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OUR TEAM

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COUNSELING

FROM OUR HIGHLY EXPERIENCED COACHES

Selecting and applying to a college can be a confusing and daunting task. PA College Prep offers college admission consultation to help demystify the process.

PA College Prep

COUNSELING

PA College Prep’s counseling program provides students with the guidance and insight necessary to make the best decisions regarding the college selection and application process. This is achieved through a multi-faceted approach:

  • GPA Evaluation

  • Standardized Test Preparation and Analysis

  • Course Selection Analysis

  • Extracurricular Activity Strategizing

  • College Selection

  • College Application Essay Assistance 

  • Application Assistance 

  • Vocational Guidance   

  • Interview Practice and Strategizing   

  • Final College Selection

 

Become a great college applicant with our successful College Application Counseling. Contact us to make a FREE 30 minute counseling appointment today!

APPLICATION FORM
NAVIGATION SEMINAR

When applying to colleges, students must complete labyrinthine, multipage application forms that require extensive research. What should be included? What should be left out? In this two hour seminar led by college consultant Chris Bonneau, students and their parents will receive step-by-step guidance on how to complete college application forms. (This seminar will cover the University of California application and the Common Application used by most highly ranked universities across the country.)

COLLEGE APPLICATION
ESSAY WRITING WORKSHOP

Dates: 7/3/2023-8/11/2023, Tuesday & Thursday

(7/4 class will be on 7/5)

Time: 1:30-3:30 pm

Office Hour: 1.5 hours per week for 1-1 instruction (dates & time TBD)

In 6 weeks, students will finish:

  • A completed draft of their Common App personal statement

  • Outlines for all four UC PIQs

  • A completed draft of at least one PIQ 

Our Counselors

Chris Bonneau

Director of Counseling

• B.S. in Communications from Boston University 

• Award-winning professional writer

Though accepted at an Ivy League university, Mr. Bonneau opted to study at Boston University - an institution that better served his academic interests in Communications and provided him with a near-full scholarship. Since moving to California in 1995, Chris has been a prolific, award-winning writer (of screenplays and educational texts) and an accomplished teacher and counselor.  He has taught at a number of highly regarded academies throughout the Los Angeles area and has even written an in-depth guide to the SAT Writing section.
 

Chris has helped more than 2,000 students with the college selection and application process. During this time frame, he has guided students through more than 4,000 college statements. Many of the students that Chris has counseled have gone on to Ivy League and other prestigious universities.

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Cedric Papa

College Counselor

  • B.A.,Ethnic Studies: Asian-American Minor: History, Cal State Fullerton

 

With years of dedicated experience in college counseling, Cedric Papa is a seasoned professional renowned for his commitment to meticulous planning, adept problem-solving, and providing a clear structure for understanding a student's path toward college.

 

Blending his background as an accomplished educator with therapeutic practices, he provides a unique approach to guiding students through the intricacies of the college journey, ensuring clarity and minimizing stress. Cedric has a track record of inspiring students' passions through innovative passion project development.

 

His expertise includes developing efficient academic study habits for individual students and essay writing skills that empower his students to articulate their stories authentically and persuasively. Driven by a genuine passion for equipping students with the tools they need to transition into college life, Cedric continues to make a lasting impact by creating a bridge between aspirations and achievements, all while alleviating the pressures often associated with the journey of reaching college success.

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Andy Luong

STEM College Counselor

  • B.S. in Biochemistry at UCLA

  • M.S. In Biomedical science at UCSD

  • Four years of research experience in the Cardio Surgery Lab at UCLA

 

Mr. Luong started his counseling career with helping underclass students navigate their class choices and find research opportunities at UCLA, which further deepened his understanding of the academic landscape.


Since completing his studies, Mr. Luong has dedicated himself to helping students achieve their academic and professional goals by offering personalized guidance and support. Through his expertise and dedication, he has helped numerous students gain acceptance to prestigious institutions such as Brown, Stanford, Boston University, UCLA, UCSD, and UC Berkeley.

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Maria Garcia

College Counselor

  • B.A. in Psychology, Vanguard University

  • M.A. in Education, Pupil Personnel Services 

  • M.A. in Educational Leadership, Administrative Credential 

 

Mrs. Garcia obtained her undergraduate degree in psychology from Vanguard University with a merit scholarship.  She then completed two Masters degrees at Azusa Pacific University.  She has excelled for 23 years in the field of education as a college counselor and vice principal.  She has counseled students in top public and private schools in California, South America, and Asia.  Mrs. Garcia has traveled numerous times to China and worked with students and families directly in the college application process.  Her passion for helping students reach their full potential and enter Ivy League Universities and other prestigious institutions is what fuels her.  

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Marla Kelley

Senior College Counselor

  • Doctoral degree in Law, Loyola Law School - Los Angeles, CA

  • Bachelor's Degree in English, University of California-Irvine

 

After a career as a litigation attorney and partner in a southern California law firm, when her own three children were applying to college, Marla designed a method to guide students toward writing personal statements for their college applications. Marla’s tried and true method has successfully helped students navigate their way into some of the most competitive universities in the country over the past 16 years. Hundreds of Marla’s students have been accepted to colleges from Harvard to Stanford, the UC's, and most schools in between. Many of them credit Marla’s advice on their essays as the factor that brought them admission to their dream schools. Marla dedicated herself to this calling and presented her expert methods and strategies about the college essay writing process at dozens of meetings and seminars throughout Southern California.  

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Laura Hwang

Assistant Director of Counseling

College Counselor

  • M.A., Social Psychology, San Francisco State University 

  • B.A., Psychology, University of California Irvine

 

Ms. Laura Hwang, a dedicated and compassionate counselor with a specialization in social, developmental, and behavioral psychology, has guided numerous students in their paths to college. With a Master of Arts degree and field-specific certifications in Psychology, she possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in understanding the complex social psychological needs, challenges, and pressures young individuals face. She is committed to supporting them in navigating their personal, academic, and social growth.

Ms. Laura’s academic background and professional experiences have equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of various counseling approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, solution-focused therapy, and play therapy. Skillfully, she tailors her counseling techniques to meet the unique needs and developmental stages of her clients, creating a safe and supportive environment for their growth and healing.

Driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on the lives of young adults, Ms. Laura combines her academic knowledge, counseling skills, and teaching experience to empower her clients to overcome challenges, build resilience, and reach their full potential. Her unwavering commitment to providing compassionate and evidence-based care has earned her a reputation for being a trusted and effective counselor in her community.

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Firdosi Wharton-Ali

Writing Coach

MFA, Screenwriting, UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television

​BA, Political Science (Specialization in American Politics) UCLA

Certification in Screenwriting, Non-degree program, UCLA

TOEFL Certificate

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"...When I took classes at PA College Prep, I felt that PA College Prep provided students with a very comfortable and challenging learning environment. The faculty not only helped us with the various subjects, but they also made themselves available to answer any of our questions about standardized tests and applying to college. As a student at PA College Prep, I always new that the faculty would be available to offer me guidance on academic issues ranging from chemistry review to paper revisions to college essay brainstorming."

- STEPHANIE LIN, 2012 RHODES SCHOLARSHIP WINNER, GRADUATED FROM MIT 2012

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