HI! I’m Elaine Wong, your 1Hr College Review counselor. I have been working in and studying college admissions for the past 35 years. It is my passion. What I’ve learned is that whole student or holistic strategies work. With the thousands of look-alike applications that colleges receive, presenting whole person narratives can tip the scales from being rejected to being accepted.

Here’s why:

The Macro-Lens of Urban Planning: With a B.A. in Political Science from UC Berkeley, a Master’s in Urban Planning from Pratt Institute, and years working on complex municipal issues, I’ve learned that understanding context and goals, and the hard and soft data each project brings, creates effective arguments that sway outcomes. It’s called the holistic method.

The Micro-Lens of Parenting and Advocacy: Having guided my own two daughters, their friends, and current high school students with my 15 years of experience being a Cal alumna scholarship interviewer I know what successful applicants look like. They tell authentic stories about themselves that stand out from the typical candidate and align themselves with their target schools.

Lastly: Combining my professional and personal experiences I use strategic and creative methods to bring college applications to life. Interested in finding out more? For a few minutes 1 Hr College Review will work with you for free - you have nothing to lose, but you might gain an important insight.