It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Pam Ohriner and Helping Hand College Guidance. We chose Pam after interviewing several highly recommended college application essay tutors. What separated Pam from the other fine tutors we did not select, was that before even meeting our son in person, she wanted to know his strengths and weaknesses as student and a writer, but most importantly, to understand his passions which would ultimately shape the creative direction of the essay he selected. For context, Our son is a solid A student and writes clearly and already had a rough draft of his essay. However, with Pam's guidance he was able to present the same information much more creatively and give the essay a more personalized and larger scope of how the information he presented is relevant to his place in the larger world. Her advice and availability to speak about revisions was invaluable. Pam is an absolute pro at her job and is a positive, encouraging woman who can think outside the box. She was familiar with all the university requirements of the many schools we were applying to and helped shape essays specific to the particulars of each university.
Happy Ending! Our son was accepted to his 1st choice USC.
Thank you Pam!!!
Recent Client – Parents
Would recommend to anyone! I needed help completing my optometry school applications, and Pam helped me out with the entire process. I got accepted into my top choice, and I'm thankful for Pam's help. Super nice, knowledgeable, and easy to work with.
Recent Client – Student
Pam met with us and went over the important milestones for college entrance. She is very up-to-date on the current SAT and what is expected for entrance into many colleges. She brought with her a packet she made for the colleges we where most interested in, and gave us other ones to look at based on the proposed major. Her information was much more than just the standard google search results or generic handouts. She did not try to up sell or use scare tactics like we had seen at some of the big name brick and mortar college counseling services. Pam was also very familiar with the local high school and helped to suggest what AP classes to take next year. Highly recommend.
Justin P
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
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.
We had a very challenging situation with our son who needed to transfer from an out of state college to a California college to have the opportunity to complete his degree. This might sound simple but if you have ever tried this you will know there are numerous obstacles. Without the help of Pam we would not have even known where to start. In our first meeting Pam laid out a blueprint of exactly what she felt needed to be done to accomplish our goal and she was by our side throughout the whole process offering advice when we needed it. We eventually managed to achieve our goal and Pam is a massive reason why.
Ken N. – Placentia, 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.
Parent – El Segundo, CA
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.
Parent – University of New Hampshire, Westchester, N.Y.
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.
Parent – Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA
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.
Student from Hong Kong studying in the U.K.
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.
Parent – Los Angeles, CA
Pam 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.
International Student, Mongolia
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!
Parent – Notre Dame Academy, Los Angeles, CA
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.
Parent – Landmark school, Boston, MA
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!
Parent – Loyola High School, 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.
Parent – Pasadena, CA
Thank you for your incredible insight and assistance. You are an incredible counselor!
Parent – Ladera Heights, 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!!
Parent – San Pedro, Ca
