Cody Lee (La Canada H.S. ‘25)

Emory University (Oxford College Scholar)

Admitted To:
UC Irvine
University of the Pacific [Dental Program]
New York University
Northeastern University

When I first started working with Brian, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I had heard how stressful and overwhelming the college process was, and it felt frightening to start alone. So I asked my mom to look for a college counselor, and that’s when I met Brian. At the start of my journey, I didn’t know what kind of support I really needed, and I had very little knowledge about where I wanted to apply. What I found at Royal Education was not only a guide through the technical parts of applying to college, but also a counselor who genuinely listened and made me feel understood during each step of my application.

What I appreciated right away was how easy it was to talk with Brian. There’s this energy that’s hard to describe, kind of upbeat, but not fake. Grounded, but still enthusiastic. Our conversations never felt stiff or formal, and somehow, even the serious planning felt enjoyable. I actually looked forward to our meetings, which says a lot, considering how apprehensive I was.

Brian had this great way of balancing encouragement with a gentle push. I never felt pressured or boxed into a path, but at the same time, I was definitely challenged. There were moments when I’d say something vague like, “I think I want to apply to a school with a strong business program,” and he would follow up with, “Okay, but what does strong mean to you? Research? Policy programs? Community engagement?” Those kinds of questions helped me clarify my own goals, often before I even realized I was being unclear. It never felt like a quiz, more like someone honestly invested in helping me figure things out.

One of the most helpful parts of working with him was how proactive he was about suggesting extracurriculars. I thought I had a solid resume going in, but Brian opened up this whole world of opportunities I hadn’t even considered. From student leadership opportunities and academic competitions to volunteer organizations and summer programs, he always had something new for me to look into. It was honestly kind of exciting, I remember bookmarking like five different things after one call because they all actually aligned with what I cared about. Some I ended up doing, others not, but it gave me options, which felt empowering.

The essay process, though, was where he really made a difference. I was nervous about writing something “good enough,” and I had no idea how personal to get, or what stories would actually stand out. But Brian emphasized from the beginning that my voice mattered. There was so much freedom to explore different ideas, even some that felt a little strange at first. I remember starting with a childhood story that I thought might be too abstract, but he encouraged me to keep going with it, and it ended up becoming the core of my personal statement. The editing process was thorough, definitely, but never rigid. I didn’t feel like I was being forced into a certain tone or structure. If anything, I felt more like he truly knew how to put my ideas into words.

Another thing I really valued: no question was ever too small or too “obvious.” I asked about everything like early decision versus early action, financial aid logistics, whether I should retake a standardized test, how many APs was “enough”... the list goes on. Every time, he responded with so much clarity, and sometimes even data or real examples, which helped a lot. I guess what I’m saying is, Brian didn’t just know about the college process - he knew how to explain it, which is something I really value.

But more than anything, I think what stayed with me was the quality of our conversations. Sure, we talked about deadlines and test scores and recommendations, but we also talked about who I wanted to be. There were moments when I’d come in feeling overwhelmed or second-guessing myself, and I’d leave feeling calm. Centered. Like I had a clearer picture of what I was doing this for. That might sound corny, but it’s true.

In the end, I got into several schools I was really excited about, and I’m proud of how the process turned out. But honestly, the most meaningful part was just how human it all felt. I wasn’t just “crafting an application”, I was discovering how to present myself in an honest and intentional way. And that was largely because of Brian.

I’d recommend Royal Education wholeheartedly to anyone looking for a college counselor who is thoughtful, personal, and knowledgeable.

Megan Tian (La Canada H.S. ‘25)

Amherst College

Admitted To:
Rice University
UC Berkeley
UC San Diego
Scripps College

Working with this college counseling service made the entire college application process feel manageable and much less intimidating. From the very beginning, they were incredibly friendly, approachable, and easy to communicate with.  I never felt like I was asking a "dumb" question, and they always responded quickly with helpful advice. As someone who was unsure where to start and overwhelmed by the steps involved, their guidance was a huge relief. They helped me stay organized, brainstorm and polish my essays, and stay on track with deadlines. Beyond that, they were also a constant source of reassurance and support, which made a big difference in my confidence. I’d highly recommend them to anyone who wants personal, thoughtful help with their college journey.

Uma Shukla (La Canada H.S. ‘24)

Carnegie Mellon University (Early Decision)

Going to Royal Education for college counseling was quite possibly the best decision I could have made going into the process. I had Brian as a counselor and it was clear from the beginning that he had a really deep and thorough understanding of the college application process. From my first meeting with Brian, I felt very comfortable talking to him and I could tell that he was truly getting to know me as a person. After getting to know me, Brian was able to help determine which of my qualities should be emphasized through my essays to make me stand out as a unique and desirable applicant. Overall, the counseling I received from Royal Education made the whole college application process much easier to navigate and to manage and, with their guidance, I was admitted ED1 to Carnegie Mellon University for machine learning.

Additionally, to anyone who may be wary of the high cost that comes with Royal Education, I can guarantee that the return of the hefty payment is well worth it and it is a decision my parents and I would gladly make again.

Ryan Geng (La Canada H.S. ‘24)

University of Southern California

Admitted:
University of California, Davis
University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Cruz

Royal Education provided an incredible amount of knowledge and guidance for me and my family during the college application process. I worked with Brian and I think his background as an Ivy League student from a family that was not well-off allowed me to connect very easily with him. I always felt like I was working alongside him to improve my applications, and it was very easy to joke with him and push through a counselor-student relationship.

My family has never been through the American college application process and I would highly recommend Royal Education to anyone who like clear and concise advice and guidance.

Lauren Lee (Crescenta Valley H.S. ‘23)

Smith College (Early Decision)

I cannot speak highly enough about the exceptional college counseling services I received at Royal Education. The counselors (Albert and Brian) were not only knowledgeable about the college admissions process but also genuinely cared about my aspirations and goals. They took the time to understand my interests, strengths, and weaknesses and provided invaluable guidance tailored to my needs. Moreover, their support extended beyond just the applications. They informed me about important deadlines, scholarship opportunities, and financial aid options, easing my stress during this critical time. The college counselors went above and beyond to ensure that I was well-informed and empowered to make the best decisions for my future. Their dedication and commitment were evident in every interaction, and I am extremely grateful for their guidance. I wholeheartedly recommend their services to any high school student looking for guidance in the college application process.

Jonathan Kam (La Canada H.S. ‘23)

University of Southern California (USC)

Admitted:
University of California, Santa Cruz
Loyola Marymount University

My time spent at Royal Education could be summed up to spending time with college aged friends. At times I felt as if I was talking to someone my age simply expressing our mutual interests and at others having a mentor providing me with advice I’d be certain to use in the future. They were supportive of my ideas and even pushed against some of my parents, which was honestly unexpected and I greatly appreciate them for that. Furthermore, their tutoring services were greatly appreciated for even a procrastinator. Many times I would begin studying late, but there would always be a tutoring session open for me. During the college application process, I did admittedly start slow, but Brian and Albert were matching my pace every step of the way. When I would begin pushing multiple drafts out a day, they were there responding to each and every one of my concerns. 

Colin Wang (La Canada H.S. ‘22)

University of Southern California (USC)

Admitted:
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis
Northeastern University

Albert helped me stay on track and organized with the tedious college apps process He gave me great tips on my essays and how to stand out among the other applicants and guided me on choosing the right major. I’m glad I had his help because the information available can be overwhelming.

Adam Kim (Crescenta Valley H.S. ‘22)

University of Southern California (USC)

Admitted:
University of Notre Dame
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

I think what’s most important is that I was able to be myself in my college applications, and not some other person molding myself for a certain school.
The ones who allowed me to fully express myself were Albert and Brian. It’s scary how good they are at what they do, and I have not a single regret working with them during my college application process. They are well versed in the field, and gave me constant updates on the ever changing environment of college apps during the pandemic. They also have numerous connections that have allowed them to stay informed, as well as introduce me to an internship that I would not have known about, but I thoroughly gained a lot from.What really sets them apart is that they didn’t feel like a teacher and/or counselor, but a good friend. They go out of their way to form tight-knit relationships with their students. Through discussions, they cater to the individual needs of each student, from their interests and extracurriculars needed to make this a reality, and overall craft a well-rounded college application.
However, what really sets Albert and Brian apart are their dedication to their students. They do everything in their power to provide for their students. I had heard stories that they pulled all-nighters before helping out students finish their college apps in time for their deadline, but I came to realize that they really care for what they do. I remember once I was working on essays until 3 AM, and tagged Brian to check it the next morning. To my surprise however, he responded within minutes and helped round out the essay. They put so much effort and care into their students, even giving words of encouragement and pep talks, so their students can continue on, with their heads held high.
College essays in of themselves are a completely different beast of their own. But Albert and Brian have a very streamlined process in getting these essays to come out to the best they can be. They are master storytellers, and make sure that nothing goes unnoticed in adding to my application as a prospective student as a whole. Looking back at the first renditions of my essays and the final versions is shocking, as the difference is heaven and earth.
Of course, words are of no merit without results to show what they can do. In perhaps the worst college application years, I was able to be admitted into all my reach schools and some target, and greatly aided me in attending my dream university.
There is a lot that goes on in the college application process, but Albert and Brian’s experience and teamwork in the field is nothing short of sublime. I want to thank them once again for all that they have done. Fight On!

Emily Park (Oak Park H.S. ‘22)

University of Pennsylvania [Early Decision]

Albert and Brian have guided me thoroughly from the beginning to the end of my high school career. Whether it is college advice, internships, or even random homework help, they have always been there for me. They are friendly with every one of their students, meticulously catering their students' extracurricular opportunities to match their interests, ultimately resulting in a well-rounded college application. Albert and Brian's willingness to work and mentor me throughout my high school journey is one of the key reasons I was able to thrive as a student. Now, UPenn-bound, I am forever grateful. Thank you Royal!

Austin Chun (West Ranch H.S. ‘21)

University of California, Los Angeles

Admitted:
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Irvine [Regents Scholarship]
University of Southern California

Brian and Albert know literally everything about the college application process. Their connections have not only allowed them to keep me informed about how the college application process changed during the pandemic but have also introduced me to impactful and rewarding internships that I would have regretted not being apart of. Looking back at my first and final drafts of my essays, I could tell that without their insightful storytelling advice and knowledgable writing tips, I would have not gotten into many of my reach schools. Both Brian and Albert will go out of their way to form a close, tight-knit relationship with you. Their outgoing personalities as well as their encouraging attitudes create an environment that anyone can feel comfortable in. Personally, I believe this is what sets them apart from other college counselors. Their capability to make students open up and feel comfortable enough to talk about and formulate their stories onto a piece of paper is something that not many college counselors can achieve. Whether you are looking for someone who can help develop your stories into emotional essays or looking for guidance from someone who knows the ins and outs of the college application, I can ensure you that Brian and Albert will provide you with the opportunities and services you will need in order to be successful in the college application process.

Audrey Lee (La Canada H.S. ‘21)

University of California, Berkeley

Admitted:
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Tulane University

Royal Education has provided me with nothing less than an amazing and impactful college counseling experience.

As experienced college counselors, their effort and success in providing me with unique opportunities catered to my interests portrayed their expertise and professionalism. By recognizing the tedious and often stressful process that the college application journey can be, Albert and Brian not only provide help on the more obvious aspects of the college application such as the essays, application itself, and organization but also cater to their student’s mental and physical health in the process.

Their college counseling is unique in that both Albert and Brian provide advice and input on a student’s application, allowing for double the eyes and double the brains to ensure that the application is up to its fullest potential. With their help, I was able to get into the University of California, Berkeley.

Albert and Brian strive to and succeed in creating close relationships with each of their students in order to accurately analyze their writing style and cater each extracurricular activity they suggest to each individual student’s personalities and passions. Their kind and undeniable friendliness allows them to have a very personal and tight-knit relationship with each of their students, ultimately being one of the key factors to their ability to help craft a well-rounded college application.

Despite the complexities the college application process often suggests, Albert and Brian’s teamwork as college counselors provides a personable and targeted college counseling experience for each individual that walks through Royal Education's doors.

Derek Ahn (La Canada H.S. ‘21)

University of Pennsylvania [Early Decision]

Albert and Brian Oh of Royal Education are perhaps the best college counselors I could ever ask for. They know the ins and outs of the college application process, and have the experience to know what works and what doesn't. For me personally, they really helped with the entire essay process, finding unique things for me to talk about that I hadn't realized about myself before. They even introduced me to a life-changing internship, and thanks to their help, I got into my Early Decision at UPenn. Besides just their skill and connections, Albert and Brian are both kind and charismatic; they are incredibly easy to work with and truly care about you. I know I will try to keep in touch with them even after finishing the application process. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a college counselor!

Brian Zou (South Pasadena H.S. ‘21)

New York University [Early Decision]

Admitted:
Texas A&M University [Early Action]
University of Wisconsin-Madison [Early Action]

My experience with Royal Education has been nothing but sublime.

It's not often you find a pair of uniquely talented, yet equally as charming people balanced the way Brian and Albert Oh are. Working with these two individuals has been absolutely delightful, and they are absolutely wonderful people. I could spiel on and on about the whole experience, but I'll dive right into the meat of the review here. Brian and Albert are both incredibly knowledgable on the college application process - what schools are looking for, what to tune up within an application, and how to spice up an essay. They are absolute professionals, but they truly connect with their students on a personal level. I am extremely grateful to have worked with them - and the results from their work show.

If you as a student are willing to put in the effort, willing to set forth your best foot - along with the advice of Brian and Albert - you can achieve your goals. Best of luck to all of you currently applying and waiting on decisions, as well as future prospective students!

Lyron Co Ting Keh (Crescenta Valley H.S. ‘19)

Stanford University [Early Acceptance]

Admitted:
Yale University [Early Action]
Harvard University [Early Acceptance]
MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Walking into Albert & Brian's office was one of the best decisions I made in my college application process.

Starting with outcomes: I got into all of my reach schools & my cousin (applying this year) is knocking out target/reach schools by the day. Of course, results never paint the entire picture, so I'd like to highlight a few behind-the-scenes aspects of their approach that I believe are quite conducive to great application delivery.

1. Crafting an authentic application. Every word on my application contributed to an accurate picture of who I am. Not once did I get the impression that Albert & Brian were trying to fit me into a "template" of the perfect candidate (as a significant number of college applications guides tend to do). Their primary role was extracting notable points about my experiences and helping me with synthesizing/packaging them into compelling and genuine stories. Authenticity is one of the key characteristics of engaging college essay writing, yet it is often one of the most overlooked. Albert & Brian know this, a fact that is reflected in their guiding principle: "If we anonymously drop your essays in the middle of the street and your best friends pick it up, they will immediately think of you. If strangers pick it up, they will feel as if they have already met you." I certainly believe that we accomplished this by the conclusion of the process.

2. Storytelling expertise. To put plainly, they are great storytellers. Albert & Brian teach storytelling techniques that I haven't encountered anywhere else. Short, choppy phrases to convey excitement and thrill; sentence cadence to amplify any message you are trying to get across; sustaining a metaphor to create cohesiveness and make the essay a better read- a few of many techniques that I employ to this day. Telling a good story is a fundamental skill of any capable writer, one that is especially critical when trying to encompass your entire character in a few pages of paper.

3. Commitment to their students' success. Albert & Brian had many other clients while I was there, yet they somehow made it feel as though I was their only student. They reviewed each completed application with the utmost care. I got emails from them at all hours of the day/night, pointing out the slightest of details (deviation in format, potential ambiguity, minor discordance in information) that I somehow overlooked. Every time I needed their help, they found a way to clear up a time slot. I've heard of instances where they devoted their entire night *after closing hours* to work on a mentee's last-minute submission. It goes to show how much they are willing to do to ensure that their students are supported.

4. Staying well-informed. They go to conferences every few months to keep up to date, not just with what application reviewers want to know from their applicants, but also general trends in what types of individuals thrive at which places. This- along with the personal network & bank of experiences that they built over years of being in the industry- means that they had well-informed and nuanced responses to any inquiry I had about the application process or the universities themselves.

It's difficult to find guidance of this quality, especially for a process as convoluted as applying for college. Albert & Brian's service is a gem in the space. I'd recommend them to anyone applying.

Eric S. Kim (Golden Valley H.S. ‘20)

University of Pennsylvania

Admitted:
Columbia University (Dual Program)
University of Southern Cal. (Scholarship Recipient)
University of California, Los Angeles (Regents)

If you are reading this review, the majority of you might be wondering whether you should receive help for your college application or your SAT from Royal Education. In my case, getting help from Albert and Brian was a joyful and rewarding experience.
For those who are wondering about the end results, I was accepted to UPenn and Columbia, despite my short time being here (I came to the US three years ago). In terms of the end results, they are very satisfying, but I want to share my thoughts.
1. Commitment
When I started college application prep with Albert and Brian, they committed to my success until the end. I can not remember the number of meetings that we had because we had so many meetings that I lost track of counting. We not only had numerous regular personal meetings but also sometimes had meetings that were 6 hours long (beyond their closing hours). Also, even though I was done with the college admission process, Albert and Brian helped me to financial aid and college waitlist appeal letters.
2. Finding and Delivering Quirks
I think one of the most interesting talents that Albert and Brian have was bringing out characteristics or quirks that I had but was not aware of. Since college admission officers are looking for unique non-academic aspects of applicants, finding and presenting my hidden quirks eloquently to colleges created a unique twist in my college application that I would not have seen without their insight.
3. Excellent Mentors
Throughout my college admission process, I had to make many choices. From changing school schedules, deciding which teacher that I should get my letter of rec, and what internships that I need to pursue, these were not easy to decide. However, Albert and Brian always had not only clear answers to dilemmas that I struggled with, but also a long term vision that all of small decisions complemented together creating a giant harmonious fresco. Also, Albert and Brian became role models that I could follow, setting up benchmarks which are hard to establish in a traditional public school environment.

Joy Wyckoff (Van Nuys Senior H.S. ‘20)

University of California, Berkeley (Regent Scholar)

Admitted:
University of California, Los Angeles
Pepperdine University

Such an amazing welcoming environment. Brian and Albert know exactly how to work with the students to construct a lesson plan to guide them through what works best for each individual student. They are two kind, bright young men, who know exactly what they're doing. If you're looking for college counseling, this is definitely the place to go. I have nothing but kind words for them and will be recommending them to everyone I know.

J. Ha (Oakwood School ‘19)

Colorado College [Early Action]

Admitted:
University Of Southern California

I came back from home to show you my admissions to Colorado College! Thank you so much for your help! Couldn’t have done it without you!

Eugene Hong (La Cañada H.S. ‘19)

Emory University (Oxford College Scholar)
Recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship [Full Tuition]

Admitted:
Cornell University
University of California, Berkeley
University of Michigan
University of the Pacific [Dental Program]

로얄학원 선생님들~ Eugene 교육을 위해 항상 힘써 도와주셔서 진심으로 감사드립니다. 특히 이번에 Eugene 대학 입시에 도움을 주시고 장학금 까지 받게되어 저희 가족은 너무 기쁘고 행복하고 자랑스럽 습니다. 다시한번 따뜻하고 진심어린 마음 감사드립니다. (From Eugene’s Mother / Eugene 어머님)