Testimonials
College
Graduate School
Boarding and Day Schools
College
College Match Educational Consultants helped me so much with my application and admissions processes. I talked with Dave about what I wanted out of a school and he provided me with a list of all the schools he thought would suit me. He even categorized them based on my academic standings as "Safety", "50/50", "Reach", and "Super Reach". He helped me strategize on my entrance essays and advised me on how best to fill out my applications and financial aid forms. When all was said and done, out of the 10 schools I applied to, I was accepted to 9, including Columbia University, and wait-listed at one. I was even accepted to ALL of my "Super Reach" schools, and offered prestigious scholarships at 4 of the schools. Best of all, I recieved nearly full rides at almost every single school. Without College Match Educational Consultants, I could never have gotten into the phenomenal college that I will be attending this fall.
A. Lee
(2007 College Match Educational Consultants client admitted to Columbia University)
Before working with College Match Educational Consultants I was convinced that I was going to be going to a large school in the middle of big city. Yet after just a few meetings and listening to the kind of college experience and education I wanted, David encouraged me to take a look at schools I had never even considered as the type I would want to attend. Now I will be attending Colgate University, a small university in rural town, and I couldn't be more excited!
David supported me in all the arenas of the college process. He helped me choose where to apply- which I will be forever grateful for. He then helped me with my essay by editing it himself and even getting me in contact with a creative writing instructor. He was able to answer all the small questions that come up- from how to list my race to what was the best way to answer question three from this or that application. He especially helped with following up to applications- something that an admissions officer told me really made a difference in my application.
In a lot of ways David prepared me for the work world as well as for the college application. He got me to make an activities chart which has been used countless times in applying to college, but also in applying for jobs. The interview skills he stressed in our mock interviews were undoubtedly helpful for college interviews, but again, in applying for jobs. I even got to use my college essay for a school essay, talk about double dipping!
Keegan Conway
Colgate University, Class of 2011
I don't think I would have gotten into Georgetown without College Match Educational Consultants. David really helped me to strategize and plan for the admissions process by showcasing my talents and activities. The positive attitude and "the sky is the limits" ideas made the application process easy for me, and I can't imagine being accepted to highly selective schools without him.
Joseph Drouin
(2007 College Match Educational Consultants client admitted to Georgetown University)
College Match Educational Consultants provided quality service for our family. Dave Montesano was involved with our two sons in the college application process. From the initial contacts and meetings, Dave was careful and planful in assessing our sons post-high school needs, high school performance and testing, unique abilities and accomplishments and potential College Match Educational Consultantses. Though the aplication process for our sons was one of considerable organizing, writing and rewriting which at times resulted in stress, the personal connection established by Dave enabled the process to move forward in a successful manner. Dave's communication with us was always informative and he was readily availble to consult with. He kept us involved at all times. Our sons gained skills (writing, organizing, etc.) in the application process. There were also self-esteem benefits - thinking and writing about themselves for their resumes, etc. as well as being accepted to college. College Match Educational Consultants feel that the presentation of the material in the applications, letters, reference requests, resumes and supplements that Dave helped orchestrate was a critical piece in our sons' acceptances (and scholarships) to a variety of colleges. College Match Educational Consultants was well worth the investment for all of us!
Robert Strauss
(Parent of 2006 College Match Educational Consultants client attending Hampshire College)
Thanks again David I would never have made it through the application process let alone getting into a decent school if it had not been for all of your help and dedication THANKS SO MUCH.
Meaghan (Mills College First Year)
Dear David,
Just wanted to drop you a quick note to thank you for working with Natasha on her college selection and applications. You were a proactive partner and kept things on track, I appreciate that!
You also made some great calls on college selection that College Match Educational Consultants would not have considered, like Hamilton and Bucknell.
Good job and thank you!
Firoz L.
David Montesano did an exceptional job helping my son with the entire college selection process. My son was accepted at four of the five colleges to which he applied, and decided to enter Willamette University, which also offered him a scholarship.
My son’s case was not typical, nor particularly easy. He was asked to leave two of Seattle’s prestigious private schools, finishing high school at nineteen through a private school that provided one-on-one tutoring. He then worked in a warehouse for six months before deciding he wanted to go to college.
David interviewed my son, along with me and his father, although we are no longer married. This interview took several hours, during which David really listened to each of us. From this session, David was able to understand which type of colleges would meet my son’s learning style and might also accept him.
David guided my son through the SAT preparation and registration process. He helped him with the applications, always making the applications my son’s responsibility, but acting as a coach.
My son gained a lot of confidence through this process and is very much looking forward to starting Willamette University next Fall. Without David, none of this could have happened.
I am most grateful and appreciative of David's abilities and knowledge and would recommend him without reservation to anyfamily wanting guidance with the college selection process.
Sincerely,
Lauren D.
Dear David,
Jacob is now at Willamette, having a wonderful time so far, enjoying both the education and the social life. The school did a wonderful orientation, both for parents and students and Rion and I are going down for parents and family weekend in Oct.
Thank you again so very much.
Lauren D.
David Montesano has assisted me greatly. From putting together a stellar application. to helping me get into the collages of my choice. My application was so good I got into schools I didn't even finish applying to.
My essay helped me recieve a diversity scholarship from Linfield College and a leadership scholarship form Gonzaga University. I believe that the process was a tremendous help and played a big part in helping me to polish my applications.
Tatiana (early decision admit to University of Puget Sound)
Dear David,
Marty and I just want to thank you so very much for your efforts on getting Michael into college. Because of Michael's alternative school, ho-hum grades, and his learning disabilities, our expectations were uncertain at best. You were really instrumental in steering us in the right direction. To date, Michael has been accepted into five very good colleges, and we have yet to hear from two more. He has not been rejected by any. We are so impressed!
First, and perhaps most importantly, was your influence on Michael himself. You really made him realize that he was making an important decision, that he could get into college, and that you expected him to succeed. You helped him understand that his learning disabilities were just something to handle, not a barrier for him. We believe that his decision to complete his Eagle Scout work, was motivated by your convincing him that doing so "would be huge!" Your advise and feedback to him on how to write his essays was very effective - one college commented specifically on his essay. In addition, you were really great at pulling out the many ways we could tell Michael's story. Michael really does have a good story to tell about himself, and we did not realize it until you led us through considering all the many ways he has received recognition and served his community. Even Michael was impressed. He thinks about you as a wise counselor and friend, and he listens to you.
Marty and I have felt like we could just relax about the whole thing. We did pitch in and help with the on-line applications, but truly, it was not particularly stressful, knowing that you would inform us if anything was askew. You have always answered email and phone messages without delay, and been very supportive to us with both your time and advice.
We are truly thankful for your help, Dave.
Sincerely
Carole and Marty<
P.S. After your last conversation, Michael is already thinking about the benefits of graduate school! What a change from our discouraged son that was afraid that no college would have him!
Dave Montesano was most concerned with helping me to find a college that best fit my learning style and personality. Dave Montesano went to great lengths to explore many colleges with me.
I wanted to attend an institution where I would have personal attention from faculty. Dave Montesano introduced me to Willamette University which has a 10:1 student—faculty ratio.
My four years at Willamette University were amazing! Willamette was a perfect match and I learned more about myself and the world than I ever expected!
I do not believe I would have chosen Willamette University without the help of Dave Montesano. He was committed to guiding me to a school that met my needs academically and socially. The results of his efforts were a successful match between me and Willamette University.
Nicole F., BA, Sociology,
Willamette University, 2004
1621 40th Ave. NW
Salem, OR 97304
I was in great need of a college counselor because one, I am an only child, and two my mother is an immigrant which means she was not too familiar with the American college process. In addition, I also had no idea where I wanted to go and what colleges would be "a good fit" for me. So when Dave and I met, he very much started working with a blank slate. Dave did a wonderful job selling my strengths and assets to a variety of colleges. Our first meetings together, Dave asked me the normal questions such as GPA, SAT scores, and extracurricular activities. Next meetings, he asked me what I wanted. All I knew was I wanted to major in Psychology and go to a college/university in a semi-urban environment. I also wanted a school with a good reputation that would set me up well for my future desire of attending law school. Dave not only help me decide what would be the "right" schools to apply to, but he very much helped me with the very feared and dreaded essay questions. He helped come up with topics that conveyed what type of applicant I was, personality wise and so forth, and also how I was different from every other applicant, and why I would be a good asset to the school. Not only did Dave help me with college selection, but he also helped me with college financial issues which he discussed with my mom. Dave was very good with college selection and college applications because he took the time to get to know me. Because of this, him and I were very successful into getting me into many colleges and also helped me pick the one that fit best. I applied to about 10 colleges like UC-Santa Cruz, USC, Oberlin, Lafayette, Pitzer, Vassar, among others; I only got denied from about 2, waitlisted on 2 and I got accepted by all the rest.
I now attend Occidental College and will be graduating in Spring 2005. After all was said and done I very much feel Occidental was the right pick for me. I immediately got very involved once I entered Oxy. I was invited to participate in the Multicultural Summer Institute (MSI), a writing intensive summer program in which participants receive 4 academic credits. I am a member of the Occidental Women’s Soccer Team, a member of Dance Theater Production, and a member of Black Student Alliance. I just recently returned from doing a semester abroad in Havana, Cuba. I have received the Kenneth T. and Eileen Norris Scholarship. I have an on-campus job where I work at the Dean of Students Office. I was elected Sophomore Senator for Associated Students of Occidental College (ASOC) - student government. I was also a member for Dean of Occidental College Search Committee, where I, along with selected peers, met to interview applicants for the Dean of College. As a diverse group, we represented students and provided a formal suggestion of which candidate would best fit the college. I used to be a volunteer tutor to middle school students. Last summer I had an internship at Bet Tzedek Law Office of Social Justice.
Dave was very good and helpful at the college selection and college application process that I hope I can use his great skills again with my law application process. I would highly recommend his services without any qualms.
Thank you very much for everything,
Erika G.
Double major in Psychology and Politics
Occidental College
May 2005
Dave,
Towards the end of the school year, I received a letter from Bates College saying that they were accepting me from the waiting list. I went and visited within the week, then decided to go there as soon as I got back. So I'll be in Lewiston, Maine next year, trying to write papers while my entire body is probably suffering from frostbite.
Thanks for the help you provided my family with when we really had no idea how to deal with college- I appreciate it. Good luck with getting more people into college this year, and I'm glad that I'm safely into a college that I love.
Talk to you later,
Jake C.
Lakeside School Class of 2004
Again I want to thank you for your help through the process of the next chapter of life! It was awesome to work with somebody who listened to my interests and concerns, got to know who I am as an individual, and hand-picked schools that are accurate matches. Without your help I wouldn't have gotten the opportunity to learn about so many colleges - colleges that offer study abroad programs, independent learning curriculums.. And of course, after choosing these schools, the help I received in properly applying was phenomenal as well. Thanks again.
E. Tramonte
Early Action/Early Decision 2006, College Match Educational Consultants client
(acceptances include: Hampshire, Marlboro, and Whittier colleges)
Just wanted to let you know two good things:
1) Michael got into Seattle U and The University of Portland. That makes him 7 for 7. The only one that he hasn't heard from is Evergreen.
2) Michael found out today that Whittier is offering him a $14,000 scholarship. It is renewable for 4 years.
Thanks so much for your help! We are singing your praises to everyone we know.
Tracy and Tom
Early Action/Early Decision 2006, College Match Educational Consultants Parents
So, not only did I get into Whitman, they offered me $29,750 for the 06-07 school year! I'm so excited because my family can swing the other 11000 and i will be able to go to Whitman! I don't think I can express how thankful I am. Whitman is my dream school and I don't think I would have had a shot without you. Thank you!
Garett L.
Early Action/Early Decision 2006, Whitman College
Graduate School
I work for Amazon.com Japan branch and now study at McGill University MBA program in Tokyo. Although I don't live in the States, I wanted to further my study in English, preferably by keeping my exciting job at Amazon.co.jp and become more internationally marketable, so I decided to use College Match service to find the best program for me and enroll successfully with professional help. Dave's service exceeded my expectation indubitably. Especially his consulting method is unique and effective because of the below factors;
1. Collaborative approach It was not "I" decided which school to apply and Dave helped me to achieve my already set goal. He guided me to sort my priorities out upon school selection and "we" decided every step together. Brainstorming and problem solving phases were extremely meaningful, as it made me clearly understand why I should go to a business school and what and how much payoffs I should expect from MBA experience. He helped me to find answers on my own.
2. Marketing technique application I felt as if I was the strongest candidate already, by selecting a school with Dave because given the priorities I had, McGill was the best "match" and my statement was quite convincing, thanks to his support. Dave helped me to find my competitive advantage as an applicant and coached me how I should position and differentiate myself in the application pool. I strongly believe Dave's vast experience as a brand strategist makes the College Match Educational Consultants' offering something special and unrivaled-- and it really works!
3. International reach I live in Tokyo, but wanted to enroll in a program that offers international experience and recognition. Since Dave is quite well acquainted with college education overseas and career development as a globalized workforce. His insights were extremely useful and inspiring to design my career.
4. Moral support I appreciated Dave's role as a spiritual cheer leader as much as a strategic consultant. He would always assure me I could get in the program and confidence I gained through his endorsement helped me to get through stressful admission process.
Rie, MBA McGill University, Class of 2009
Boarding and Day Schools
I wanted to tell you that we were very pleased with the Ridge Creek experience for our son Bobby. He seems to have taken the experience to heart, and it had the right balance of wilderness/therapy for him. I would not hesitate to recommend it for others. Thanks again for your help. We look forward to meeting you after our move to Phoenix this Saturday.
Bob M.
(2007 School Match parent)
I am very pleased with your helping my son. It was the best decision I made to hire you as our consultant. My son has always been gifted, but thanks to your help he is doing much better emotionally. He was in a wilderness program before we hired you to select a boy's boarding school. He was always a good students but he is now making all A's.
Ruth B.
(2007 School Match parent)
For further information please contact:
david@collegematchus.com
1-877-658-4400
