If you have a teenager preparing for college, I strongly encourage you to look into the services of…read moreJessica Brenner, and her partner, Lisa Josefik. What could have been an incredibly stressful senior year, has been instead a beautiful memory made. What Jessica, and Lisa did to help my grandson, and me from start to finish of the college application process is amazing. I never realized the complexity that went into this process, as I never had to do this for my children. The guidance, structure, and encouragement from them was invaluable. As a parent/grandparent this process can be extremely frustrating when it comes to making sure the SA's are completed, or that they are studying for the SAT test, etc. To our teenager we are just nagging them. Being able to hand that over to Jessica, and/or Lisa, who are so knowledgeable and understanding of what it takes to successfully complete this process made this entire experience much more exciting and enjoyable for my grandson and myself. They gave him structure, and progress goals that he followed. When he started his senior year he was all ready to submit all of his applications while his classmates were just starting to do what he had been doing during the summer. He actually received his first acceptance letter before many classmates had even submitted an application. Jessica and Lisa would tell him, "Tristan, all this hard work is going to be so worth it once you start receiving your acceptance letters." When his first letter came, he was so excited he could hardly stand it. Tristan has been accepted to eight colleges, including his number one choice. Thank you, thank you Jessica and Lisa for all you did for us and all the other families and kids you work with. You truly make a difference!

Jessica Brenner walked our daughter through the application process with absolute precision…read more From preparation for SAT/ACT, essay guidance and appropriate school choices, Jessica created a timeline that was manageable and stress free. We believe that Jessica's help enabled our daughter to gain admission to better schools than her peers, who had similar qualifications. We highly recommend Jessica to any family in this super competitive environment.

UHS has stellar teachers and offers a supportive environment for high school students. The school…read morepushes students hard on the college-prep route. Advanced Placement courses and tough courses all-around. They get you in to college and make sure you do well there. Top notch school. Very greatful for having gone there. They recently added a new building at 3220 Sacramento Street which houses Ceramic and Art Studios, a film lab, offices, and much more. They are in the process of renovating their lower campus on Washington Street and have already completed a new library on Jackson. A new theater was added in 2001.

I was spoiled by my four years here and received an education that is on par with (if not superior…read moreto) that of many universities. Make no mistake the coursework here pushes students hard, but the opportunities here are endless and display an incredible diversity of passions and talents. During my time at UHS, I played on the varsity tennis and badminton teams, played intramural sports, performed in the spring musical, wrote for the school newspaper, founded a club, sang in the chorus, took a photo class...oh and I took a few academic classes in between. The kinds of classes I took included AP US History, Mandarin Chinese, Literature of the Vietnam War, Western Civilization, Calculus, and the list goes on. My only regret? Not studying harder and pushing myself to try more new things. You can be an artist or a businessman. You can explore the sciences or delve into the literature of your favorite foreign language. It really is as much as you want to make of it. The faculty is top notch, with credentials from outstanding academic institutions and more importantly, a great ability to encourage the students to WANT to learn. And let me save the best for last. The students. The people. Ambitious, talented, and bound to do amazing things. Yes, I sound like a propaganda tool. But I cannot say enough about this school. Alumni events connect me to a wide array of grads in locations and industries far and wide. If you are considering sending your child here, you are doing them a great service. Don't let the finances deter you - the education is first rate and financial aid is available to those who qualify.

I am very grateful for the role that Nicole Freeling played in our son's college selection process,…read moreand would like to explain it in some detail. My wife and I approached Nicole during our son's sophomore year. He had suffered a brain injury the prior summer and was struggling in school because of visual deficits and persistent head pain resulting from the trauma. At that moment, we were more concerned about how to get the right treatment for our son -- and the right accommodations in place -- so he could finish high school. But engaged Nicole because the decisions we made would ultimately affect our son's ability to attend a great university, and we wanted him to believe that this was still within his reach. He's a deeply intellectually serious young man, so we wanted to keep his horizons broad. Nicole did the research and returned to us with the conclusion that we should extend our son's high school career so he could focus on his recovery, and that a fifth year of high school would be a better solution for his circumstances than graduating on time with a less rigorous curriculum. We plotted his high school trajectory to maximize time spent in recovery during this junior year, ramping up the rigor and density of his coursework through a "gap year" that allowed him to finish his A to G requirements most at UC Berkeley and BCC, to great success. Nicole believed in our son and supported his application to a range of selective colleges. She had on-point advice on making the list, ensuring that it included schools he would likely get into as well as reach schools. Most importantly in this process, she encouraged our son to tell the story of his recovery, which he was not otherwise inclined to do. In the end, he was admitted early decision to a highly competitive college, where we believe he will thrive. We are all very grateful for Nicole and On My Way for their role not just in the college process, but in our son's overall recovery. These are good people.

Priscilla was incredibly thorough and helpful. She helped our daughter choose which schools to…read moreapply to, giving her ideas she hadn't thought of. She helped her with prompts and editing of her essays, she organized the whole process and helped us as parents navigate the financials and other paperwork. Highly recommend!

Urban was a small school when I went there in 1969. Students could do pretty much anything they…read morewanted. While they received grades, they were not allowed to see them. Instead, they were given narrative evaluations. The school was selective, with more of an emphasis on the humanities than on the sciences. The overall idea was for independent-minded students to take charge of their own education rather than having it spoon-fed to them. Those who were interested in college went on to good schools, including the Ivy League. There was a definite "radical chic" atmosphere to the school, with a number of students from wealthy families going to Cuba to join the Venceremos Brigade. I remember reading Marx, Freud, Sartre, Marcuse, Baudelaire and taking a class from a beat poet. Each year, students were required to conduct an independent study project. Because I was interested in music composition, I wrote a piece for small orchestra that was performed as an overture to Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night." I gather the school has become much larger, offering a greater variety of subjects to study. As an alumnus, I contributed small amounts of money to the school, but I drew the line at teachers going to "white privilege" conferences. Urban is an excellent choice if you have the money, are okay with an ideologically charged atmosphere, and have a highly motivated child who wants to take charge of his own education in a safe and supportive environment. The only negative thing I can say is that the Haight where the school is located is a sketchy neighborhood.

I interviewed at Urban wearing a fuzzy argyle sweater and baggy cordoroy pants. The person who…read moreinterviewed me said that "I didn't care about my appearance." I found that odd comment of her to make. And then it was really funny because I was going through a philosophical phase. So they had me come up with my own question and I came up with something kind of amusing actually and based on that I was admitted. Next I observed Geometry class and thought it was really interesting how it was taught, students worked in math groups which I wasn't so good at. It did impress me that the students made presentations on Geometrical formations, not just the usual proofs form of standard analytical geometry. Although I got the feeling that most of the work wasn't very rigorous, not for my future plans at least. I think Urban is too small, some rural schools can't help it. But Urban caters and coddles not making academics too hard or else students leave in droves. And it gives its students a leg up in boosting their egos by helping their odds of being accepted to Stanford. I always wanted to go to a big high school where you can meet a new person everyday. To that was an exciting prospect after an all girl's private school where you've known the same people for nine years and you want a mental divorce. OMG. I think there should be a Mega high school/secondary school located in the Presidio where students from all social circles can interact and learn that this is actually what the world is about. I think it would bring back the energy of the city which is plagued by the prestige factor. My sister attended Urban as a freshman and I don't think it was a good school for her to reach her potential and develop competency and a positive self image. And I honestly don't think the setting of the Haight Ashbury is really a good setting for personal educational success given that its located in a neighborhood world famous for elicit drug use. What do these schools do with all this revenue from tuition? I mean are administrators embezzling it or something. They don't pay teachers so much and the Urban school hasn't spend money on a new buidling recently. So it is a scam. Make your happy and get them to reach their potential try out School of the Arts if you are looking for an artistic school. Really talented artists go there and an infusion of more socio economic status diversity would benefit SoTa. Public school high school students in SF tend to become much more independent and responsible than the stiffling environment of the well meaning private schools. Public high schools in SF is a fun and stimulating experience where practically every AP credit class is available. Save your money and put it in your 401k or take really nice vacations abroad instead.

PLEASE NOTE! A WORD OF CAUTION FOR POTENTIAL CLIENTS: Barbara talks a lot about how much your…read morechild's story means in their applications, but her actions while editing my child's essays speak volumes about her capabilities and false pretenses about loving students. When my child would come to her with heartfelt essays about her experiences and hopes for the future, Barbara would brutally slash up my child's essays until they were bare boned. No story, no flair, no emotion, nothing. Not to mention Barbara also told my child that her essays were "terrible" or that she should not apply at all. Those same essays, without any edits, got her into incredibly competitive schools in and out of state. She also edits the essays in FRONT of my child right before they meet. She wouldn't spend time to thoroughly edit the essays beforehand despite asking for them a week in advance. To top it all off, Barabra is phenomenally bad at making good on her scheduling appointments and will force you to sign a multi-thousand dollar contract, to lock you in. She has made appointments with my child multiple times and then proceeded to cancel last minute because she double booked, or would force my child to wait.

The college process is truly daunting. Barbara helped us to break it down into manageable steps,…read moreworking with my twins from their sophomore year in high school through to the end of the application process. Notable points for twins: she works with each child separately, drawing out their specific interests and talents with regular one-on-one meetings. If they don't really know what they are interested in or they are interested in many different things (normal for a teenager!) she helps them figure it out so that by senior year they have a real portfolio of volunteer and community activities, internships, research projects and leadership experiences that they can use to clarify their interests and to get into excellent colleges! She is very honest and direct, while at the same time enjoying the kids' unique strengths and opportunities for laughs that come along the way. She helps them pick out schools that fit their characters and helps them streamline the process as much as is humanly possible for such a high-stakes venture. Thanks so much, Barbara!

Hands-down Terry is someone you want on your team! Whatever it is you are trying to accomplish in…read moreyour career, academically, in life - Terry is an amazing coach, mentor and friend. I met Terry when I was in a post-bacc program. When I started the program I had no confidence in my academic abilities and was struggling with severe anxiety when studying for my classes. I came to Terry explaining that I wanted nothing less than to have confidence in my abilities and to get A's in the program. I added that I simply did not think it was possible and that if he couldn't be direct in solving the issue that he should not waste my time or his. All I can say is that Terry delivered. What I admired most about how he worked with me is that he never got offended nor did he take things personally when I would tell him a technique or an approach was not working. He instead had a way of being patient, listening to my concerns, analyzing what went wrong and coming up with creative solutions that were tailored specifically for me. Suffice to say I accomplished all that I wanted in the program. Furthermore, I think the best take away from my time with him is that what I learned has been sustainable. Two years after having finished the program I have accomplished more than I ever thought was possible because of the confidence in myself he fostered through our work together. If you are looking for someone to be your ally and your advocate in accomplishing what you want in your career or your academics, Terry is the man for you! You will not only learn specific techniques on how to accomplish your goals, you will also gain a great mentor. I am grateful to have met such a dedicated and passionate individual that truly cares about the success and well-being of his students. I highly recommend Terry!

This review is from my friend SC-SF:…read more "I met Terry while I was in a post-bacc program and have grown to know him as not only a fantastic learning coach, but also a trusted mentor and friend. He was a leading contributor towards my efforts to strengthen my learning skills, and essentially taught me how to "re-learn" how to learn. His approach was never condescending, but was still firm and gave me the accountability that I needed to thrive. I highly recommend Terry to anyone who would like to strengthen their learning abilities and realize their true potential. As I am applying to health professional schools, I know I will continue to use the skills I learned from Terry to help me become a successful student and professional"

Hardly any of the teachers are credentialled, so sessions come across as glorified tutoring…read moresessions. It's pretty much pay-to-play: if you pay your student's tuition, they're going to get a good grade. As someone who has worked in college admissions and graduate instruction, I do not feel that they set up their students for success (especially given the level of tuition paid by families). It would be just as effective to print your student's diploma from a Google doc and call it a day (and now you've saved $30k/year). Also, the choices made by upper management seem to reflect personal interests rather than student-centered goals. You're better off enrolling your student in a school that hires qualified, credentialed, high-caliber instructors.

For a while I was looking for a school who can appreciate and take the time to find the uniqueness…read moreof my son's way of learning. I came across Pacific Prep Academy during the time my son was going to enter 9th grade. Being a homeschool mom, I had known that high school math was not strongest subject for me to further support him. Pacific Prep took my son under their wing and have not only helped him build his confidence in math but have adapted a holistic learning approach where he is able to master each lesson taught. Mrs. Beth is amazing and has truly built a strong bond with him and him with her. He looks forward to his lectures and working with his teacher. The Pacific Prep team goes above and beyond to attend to all our questions/concerns and assists us in every way they can. Pacific Prep Academy does not make us feel like another number, they have taken us in as a family. Thank you for all that you do and continue to do for us. We are looking forward to another amazing year.

Before first round applications are due in two weeks, make a point to tour New Traditions, a truly…read moreexceptional elementary school (K-5) within the SFUSD. We just won a spot in the spring lottery and transferred into New Traditions, my original first choice among the District's elementary schools. Prior, I had toured Miraloma, West Portal, Creative Arts Charter School, Grattan, Sherman, Rooftop and Claire Lilienthal. With bright and stimulating classrooms and hallways filled with children's artwork created under the tutelage of Meg, New Traditions' fabulous art teacher (the arts program funded by New Traditions' very strong PTA), New Traditions is led by an award-winning Principal and as of May 2012, awarded the prestigious "California Distinguished School" designation. With reciprocal programs with San Francisco's major art institutions including the DeYoung, New Traditions has a traditional curriculum with a strong arts slant. New Traditions is a nice, smaller size elementary school (student population around 250), with beautiful classrooms and grounds that include butterfly and vegetable gardens and a welcoming staff that makes you feel included in their community: I ***highly recommend.

I went there K-5th grade as a kid, and it was a truly wonderful experience. The relatively small…read moresize of the school contributed to me forming good bonds with classmates, and all-in-all it's a wonderful school that encourages arts. Strongly strongly recommended to set your child off on a brilliant path. Also, a 1st grade teacher who's still there, Gary, is far and away my favorite teacher of all time.