Learning Well

"Well of Bolonchen," Frederick Catherwood, 1844, Views of Ancient Monuments in Central America, Chiapas and Yucatan.

Personal academic mentoring and college counseling that helps you dig deep and express authentically

Discover your intellectual wellspring

Build strong academic foundations

Express your authentic voice

Navigate your path to college success

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Two Paths

Two Ways to Learn Well

Academic Mentoring

Independent reading and writing

AP subject support

Critical thinking development

Focus on deep engagement
College Planning

Application strategy

Essay development

College selection

Personal essay crafting

What Makes Us Different

A Deeper Approach to Learning

Focus on helping you discover your own well of wisdom

Balance of deep understanding and effective academic praxis

Long-term mentoring relationship

Proven track record of success with elite institutions

Foundation in humanities and critical thinking

The Process

Your Journey to Learning Well

Discover where to dig (identify your unique potential)

Build solid foundations (develop strong academic praxis)

Deepen engagement (access your wisdom)

Express authentically (share your unique voice)

Success Stories

UCLA Admit
"Before working with Dr. Chen, I struggled with communicating effectively and receiving feedback. I was stubborn and often closed myself off from others' input, especially in my writing. This made it difficult for me to grow both academically and personally - I would get defensive and assume I knew better.

The turning point came when Dr. Chen introduced me to a structured feedback process during our college application work. Looking back now, I realize this transformation actually started years earlier when he taught me his 'gutting notes' method for analyzing texts. Just like those notes required me to identify burning questions and key claims in complex readings, the college essay process demanded that I dig deep to find the burning questions in my own life story.

What made Dr. Chen different was how he focused on my personal transformation, not just the immediate academic goals. Through recorded feedback sessions and discussions, he helped me understand that being vulnerable enough to truly listen to others wasn't a weakness - it was crucial for growth. The way he guided me through brainstorming and revision showed me that feedback could be a gift rather than a threat.

I didn't see it at first, but the analytical skills he taught me early on had laid the groundwork for the kind of deep self-reflection and clear communication needed in college essays. He wasn't just teaching me isolated skills - he was building a foundation for how to think critically about both texts and my own life experiences.

Now, I approach conversations and relationships completely differently. I'm a better listener and more open to others' perspectives. This transformation even helped me earn a significant scholarship to Pepperdine University. But more importantly, I've learned how to build deeper connections with people by truly hearing them instead of just waiting for my turn to speak.

Looking back, what seemed like simple essay feedback sessions were actually teaching me one of life's most valuable skills - how to learn from others and grow through genuine human connection. Dr. Chen didn't just help me write better essays or analyze texts more effectively; he helped me become a better person."

—SZ

Yale Admit
"Thank you so much for your guidance! The writing process has really helped me reflect and gain a better understanding of myself and my core values, connecting various aspects of me that I didn't realize were related before and pulling out so many things from my memories. What I learned from our discussions helped me craft not only the essays that we worked on, but also the additional colleges I applied to and immensely in preparing for my 10 interviews that have happened so far..."

—KT

Berkeley Admit
"Dear Cyrus,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for all the hard work and support you provided to me during my college application process. Thanks to your tireless efforts, I am thrilled to share that I have been accepted into the University of California Berkeley! This is my last school of the application season and it marks the end of my application.

Your guidance, encouragement, and valuable advice have been instrumental in helping me navigate the complicated college application process. From brainstorming essay ideas to finalizing my application, your expertise and insights have been invaluable. You always went above and beyond to ensure that I was on track and provided me with the necessary resources to succeed.

I am confident that without your help, I wouldn't have been able to achieve this milestone in my academic journey. Your dedication to helping students like me pursue their dreams is truly inspiring, and I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with you.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering support, guidance, and mentorship. Your work has made a significant impact on my life, and I am grateful for everything you have done. Maybe we can meet up when I come to California for school in the fall."

—MZ

Sage Hill School Parent
"Cyrus goes beyond teaching the technique of writing; he guides our child to approach any topic with a keen perspective. His method is rarely seen from writing teachers because it requires so much academic knowledge and experience. In my child's own words 'Cyrus brings interesting, diverse and prevalent topics about the world.' The improvement in my child's writings is very much above our expectation and more importantly writing has become one subject that my child enjoys!"

—AX

Portola H.S. Parent
"Dr. Chen is not only a tutor who helps my child with schoolwork. He is simultaneously a life teacher who is able to engage my child in intellectual exchanges and discussions on heart matters. From time to time, Dr. Chen will recommend some articles published in newspapers and magazines during class. This information that goes beyond the content of what's taught in school opens another window for my son to observe and understand this world. If you want your child to have a more mature understanding of themselves and of the world, you can't go wrong choosing Dr. Chen. He is not a teacher who only pays attention to scores. He is a teacher who will influence your child for a lifetime."

—XJ

Beckman H.S. Parent
"Our son studies well, but has disliked tutoring. When forced to do so, they usually lasted for only a month or two. But, our son really enjoyed and liked reading and writing with Cyrus. With Cyrus, our son said that even difficult texts became interesting. He also said that Cyrus was insightful, unlike the other tutors. Our son really liked the tutoring and has been tutored for a long time by Cyrus."

—SY

About

Your Guide on the Journey

Photo credit: Andria Lo

Every student has a unique well of wisdom waiting
to be discovered. As an academic mentor and college counselor, I help learners dig deep, find their voice, and share their stories authentically.

My journey as a guide began in the classrooms of UC Berkeley, Stanford, and the University of San Francisco, where I discovered that the most meaningful learning happens through one-on-one conversations. This realization led me to transform from professor to personal mentor, creating intimate learning contexts where students can truly flourish.

Drawing from my experience as a Fulbright Scholar and historian of modern China, I help students develop the tools they need to explore ideas deeply and express themselves clearly. My own journey of learning Mandarin enabled me to connect with my grandparents and taught me that authentic voice emerges when we align our studies with our deeper purpose.

Students I've guided have found their paths to institutions including Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, and many other selective universities. But more importantly, they've discovered their own voices along the way. I believe the college admissions process offers a unique opportunity for deep reflection and personal storytelling—a chance for students to become the primary source of their own narrative.

What drives me is the belief that true learning happens at the intersection of rigorous intellectual engagement and personal discovery. Whether in academic mentoring or college counseling, my role is to help you dig your own well of wisdom and develop the tools to draw from it effectively.

When not guiding students, you'll find me tending to California native plants in my garden or exploring the rich waters of Southern California's coast—activities that remind me that growth requires both careful cultivation and the courage to dive deep.

Education

PhD, MA, BA - UC Berkeley | Fulbright Scholar

IUP Intensive Mandarin Graduate
Tsinghua University, Beijing

Professional Experience
Independent Educational Consultant (8 years)

Stanford University, UC Berkeley, University of San Francisco

Professional Membership
National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

Service
Matchlighters Scholars Program
Kiwanis International

Begin Your Journey

Toy Bank: Dutch Girl at Well, Charles Moss, 1938.

"Look within. Within is the fountain of good, and it will ever bubble up, if thou wilt ever dig."

— Marcus Aurelius

䷯Learning Well

Discover Your Voice Through Deep Academic Engagement

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