Loved my session with the owner, Jen. So knowledgeable and also patient. The information she shared in a short session on zoom was worth its weight in gold. I highly recommend her services to anybody looking for a college pathway introduction and also useful information in the beginning stages. I have yet to try their other services but intend on reconnecting with them further along in my kid's college prep and application/testing years.

– Mama K. (parent), Los Angeles

...I couldn't be happier with Great Expectations...My son feels very fortunate to be attending the perfect school for him, a school that was actually recommended by Nicole in one of their first online meetings. Everyone at Great Expectations was knowledgeable, and on top of their game, and I feel very fortunate that my son was matched with Nicole throughout this process.

– Brooks R. (parent), Los Angeles, CA

Great Expectations right away gave me a sense of solace in the process, and through several meetings online I was able to get the support I needed in terms of my personal statement, supplementals to my top schools, and advice to aid me in the rest. I was able to complete my college applications very thoroughly and timely as well. This all concluded with me getting into my dream school, which I applied early decision to. Thank you so much Jen and Great Expectations!

– Delilah F. (student), Los Angeles

I simply cannot praise Great Expectations College Prep enough! My daughter is a great student but falls a little short in the standardized test taking department. We turned to GE College Prep to help her prepare for the ACT. Not only did she reach her target score, she exceeded it and was accepted into her first choice University with a faculty scholarship. Everyone at GE has been exceptional in their service from the tutors to the administrative staff. If my daughter needed help with a paper for school instead of ACT prep, easy to pivot to that. GE is also helping my 8th grader prep for the ISEE. While she may not even take it this year, the prep has been invaluable as it is strengthening all her academic skills while prepping her for future standardized tests. We have used all levels of their tutors - classic, founder's circle and founder. All have been EXCEPTIONAL. Worth every penny. Thank you GE

– Cindy D. (parent), Los Angeles

A huge thank you to Ryan S, my son's ACT test prep tutor. He was kind, patient, extremely helpful, and very attentive to helping my son prepare for the ACT. He challenged him and was always available to answer any questions or concerns that either of us had. I have used GE test prep in the past for my daughter and highly recommended them. Jen and her team are outstanding and I couldn’t be more happy.

– Kelly M. (parent), Garden Grove

Perhaps the best compliment I can give is that my high school senior never complained about his ACT prep and tutoring. And we were thrilled with the improvement in his score.

– Catherine B. (parent), Pacific Palisades

Great Expectations College Prep is an amazing, hands on company. They care so much about their clients, offering services of general tutoring, ACT and SAT prep, as well as guiding students all the way through the college admissions process in a professional and experienced manner. Their owner, Jen, is a caring, intelligent, wonderful role model! Her staff is the best of the best, namely Chelese who works with transfer students, and helped me to achieve admission to my dream school. Highly recommend!

– Isabella M. (student), Pacific Palisades

I had Jeannie as a tutor, and she was great! With her help, my ACT score when up 6 points. She tailored our sessions to spend the perfect amount of time on both review and practice, and she was super reasonable with how much homework/practice I had to do on my own time. Her explanations were always very concise, and she would give me testing strategies that were fitting to my own strengths/weaknesses. I struggled with timing on the reading section, and she helped me plan the order of the passages and which ones I should skim to save the most amount of time. My reading score improved by 12 points! I had a super good experience with Great Expectations, and as you can tell, my tutor too!

– Elle M. (student), Hermosa Beach

Worked with Nicole with both of my daughters - I can't speak highly enough. She is thoughtful, consistent, diligent. Great access, great relationship with our daughters -- great results!

– Joan K. (parent), Santa Monica

Meghan made the process infinitely easier! The sense of calm. The creativity. The sense of humor. The knowledge of the schools. Her valuable suggestions vis-à-vis the essays. I cannot begin to do Meghan justice in my words. Thank you! Thank you!

– Karin O. (parent), Pacific Palisades

Jen was patient, understanding and supportive in every step of my college process. She brought a positive fun vibe in our meetings. She was on top of every little detail and made sure to keep me on track. Thanks to her, all of my essays were nuanced and distinctive. Through all her knowledge and efforts, Jen ultimately helped me get into my dream school!

– Chloe N. (student), Los Angeles

I met with tutors for French, Physics, and Biology. I can honestly say that my experiences with each of these tutors was nothing short of spectacular. They are not only wonderful tutors, they are all committed, understanding, friendly people. They were consistently able to keep me engaged, manage time efficiently, and make my overall learning experience very enjoyable.

– Justine L. (student), Los Angeles

I worked with several tutors and every session flowed smoothly. My experience was great because my tutors all updated each other on my progress and what study tricks worked for me -- which made every session way more effective.

– Dani H. (student), Los Angeles

My tutor was very hands-on when it came to my learning. She has a keen knowledge of all the relevant information and really wanted to see me excel. She took so much stress off of me by making it fun and accessible. What more can I say? You guys are amazing!!!

– Rana S. (student), Culver City

My tutor was patient, outgoing, and a pleasure to be around. Great Expectations broke things down to their simplest form, making the material much easier to comprehend. Thank you!!

– Alex P. (student), Inglewood

There are not enough “5 Stars" in the world to accurately express my overwhelming admiration, support and complete endorsement of Great Expectations. Jen and her team of accomplished and highly trained counselors and tutors were experts in knowing exactly how to help my son navigate through the acutely stressful college application experience, and they did it with kindness, dedication, enthusiasm, and an acute knowledge of the subjects they taught. My son has just been accepted to Cornell University and he is thrilled! I am 100% confident that without the combined efforts of both my son’s dedication and the exceptional team at Great Expectations he would not be off to this Ivy League institution in the fall.

– Tory H. (parent), Los Angeles

We were extremely impressed by the level of professionalism that Katie and Great Expectations College Prep provided during our meeting. Katie is extremely knowledgeable in both athletic recruitment and college counseling. She engaged with our son and was transparent about playing sports in college as well as the importance of academics. We highly recommend this company for both academic and athletic counseling.

– Jeff A. (parent), Phoenix

Great Expectations is a tremendous asset in preparing for all the different standardized tests and also helping with the application process. The time spent with our tutor not only resulted in scores higher than we’d ever hoped for, but it was also an enjoyable experience. She knew how to manage a very stressful time and keep the pressure to a minimum. We highly recommend Great Expectations to any family.

– Donna B. (parent), Santa Monica

In only a handful of sessions, my GE tutor helped raise my SAT score by 210 points. While I worked with the same tutor for SAT prep and college applications, I also met with 3 amazing other tutors for various subjects. I would recommend Great Expectations to absolutely anyone because I am confident that their tutors are capable of helping any student through whatever academic challenges may arise.

– Martha H. (student), Los Angeles

We cannot say enough about Jen Kaifesh and Great Expectations! From SAT tutoring to demystifying the college application process, Jen and her team were AMAZING! With one of the company's excellent tutors, our daughter increased her SAT score by 200+ points. From selecting colleges to brainstorming essays, Jen was a calming and guiding force. Our daughter really enjoyed working with her, and she was accepted at the majority of the schools to which she applied, including her top choices. Jen is smart, focused, energetic and fun, and she kept our busy daughter focused and motivated during the process. She also kept us current on our daughter's progress. We have referred several families to Jen and Great Expectations, and all say the same thing: She is GREAT!

– Wendy A. (parent), Los Angeles

I had Jen Kaifesh as my college counselor, and it truly was the best decision I have ever made! Jen helped me from beginning to end. She helped me form my list of colleges, edit the applications, and connected me with great tutors for the ACT and subject tests. Jen's spirit and passion for helping students is unparalleled. She provided support and motivation and she really truly cares about the students that she works with. Thanks to her, I got the ACT score that I wanted and am going to be attending my dream school next year. It was an incredible investment, and I would not be where I am if it wasn't for her!!!

– Hannah L. (student), Los Angeles

Great Expectations exceeded our expectations in preparing our daughter with everything from college prep courses, test preparation and applying for colleges. Jen Kaifesh the founder is the best!

– LaReine C. (parent), Pacific Palisades

My son and I could not have gone through the college testing and application process without Great Expectations. They made a very overwhelming process understandable and manageable. They were able to manage our concerns as parents and my son’s need to be independent, all the while securing a 530-point increase on the SAT and 6-point jump on the ACT. Our tutor was gifted and a true asset to our family. Hats off to you!

– Margie M. (parent), Playa del Rey

Before my son started working with Great Expectations, he had scored a 24 on his ACT. By the time he applied to college, with the help of his GE tutors (especially Vivia), his score rose to a 35, with a super score of 36! My son has just been accepted to Cornell University and he is thrilled! I am 100% confident that without the combined efforts of both my son’s dedication and the exceptional team at Great Expectations he would not be off to this Ivy League institution in the fall.

– Tory H. (parent), Los Angeles

My son had taken the SAT twice, both times he studied on his own with guides and practice tests I bought for him. Both times he got a 1240, which while not a bad score, wasn’t what he considered good enough for the the schools he wanted to apply to. He was skeptical about the chances of increasing his scores after two tries with no change, but we decided to give this one more try with the help of Great Expectations. They assigned a great tutor named Wesley who came to our house for five 2 hour sessions, and then my son took 3 practice tests at a nearby location over the next three weeks. My son scored a 1400, a full 160 points higher than his previous two tries. We are really grateful to Great Expectations and Wesley for the help. It was completely worth it!

– Terry S. (parent), West Hollywood

We have had a great experience with Great Expectations. The tutor who worked with our daughter for ACT prep was always encouraging, practical, thoughtful and gave great advise about how to approach the testing in general and how best to use the hours we purchased for tutoring. She was flexible with our schedule and always on time. We highly recommend this company.

– Daniela W. (parent), Pacific Palisades

A fantastic program that I'd recommend to every and any one. I had never had a tutor before and I didn't know what to expect. My tutor not only met my expectations, he surpassed them. My tutor was extremely understanding about the difficulties I had with the content and helped me create newer, stronger skills to not only help me with the ACT but also in all my classes. He made problems so easy and just gave me a new perspective on test taking all together. After only four sessions I've noticed a huge improvement in my test scores in all my classes. Although I have not yet taken my ACT, I know my tutor's tips and tricks will stick with me forever. Eternally grateful for the opportunity to meet such a great person and be part of a great program.

– Elizabeth A. (student), Los Angeles

Both of my children are blessed with learning diversities. Test taking has always been a challenge, to say the least. With Great Expectations’ personalized approach and positive encouragement, my daughter was able to raise her SAT scores more than 400 points and gain admittance to several excellent universities.

– Deborah S. (parent), Malibu

Our tutor really understood how to help my daughter prepare for the SAT. He was able to identify early on the specific areas where she needed to improve, and most importantly, what type of preparation she needed to do in order to make those gains. Thanks to a 510-point improvement, my daughter will be attending Stanford University in the fall. Thank you!

– Susan H. (parent), Santa Monica

I worked with my tutor to determine which test was better for me -- SAT or ACT -- and I chose to focus on the ACT, eventually improving 6 points.

– Dani H. (student), Los Angeles

Great Expectations did a fabulous job preparing our daughter for both the SAT and SAT Subject tests. Their tutors were always on time, had a fabulous attitude and a thorough knowledge of the subjects they taught, and could convey that knowledge in a straightforward and entertaining manner. They gave my daughter the confidence to overcome her test taking insecurities, and her SAT scores rose 300 points after only a few sessions. I highly recommend them to all serious students who need to improve their SAT test taking ability.

– Ronald C. (parent), Beverly Hills

Great Expectations matched me with the best tutor I’ve ever worked with. For someone who cannot take a standardized test to save my life, my tutor helped me truly grasp the concepts and different approaches to each section. Not only did my score improve more than 300 points, but the time flew and it never felt like tutoring. She was a joy to be around and an amazing motivator.

– Clara C. (student), Santa Monica

I wasn't really too keen on getting a test prep tutor because I thought I could do it myself, but my mom insisted. After I met with my tutor, I realized that I absolutely did need the help of a tutor; the SAT wasn't just about knowing the answers to the questions but instead understanding how to navigate the tricks and the phrasing of questions. I also really got along well with my tutor! GE does a great job of pairing tutors with students based on personality type. This definitely made studying for the SAT a lot more enjoyable.

– Alysha K. (student), Newport Beach

I wasn’t treated just like any high school student; I was able to focus on my weaknesses and enhance my skills. My tutor was very knowledgeable about the intricacies of both the ACT and the SAT. Because of this, I was able to study more efficiently for each of them. With the help of my GE tutor, I scored a 34 on my ACT and was admitted to Amherst College (my top choice) Early Decision.

– Jenn K. (student), Pacific Palisades

I was always a pretty average student, and when I first began prep for the ACT, my score was 16. After a few sessions with my GE tutor, my score slowly started to rise. It took a while to get the results we wanted, but with help from my tutor, I finally had a breakthrough -- I got a 26 on the ACT! A 10 point jump is almost unheard of, and it definitely wouldn't have been possible without the help from Great Expectations.""I was always a pretty average student, and when I first began prep for the ACT, my score was 16. After a few sessions with my GE tutor, my score slowly started to rise. It took a while to get the results we wanted, but with help from my tutor, I finally had a breakthrough -- I got a 26 on the ACT! A 10 point jump is almost unheard of, and it definitely wouldn't have been possible without the help from Great Expectations.

– Zach L. (student), Redwood City

I am happy to report and relieved to say my older son improved his ACT score by 3 points and will be attending the college of his dreams and my younger son has improved his ACT score by 6 points! We will be working on essays and applications now that the testing is over and let me tell you, we have ‘Great Expectations!!!’ The boys have confidence in themselves now and I know it is because of the tutoring offered by this company!

– Kate G. (parent), Irvine

My test scores improved dramatically in each section because GE helped me understand the nuances of the tests and how to attack each section in the way best fit to my skills. I would highly recommend the tutors at Great Expectations – not only do they teach you everything you need to know about the SAT, ACT, or college applications, but they develop a relationship with you filled with trust, kindness, and teamwork.

– Jamie M. (student), Los Angeles

Fantastic ACT prep! Highly recommended! Great tutoring, materials and practice tests, all at a great price. My daughter went from a 26 to a 33! Vivia is an amazing tutor! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

– Kari M. (parent), Los Angeles

Fantastic. Needed ACT prep which is hard to find. They matched us with the tutor named Vivia who could not have been more perfect for my artsy daughter. They meet every Sunday, and she's getting so much out of it. Can't recommend this any higher.

– Lisa T. (parent), Los Angeles

Jen and her team of accomplished and highly trained counselors and tutors were experts in knowing exactly how to help my son navigate through the acutely stressful college application experience. He worked one-on-one with Jen, who helped guide him through the actual application process. This can be a daunting task for any parent/student who tries to undertake it alone. Jen’s comprehensive knowledge of the colleges and universities across the country is unparalleled, so her professional advice and guidance was invaluable. My son has just been accepted to Cornell University and he is thrilled!

– Tory H. (parent), Los Angeles

Knowledgable, caring counselors who are dedicated to helping your children with the college submission process. Jennifer and her team can help set manageable expectations and take the scary out of the college admission process.

– Shirley B. (parent), Pacific Palisades

My daughter was fairly independent in the college application process. That being said, we (and especially me, lol) needed somebody to bounce things off of. Jen Kaifesh came highly recommended to us, and she lived up to her excellent reputation. She has her finger on the pulse of the college application madness--and I found her to be resourceful as well as realistic. My daughter is an excellent student but really had no "hooks". She was admitted to several elite colleges and will be attending an Ivy League University this fall. I 100% recommend Jen and her amazing expertise!

– M.D. (parent), Pacific Palisades

Between the SAT/ACT prep and the college planning process sending my two daughters off to college was pretty easy and stress free. Jen and her handpicked staff are excellent! I've always been contacted to make sure that the tutor and my child are a good fit and the progress being made (I love the follow-up emails after each tutor session keeping me updated). Most importantly I feel Jen and her tutors communicate very well with my kids, which in turn gave confidence to my girls to take ownership of their own college process. I'll have daughter number 3 for them to guide in 2 more years!

– Hanna O. (parent), Manhattan Beach

I couldn't survive the college application process without Great Expectations College Prep! I see my friends trying to do it alone stressing about timelines, requirements and guessing which school is the best match made me realize I need help. I failed to realize that getting into college today is VERY different than our college days. Today it involves strategy, inside knowledge of the schools nuances, and a flow chart for scheduling all the deadlines. I would highly recommend Great Expectations College Prep for anyone needing a little guidance or a lot!

– Hanna O. (parent), Manhattan Beach

It was truly amazing that my daughter got through all the applications, wrote all the essays, ended up feeling confident about the testing process, and even enjoyed the time spent with her counselor...and more or less stress free. GE College Prep, YOU ROCK!! You are a parents fantasy come true. I really can't thank you enough!

– Rae V. (parent), Los Angeles

I was a little hesitant at first to use a college prep company for my daughter. I had a bad (and expensive) experience with Revolution Prep earlier, and I was not a believer after that. When I realized that we needed a little help, I asked a few parents from her high school if they could recommend someone that would be able to give us more personal "one on one" time. Wow, I'm so thankful that Jennifer at GE College Prep was able to fill those shoes. I never thought that my mind could be changed. It turned out to be such a positive experience, and the best of all...(besides the fact that she got into every college she applied to except for 1 waitlisted status), my daughter got to be around someone so full of knowledge and positive energy.

– Rae V. (parent), Los Angeles

My counselor was an amazing guide when it came to crafting the perfect college application. I came to GE with what I though was a solid application, and my counselor helped me make it 100 times better. I truly believe her help made the difference when it came to getting admitted into colleges!

– Tim F. (student), Palos Verdes Estates

My daughter worked with Whitney at Great Expectations during the college application process. Whitney facilitated big picture organization and knew how long tasks would take. My daughter said that her essay reviews were "picky in a good way." Overall, we were very happy with her help and the finished product!

– Steven H. (parent), San Francisco

Whitney was such a great college advisor for our son who had a short list of only about 7 schools, so he knew he had to rock it and make a solid effort with his essays and supplementals. Whitney was great from the first skype session. She got our son organized with all his school choices, submittal deadlines, and impeccable communication. Half of the battle is staying ahead of the game and being organized with the essays. Whitney kept it positive, cheerful, and also made our son feel like his essays reflected his authentic self. Thank you for making this stressful time much more pleasant and manageable! He's already heard acceptance from a great reach school and waiting on a few others.

– Lisa S. (parent), Los Angeles

We couldn't be more thrilled with Great Expectations. Our counselor was accessible (always promptly answering texts and emails) and kept my daughter organized and on schedule, and edited her essays. My daughter says she made the college application process so much easier for her. She was there for her 100% of the time and answered any questions my daughter had. HIGHLY recommend!

– Bee P. (parent), Santa Clarita

The value add for the money spent is far beyond expectations. I’m sure you have clients that spend a lot more money than we did, so we are so grateful for your valuable time and attention. You can count on me to be an enthusiastic advocate for Great Expectations to everyone I know getting ready for the college preparation process. Great Expectations’ guidance equipped Tim with the tools to highlight the best he had to offer in a genuine way. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

– Claudia L. (parent), Torrance

There are no words to say how much I appreciate your counseling with Tim during his college application process. Tim has been accepted to EVERY school to which he applied; including his top choice! Tim is a proud member of the Class of 2023 Wolverines! Your approach with Tim was tailor made. Lessons were structured and incredibly efficient. I’m amazed at how much you accomplished in a limited amount of time.

– Claudia L. (parent), Torrance

My GE counselor guided me through the college application process, first by helping me choose where to apply (she had a GREAT sense of what I was looking for), then by walking me through the logistics of filling out application forms, and most importantly, working with me to write all of my essays. I find that Great Expectations’ method is unique in that it makes the writing process infinitely easier while still granting the student complete creative license. I am now a freshman at the University of Washington and couldn’t be happier!

– Justine L. (student), Los Angeles

Great Expectations was able to help my son list, prioritize and organize his applications and essays. Through getting organized, he gained the confidence to apply to schools he may not have without them. I was concerned it would be difficult to motivate him, but this was not the case. I could see through the process my son was taking ‘ownership’ of his college applications and college future. As a result of all that hard work with the tutors, he was accepted to one of his top choices.

– Suzanne C. (parent), Irvine

I was fortunate enough to have Great Expectations College Prep guide me in my college application process. When I say the word ‘guide,’ I literally mean that every step of the way, my tutors were there to help me out. One helped me choose the schools I was going to apply to and navigate all the applications for those given schools: Common App, UC App, etc. Applying for more than 10 schools was not an easy feat and was made much easier due to the guidance I received from Great Expectations. I recommend any student in high school to use the services provided by them. 10 out of 10 would get tutored again.

– Andrew K. (student), Tujunga

While my counselor was reducing the stress of applying to college 100-fold and making it a positive process, she also opened up amazing doors for me through all of the help she provided. She had a terrific eye for writing topics that made for interesting applications and was clearly a master at revising writing, always explaining my mistakes and offering suggestions in a way that was blissfully easy to understand. I stayed organized and on top of deadlines with my GE counselor which, considering my usual organizational habits (or lack thereof), was a great feat.

– Benny. D (student), Pacific Palisades

Great Expectations helped me immensely with the college admissions process, from choosing colleges to apply to that were right for me, to making spreadsheets mapping out when each application is due, to thinking of essay topics, my counselor helped me through it all. Applying to colleges is such a stressful process, so having a counselor personally help me through every step was such a blessing. I now attend the University of Michigan and could not be happier — and I owe a big thanks to GE College Prep for this...I couldn’t have done it without you!

– Jennifer E. (student), Pacific Palisades

The college application process felt so smooth with the help of my GE counselor. I was confident in my essays and knew that I was turning in the best applications I could.

– Jamie M. (student), Los Angeles

There are so many bizarre ins and outs of applying to college that stump, and subsequently freak out, 98 percent of high school seniors, but my counselor knew how to deal with them: whether it was a Common App glitch, questions that don’t make any sense, or scheduling (and preparing for) interviews, I was well-prepared. I received an acceptance from Stanford University, my top choice, and I am 100 percent positive that without GE, I would not have submitted a strong enough application to get in. Working with GE definitely puts any student in the best possible position when the time rolls around to start thinking about college.

– Benny D. (student), Pacific Palisades

I worked with one of their college counselors in the fall of my senior year. She helped me organize all my deadlines for my essays and when each application was due. We worked together to finalize my college list and she had great additional schools that I had never even considered! She knew I wanted to go to a smaller school in an urban area and suggested schools that fit those criteria. Looking back, I would have been so lost without GE!

– Alysha K. (student), Newport Beach

First off, let me just say, I could have never gotten through the college process without Great Expectations!  During my college counseling sessions, my tutor helped me brainstorm ideas for my essays, edited my essays significantly, and helped me fill out each and every application.  I referred my friends to GE, and even though they worked with different counselors, they were all SO relieved to have the help.  With their help, I got into the University of Michigan, my dream school!

– Dani H. (student), Los Angeles

One of the most important things that my counselor helped me with though was narrowing down my criteria for the college I wanted to go to. She asked me very insightful questions about what I was looking for in my college experience, and I was able to create a list of safety, target, and reach schools. She had an amazing knowledge of every school on my list along with the college admissions process itself. My counselor knew it all, from the schools' academics, to its social life, to the culture of the college town. Highly recommended company!

– Katie S. (student), Los Angeles

I was referred to Great Expectations College Prep from a friend who initially said, ‘This company will preserve your relationship with your teen during a very stressful time and will make sure every "i" is dotted and every "t" is crossed when it comes to college applications.’ Her referral went beyond my highest expectations!

– Gina K. (parent), Pacific Palisades

Great Expectations helped me meet my deadlines, taught me different essay composition techniques, and made the most stressful process a teenager faces much less stressful. In the fall, I will be attending Rhodes College in Memphis (my first choice)!

– Zach L. (student), Redwood City

My daughter’s counselor helped her explore colleges that I could not get her to consider (she will be attending a most amazing college in North Carolina that is a perfect fit for her). My teens completely look forward to their meetings, and we will never forget the dedication of my daughter's main counselor who stayed up with her past midnight to help her submit all 12 of her college applications the night before her 18th birthday!

– Gina K. (parent), Pacific Palisades

Using Jen Kaifesh, the founder of Great Expectations, was the best decision ever! Jen helped my daughter through her college planning process--from deciding where to apply, to the application process, to making her final decision. Jen is the perfect mix of a writing coach/organizer/motivator/enforcer; she truly helped us stay focused during this extremely stressful time. Thanks to Jen, my daughter was admitted to 85% of the universities she applied to, including Princeton, Penn, Northwestern, Notre Dame and UCLA. Jen's guidance was truly priceless!

– Nancy B. (parent), Valencia

I really appreciate Great Expectations College Prep! Thanks to them, the college application process was greatly simplified. Between helping to narrow down my list of schools, providing helpful feedback on my essays, and even giving advice on choosing the right school for me, GECP made the whole process far less stressful than it could have been. I also appreciated that my college counselor was very flexible with scheduling meetings to fit my busy schedule.

– Diane M. (student), Los Angeles

Wow! What an amazing company. My college application process could not have been more efficiently organized, thanks to the help from Great Expectations College Prep. I began in the beginning of summer and my applications were ready to submit way before they were due. I believe the fine tuning of my essays helped me get into my top schools, USC and Berkeley.

– Hannah W. (student), Santa Barbara

I can honestly say that my experiences with each of my tutors was nothing short of spectacular. They are not only wonderful tutors, they are all committed, understanding, friendly people. During my last-minute, panicked cram sessions that would occasionally run as late as 1:00am, my tutors did whatever it took to keep my attention and keep my work rate up (sometimes that meant feeding me chocolate periodically). I would recommend Great Expectations to absolutely anyone because I am confident that their tutors are capable of helping any student through whatever academic challenges may arise.

– Justine L. (student), Los Angeles

I can't imagine going through the college application process without Great Expectations! The first session my tutor and I sat down and created a spreadsheet that detailed every test score, essay topic, deadline, and other requirements for each school. That spreadsheet was my lifeline for the next few months, and needless to say, I never missed a single deadline. My high school college counselors encouraged me to only keep my sights on "target schools," namely schools where I was well within the range of test scores and grades. Great Expectations, on the other hand, encouraged me to reach past those target schools, and as a result, I was accepted to almost every school I applied to -- even if I wasn't quite in their "range."

– Nadine C. (student), Los Angeles

We are extremely satisfied and grateful Great Expectations customers. We have used its services for several years, including to advise and assist our son with applications to high school and college. Great Expectations provided invaluable assistance with test preparation, essays, the common application, UC applications and other application hurdles. Throughout the otherwise daunting process, founder Jen Kaifesh and other tutors at Great Expectations have been consistently well-informed, thoughtful, patient and tactful. They helped keep our son organized and energized, and let us maintain family harmony by allowing his parents to step out of the college application process, knowing it was being well-handled. Thanks to Great Expectations our son ultimately had his choice of several excellent colleges!

– Gerry G. (parent), Malibu

The last time I looked at a college application, it was 1974. Apparently things have changed a little. In the beginning I tried to help my son with the application process. He told me in no uncertain terms that I was "not qualified." Really made me angry and we had it out. I hired Great Expectations just to get him going, but my "expectation" was that we wouldn't really need them. Very long story short, I couldn't have been more wrong and my son was right. (For god's sake, don't tell him I said that.) I never would have been able to help my child the way this company did. They are lovely, smart, energetic, well informed and caring people who understand subtleties about this process that never would have occurred to me.

– Joyce O. (parent), Santa Monica

We are very pleased with my daughter's results. Whitney helped my daughter with her USC application and she had great tips on how to improve it. Chelese was my daughter's main counselor and she was a tremendous help to my daughter during the college application process. Among other things she helped her choose which schools to apply to. Chelese was always available to my daughter and we can't thank her enough. As it came down to the wire, she was even reachable while she was out of town. Her dedication, patience, and availability shows that she truly cares for each of her students. Great Expectations is a great company and well worth it! Among many others, my daughter was accepted to Cornell, USC, and Carnegie Mellon!

– Karla P. (parent), Chino Hills

The tutors at GE prep don’t let you slack off — many of my friends took prep courses with a group of people or in a classroom setting where they were able to get away with not completing their assigned practice tests, and were also not shown techniques that might have worked best for them individually. Working one-on-one with a tutor who knows you very well is a crucial component in getting the best score a student can on a standardized test! I am so grateful for the personalized techniques and attention I had when preparing for the ACT because I couldn’t have been more pleased with the result.

– Jennifer E. (student), Pacific Palisades

HAPPY CUSTOMER: Our son's final ACT score jumped 8 points! I wanted to express our gratitude for the tremendous job performance and support that Great Expectations' tutor extended to my son while helping to prepare him for taking the ACT exam. The result of this one-on-one work is self-explanatory if you look at the scores. My son's first proctored ACT test concluded with a composite score of 21. While working with the tutor, the scores continued to improve. We're elated to share that after working with the Great Expectations tutor, our son's final ACT score jumped 8 points! In fact, we are convinced that if we needed to work toward an even higher score, continued work would create even better results. The cost for tutoring was worth it!! We could not be more pleased.

– Chris I. (parent), Los Angeles

We used multiple people from this company for SAT prep, college planning and essay writing. Each person was so professional, knowledgeable, punctual, friendly, etc... My son related to every person and best of all, they got results -- his SAT score went up 250 points and he got into a dream college. It is so nice to be able to have someone that you and your child both trust help you navigate through the very stressful college application process.

– Jenifer B. (parent), Santa Monica

I used the services of Great Expectations for over two years and am so grateful for every session. My tutor helped me with everything from testing to the application process. My test scores improved dramatically in each section because GE helped me understand the nuances of the tests and how to attack each section in the way that best fit to my skills. In addition, the college application process felt so smooth with the help of my GE tutor. I was confident in my essays and knew that I was turning in the best applications I could. Overall, I would highly recommend the tutors at Great Expectations - not only do they teach you everything you need to know about the SAT, ACT, or college applications, but they develop a relationship with you filled with trust, kindness, and teamwork.

– Dallas M. (student), Brentwood

Best investment ever for my son! He wanted to go to a 4 year college and at risk of not getting in! Jennifer tutored him to achieve a great score on ACT and that helped him get into the college of his choice. She did all the work with him on the application process and helped us pick the most appropriate schools to apply. Today we are on a college tour of his first pick and thrilled he was accepted! We owe it all to Jennifer at Great Expectations. Thank you Jennifer. We are truly grateful and owe this accomplishment to you!

– Lisa G. (parent), Newport Beach

I had Jen Kaifesh as my college counselor, and it truly was the best decision I have ever made! Jen helped me from beginning to end. She helped me form my list of colleges, edit the applications, and connected me with great tutors for the ACT and subject tests. Jen's spirit and passion for helping students is unparalleled. She provided support and motivation and she really truly cares about the students that she works with. Thanks to her, I got the ACT score that I wanted and am going to be attending my dream school next year. It was an incredible investment, and I would not be where I am if it wasn't for her!!!

– Hannah L. (student), Los Angeles

Through hard work and the inspiration from my tireless tutors, my test scores rose tremendously and my essays became clear, cogent, and representative of me as an individual. Without GE College Prep, I truly believe I wouldn't have been able to get into my dream school, the University of Michigan! I highly recommend looking into GE College Prep because of their amazing team of professionals and years of experience.

– Katharine C. (student), Beverly Hills

I'm so thankful I had Jen Kaifesh and Great Expectations to depend on to provide my two sons with good subject test, ACT and SAT tutors and college application essay writing counselors over the past three years. It was very convenient to only have to call one place for all our college prep assistance. When I had a specific question about something in the application process, Jen always offered me quick and useful advice. And, when I had a concern with a tutor one time, Jen jumped right in and immediately addressed the problem herself. Jen and her crew kept our family sane during this stressful process AND both my boys got into great universities. So, in sum, Great Expectations is the perfect size- small enough to offer personal service but big enough to offer a wide array of qualified tutors/counselors. Thank you so much Jen and Great Expectations.

– Cameron B. (parent), Sherman Oaks