Reviews
What students and parents are saying.
“Nena is the G.O.A.T. She helped me write stellar essays that got me into colleges like Harvey Mudd, UCSD, UCI, and a full scholarship to OXY!!! If you are a junior applying for colleges then you are at the right place. Nena not only helps you with your college applications, but she also teaches you how to become an excellent writer!”
-Mansib R.
“I cannot express enough how much Nena has helped with my into-college journey. Custom Academic Coaching has done nothing but propel me into success, but in a way where I can say not only am I forever grateful to her services, but I am also proud of myself. Recently, for example, Nena taught me how to reach out for internships, and I ended up scoring a paid internship, despite offering unpaid research work, with my top choice professor. Along with this, she’s also guided me to a passion project that I am, well, passionate about. The passion project is a project that hones in on what you’re interested in pursuing at uni- there’s so much more to it, but I can’t fit it all into one review. Nena, however, lays it all out to you in her college roadmapping sessions. Here, she gives you all that you need to know, and builds from there to talk about your independent plan and how it relates to the basic must-know information about say tuition, acceptance rates, test scores, specific programs, etc so you can go into college with the best experience you could possibly have. It is jam packed with information- but she makes it a point to make it as non-overwhelming as possible, which is a tricky job to do when it comes to college! When I think of Nena and her work, I think of what coaching/mentoring should be. Like I said before, she caters to YOUR needs as an individual, but doesn’t babysit. She treats you like an emerging scholar and again, individual human being. Her work has already done so much for me and will as I start applying for colleges, but I truly believe I will take the lessons she’s taught me through CAC further on into my life. I highly, HIGHLY recommend working with CAC.”
-Francesca B.
“Honestly I can't even begin to express what a gift it was for our daughter to work with Nena!
Having a daughter who is a first generation is exciting and terrifying at the same time. We had no clue about the college application process. We knew we needed to get help for her. Our daughter like many other teenager lacks confidence. She always thought she was a horrible writer and for that reason she was struggling with her college essays.
It killed me to see how overwhelmed and stressed out she was.
We are so blessed to have found Nena. Nena clearly has an understanding of what colleges are looking for and what exactly our daughter needed help with. At first it was a fight trying to schedule the first session. Our daughter didn't want to have to speak with a stranger let alone in a zoom meeting with the camera ‘on.’
After the first session I noticed a change in her attitude. Nena made her feel comfortable and talked to her as if she had been a friend for a long time. Then I saw the excitement from our daughter. She was actually looking forward to each future session. I remember her last session. She came out of her room with tears in her eyes, ran to my arms and said ‘that was it mom, my last session with Nena.’ She was really sad and she went on to say, she would have never done it without Nena.
Happy to say our daughter has been accepted to her top school (which she thought she could never get in).
Nena is such a beautiful person and I will forever be grateful!”
-Anna M.
“I used Nena for my college admissions and it worked out really well. She was very helpful in writing essays. I consider myself a good writer, but she really took it to the next level. I felt that my essays were a lot stronger due to her critique and questioning. She also helped find colleges and pick a good fit. She was very helpful and a great resource throughout the whole process. I got into NYU, UCLA, UCSD, and more amazing universities. I would highly recommend her and suggest you take a spot before it fills up. Big thanks for her for helping me get into my dream school, UCLA. Go Bruins!”
-Vishruth S.
“Nena was fantastic in every way as she guided, supported, and encouraged my daughter in the college application process. Nena's attention to detail accompanied by an encouraing and collaborative approach allowed my daughter to find her own voice in her essays while also learning from Nena's vast experience in what could have been an overwhelming experience otherwise. The result? Early admission to my daughter's top choice, NYU, accompanied by a four year scholarship worth over $280k. I am so grateful for the incredible work Nena and Custom Academic Coaching offered my daughter, and recommend her highly. Thank you Nena!”
-Stuart B.
“It was wonderful to work with Nena. She made me feel heard and confident during the application process. Her working style is very well balanced, and we gave each writing sample lots of edits before coming to a final product. Specifically, she prompted me with questions as we were working that helped me further my ideas. Her skills in writing and communication are unmatched, and I would high recommend Custom Academic Coaching to everyone.”
-Arhana S.
“Nena's College Roadmapping course has been invaluable to us in discovering what is out there and how our child should be preparing for college. SO MUCH HAS CHANGED. I can't stress this enough. Everything I thought I knew about what colleges are looking for and how to work the system is just wrong now. It's scary to think about how far behind we would have been had we not found Custom Academic Coaching. I'm very thankful that we are starting during our daughter's Sophomore year.”
-Stephane F.
“I met Nena through a friend who had worked with her the previous year on college apps. From the start Nena was super supportive in helping with my college application, but also keeping it real with me at all times. I started my application process relatively late but Nena helped keep me on time and task completing applications well before they were due. I have always struggled with writing, especially the creative writing that colleges look for. Nena helped me start from scratch, we brainstormed essay topics together from just a series of questions and from there we started writing. I always felt that my writing was my own but Nena helped refine and fine tune the little things that made what I wrote perfect, helping me incorporate all the details I wanted to. Additionally Nena was there at all times to support me outside of just college apps, she was reassuring when I was stressed about my grades, always able to answer any questions I had, guiding me and helping research to ensure I picked the right major and colleges to apply to. Thanks to Nena I was able to get into USC (one of my top choices), UCLA, UCSD, UC Riverside, UC Davis and more. I am so grateful for all the help and support Nena gave me, she worked with me acting more as a friend and ultimately guided me to make the best decision. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a strong college counselor who goes the extra mile!”
-Saachi S.
“I’m incredibly thankful to Nena from Custom Academic Coaching. College applications have long been something that brought me extreme anxiety. Since middle school, I’ve absolutely dreaded having to figure out how to present the best version of myself to the colleges I wanted to apply. I especially didn’t know where to start on the seemingly endless essays when it seemed like I had nothing to talk about. However, I reached out to Nena and she changed my life. Upon first meeting, she took a genuine interest in me, my interests, and my life. She helped me realize that I have so much more to say than I ever thought I did. With her guidance and assistance, we figured out what to write about and knocked out my essays efficiently, which made the college essay writing process so much easier and less stressful than it would have been otherwise. I’m super proud of these college application essays, as I was able to convey the best version of myself in writing, which helped me get into my dream colleges. Furthermore, she helped me develop my passion project, a fashion history blog. I love reading about fashion history and now I find so much joy in writing about it, something that I never would have thought about if it wasn’t for her. Moreover, I received over $53,000 in scholarships and I was accepted into the University of San Francisco’s Honors College. Additionally, I received the J. Paul Getty Fellowship, awarding $5,000 a year to support research, internships, and study abroad opportunities. Throughout the whole time I worked with Nena, she has been incredibly caring, patient, and thoughtful. She’s friendly and approachable, which is really comforting for a shy person like myself. I’m going to Bryn Mawr, my dream college, with an amazing merit scholarship, which I wouldn’t have been able to do without her. I highly recommend Nena and Custom Academic Coaching for college applications!”
-Emma D.
“Nena did an amazing job as a consultant of the college application and personal essays. My son had been struggling on his personal college essay during the application process. With Nena's guiding, he presented himself very well on the essay and was accepted by Columbia University and Cornell University, and many of his other schools. Thank you, Nena!!”
-Nancy L.
“When I think of Nena I think of a bright light who helped me navigate through a very scary process- medical school applications. Nena saw, and still sees, in me more than I could even imagine for myself. As a student, she provided me with great comfort and reassurance when I wasn’t so sure in myself. Most importantly, she was able to help me articulate my great passion for medicine and tell my personal story. I am absolutely convinced that with her assistance I was able to convey my best and truest desires and intentions throughout the written portions of my application, thus allowing me to elevate my application enough to receive a medical acceptance and scholarship to attend the University of California, Riverside. I am honored and highly grateful to have worked with and personally know Nena.”
- Mary O.
“Nena is a true blessing! After our very first meeting, I knew that she was the perfect choice for me. I spent many hours with her and she helped me remain calm throughout the whole process. She is extremely knowledgeable about the whole college process and she clarified everything for me. Without her help, I would not have been able to get into U of Chicago and my dream school, UC Berkeley. Nena helped me to become a better writer and to realize exactly what I want to study. I know for a fact that I would not be where I am right now without her! I would recommend her to any student as I am positive that she will greatly impact every student that she helps. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much Nena!”
-Rebecca C.
“My daughter began working with Nena at Custom Academic Coaching during the summer before her senior year; my only regret is that she did not begin to work with her sooner. Nena set goals and deadlines for my daughter, and helped her develop a realistic list of reach, target and safety schools. She also helped with her Personal Insight Questions for the UC schools and her Personal Statement for the Common Application schools. She was always available to answer questions and served as a calm and supportive presence for my daughter throughout the process. Working over Zoom, I often overheard their sessions, and I was impressed with Nena's ability to draw my daughter out about her experiences and then help her craft effective narratives about those experiences. These discussions became the basis of her essays. Working with Nena on a consistent basis over the months leading up to the Early Decision deadline helped take much of the stress and anxiety out of the college application process for our entire family. Anyone with a teenager knows that as independence develops, a parent is not the best person to provide support in the application process. Nena is also extremely knowledgeable about the tricks of the trade, including the points admissions officers are looking for in personal statements and in the supplemental essays. I wish my daughter had begun working with her sooner because Nena was also knowledgeable about steps students should take in their sophomore and junior years to help them become strong applicants, and earlier guidance would have been helpful. Thanks, Nena!”
-Gloria G.
“I have worked with Nena since middle school, and I have gained so much from her. She helped me develop confidence in my writing and critical thinking skills, in addition to preparing for college-level writing. Nena helped me immensely during my college application process, and I was accepted to almost every school I applied to. With her help, I gained admission to UCSD, Occidental College, Santa Clara University, and many more. I was also waitlisted at UC Berkeley and Pomona College, and I received the President's Scholarship at Occidental College, where I decided to attend school. I feel prepared more than ever for college courses, and my writing has improved so much thanks to her. I will definitely be coming back to Nena for my graduate school applications in the future. I cannot recommend her services more, whether you just want to improve some skills or gain admission to the college or graduate program of your choice.”
-Anya P.
“Nena has been incredible for both my daughters. They've been able to gain acceptance into their dream schools using her expertise and insight. She is patient, knowledgeable, and understands the admissions process. She is fully invested in every one of her clients and has celebrated our successes as if we're family. I cannot recommend her enough!”
-Arpi K.
“I naively believed that a good student who writes well should have no problem working through her college apps on her own. Boy, was I wrong! My daughter, who has been in Honors/AP English through high school and always earned straight A’s without any tutoring, was in tears a couple of weeks after starting her applications because she had no idea how to begin. She had never been taught to write about herself, and now she was expected to write several essays about herself. My daughter is a perfectionist, and her anxiety shot up when all her private school college counselor suggested was that she be ‘creative.’ We were a bundle of nerves when we first met with Nena, but after the first session, my daughter walked out beaming, with three of her four UC essays planned. Nena knew how to put my daughter at ease and ask the right questions to get her creativity going. Even smart kids need guidance through these harrowing applications, and Nena is an expert not only at completing them, but at keeping my daughter from panicking. We are thrilled to have found her.”
-Sondra G.
“Nena is the best at what she does!! Our daughter started working with Nena since high school to improve on her writing and critical thinking. Nena taught our daughter to appreciate the writings of the various books that were required readings and to understand the nuances of each book. We could see the improvements and how as time past, she became a stronger writer. Nena is really good in finding each student's strength and when it came time for our daughter to prepare her essays for college applications; this was what made the stress of writing several essays into a positive process.
Nena has helped our daughter grow as a writer and a young adult. Our family could not be more grateful for all Nena has done for our daughter. I would recommend Nena without any hesitation to anyone who needs a tutor. THANK YOU NENA!”
-James W.
“I can't express how amazing Nena is. I am currently a student at Emerson College and truly mean it when I say that I would not be where I am today without her. When first meeting with Nena, I was unsure of what path I wanted to take. I had done little to no research about the schools I was interested in and didn't even know how to start the application process. I was a performer in high school but didn't really want to go to college for theatre or acting. Nonetheless, she reassured me that she would help me get through this and together we would find a program that best suited me. Her coaching lead me to Emerson's Comedic Arts program. She encouraged me to apply and helped me refine and perfect my essays. I would have never had the guts to apply as a comedy major if it weren't for Nena. It's the only comedy program in the country so I didn't think I had a chance at getting in. I did some improv in high school and loved comedy but I had no idea that I could pursue it as a career. I write this today having almost finished my first semester at Emerson and I could not be happier. I am currently in three comedy troupes, your technically only allowed to be in one, where I write, act, film, and produce comedic sketches. Not only that, I am loving all my classes, both comedy and required courses. I would not have even applied here if it weren't for Nena. I can't imagine myself being anywhere else- this school and major is perfect for what I want to do in my career. I highly recommend Nena as an academic coach because she will without a doubt help you get the grades or get into the school of your choice. I am so grateful for all she has done. Thank you Nena!”
-Batya C.
“Nena completely changed my life and the way I look at the admissions process. After 2 years at community college, I felt lost and needed help. After working with Nena, I got into every UC I applied to. She's so insightful and takes time to get to know each person she works with. I don't believe I would've gotten the same results if it weren't for her help. I cannot say enough nice things about her!”
-Sosse K.
“‘She's Amazing!’ These were the first words my high school daughter exclaimed as we drove away from her coaching session. Nena was wonderfully nice, patient and a brilliant academic coach. She quickly ascertained my daughter's goals and skill sets and provided numerous recommendations and references to guide my daughter on her college preparation journey. Nena then followed up with emails filled with additional valuable information. My daughter is very organized and a planner by nature and I wasn't sure if she needed the session. Once we started, I realized how important and valuable Nena's coaching is to all students (Planners and Procrastinators) wanting to be fully prepared for the whole spectrum of college admission activities. She teaches AP classes, helps to identify and achieve goals, coaches SAT and other college entrance exams, assists in writing college entrance essays and helps students prepare for their their admission application and interviews.
If you are a college bound student or know of one, you need to contact Nena to best prepare to attend the college of your choice!”
-Robert C.
"Nena is great! I came to her for college counseling and was not disappointed! I am horrible with my putting my thoughts on paper, but she helped me get exactly what I wanted in my essays. With her help, I've gotten into all of my UC system schools, including Berkeley (with a full scholarship), Carnegie Mellon University, and Columbia University in New York (full grant coverage)!"
- Felix L.
“What can I say or how could I start to talk about Nena. She has truly been the answer to all of our prayers. We were very stressed about applying for high school for our daughter and were worried about how it all works. We had so many questions and not much answers. Nena took the time to explain everything to us, how the it all works, how we start, got her on the right track from test prep to helping with the application process. Our daughter excelled beyond any expectation and got in to Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, Mayfield senior, and Westridge. Our daughter was well prepared for high school journey.
Shortly after Nena started working with our son, who was struggling with English. Within a few weeks, his teacher came up to me and asked what we have been doing different because he improved dramatically. He continued to work with Nena and as we started the new school year, he took all the amazing tools Nena worked with him on and he is doing so well at school this year. Nena doesn't only work with the students on the subject but at making sure that they understand it the from A To Z the right way. If all teachers were like Nena, our children would be in a much better place and have brighter future. We are blessed to have Nena and are so thankful for her.”
-Rachel T.
“Our family’s experience with CAC has been a five-star experience. When we were getting ready to send my son to college, we had no idea what the college application process looked like. (My husband and I graduated in the early 90’s). Even though we got started late in the game (September), Nena spent time informing us about the process, making sure not only that we understood what she was saying, but also that we were on-board with the decisions our son was making. In the end, we were stunned by the schools he got accepted to. We’re now using Nena’s services to help our daughter plan for college because this time we don’t want to leave it till the last minute. She’s helping her be realistic about the world and work harder to achieve her lofty goals. My kids actually listen to her! She has a way with teenagers.”
- Francine T.
"Nena is truly a helpful, kind individual that I'm so glad to have met so early on in my life. I'm a bit shy and awkward, but Nena always strove to see the best in me and have me put my best self forward in my college applications. She cares not only about your successes, but also about your struggles and general going-ons in your life, making her a great advisor and friend. She's a wonderful person overall, and definitely one of the best college consultants out there!"
- Elizabeth W.
"Nena was a terrific tutor. Her calm, methodical approach to studying for the AP Euro exam helped my son focus on both the minute, necessary details and the broader subject themes. He scored a 5 on the exam--thanks!"
- Ann N.
"Nena was awesome. She has a way of getting to know who her students really are. She has a special talent in helping students find their strengths and communicate them by way of the college essay. She made this a positive experience for my son and we have been excited about his acceptances to his top college choices!"
- Debbie S.
"Nena did an amazing job as a consultant of the college application and personal essays. My son had been struggling on his personal college essay during the application process. With Nena's guiding, he presented himself very well on the essay and was accepted by Columbia University and many of his other schools. Thank you, Nena!!"
- Nancy L.
"I don't know what I would have done without Nena guiding me through the college application process. She is a perfectionist who won't stop until you have created an application that you feel proud to submit. Nena took time to truly get to know me and helped consistently portray my best characteristics throughout my entire application. She has a superior knowledge of college admissions and what each one expects. The amount Nena helped with the quality of my application made her invaluable to the process. I highly recommend Nena to anyone wanting to submit a superior college application!"
- Shannon H.
"Nena is extremely intelligent, kind, and professional. In the four months I have worked with her, I can attest that she is an expert in college admissions. My essays are nothing short of amazing in their accurate portrayal of myself. Nena knows how to bring out the aspects in a candidate that are unique and exceptional. I recently was accepted into my first choice school, Columbia University. More importantly, she has helped me grow as a thinker, writer, and human being. Without reservation, I recommend Custom Academic Coaching to all that wish to expand their critical reading and writing skills. Thank you, Nena!"
- Arnold Z.
"Nena really helped me curtail my responses to some really cryptic and broad questions that come along with the college application process. I was really glad that I had her help and I could not be happier with how everything turned out. She is also a great person to talk to 1 on 1 if there are any problems with your personal life too- which was really refreshing to see. Thank you Nena!"
- Dina D.
“After struggling through the first few months of my AP Language and Composition class, my family decided to get the help I needed from Nena. From the first session, I knew that we made the right decision. She was easy to talk with and showed genuine care for me. Nena is more than a tutor; she is a friend. She would text me outside of our sessions to check up on how I was doing or to send a picture of something that related to what we were working on. She leads tremendous discussions that I could bring to my class every day. We began to see results immediately. I became more consistent on my quizzes and tests, and I began to feel confident as I walked into class because I knew that I had been prepared extremely well. I would recommend her to anybody looking for someone who cares and who will work tirelessly to help a student reach his/her goals. She completely changed my approach to English overnight, and I am eternally grateful.”
- Thomas S.
"I was recently accepted to the PhD program at Johns Hopkins University due in no small part to the extremely helpful counseling from Custom Academic Coaching. When I reviewed my applications and essays on my own, I felt that the person writing didn't reflect me or my ideas. So--in a panic--I contacted Custom Academic Coaching... And Nena saved the day. Amidst thankless last-minute deadlines and late night emails, Nena elegantly guided me through my own material and helped me clarify my thoughts. Despite having no background in my area of study, she strengthened my capacities as a writer and an applicant. Her guidance helped me faithfully present myself and my ideas as clearly and confidently as possible to my audience. As a result, I gained admission to a prestigious University with one of the nation's most competitive graduate programs of its kind. As I pack my bags, I am grateful for Nena's positive advice, editorship, and most of all, gracefulness in the face of my worry."
- Mason W.
"We have now been with Custom Academics from it's nidus to present date. I previously gave her, Nena , the head of the company 4 stars but I have to change that to 5 stars because Ms. Nena is dedicated, polite and patient with my children. Her tutors reflect her gentle style. They are strong in many subjects and cater to many ages. They teach your children how to think critically, how to question and reason out answers. Isn't that the new SAT by the way?? Most importantly for ALL PARENTS if you ask, they teach your child how to study and organize their thoughts. This is not taught in schools. Choose them and your search is over."
- May A.
"First of all, I absolutely love and adore Nena! I seriously could not have made it this far without her by my side. I'm in my junior year of high school and with my IB classes, SAT, and overall stress of a schedule, I knew I would need private tutoring as soon as possible. After our first meeting, I knew Nena was the perfect choice for me! She addressed my learning preferences and asked what I would need help with. At the beginning of this year, I was struggling to understand what my IB classes asked of me, but Nena has helped my writing and test-taking skills grow tremendously. My essays have definitely improved and my quiz/test scores are higher than before! I am able to better comprehend prompts and come up with an interesting argument. Moreover, Nena is also an amazing college counselor and overall friend. I often find myself sad and questionable about the future, but Nena is always ready to give me a call and check up on me. She believes in my academic future and encourages me to strive for the best. I seriously could not ask for a better tutor! Whether I'm sad, stressed, or fearful, Nena is always there to lift my spirits up and motivate me to keep on pushing forward. She is kind, lovely, and incredibly intelligent! I would not want anyone else guiding me through this college process! :) Thank you for everything you have done and continue to do for me!"
- Irazu H.
"CAC is made up of a great team of productive tutors. Nena listens and understands her clients needs and directs a specific tutor to teach whatever subject is needed. My eighth grader initially used her to learn the necessary test taking skills for the ISEE and has continued to use her for his challenging school assignments. Although her expertise is English and Literature, her team also includes a positive tutor that has the patience to teach Math and Science. She's a rare gem that definitely can build up your child's confidence and help improve his/her grades and scores."
- Sue W.
"Nena helped me throughout the entire process of applying for law schools. Preparing for the LSAT, I couldn't finish reading comprehension sections in time, but with Nena's help I significantly improved my score. Nena also helped me write and structure my admissions essays to law schools. I hate writing personal essays and they would have been terrible without Nena's help. I ended up getting a 174 on the LSAT, and I got into my top choice for law school. Nena was always professional, responsive, and a pleasure to work with, and she got great results!"
- Andrew S.
"Nena is the absolute best at what she does!!! She has helped me grow so much working with her over the past ten years. She isn't just challenging, she's engaging and thoughtful in a manner uncommon to many educators, in my experience. Nena has brought out the best in both my writing and critical thinking. Not only has she helped me get into the colleges of my choice, but she's continued to help me grow as a writer and a human being. I would recommend her to anyone seeking to further their education in any way. I can wholeheartedly say you will never find a better tutor. THANK YOU, NENA!!!"
- Adi M.
“Nena tutored me in my junior year at La Canada High School. Before Nena taught me, I was not successful in my English class. I had trouble writing down my thoughts logically and fluently, partly because English isn’t my first language. But with Nena’s help, my grade went up almost 10%, from a B- to an A-, very quickly. My teacher finally thought my essays were decent! Nena is the best tutor I’ve ever had, not only because my grade went up, but also because she treated me like a friend in our studies. We had a good number of interesting discussions about ideas and the world. I felt I could talk to her without restriction. Although I couldn’t express my ideas clearly sometimes, Nena was always patient. I am honored and lucky to have Nena as a tutor!”
– Yiwei M.
"Having Nena as my tutor has probably been the best decision my mother has made for me. I have improved drastically and immediately in my grades and in participating in school in general. My grades went from D's to B's in a couple of weeks. Nena is determined, professional, and will keep you going until you have reached your goal!"
- Anaiiz M.
“Several years ago, Nena helped me get into the college of my dreams. I can honestly say that I don’t think I would’ve gotten in without her help. Since then, she has helped me write five artists’ statements, which turned out polished and substantive in a way that most artists’ statements are not. Nena engaged me in a way that I felt immediately comfortable, which helped me bring out my best qualities. I can’t thank you enough, Nena!”
- Ricardo A.