tarzana, Calabasas, Woodland Hills, and Studio City), South Bay, Long Beach, and parts of Orange County (Including Newport Beach, Cypress, and Irvine).

Long distance counseling is available by Zoom, phone, and email for students outside of Los Angeles, international students, as well as local students.

The college counseling process will consist of:

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Identifying your goals
and learn how to make that opportunity happen

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Guidance
in presenting compelling applications and college essay writing help that will propel you to stand out among the college applicant pool

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The Assistance of an expert
college admissions counselor that will educate you, provide answers, and take the worry out of the college application process

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Pam provides support
for parents too, by answering their questions and addressing their needs

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Formulating a step-by-step plan
and time-line designed to achieve your objectives through one-on-one coaching

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By providing encouragement,
motivation, and direction, Pam can reduce the parent-student conflict that comes with the stress and daunting task of the college process

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

Click here to view upcoming Events and Deadlines in the College Application process

What People Say

JD- Pasadena, CA

After a rough admissions process coming out of high school, I had lost most of my confidence in my abilities and the idea that I could attend a top university. Today, I have been admitted to Vanderbilt University, University of Southern California, Emory University, and Boston College (every transfer application I sent in). Pam was instrumental in highlighting specific parts of my application, and her knowledge of the admissions process is unparalleled. She knows how to take personal statements and supplemental essays to the next level, all while being the most supportive and welcoming character. From the first call, it is very evident that she cares deeply about the students she works with and Helping Hand College Guidance played a significant role in my success. I highly recommend her to all applying to college!

Parent

My daughter who wanted to transfer after Freshman year of college contacted Pam on fairly short notice in the fall. Pamela took charge, scheduled to see her quickly and set her on a path of completion. There were many essays for my daughters major to be done by Dec.1st and Pamela offered her numerous edits and suggestions all very timely. Pamela’s knowledge of the whole process was extensive. My daughter was accepted to the school she wanted. Pamela is a pleasure to work with. We highly recommend Pamela for college counseling! CG
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Student

I was just contacting you to let you know what my final college decision is. I have received acceptance letters from University of San Francisco, University of San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, UC Irvine, UC Davis, UCLA, and UC San Diego, and after much consideration I have decided to start school at UCLA this Fall! Thank you so much for all of your help with my essays, and for the many tips and helpful advice.  I couldn't have done it without you!
Thank you again,
Sydney M.
parents

Parent

University of New Hampshire, Westchester, N.Y.
"Pam was so wonderful in helping our daughter with researching schools and transfer applications. Even though we live across the country in New York, we never felt like she was far away with her timely responses through both phone and email. She offers a full service with a positive and encouraging attitude with an obvious passion for her work. Pam was always accessible and went above and beyond during the entire application process. Her assistance with essays was amazing. She kept us abreast of deadlines, requirements for application, and offered specific advice for each school. Pam is a warm and caring person who made our goals her own."
parents

Parent

Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA
"With her professional experience and knowledge, Pam is guiding my daughter to go through the process of the waiting list. Pam is very detailed and patient. I wish I had known Pam in the beginning of the college application process. The college application under a professional counselor's help like Pam is necessary."
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Student

from Hong Kong studying in the U.K.
hongkongflag"I am an international student who has wanted to transfer to the States from the UK, but it's hard to find good support and maintaining the student budget. I was very lucky to have stumbled upon Ms. Ohriner by Googling and since the beginning, she has helped me with my essays a great deal and gave me great advice on how to deal with the Common App. I have witnessed Ms. Ohriner's professionalism and dedication through Skype Calls and correspondence with various university admissions departments. Most importantly, she was willing to make discounts to suit my budget, as well as keeping my best interests at heart. While I'm still waiting upon my decision, I urge potential international transfers to give Ms. Ohriner a call. She is a college counselor you can trust without a shadow of a doubt."
parents

Parent

Los Angeles, CA
"I called Pam at Helping Hand in need of someone knowledgeable, warm, and professional. Pam was all those great qualities and more. She really understood the needs of our daughter and streamlined her college app process. Pam's research was efficient and thorough and led us to the best possible university to apply to under our daughter's circumstances. Furthermore, Pam was extremely accessible and worked in unorthodox methods since our daughter was out of the country while applying. Lastly, Pam demonstrated that she sincerely cared and took pride in her profession and treated us and our daughter with respect and understanding. I strongly recommend Pam from Helping Hand for anyone in need of a private college advisor."
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International Student

Mongolia
mongoliaflagPam is just my angel. We started from nothing and now I am getting into a lot of colleges right away. She is one of my best friends and she is the key to getting into colleges. I am an international student and my English isn't that very well. But she didn't mind and helped me on everything. Now that I am back home, I really miss her.
parents

Parent

Notre Dame Academy, Los Angeles, CA
"I used Pam to help my Daughter through her College Applications and Essays. Pam was so helpful to her and to me. As my daughter was the First to attend College, the process was overwhelming, but then, I found Pam, she saved my Daughter and I headaches and protected us from a lot of false advertising companies that promise you a lot of false help. I will be using Pam for my Son, who is a Junior in High School and I also, recommended her to my kids' friends' parents. She makes the College process easy and surprisingly fun!"
parents

Parent

Landmark school, Boston, MA
"I called Pam to help my son's college application process. She was terrific. She was experienced, hardworking, intuitive and a happy person. Pam was always accessible to contact for any questions and suggestions. She did an amazing job and I highly recommend her."
parents

Parent

Loyola High School, CA
"From the very first phone call to Pam it was apparent that she had a passion and caring for her business, more importantly though a passion for helping our youth. Upon seeing her in action we were so relieved and and sure that we had made the right choice in following her guidance. We highly recommend Pam with great confidence to all our friends and family. Whether its picking your first college, or a transfer such as our case, she is the one to get the job done!"
parents

Parent

Pasadena, CA
"I cannot more highly recommend Pam. We used her to help my son write his college applications and essays. What a delightful person and full of energy! Our son got into his school of choice. It is helpful to have someone familiar with the pitfalls of writing a bad application essay and versed in the application process. Pam was willing to drive to our home in Pasadena and from the first phone call, she was very personable and fun to interact with. She felt like a concerned and helpful relative rather than stuffy and academic paid professional. I know that Pam increased our son's acceptance profile. We, as a family, cannot thank Pam enough and consider her service money well spent."
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Parent

Ladera Heights, CA
"Thank you for your incredible insight and assistance. You are an incredible counselor!"
parents

Parent

San Pedro, Ca
"You are the most amazing person ever! He's in! Only someone as fab as you could get someone into USC even after missing the cut off to apply. You are the absolute best!!!  Thank you so much!!"
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Parent

El Segundo, CA
"Pam was a great help in processing the application of my son, who is a bit procrastinator. She was professional and answered all our questions. She is readily accessible and helps us narrow the application. Definitely, will recommend her service."
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HELPFUL COLLEGE HINTS

  1. Put time and effort into creating amazing college essays. Start early.
  2. Brainstorm ideas for topics.
  3. Highlight your talents, background, interests, ambitions and what makes you special.
  4. Create an outline or bullet points for what you want to say.
  5. Solicit feedback from others.
  6. Proofread, edit, and revise your essay.

RECENT NEWS

Changes to the 2021-2022
Common App:
  1. One new prompt will substitute for a previous essay prompt.
  2. Applicants no longer have to indicate a disciplinary action.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth.”
–John Fitzgerald Kennedy

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