Pacific College Prep

Is it possible to have a one-time consultation?

Yes, for the students who prefer the DIY approach and want occasional help with coursework selection, extracurriculars, summer programs etc., we offer consultations on an hourly basis. Please contact us to schedule one.

Do you help select the PIQ prompts to respond to?

We provide writing exercises to brainstorm possible PIQ topics and determine which prompts fit them best.

Do you provide help with extracurricular activities?

Yes, Pacific College Prep provides suggestions for differentiating activities geared toward a student's major ( pre-med, Engineering , Business/economics). Pacific College Prep's STEM booster programs provide great entry points to many engineering-related subjects, especially the Digital Logic and Circuit Design class which teaches students college level engineering material and can be listed as a major preparatory program on college applications.

Do you review the additional information section?

Yes, a review of the additional information section and suggestions for improvement are included in the DIY and Comprehensive packages. We can suggest information like how to explain a drop in academic performance and challenging circumstances.

Do you provide any help with non-UC applications?

Yes, we provide help with all aspects of Common App, Coalition App and MIT App. Any non-UC application related help is provided on an hourly basis and is not included in the comprehensive package.

Do you help with major and college selection?

Yes, I help with major selection based on GPA and extracurriculars for both UCs and non-UCs. For non-UCs, I help students select a list of Reach , Target and Safety colleges. The non-UCs tasks are on an hourly basis and is not included in the comprehensive package.

How many times do you meet with a student with comprehensive package?

I meet a student 2 times a semester ( 4 times a year) in each of 9th , 10th, 11th , 12th grades. I meet a student once before the semester begins to help with course selection and activities and again in the middle of the semester to ensure both coursework and activities are on track and also to plan summer programs / summer coursework. In 12th grade, I meet the student 4 times in the first semester itself as they do not need much help in the second semester of 12th grade. Outside of these meetings, students are free to contact me via email for any questions and I will respond within 1 day or less. If students are local to San Ramon / Dublin, I have face-to-face meetings . For students who are further away, I usually have remote meetings.

Do you help with summer programs?

Yes, I provide the resources for competitive and non-competitive summer programs , paid internships, research activities, publishing research paper, volunteer activities etc. I also provide back-ups for summer programs in case the student is not accepted into the activity of their choice. I also offer a course in Digital Logic and Circuit Design which is a college preparatory program designed for 8-12 graders that can be added to a student's college application.

When do you offer the STEM courses?

The Digital Logic and Circuit Design course is offered 3 times a year (Fall , Spring and Summer). The course is 12 weeks long and can be added to college application as a college-preparatory program. Contact for exact start dates.

What is your success rate?

My students have been accepted at top colleges. Using my secret strategies, my students are 2 to 4 times more likely to be admitted to an UC of their choice than the average applicant.

Is it better to get an A in a regular course or a B in an AP course?

It is best to get an A in AP course as maintaining both a good GPA and course rigor is absolutely essential.

How many years of Foreign Language should a student take?

At least 3 years of Foreign Language to be competitive for UCs. 4 years is better.

Do I need to do a PE course in 10th grade to get second year of PE credit if I am also part of the high school sports team?

There is no need to do a PE course in 10th grade if you are already doing sports. To get PE credit for sports in 10th grade, submit a signed form from your coach by the deadline. Participating in sports in 9th grade does not give the second year of PE credit.

PE is an easy A grade. Should I do a PE course to improve GPA?

No, PE and Health are not considered as A-G courses. They are not taken into account for GPA calculation. So, an A grade in those courses does not impact your GPA.

I got a C grade. Can I repeat the same course to get an A grade to improve GPA?

No. As C is considered a passing grade, repeating the same course does not help as colleges will ignore the new grade.

I got a failing grade (D or F). Now what?

The first thing to do is remediate the failing grade prior to entering 12th grade. If the failing grade is not remedied in time before submitting the college applications, the failing grade will be used for GPA calculation. A new passing grade will replace the failing grade for GPA calculation although you will need to report both the failing grade and passing grade in the college application. Remember to provide a context for the failing grade in the additional information section.

I got an F grade due to plagiarism in a test. What should I do?

Plagiarism can result in disciplinary action which goes on the academic record. Although UCs do not take disciplinary records into account for admission, most other colleges do and it will impact your chances of getting into college. Please contact Pacific College Prep immediately. We can suggest ways to get the disciplinary action off your academic record.

I have a C in AP Calculus and a few B's. Will I still be competitive for Computer Science major at top UCs?

Getting a C and a few B's is not the end of the world. You can still be competitive for a impacted major like Computer Science but it requires a specific strategy. Pacific College Prep has successfully applied this strategy and helped students get into their dream major in top UCs.

My freshman year grades are not good. What should I do ?

Although freshman year grades are not taken into account by the UCs for GPA calculation, UCs still see the courses taken and the grades obtained. An upward trend in grades in subsequent years is one of the factors taken into consideration for admissions. There are ways to overcome poor grades.

I have amazing extracurriculars but I am so tired after football practice everyday that I forget to submit my homework and this is affecting my grades. What should I do?

Academics takes precedence over extracurriculars. Never sacrifice your grades for the sake of extracurriculars.