James is a master of the UC transfer process. After my son had a disappointing first semester at SDSU, James mapped out a plan for him to enroll in City College and work toward a transfer. His mentorship and expert advice led to my son being accepted at nearly every top UC, including UCLA, UCSD, and UCI. He ultimately chose UC Berkeley, a result I didn't think was possible just a year ago. I highly recommend James to any family navigating the UC college system. read more

James is a wonderful mentor! Do not hesitate to contact him to get extra help for your college applications. He was extremely professional and his suggestions provided valuable insight regarding the essays. He seems to gently guide his students on their own path without being overbearing. He definitely cares for his students from the bottom of his heart and prioritizes the overall outcome of the application experience. I highly suggest you give him a call and try out his services! My daughter did get into UCI read more

I originally left a one star review since we didn't get the service or quality of service we had expected. We talked after I submitted my review. And James said he would refund our money if we took down our review. But yelp says not to do this. So I have updated my review to 3 stars since James was quick to refund our money if we were not satisfied, which we are not. We still don't believe his services and poor time management warrant the $3.5k that we had paid. The only reason we had hired him was for him to help our child maximize their chance to get into USC early action, which hurt their chances since they submitted their application earlier than in the normal application. He had said it wasn't likely for our child to get accepted to our child, but this wasn't mentioned to us since that was what we were paying him for. The application was due 11/1, and on 10/27, I sent him a detailed email since the essays were far from being ready including punctuation and grammatical errors. So we actually ended up having to advise our teen and give them feedback on their application since it was nowhere near done 4-5 days before the deadline. We were stressed out about the lack of progress made, and we ended up working with our child to help finish their essays. If we had not hired James, we would have had our child apply regular decision with a deadline of 1/10, which would have strengthened their application. I also felt the quality of their feedback was not that helpful since we had given similar feedback without his help. But since we had the deadline of 11/1, we thought it would help to have his help. In the end, we didn't feel that it was worth it, especially not for $3.5k. The best thing I can say is that James values his online application. And he is willing to stand behind his word. But I don't think he should expect us to remove our review completely, especially since yelp advises against this. So it's possible he may be a good fit for you. And if it's not, hopefully he will stand by his word as he has done in our case. read more

James was my advisor when I was applying to colleges and was immensely helpful with the application process. We focused mainly on the UC's and Cal States and I am currently a student at UCI. He was very thorough throughout the entire process and helped keep me on track to applying, including helping me write my UC essays which were my main struggle at the time. read more

Finding a college advisor was difficult as you don't know what you'll get until you pay a huge amount of money and have valuable time spent. We focused on businesses where the owner was the advisor and learned the questions to ask that would align with our kid's needs. The problem with the first college advisor I contacted was he pushed the need to do research and gave online options. My son already won a competition researching articles for an idea he had and didn't feel the need to do an online version. He wasn't able to find a hands-on opportunity so he didn't want to go with someone who thought online research was the only path to success. James, the business owner and current sole advisor of Academic & Career Mentors, worked with my son's interests and advised on an individual basis rather than making him into a cookie cutter applicant. Before meeting James, we hired someone who had ~150 five star reviews on Google and over a decade experience as a scholarship reader at a top UC. Though there were red flags in our interaction, I mistakenly trusted the reviews/his background. He had a structured program, but time was moved along without effective guidance. His limited feedback was superficial and generic: add numbers and buzz words and cut down the word count. He gave the go ahead for essays that needed a lot more work. My son was frustrated by the lack of depth in his responses. When I voiced my concern, he suggested to my kid that he worked better without parent involvement. After ~1.5 months/6 meetings, the guy still didn't know my son's profile. With push back, I received half of my money back, probably to lessen the likelihood of me writing a bad review as I had detailed what was poorly done/not done at each meeting. For my son, James was much more effective/efficient with the meetings. He reviewed a couple of essays each time with more thoughtful detailed feedback and guidance for revisions. He spent time thinking through how to make the story, evidence, and connection stronger. He met with my son 1-2x/week which I don't think many advisors would do that frequently. He was accessible via email for quick questions and was timely in responding. I did interview another person while interviewing James. My son felt the other person was very personable and easy to talk to. However, after a lot of questioning about how he would handle essays, I sensed there would be limited in-depth analysis as well. To meet our desire, he was going to pay an essay reader (English major) to spend ~1-2 hrs on the PIQs and possibly 1-2 hrs on the common app to give more detail feedback. This led me to hire James as he seemed more invested (would give more effort, time, depth of feedback, comprehensive help, ie help with supportive essays as well, and wasn't as much on the clock). After getting to know my son and reading the PIQs he had drafted, James recommended to switch to another PIQ to allow better explanation of "the why" in my son's motives/ decisions. He worked with my son on the content, message, and ease of understanding as a reader. My son found him to be helpful in brainstorming ideas on how to tell his story and in finding programs that were specific to a school to give more evidence as to why he wanted to go to "x" school. James is a very analytical and fast thinker. As you are talking, he is searching his computer for more specific supported answers. He was also receptive to feedback when I read an essay and felt it didn't help my son stand out enough. He helped my son complete his applications on time. We've only heard back from one school (he felt it was a target school for him) so far that my son applied early action to, and he was accepted. Even with hiring James for help with applications to the UCs and 2 in-state private schools, my son had others, including his English teacher, read his essays for more feedback and because he applied to 5 out-of-state competitive private schools on his own. (James' fee structure/advising model has changed for 2026 though so you might not be able to pay for x number of schools anymore). He wrote and rewrote each of his essays multiple times. So to us, not only is James professional and ethical in his business, he is also very dedicated and proactive. He advises with the care of individuals (young people) in mind. read more

I recently got accepted into my dream UC school!!!! And lots and lots of thanks to you James!!!!! Thank you for being so thorough. Thank you for agreeing to meet one-on-one and work together in-person where we had some really helpful time. You are so insightful , experienced AND resourceful for the university admission process. Your advices and guidance cannot be found anywhere online. James, I believe you have played a CRUCIAL role in my UCs acceptances. I'm soooo glad and grateful to have had you as my mentor. read more

James is extremely supportive, thorough and professional. His guidance was invaluable as we were navigating the complex process of college applications. He is definitely a great asset to have for your child if they are embarking on this journey. He is very experienced, resourceful and advises based on facts and research. He was able to meet in person and via zoom, and felt like we could reach out to him whenever we needed. He was instrumental in getting our daughter into a top ranked university! We are so grateful for his guidance and would definitely recommend him! read more

James was an amazing mentor throughout my whole college transfer application process. Being a first-generation college student, I didn't know much about college admissions, the transfer process, or where to start. I was pretty confused and overwhelmed. When I reached out to James, he was supportive from the start and helped with everything I needed for the process. From essays to the application itself, he guided me every step of the way. He assisted me with all my questions and anything I needed help with. He is super responsive, and it was incredibly helpful working one-on-one with him, as he truly cares about his clients and works hard to support them. He gave me all the advice and help I needed, and I was able to successfully transfer to UC Berkeley. This would not have been possible without James. I would recommend James to anyone who is looking for guidance, whether it's for their college applications or even for their careers. read more

James is a wonderful career coach and academic mentor. He has an extremely credible background with applying and studying at Columbia Business School. Additionally, his professional experience with working in one of the largest financial institutions in the world provides an exceptional resource into navigating career paths for success. I reached out to James for guidance on applying to the UC system. James was able to provide not only insight and feedback on my drafts but also support with deep introspection to find my unique story to tell to the admissions committee. I am very grateful for the support I have received and would highly recommend ACM. read more

I began working with James at LA Career Coaching several years ago and he has been one of the most helpful mentors in my career journey thus far. Having met him when I had newly entered college, he has provided me countless hours of guidance, coaching, and interview preparation, ranging from behavioral and technical finance questions. He has been the biggest resource in helping me first land an internship and job at an investment bank, navigate my way around, and continues to provide career advice from day-to-day questions to long-term career trajectory planning. I highly recommend him and couldn't thank him enough! read more

I began working with James during my college application process as a result of a recommendation from an old friend. He was the perfect balance of constructive criticism and encouragement, which allowed me to complete my piqs in a timely manner. We made multiple drafts, rewrote many sections, and James had even given me ideas on what to write about. With his help, I was able to get into every school I wanted to go to! Thank you again :) read more

James helped me out quite a lot after I signed up for his services. He helped me get out of a slump and gave me the confidence to apply and enter internships, which left to a full time position in a top fortune 500 company. At every step of the way he had helped me gain experience and gave me all the resources I needed to get from where I am today. I would heavily recommend his services to any uncertain university student worried about their chances after university. read more

James is your go-to person for everything relating to development, both for your career and education (jack of all trades!!). He pushed/helped me acquire technical and networking skills, and because of it I was able to land a great internship/job. He's a genuine man who deeply cares for the success of his clients. Can't thank him enough! read more

James is a very passionate and genuine person when it comes to his clients. He's helped me for three years, and he kept me motivated and taught me so many new skills for professional development, even through my rough times. He helped me so much not only with my career path, but my journey as an individual and I cannot thank him enough! He changed my life! Thank you James! read more

I was referred to James by family friend in preparation for my teenager's transition from High School into College. He was very thoughtful to her and my concerns but truthful and pragmatic as to what her options are and how she can still do some things despite being in her final year to improve her odds of getting into her desired colleges and program. It helped my child to be able to hear positive reinforcement and encouragement while having some tangible action items for her to take and it has motivated her to take on some of the research and steps. He also sent some helpful links post our consultation and you can tell he genuinely wants to help his clients achieve their goals. Thank you very much James for your help! read more

I started working with James about a year ago, and it's amazing how much he helped me grow in such a short amount of time. Before meeting James, I was struggling getting interviews and was generally lost in how to go about my job search. After James helped me edit my resume and taught me how to find and apply to jobs more effectively, I started getting interviews left and right. James then helped me prep for the interviews. The valuable lessons that other people had to learn through failing their interviews at their dream companies, I got to learn through James and be prepared for those life-defining interview opportunities. Eventually I got my dream job at a dream location. He's always there to answer your questions, no matter how small or dumb it sounds in your head. The hardest part about job searching is that you have to do it alone, set a routine by yourself, and push yourself every day even if you get rejected tens or hundreds of times. It can be soul crushing at times, especially these days. James provides you the support and a clear plan that will help you get to where you want to be. Thanks, James!! read more

M6 was the only tutoring center to return my call in a timely manner. James and his employee, Austin are amazing! They tutor my 7th grade nephew in all subjects four days a week so his working mother can spend quality time with him at home. They have taken the initiative to ask for a meeting to go over her expectations. During these crazy times it's really hard to find people who truly care about others and M6 really does. M6 wants to help their students through school and beyond. read more

I worked with James once years ago when I was fresh from a layoff and still new to the workforce and I was getting interviews but not landing offers. To this day I still use the tools he gave me and I have never struggled since. This is an investment that is well worth it and you will carry for years to come. read more

I cannot thank James enough for the amazing job he did helping my daughter with her college applications. We contacted him late in the process but he jumped in to help her through a very stressful process. She was accepted into every UC she applied to! I very highly recommend James Pak and am so grateful for his help. read more

I worked with James throughout my college years to explore career paths, build a solid resume, and prepare for interviews. It ultimately led to landing an exciting internship, and later, a job that has been very fulfilling. James makes you feel like you are his only client and will ensure that you are prepared on all fronts. He will push you to bring out the best in you and help you become a confident individual. His passion for helping his clients is seen day after day by his determination and dedication to your success. James' experience and background speaks for themselves and make him very knowledgeable about the job market and how to break into several different industries. I would most definitely recommend James to anyone in need of professional development or career advice/coaching. read more

I got referred to James by a family friend because I was struggling on the essay portions of my UC applications. He was very thorough and patient in assisting me throughout the application process and ultimately helped me get into my dream school, UCLA. I highly highly recommend to anyone looking for help for university applications. Thank you James! read more

I would recommend M6 consulting to anyone whether you're looking for a job or not! I got help from James in my junior year of college. At that point, I had no idea how to conduct myself in an interview. After several consultations with James, I had a robust resume was more confident in conveying my strengths. I then applied to a few internship positions and landed a position with the data science team at a top tech company. I now work full-time at the same company! James was always proactive and available. He was never late to a meeting and even stayed late sometimes when we had more content to go over. James set clear but reachable goals, and I could feel my progress after every meeting. His interview prep was fantastic! Without James' help, I would have never been prepared enough to land my current job. Definitely going back before my next job search. read more

James has been incredibly helpful with my career goals. Apart from being incredibly knowledgeable, he had gone above and beyond to help me through my job search, when I was a new college grad. Finding a position that fit my goals lasted longer than expected. However, James worked closely with me throughout the whole process. From resume editing to late night interview preps, he helped me confidently filter through offers and accept a job only when I was completely satisfied. Looking back, I am very glad I had consulted James and accepted the job I did. Recently, over a year later, I reached out to James looking for my next career opportunity, and he has again been incredibly helpful in giving advice and referring me to job opportunities that fit my goals. Overall, I am very happy that I trusted James as my career coach! read more

James has helped me with both college applications and internship applications. I really appreciate him showing me what resources are available to me AND making sure I know how to use them well. Equipped with this knowledge, I can now confidently take steps on my own, though he still checks in and sends me helpful information very regularly. He is kind, patient, knowledgeable, and above all, he truly wants us to succeed. With his help, I have been lucky enough to attend Brown University and have secured summer internships at various tech startups. The next step for me is finding a job after graduation, and I will certainly be seeking James' guidance again to do so! read more

James is amazing. As a fellow Columbia alum, he worked with me to become a fully prepared and confident applicant. I received more offers than anticipated. He makes you feel truly valued as a client and is always willing to put in the extra effort: before one interview I was particularly nervous and James stayed on the phone with me, we ran through some interview questions and my confidence was back. I landed the job and felt great! read more

I have been working with James for about 4 years now and he has helped me get to my career goal. James helped me when I was transferring from community college to USC and while at USC he helped me build my resume and find different interests within my field. He was always available and more than willing to discuss my goals, fears, and my weaknesses while highlighting my strengths. He helped me to improve my interview skills because that was one area that I really struggled with. He spent a lot of time with me and would practice interviews with me. While attending USC he helped me apply and get into a Master's program at USC. He helped me get my first choice internships and helped me prepare for interviews. James really makes you feel like you are his priority and is always willing to pick up the phone to answer any questions. After graduating, James continued to help me look for jobs and after running through interview questions, I felt really confident during the interview. I got the job and can say that James helped me with more than just getting a job, he helped me become more confident. read more

I've been James' client for several years now since my senior year of high school. James is extremely enthusiastic about the work that he does and very knowledgeable about what he does. I was lost and confused about what I wanted to pursue in life and was having difficulty choosing a career path that would encapsulate all my interests and goals; however, with James' consultation and persistent effort I was able to find a perfect career goal that met all my expectations. He was always available when I had question about job interviews, college life, time management, GPA management, relationship with professors, and just about anything. With his help I became student with a GPA of 2.9 in my frshman year to a student with a cumulative GPA of over 3.7 now in my senior year. I'm very grateful to have a career counselor like James who I can always trust and turn to for advise and counseling. Overall, having James as a career coach gave me the comfort of mind, especially in regards to landing a job in this day and age where competition is so fierce, and helped me rest assured that I will successfully land a stable Job in the future! read more