Alumni Stories
Here is what some of our alumni say about us. What we can say about each and every one of them is that they all have heart and some of them have become our lifelong friends.
constructive criticism
"A couple of important things that most successful applications should share: a) Insightful and specific answers to generalized questions. You were especially important in organizing thoughts which, more often than not, were 'all over the place.' Organization, not substance, was my greatest challenge. You had a knack for siphoning the points of relevance, getting to the heart of the message concisely, all while remaining relevant to the question. b) Finding the right fit. Statements must, and should rightly be, catered to each school, contingent on the academic interests of the applicant. I applied for politics; it was thus necessary to find a department that was suited to my needs. Cartisans' greater understanding of the different strengths American universities may have certainly aided in my selection of schools.
I appreciated your extensive commentary and constructive criticisms on drafts. Every response to my work was brutally honest in what was lacking. I also appreciated how recommendations, and not cut-and-paste amendments, allowed students to choose for themselves what would best express their strengths and weaknesses. I had utmost confidence in my personal statements when submitting them. I knew that my statements read better after every draft. That goes without saying. Absolutely. The payoff after all the disappointment from unsatisfactory drafts is an essay that is lucid, interesting, and most importantly, powerful personally. Again, a message of gratitude for all that you have done for me."
D.L., Columbia Class of 2019, M.A. in Political Science; UCLA Class of 2017, Economics and Political Science with minor in Philosophy (concentration in Political Theory)
Note: this candidate has worked with us for Headstart Planning, SAT private tutoring, and Comprehensive Counseling for both undergraduate and graduate schools.
thought process
"I wasn't sure at first if working remotely from Singapore might be too difficult. But I had heard good stuff about your services through a good friend so I wasn't worried about the quality of it. I learned so many things working with you: how to write in a more expressive manner, how to think about decisions and the rationale behind them, the differences between colleges in the US, and my "worth" (it's nice to have someone believe in you when you don't believe in yourself that much). The line of questioning and thought process that goes into writing an admissions essay is very illuminating into understanding oneself. I also think it opens up a new way of thinking, especially for people who grow up not knowing/experiencing that framework of thinking (as is the case in general for those in the Malaysian/Singaporean education system).
There are a few events that I can definitively point to that changed my life, and the experience working with Cartisans was definitely among the top. 🙂 I recommend Cartisans mostly because of the thought processes that you put the client through when writing essays. The SAT tutoring, admissions process, etc. is secondary in my recommendations, though of course that is likely to be primary to the potential clients themselves. But anyways thanks for doing what you do. I fully appreciate the effort and genuine care that you put into your clients."
S.R., UCLA Class of 2017, Cognitive Science with Specialization in Computing
reD Pill/Blue Pill?
“Every teenager needs someone (who are not their parents/relatives) to tell them when they're being stupid, because they're more likely to listen. I feel that you guys have good gauges of which kid can get into what school and which will be a better fit. The Asian mentality is to get into the most famous school possible, and I think you guys have found good ways to convince (most) people that attending higher ranking schools doesn't mean you'll be happy.
When I came to you in my gap year, I was really afraid I wouldn't get into good schools because I had used another service the year before. From you, I learnt a whole lot more about myself, how to be more introspective, to write completely different essays (not the type the Malaysian school system teaches you), and that I wasn't the hot shit I thought I was. I appreciated the candid and honest feedback from both of you (even though sometimes I didn't want to hear it haha). Initially, I actually thought the way one of you wrote your emails was quite mean, but after awhile I realized it was just straightforwardness and no-time-for-BS-ness. I have kind of adopted that way of writing emails myself.
Through the process I learnt that short and sweet is almost always better, e.g., resume writing. It's very helpful that you guys know quite a bit of what goes on behind the scenes of an admission office. You provide doses of reality throughout the application process and it keeps us grounded.
I'm so glad that you view us as not just students but people that you want to keep in touch with years after we stop employing Cartisans. You guys are like, my cool older friends/teachers who travel a lot and do stuff I've never seen anyone do. But seriously, you guys taught me to think more out of the box.”
J.L., Columbia University Class of 2016, Operations Research
a better malaysia
"I had a (huge) lack of confidence coming into the program but I got very insightful and thorough admissions counseling. I loved the essay advising sessions. It was so stressful and frustrating when I could not open up my thoughts. But, the way you guys handled my frustration and guided me through the process was amazing and extremely helpful. I really like the directed questions you guys use to help us brainstorm and open up our minds from the usual thought-process that I was conditioned to. The essay advising sessions not only made me a better essay writer, they also helped me explore myself and my thoughts.
I discovered the love I have for Malaysia and the people. I felt this more so in the US, actually. Looking at so many things about our country from a faraway place changed a lot of perspectives I had about Malaysia – its potential, the people and my post-graduation plans. There were many instances when you've mentioned things related to making Malaysia better and how the youths, especially scholars like us, have an important/impactful role to play. I understood those then but not to a great extent until I went away. A lot of it makes sense now and I see why it is important. Thank you for being the first people who gave me the thoughts about a better Malaysia and the role I can play. I now confidently tell people that I want to come back to serve the country after graduating and the reasons why."
K.L., Cornell University Class of 2021, sponsored student for Information Technology
they get me
“I want to first say that these guys are some of the most excellent human beings I have ever met. To say that they have changed my life doesn't encapsulate it. When I was first recommended to Cartisans, I was a foreign student in an international school who felt out of place and awkward. I wasn't active in school and didn't have many notable achievements to boast of. And the beauty of working with these guys is they really made the time to 'get' me, even though I was pretty shut off in the beginning. The one thing that is hard for anyone to do is to trust a stranger but my gut said these guys were the real deal. If you do the work, open your mind, and listen to their guidance, you'll discover that you ARE an interesting person to the admissions office. I cannot stress enough how deeply caring these guys are even though they can come off as strict and direct. They constantly surprise me by how everything they do is really to help me succeed, even sending me email feedback at 2 a.m. when I send in my work after midnight. Who does that?
I recognized early on that just taking admissions counseling without the testprep programs or vice-versa would be like trying to sprint with one leg. You are getting a testprep instructor who loves tests (!) and a counselor who probably knows you better than you know yourself. I'm glad we're lifelong friends even though we're 11 time zones apart.”
H.K., Stanford University Class of 2015, Economics
PERSONAL GROWTH
"You made me feel comfortable enough to answer personal questions honestly. The fact that I could actually tell someone what was on my mind and eventually translate my ideas into my personal statements not only helped me get into university, but also aided my growth as a person. I honestly don't know how I would have done it without your help. Come to think of it, I don't know how anyone does it on their own."
F.A., University of California, Davis, Class of 2022, Science and Technology Studies
genuine care
"I learned specific techniques and tips to tackle the SAT and TOEFL and most importantly, the college essays. You guys were definitely the best in preparing a person to study abroad with your expertise and experience. The genuine care you put in your students and the friendship that has resulted from it means a lot to me."
J.L., Boston University Class of 2021, sponsored student for Economics
100%
“I really appreciate the effort and dedication that you both put into your work. The detailed feedback that I received on my drafts really helped with refining my essays. Seeing you both give your 100% made me want to push myself more even though there were definitely times when I was frustrated because I couldn't find the right words to express myself. I've always struggled with writing pieces where I needed to have my own individual voice as my writing tends to sound dry and factual. Also, I was worried that there wasn't anything interesting enough in my life that I could use as content for my essays. I think that I learnt to be more reflective as a person and how to be more honest to myself and to others. I also feel more comfortable talking about personal events and have a better perspective in how those events have shaped me as a person.
I liked that you took the time to know me as a person and really listen to what I had to say. It helped a lot with coming up with material for my essays as well as my growth as a person. It's nice to know that some people have faith in your abilities even when you don't. I also like that you used your insight on my personality to help with recommending schools that would be a better fit. You made me realise that there's more to consider about a university than just academics. It's inspiring to work with people who are incredibly passionate about the work that they do and genuinely care about the people that they work with.”
A.R., University of Pennsylvania Class of 2021, sponsored student for Economics
different is good
“Before working with Cartisans, I worried that I would be the weakest student in Cartisans history because I would be working with the actual people who have helped many, many others including my elder brother. Working with Cartisans is like a breath of fresh air. I grew up listening to my parents and their friends singing the same old songs about achievement. I never thought I'd ever see value in anything else than an Ivy League education or a job in management consulting/finance in a well-known company. It is really important to go to a school that fits and Cartisans are The All-Knowing. But in all seriousness, I really did learn that there was more to my tertiary education than just a brand name on my resume. I thought it was just another level of schooling and did not realize that my experience in one school would shape me very differently from another, and in fact, build my character. Fast forward many years later, I feel like I have made real differences in my own life, family, friends and other things that I ended up finding important. I learned to accept that I am different and that not only is that okay, it's a really good thing -- something I probably would have never gained if I had attended - insert fancier, bigger college - instead.
Here are some of the things I liked about working with Cartisans: 1. I had a lot of personalized attention, and I was in good hands. I got a lot of insight that wasn't only applicable to college, and got a taste of a lot of things during our chat session thingies. 2. I liked being exposed to non-research universities, and seeing that the school I went to was "successful" because it definitely molded me into who I am today even if I didn't recognize it at the time. 3. I liked learning how to think about writing my essays! While I never submitted many drafts, I really appreciated knowing what it meant to write in my own voice instead of following a generic writing template. 4. Exposure to all these OPTIONS for non-Ivy League applicants. Their recommendation for a pre-university program was spot on for me. I would have never known to do it and my getting into college is 100% because of Cartisans and my parents' financial means. 5. I made my best friends and have lifelong email penpals.
I don't want to recommend Cartisans because I am overprotective of them but they set me up (even though I took a little longer..) for college! Not just getting in, but knowing how to make the best of college. Seven years later, they're still my mentors in my career and my life, and the people who understand me best.”
C.L., Ursinus College Class of 2016, Applied Economics
experienced guidance
“I was worried about not getting accepted into any universities because it was my second time applying. But I got into my dream university. Along the way, I learned more about who I am as a person and changed my life goals. I had guidance from people with way more experience in life than I do, without which I wouldn't be able to identify loopholes in my idealism.”
A.J.J., Cornell University Class of 2022, sponsored student for Actuarial Science/Statistics
personal development
“I did not know what to write about myself, and did not have a strong sense of 'self' prior to applying. I was worried that I would seem like another face in the crowd to the admissions committee. You taught me how to learn about myself, and how to face hard self-reflecting questions head on. I appreciated how you were giving me constant feedback, and how you always knew when I was trying to take the 'easy way out' when it came to talking or thinking about myself. You knew exactly how much to push me to dig deep and answer uncomfortable questions about myself. I have college admission essays that I still remember to this day – something I know most people can't say. The greatest thing I got out of the process was a better sense of self which carried me through college. Consultation to get into college is one thing, but personal development was what I ultimately remember from our sessions.”
I.Q., Carnegie Mellon University Class of 2017, Cognitive Science
reflective and memorable
“Cartisans' holistic approach to the entire application was very beneficial. I was concerned about getting vague feedback, a problem I faced when working with a previous consultant. Instead, I got genuine advice. Applying, choosing and committing 4 years to a school that you’ve never visited or have very little prior knowledge about is daunting. The school I currently attend was never on my radar. Now, I can’t imagine myself anywhere else!
If you’re looking for someone to write your essays, I would say look elsewhere. If you’re looking for people who get to know you personally, and care about getting you to the schools that fit you best, they’re the right people! I also would have never worked as hard on my application without their support and guidance. I think beyond everything, Cartisans cares. They care not only about their clients getting into good schools, but their succeeding and thriving, post-application period. They made the application period a reflective and memorable time. “
A.I., University of Pennsylvania Class of 2021, sponsored student for The Wharton School concentrations in Business Economics & Public Policy and Statistics
work ethic
"After working with Cartisans for SAT and counseling, I have a better work ethic. Also, I learned to be more understanding, compromising, and professional. In Admissions Counseling, I got to see the flaws of my pieces and you guys gave really constructive criticism that helped me improve my essays. I think you give the bluntness that people need. But you also give people motivation and proper advice from your words and stories. I met some of the most inspiring and interesting Malaysians (read: you guys) I have ever known to date. Also, you helped me learn how to articulate a personal conflict in my personal statement and I have used it to help other people with the same dilemma. I wish you guys all the best in your future endeavors!"
D.D., Purdue University Class of 2022, sponsored student for Actuarial Science
Preview of college life
“Cartisans helped me a lot in my college application process. What I liked the most were the one-to-one sessions in which you helped me to think about what I could write about in my college application essays, i.e., what kind of person I am, what matters to me, etc. I think that it is amazing that you give each student individual attention and feedback. Although I didn't really like some of the sessions and exercises initially, I later realized that you push the students so hard because you care about them and want them to get into universities that are suitable for each of them. The most important thing that I learnt is how to choose schools that are suitable for me, and not only by looking at the ranking of the schools. Also, I learnt how to write essays to showcase my personality since that is a major component in college application essays. For the SAT classes, the most helpful part was the Writing section, specifically the way to tackle the essay question. I enjoyed your sharing of college experiences with us, giving us a little preview of what life is like as a college student in the US and some of the cultural differences.“
L.K.J., University of Michigan Class of 2019, sponsored student for Actuarial Mathematics, Computer Science, Data Science, Statistics, with a minor in Complex Systems
found my "it" factor
“I didn't really know what the SATs were, and if I could score high enough to get into a good university. I used to think that writing admissions essays were easy until we started working on the applications to get into universities. It is a long process that requires a lot of patience and hard work in order to get even one essay right. There was no easy way out, I really had to sit down and brainstorm what was going to be my It factor. You pointed me to the right direction, and the satisfaction came from finding the answers myself. I would recommend Cartisans because you are well-equipped with the knowledge needed for a student to excel in their university admissions.”
V.T., Duke University Class of 2018, sponsored student for Economics with a minor in Psychology
new point of view
“As a Malaysian student who had just graduated from a public high school in Malaysia, I was worried that I would not be able to prepare a great application for the top colleges in the US. There were tight deadlines as well as multiple essays to be written for each college that I wanted to apply to. It appeared to be a very daunting task at the time for an 18-year-old who had never been to another country except Singapore. However, once I received the help of Cartisans, everything became more manageable. It was still a journey that required a great deal of effort from me but Cartisans were there to guide me whenever I needed direction.
After working with Cartisans, I learned that SAT is not as hard as it seemed. They taught me strategies to pace myself when I took the test and ways to prepare for the writing section, which I thought was the hardest section on the SAT.
My favorite part of working with the Cartisans team was the essay counseling sessions. I went to my first session with them thinking that I did not have any interesting topics to write for my admission essays. However, they dived deep into my life experiences and asked really insightful questions. This resulted in really engaging essays that helped to enhance the quality of my application. Cartisans disassembled my whole life into tiny blocks and guided me in reassembling them into great admission essays.
I would definitely recommend Cartisans because I think they have a real passion in helping Malaysian students obtain an American education. This passion is reflected in everything that they do, from essay counselling sessions to SAT help. Do not expect Cartisans to hold your hand and spoon feed you with everything you need. Be prepared to write your own essays, do your own research on colleges, and complete your own application profile. However, Cartisans will be there to provide guidance, ensure that you stay on schedule, and push you to greater heights.”
F.W., Texas A&M University Class of 2018, sponsored student for Petroleum Engineering and Geology
new point of view
"I learned to see the world from a different point of view and also changed the way I think. You were very supportive and honest with your feedback. For someone like myself who had no exposure to studying overseas, I felt more confident knowing what to expect. Thank you so much for everything! You'll forever be in my thoughts and prayers."
A.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison Class of 2022, sponsored student for Psychology
Holistic
“I really liked the role Cartisans played in my admissions process which was holistic. That helped you to understand my struggles with the requirements of my entire admissions process and you were able to help accordingly. I learned a lot about myself from all the admissions essays. Thank you for all that you've done for me and my peers.”
T.R., Duke University Class of 2022 sponsored student for Computer Science
comfortable in my own skin
"You are extremely well-versed in what is expected of students as well as students' expectations of themselves. You helped us to understand the importance of the entire application process as we chose how to spend the following 4 years of study. You really do a great job in getting to know us and pairing what you learn about us with what you know about the schools. Most importantly, I learnt to be more comfortable in my own skin."
A.L., University of Pennsylvania Class of 2021, sponsored student for Economics
honest and succint
“The prestige of the schools I applied to was very important to my family so I was most worried about applying to the big name schools. Applying to these schools isn't as easy as one might think. I really like the honest and succinct feedback. The more I gave out ideas, the more you guys bounced back with ideas that were critical to my application, improving it in ways I had not thought of. Your dedication was real. As long as I put in the time and effort, you guys worked just as hard or even more so to ensure my application was ready.
Some people might find Cartisans hard to work with. Even if their method may not be your cup of tea, just stick through it as it will most definitely pay off. I think it is one of the best ways to go about your application to US schools, and the process of doing so can get very fun and interesting, in my experience.”
M.H.A., University of Michigan Class of 2021, sponsored student in Mechanical Engineering
dedicated and caring
“I was offered a place to every university I applied to. Keep up the good job guys! I had no worries about working with you guys because I know that you have the expertise and it turns out you are very friendly and caring.
There really are people out there like Cartisans who are willing to dedicate their time to helping you so be appreciative towards them.”
M.I., University of Wisconsin Madison Class of 2022, sponsored student for Mechanical Engineering
increased confidence
“I was really grateful to work with you guys for my university applications. You really helped me a lot until I got my placement. Thank you. Through the process I learned how to be myself and know my priorities. I also increased my confidence to speak in English because you guys are very friendly. I would recommend Cartisans to my juniors because you always listen to my problems and help me to solve them even when they are not related to my admissions matters.”
M.A. Z., The Ohio State University Class of 2020, sponsored student for Mechanical Engineering
sense of purpose
“Initially I worried whether or not I would be able to keep up with the lessons, but not only did you guys give excellent advice/guidance, I loved the little tidbits of information you gave about college life and what to expect in the US – it really helped me a lot. I definitely learned how to write effective personal statements and college essays, but also to dig deep and find out what I actually want from my college years. It gave me a better sense of purpose rather than studying Econs just because that was the requirement. I love that you guys deviate from the usual 'go to university to get a good job' narrative when guiding us! I was stuck on that mentality for years but working with you guys really helped me change my perspective and realize I could be doing much more with my education.”
B.Y., New York University Class of 2021, sponsored student for Economics
strict but friendly
"I was worried about high expectations from you but I took it as a challenge. You helped me a lot. Obviously you have a lot of experience in teaching based on the way you approach every single student and I liked that you are strict but friendly. In the end, you are my best friends, not teachers."
M.A.G., University of Minnesota Twin Cities Class of 2020, sponsored student for Chemical Engineering
Easy communication
“Cartisans was able to guide me to present myself as a dynamic individual on paper. I ended up understanding and learning more about myself throughout the application process. Cartisans was very supportive throughout the application process. They understood perfectly what is needed and how to do it. I appreciated the brainstorming sessions which made me more reflective in my essays. I also liked how it was easy to communicate to Cartisans without feeling any huge barrier. It was nice being able to talk about the application and future prospects with them.”
C.Z.Y., University of Pennsylvania Class of 2021, sponsored student for The Wharton School concentrations in Finance and Statistics
revamped passion
“I was worried that after paying your fees I might still not get into a school. Working with you revamped my passion and I learned to appreciate relationships. Your personalities and the personal connection we shared helped me learn a lot about university admissions and how to achieve my goals.”
B.Y.S., University of Wisconsin-Madison Class of 2018, Food Science
gave me an edge
“The SAT study sessions, the one-on-one essay reviews, the interaction with you guys in general is something I can always look back and smile about. You taught me how to write admissions essays, the best tips to study for the SAT, and all the stuff you need to apply to US colleges.
Cartisans was super helpful and can really give you a great insight on the application process. I think it gave us an edge when applying to universities in the states.”
N.W., University of Utah Class of 2019, sponsored student for Psychology with certificates in Human Factors and Positive Psychology
beyond expectations
"The SAT preparation was quite comprehensive and you helped me and my classmates beyond what was expected."
A.N., Texas A&M University Class of 2018, sponsored student for Petroleum Engineering
valuable thought processes
“I learnt to reflect deeply on my own story, what matters to me, and why; I learnt more about myself. Cartisans taught me valuable thought processes that are important not just in the college application process, but also in life. The guidance that they give is holistic. They do not simply give you feedback on an essay; they also strive to get to know you as a person. It's been over six years since I've worked with them but we're still friends and we keep in touch.”
T.H., University of Wisconsin-Madison Class of 2016, sponsored student in Dietetics and Sociology