Reviews
"The lesson that I remember most vividly is the one when Mr. Kim asked us to write a journal entry about our most painful memory."
CLAUDIA CHIN
When I walked into Alpha Academy during the summer before my junior year of high school, I never dreamed of all the life lessons I would learn from Mr. Kim. I expected a summer full of drudgery, but instead learned not only about how to ace the SAT's but also who I was. These lessons were not just full of endless practice problems; Mr. Kim had an ability to tie the SAT practice problems into modern day issues or situations the students could relate to. It was usually during writing class that we learned the most about each other and ourselves. The students were asked to write journal entries during the first ten minutes of class, and surprisingly, most of my classmates and I wrote very honestly. The lesson that I remember most vividly is the one when Mr. Kim asked us to write a journal entry about our most painful memory.
I became one of those students who went to Mr. Kim with my problems. I always subconsciously knew the right answer, but hearing the answer from him made me more confident with my decisions. Soon enough, he convinced me that I was able to make good decisions on my own, and that I simply did not trust myself. He helped me understand that it is okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them. Mr. Kim helped me to become the confident, go-getter that I have become today.
During senior year of high school, I stopped going to Alpha because I no longer needed to take the SAT's. However, I still frequently visited Mr. Kim on the weekends to update him. I thanked him each time for inspiring me to be a better, stronger person, but instead, the conversation would end with him thanking me. He told me that I, along with my classmates, allowed him to learn much more than we ever did. He humbly told me that teachers learn even more than the students do because the teacher has so many students to learn life experiences and other values from.
Alpha Academy helped me raise my SAT scores from a low 1400 to 1990, a decent score. However, my improvement in my SAT score was nothing compared to the lessons in life Mr. Kim taught me during class.
EILEEN LIAO UCLA, BS; JD, NOTRE DAME
Alpha---best class ever!
I have gone to numerous SAT prep classes before my search for the prep class that fit my needs stopped with Alpha. ACI Rowland, ACI Diamond bar, ECC, etc. All of these prep classes didn't do me any wrong; I got numerous workbooks with many things to memorize in order to improve my SAT score. However, my score still stayed relatively the same and I felt like I was merely going through series of dry repetition.
Then I found Alpha. Alpha taught SAT's differently than the other classes I had previously attended. First of all, I was warmly welcomed into my Alpha Family. My Alpha Family consists of fellow peers whom I took all of my prep classes with and whom I had formed such close bonds with that we are still friends years into and after college. That is something that I definitely did not find elsewhere. Alpha also provided a different way of learning vocabulary words that made me relate vocabulary words to everyday things, making me memorize them with ease and efficiency. Learning these vocabulary words gave me a huge boost in my verbal section, which was my worst section at the time.
Alpha's math class is also very effective. The math teacher taught various methods that would increase our testing speed without decreasing the accuracy of our answers. The teacher also taught us different ways of getting an answer that would save us time during the test.
Then comes the writing class...my big improvement. I started out never knowing where to even start on the essay portion of the SAT until I learned to standardize a very effective basic structure of every essay for the SAT. This structure saved me a lot of brain-storming and writing time, while giving me a sense of comfort. The way that Alpha teaches writing not only helps you with your SAT writing, but it helps you with your writing skills outside of the SAT as well as improves you as a person. Alpha writing classes (I swear) makes every student grow a certain spark of confidence and self-understanding. The classes are structured where students learn to write with their heart, rather than write mechanically without emotions or passion.
One of my favorite things about Alpha is that although the work load was tough and the hours of studying and test-taking were long, I always seemed to enjoy myself at Alpha. Something about my Alpha family or just being there always cheered me up. Practice Test Fridays never seemed tortuous because I already knew who would be there and would already know that there would be fun and laughter during the test break and after the test.
Of course I don't want to give away too much about Alpha Academy, because I don't want to ruin the experience for other students who are interested. But I definitely am truly grateful to have stumbled across this SAT Prep class, to have found such a great Alpha Family, and, most of all, to have met Mr. Kim. There really aren't many people or places that I have come back home to visit since I've graduated from college other than Alpha Academy. That definitely means that something they did there left a great impact on me and makes me want to come back, whether it be to update Mr. Kim on my life, to seek advice on my next steps in life, or to simply visit and reminisce the times when I was a student there.
PS- DEFINITELY TAKE MEGA COURSE!!! Also, don't take the class thinking that it will magically raise your score by hundreds. You have to work for the score that you want. Alpha just makes the process easier and more enjoyable.
DAVID KIM UCLA
Everyday, I have flashbacks of bits and pieces of Mr. Kim's teachings and his stories. It seems… Everyday, I have flashbacks of bits and pieces of Mr. Kim's teachings and his stories. It seems whatever I learned in alpha is engraved into my head and is the foundation that powers how a think. Honestly, I didn't care much about the SATs until my senior year. I went to the classes to hear his life lessons. As I begin my independent life, I will cherish what I learned from Alpha and use them to my advantage. I feel very fortunate that my parents were able to send me to alpha for many years for me to have this education
In 7th grade, I discovered Alpha Academy hidden among many other SAT institutions. I did not expect… In 7th grade, I discovered Alpha Academy hidden among many other SAT institutions. I did not expect much from this academy at first because my mom forced and dragged me to attend this place. However, what I did not realize at that time was that I had found gold in a midst of fool's gold, or to put it in another way, a needle in a haystack. Alpha is not just any SAT academy; rather, it is a haven for students who truly want to learn and succeed in life. And all of this is possible because of Mr. Cobert Kim, the instructor. Mr. Kim has taught SAT for around 20 years. And throughout his experiences teaching the SAT, Mr. Kim has gained numerous insights and experiences that further help his students comprehend the SAT at the simplest level. When Mr. Kim teaches the SAT, he doesn't just teach us strategies to solve the questions; this is only a baby step compared to what he gets out of the information and knowledge deeply embedded within sentence problems and the passages. From just a single word or a sentence, Mr. Kim produces a string of knowledge about what the passage is truly saying and how we can apply present day examples to better understand the concept. And as I listen to his deep and enlightening lessons, I am able visualize a beautiful flower, representing Mr. Kim's every little idea, blooming in my mind as he produces a continuous number of interconnected ideas about a topic, or a plain string undergoing complex acrobatics until it is elegantly looped. Mr. Kim simplifies difficult passages and helps us see the deep implicit messages behind every word and sentence. If I could, I would spend an eternity sitting in front of him and listening to him speak; this feeling and experience is so much like diving into a vibrant and abysmal ocean and submerging myself in a sea of insights. As I savor upon his teachings and wisdom, his knowledge feeds the blossoming flower in my mind, turning it into a vast, deeply rooted tree. Not only did my understanding of the SAT improve, but also my life has changed from going to Alpha. Before I had Alpha, I played video games all day, watched T.V. for hours, and had no purpose or goal to pursue in my life. But when I came to Alpha, Mr. Kim showed me the way to success. From then on, I gained more motivation to do something while my high school year passes away. I have taken community college courses, honors classes in my high school, and participated in extracurricular activities. It was Mr. Kim who advised me to take the Journalism class to better prepare for college and improve my writing skills. I realized that whenever I listen to him and hear his advice, I feel that I can breathe more easily and that I am more prepared to overcome various challenges; as a result, I have a clearer and a more focused mind that is ready to pursue the right goals. Also, he has given advice on building my social skills. I was a very hesitant and a timid type of person ever since kindergarten, often choosing not to speak in public. However, Mr. Kim encouraged me to be more confident and active. With the help from his guidance, I have taken more action to socialize and build a memorable high school experience. I would never have challenged myself to do all these things without Mr. Kim's advice. Alpha Academy is not just a place for SAT preparation. Students learn to reflect on their lives and the life around them to become greater individuals. Through Mr. Kim's influence, I have undergone a beneficial change from an indolent, indifferent boy to a matured, responsible man. My SAT score has improved 800 points, and it is still improving. But I believe that Mr. Kim has improved not only my SAT scores, but also my life. Going to Alpha is my recharging time, and afterwards, I always feel energized and motivated to perform better in whatever difficulties I had previously struggled with. To put it simply: Alpha Academy = Life Changing Experience
JUSTIN YOO CORNELL UNIVERSITY
We all hear about SAT tutoring academies. We've all been to at least one or two. In my case, I've been to 5 different SAT academies. After attending each one for at least a few months, I came to the realization that the true importance lies within what you actually take away from these places as a student. No, I'm not talking about all of the vocabulary or the newfound hatred towards College board. I'm talking about the lessons you learn to truly better yourself as a person.
Before I attended Alpha Academy, I watched my brother go through the whole college admissions process while attending Alpha. Just a few years ago, I remember reading my brother's review of Alpha on Yelp. I remember thinking, "Did this place really change his life that much?" As a graduate of Alpha, I can promise you that as long as you reveal all that you've got to show and give all that you've got, you will be smiling while looking back at your old self.
Eventually, my brother was accepted to his ED college and is currently attending Cornell University. Similarly, I was accepted to my own ED college just a couple of weeks ago. As I look forward to my college years, it saddens me to think that others may never hear about such an intriguing place like Alpha. Of course it is rigorous, stressful, and tiresome. However, as with everything else, with no pain there is no gain.
I just hope that my review will reach whoever is in desperate need of assistance through the college process.
ALEX LI USC MARSHALL, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Alpha: n. the first; beginning.
adj. most prominent.
Alpha Academy definitely lives up to its name; it IS the best academy one can ever attend. Of course, words can never fully express one's feelings sufficiently, nor can fully convey the value of a certain object. Alpha is one of those things that one must experience for himself... it is special. There is no other place where the teachers care more about their students.
Pointing fingers is never right, and thus, I will not mention any names. But, for most of the tutoring places I've come across, almost 99.99% of all of them ask for money first. However, the first thing that Mr. Kim asks of you is to reach 2100 or up. I have never been to an academy where the teachers care as much as Mr. Kim does. There is no one that cares more than Mr Kim, who asks the students to do the most beneficial ridiculous assignments in the face of the earth: 1) writing long, extremely personal journals in order to learn more about the students and to help them appreciate themselves for who they are, 2) writing notes to neighbors requesting permission to pick up the hundreds of plastic bottles they have and later recycling them, 3) placing Vocabulary packets in the bathroom, car, kitchen (EVERYWHERE) so that students will remember to study SAT where ever they are, 4) asking students to get their sleeping bags and stay for a weekend at Alpha, in order to brainwash them for 48 hours straight while having priceless fun and bonding time. There are probably hundreds of millions of infinitesimal things that Mr. Kim does little by little that all guide students to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Mr. Kim to most people will come off as crazy; to me, he comes off as a genius. Everything he does has a purpose, whether it's the class-wide "brainwashing" (long motivational speeches that somehow work magic into the brains of young intellectuals and cause them to work hard), the sometimes random "jobs/tasks" he gives us (like dressing up everyday to feel more professional and thus, work more diligently), or the 2 hr. long extra help sessions. I could go on and on forever about how much Mr. Kim does for us and how much he expects of us as students.
I can honestly say that Mr. Kim is like my father; he is the father of my entire Megacourse family. The 23 students I met this summer are not my friends, nor my classmates or peers; they are my family. We may not be linked by b lood, but our hearts are all in the same place. I can say that I will comb the heavens and tear apart the earth if it means being able to see and protect my surrogate family.
I hope that whoever sees this will be convinced enough to at least try Alpha; from there on, I know that the student will be so enticed they wished they lived in Alpha. I urge you all to attend Alpha Academy; it's a life defining experience that will illuminate the dark path in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
IRIS YOON UCLA
When my friends recommended so strongly me to go toAlpha Academy, I did not truly believe that it would be good. I thought my friends were just telling me to have a common experience to talk about. Also, I did not like the part that the teacher, Mr.Kim, does not talk about only SATs but more about life experiences and disciplines. I wondered ' why would I want to spend my precious time on other priority? I would rahter focus on SAT fully for now.' However, I was totally wrong. Mr. Kim's stories were not tirivial. They moved my heart and changed me to be a sharper, more focused, and better person. I can not forget this 2011 summer. I really thank Mr. Kim. Also, I am so thankful that I got to know wonderful friends and teachers. Our time at Alpha means so much to me. I thank God for allowing me to know those people. Those people are the ones who will be in my heart forever. Thank you Alpha Family!!
STEVE CHUNG UCLA
Alpha Academy is not your typical SAT school. Actually, you may not even call it "just" a SAT private tutor. The truth is, we humans have lost sight of how we should prioritize our morals, and Alpha has set my priorities straight. Starting off this tutor, i was depressed and lonely: none of my friends came to this tutor, and i had to learn 90 words a day. However, after hearing Mr. Kim's(one of the tutors) comforting words, I felt more confident. Although my SAT score has taken a considerable leap(forward of course), i can not say that it is my greatest achievement from this tutor. Every week, we are required to write 5 journals for everyday we attend Alpha. One of the consistent topics would be what you have learned today. Another topic would be emotionally powerful such as one's own insecurties. It was very surprising how much emotion all of the students poured into these journals. Normally, at my school, I would have expected mediocre, emotionless journals that might have been done in 5 minutes. Instead of just teaching me how to improve my SAT score, Alpha taught me how to become a better person. I now respect my parents much more; I have come to truly understand who my true friends; and most importantly, I am now sure of which profession to take on in the future. Alpha made all of this possible. This is from the heart.
FRANKLIN ZHANG
When I first walked into Alpha, I thought it was going to be another useless SAT school that was going to drain my parents of their money. However, after meeting Mr. Kim, my entire conception of life changed. I was actually inspired to try my best to be diligent and boost my SAT score, whereas in the other SAT schools I've been to I slacked off and tried to the least of my abilities. I highly recommend this institution to anyone who has children who are in vital need of a more positive outlook on the importance of education in a critical stage of life.
BRENT KIM UCLA
So it all started off like this: "Mom, do I REALLY have to go to SAT school called Alpha? This is ridiculous". I felt unfortunate when my parents forced me into going what I believed was only a needless tutoring center. In fact, I live in a town called Visalia, which is nearly four hours away from where Alpha is located, and therefore, it required me a great will and endurance to come and learn at Alpha--for the most part, it was my parents' enforcement. Also, I had never believed that eight weeks of learning could change my perception of looking at the world around me. However, I can now confidently argue that my time here has been deeply worthwhile.
At Alpha, I have not only learned about the crucial strategies of improving the SAT score, but also about how we should live our lives. Here, students learn to pursue and fulfill their life-long dreams through continuous endeavor. Namely, at Alpha Academy, Mr. Kim teaches the individuals of high visions of what attitudes they should attain; serving as an inspirational motivator, he re-charges students' 'motivation energies' every time they come to be taught.
When memorizing vocabs, we learn to comprehend what are beyond their superficial meanings. As we relate our own sentiments and stories to the sentences that we create, we immediately gain a firmer grasp and understanding of the usages of the words. Also, through weekly journals, we become capable of sharing our innermost thoughts through the art of writing, in which we can freely discuss our deepest and private problems with Mr. Kim, thus seeking solutions. (In fact, the journals that we submit are good tools that can be later used for college application essays).
In conclusion, Alpha has become a place more than just a simple tutoring center. It has taught me what I should focus on as a student, and even later on as an adult. I have learned to be diligent in striving for my dreams, and understood that without experiencing hardships, I wouldn't be able to gain or earn my goals. Alpha Academy is definitely the place of endless inspiration, where I would like to come back for a visit in the future. I feel very indebted and graceful for having attended a place like Alpha. It has completely changed my attitude, morality, and perception of the world.
WILLIAM PARK NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
After going to several SAT academies, i thought that Alpha would just be the same thing. Other than the fact that I knew the director of Alpha, I assumed that we would be doing the same thing as what I had done in other academies. However, Alpha was very different. Mr. Kim and the many other teachers have inspired me and shaped me into becoming a better person. Just like our textbook says, Alpha truly is a prep for college and for LIFE. Sure we do learn about SATs but that is not all that the class teaches. Through the countless stories of previous students from Mr Kim, the students get to become new people. The teachers here are all very influential on the students and we get to absorb a lot of knowledge from them. When this summer ends, I will miss every aspect of my time here. Whether it is the classes, aquarium rap battles, stories, tests, lunches, meeting youtube celebrities, donut/icecream runs, or so many other things I will truly miss them all.
Based on all my observations, I can strongly advocate that Alpha is the best SAT academy out there. HAHA
CHRIS LEE UC DAVIS
You know alpha, to me, was at first your glance was just another tutoring center but as i attended daily i learned that it wasnt just for the sats but i learned that it was also for life. Mr. Cobert Kim is an inspirational figure to whoever meets him. He teaches us about everyday things and mixes it into what we study. Mr. Kim gives the best advice for life and how to study for the sats and for school. Before, alpha academy was just a tutoring center. but now, its more than that. Alpha has turned into a sanctuary for me. It is a place where dreams are fulfilled. I would definitely encourage EVERYONE to come to Alpha Academy, Rowland heights, even if it is far from your house. I drive 30 to 45 minutes everyday just to learn something new from mr.kim. To wrap it all up, i just wanted to say that ALPHA IS THE BEST SAT ACADEMY out there and that everyone should at least talk to Mr.Kim once in there life because i know that he will change your life like he changed mine. This place is the best of the best... hence the name... Alpha
IDEN EMAM
When my parents first enrolled me in Alpha Academy, I thought it would suck. After the first week, however, I found it to be one of the beat experiences in my life. The knowledge I learned increased my SAT scores by about 500 points. I also met a diverse group of shining individuals and made a group of lifetime friends. Overall, my Alpha experience has been one of the best I have ever had.
TIMOTHY YOON CORNELL UNIVERSITY
I passed by Alpha many times, but never thought that I would go there. I had been to plenty of institutions back in Korea and I did not think this small academy would be significant in my life.
When my dad dragged me into Alpha after he dropped by and talked with Mr. Kim, I was still doubtful of how much I was going to learn. I was pretty confident that I had most of the teaching methods for SAT prep figured out. I thought this would be generic and boring, which did not make me look forward to going.
The first few days of class changed my world for me. The SAT prep was more than adaquate and quite rigorous, taking practice tests all the time. What changed my world was Mr. Kim.
He seemed to have his own philosophy and seemed like a confident man that would not back down for anything. He taught us not just to choose which answer, but how to live life and how to make it better. He touched base with everyone in the classroom by digging in deeper into their inner selves.
Sometimes the whole class was laughing so hard, sometimes the whole class was crying. Everyone seemed to be moved and it inspired me to have my own philosophy and have my confidence stem out of that philosophy.
I have regretted going to many SAT courses and thought of them as a waste of time, but Alpha is something I will not regret and remember for my lifetime.
JACKIE TRUONG UC BERKELEY
I first came to Alpha during the summer after my sophomore year. At first, I thought it'd be like any place and I only went to Alpha because my cousin went here. However, as I continued my SAT class at Alpha and then my college essay class my senior year, I realized that Alpha is much more than just any SAT prep class. The teacher Mr. Kim is truly a great teacher; he teaches not only SAT and how to write good essays, but also life lessons. I know that these lessons has not only affected my SAT scores positively, but it has also affected my life in a way that I can barely describe. I feel as though I have became a different person after attending ALPHA.
When I walked into Alpha Academy during the summer before my junior year of high school, I never dreamed of all the life lessons I would learn from Mr. Kim. I expected a summer full of drudgery, but instead learned not only about how to ace the SAT's but also who I was. These lessons were not just full of endless practice problems; Mr. Kim had an ability to tie the SAT practice problems into modern day issues or situations the students could relate to. It was usually during writing class that we learned the most about each other and ourselves. The students were asked to write journal entries during the first ten minutes of class, and surprisingly, most of my classmates and I wrote very honestly. The lesson that I remember most vividly is the one when Mr. Kim asked us to write a journal entry about our most painful memory.
- Some of my classmates wrote about being abused while another wrote about unrequited love. I remember my friend wrote a moving essay about his beautiful, successful sister who passed away. Many, including myself, wrote about choices we made that had disappointed our parents and the people who had the most faith in ourselves. Each person had a different story and by the end of the lesson, most of the students were in tears and relieved that they were able to let go of the pain that they had kept to themselves. Mr. Kim had an ability to connect with and gain the trust of the students.
I became one of those students who went to Mr. Kim with my problems. I always subconsciously knew the right answer, but hearing the answer from him made me more confident with my decisions. Soon enough, he convinced me that I was able to make good decisions on my own, and that I simply did not trust myself. He helped me understand that it is okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them. Mr. Kim helped me to become the confident, go-getter that I have become today.
During senior year of high school, I stopped going to Alpha because I no longer needed to take the SAT's. However, I still frequently visited Mr. Kim on the weekends to update him. I thanked him each time for inspiring me to be a better, stronger person, but instead, the conversation would end with him thanking me. He told me that I, along with my classmates, allowed him to learn much more than we ever did. He humbly told me that teachers learn even more than the students do because the teacher has so many students to learn life experiences and other values from.
Alpha Academy helped me raise my SAT scores from a low 1400 to 1990, a decent score. However, my improvement in my SAT score was nothing compared to the lessons in life Mr. Kim taught me during class.
EILEEN LIAO UCLA, BS; JD, NOTRE DAME
Alpha---best class ever!
I have gone to numerous SAT prep classes before my search for the prep class that fit my needs stopped with Alpha. ACI Rowland, ACI Diamond bar, ECC, etc. All of these prep classes didn't do me any wrong; I got numerous workbooks with many things to memorize in order to improve my SAT score. However, my score still stayed relatively the same and I felt like I was merely going through series of dry repetition.
Then I found Alpha. Alpha taught SAT's differently than the other classes I had previously attended. First of all, I was warmly welcomed into my Alpha Family. My Alpha Family consists of fellow peers whom I took all of my prep classes with and whom I had formed such close bonds with that we are still friends years into and after college. That is something that I definitely did not find elsewhere. Alpha also provided a different way of learning vocabulary words that made me relate vocabulary words to everyday things, making me memorize them with ease and efficiency. Learning these vocabulary words gave me a huge boost in my verbal section, which was my worst section at the time.
Alpha's math class is also very effective. The math teacher taught various methods that would increase our testing speed without decreasing the accuracy of our answers. The teacher also taught us different ways of getting an answer that would save us time during the test.
Then comes the writing class...my big improvement. I started out never knowing where to even start on the essay portion of the SAT until I learned to standardize a very effective basic structure of every essay for the SAT. This structure saved me a lot of brain-storming and writing time, while giving me a sense of comfort. The way that Alpha teaches writing not only helps you with your SAT writing, but it helps you with your writing skills outside of the SAT as well as improves you as a person. Alpha writing classes (I swear) makes every student grow a certain spark of confidence and self-understanding. The classes are structured where students learn to write with their heart, rather than write mechanically without emotions or passion.
One of my favorite things about Alpha is that although the work load was tough and the hours of studying and test-taking were long, I always seemed to enjoy myself at Alpha. Something about my Alpha family or just being there always cheered me up. Practice Test Fridays never seemed tortuous because I already knew who would be there and would already know that there would be fun and laughter during the test break and after the test.
Of course I don't want to give away too much about Alpha Academy, because I don't want to ruin the experience for other students who are interested. But I definitely am truly grateful to have stumbled across this SAT Prep class, to have found such a great Alpha Family, and, most of all, to have met Mr. Kim. There really aren't many people or places that I have come back home to visit since I've graduated from college other than Alpha Academy. That definitely means that something they did there left a great impact on me and makes me want to come back, whether it be to update Mr. Kim on my life, to seek advice on my next steps in life, or to simply visit and reminisce the times when I was a student there.
PS- DEFINITELY TAKE MEGA COURSE!!! Also, don't take the class thinking that it will magically raise your score by hundreds. You have to work for the score that you want. Alpha just makes the process easier and more enjoyable.
DAVID KIM UCLA
Everyday, I have flashbacks of bits and pieces of Mr. Kim's teachings and his stories. It seems… Everyday, I have flashbacks of bits and pieces of Mr. Kim's teachings and his stories. It seems whatever I learned in alpha is engraved into my head and is the foundation that powers how a think. Honestly, I didn't care much about the SATs until my senior year. I went to the classes to hear his life lessons. As I begin my independent life, I will cherish what I learned from Alpha and use them to my advantage. I feel very fortunate that my parents were able to send me to alpha for many years for me to have this education
In 7th grade, I discovered Alpha Academy hidden among many other SAT institutions. I did not expect… In 7th grade, I discovered Alpha Academy hidden among many other SAT institutions. I did not expect much from this academy at first because my mom forced and dragged me to attend this place. However, what I did not realize at that time was that I had found gold in a midst of fool's gold, or to put it in another way, a needle in a haystack. Alpha is not just any SAT academy; rather, it is a haven for students who truly want to learn and succeed in life. And all of this is possible because of Mr. Cobert Kim, the instructor. Mr. Kim has taught SAT for around 20 years. And throughout his experiences teaching the SAT, Mr. Kim has gained numerous insights and experiences that further help his students comprehend the SAT at the simplest level. When Mr. Kim teaches the SAT, he doesn't just teach us strategies to solve the questions; this is only a baby step compared to what he gets out of the information and knowledge deeply embedded within sentence problems and the passages. From just a single word or a sentence, Mr. Kim produces a string of knowledge about what the passage is truly saying and how we can apply present day examples to better understand the concept. And as I listen to his deep and enlightening lessons, I am able visualize a beautiful flower, representing Mr. Kim's every little idea, blooming in my mind as he produces a continuous number of interconnected ideas about a topic, or a plain string undergoing complex acrobatics until it is elegantly looped. Mr. Kim simplifies difficult passages and helps us see the deep implicit messages behind every word and sentence. If I could, I would spend an eternity sitting in front of him and listening to him speak; this feeling and experience is so much like diving into a vibrant and abysmal ocean and submerging myself in a sea of insights. As I savor upon his teachings and wisdom, his knowledge feeds the blossoming flower in my mind, turning it into a vast, deeply rooted tree. Not only did my understanding of the SAT improve, but also my life has changed from going to Alpha. Before I had Alpha, I played video games all day, watched T.V. for hours, and had no purpose or goal to pursue in my life. But when I came to Alpha, Mr. Kim showed me the way to success. From then on, I gained more motivation to do something while my high school year passes away. I have taken community college courses, honors classes in my high school, and participated in extracurricular activities. It was Mr. Kim who advised me to take the Journalism class to better prepare for college and improve my writing skills. I realized that whenever I listen to him and hear his advice, I feel that I can breathe more easily and that I am more prepared to overcome various challenges; as a result, I have a clearer and a more focused mind that is ready to pursue the right goals. Also, he has given advice on building my social skills. I was a very hesitant and a timid type of person ever since kindergarten, often choosing not to speak in public. However, Mr. Kim encouraged me to be more confident and active. With the help from his guidance, I have taken more action to socialize and build a memorable high school experience. I would never have challenged myself to do all these things without Mr. Kim's advice. Alpha Academy is not just a place for SAT preparation. Students learn to reflect on their lives and the life around them to become greater individuals. Through Mr. Kim's influence, I have undergone a beneficial change from an indolent, indifferent boy to a matured, responsible man. My SAT score has improved 800 points, and it is still improving. But I believe that Mr. Kim has improved not only my SAT scores, but also my life. Going to Alpha is my recharging time, and afterwards, I always feel energized and motivated to perform better in whatever difficulties I had previously struggled with. To put it simply: Alpha Academy = Life Changing Experience
JUSTIN YOO CORNELL UNIVERSITY
We all hear about SAT tutoring academies. We've all been to at least one or two. In my case, I've been to 5 different SAT academies. After attending each one for at least a few months, I came to the realization that the true importance lies within what you actually take away from these places as a student. No, I'm not talking about all of the vocabulary or the newfound hatred towards College board. I'm talking about the lessons you learn to truly better yourself as a person.
Before I attended Alpha Academy, I watched my brother go through the whole college admissions process while attending Alpha. Just a few years ago, I remember reading my brother's review of Alpha on Yelp. I remember thinking, "Did this place really change his life that much?" As a graduate of Alpha, I can promise you that as long as you reveal all that you've got to show and give all that you've got, you will be smiling while looking back at your old self.
Eventually, my brother was accepted to his ED college and is currently attending Cornell University. Similarly, I was accepted to my own ED college just a couple of weeks ago. As I look forward to my college years, it saddens me to think that others may never hear about such an intriguing place like Alpha. Of course it is rigorous, stressful, and tiresome. However, as with everything else, with no pain there is no gain.
I just hope that my review will reach whoever is in desperate need of assistance through the college process.
ALEX LI USC MARSHALL, SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Alpha: n. the first; beginning.
adj. most prominent.
Alpha Academy definitely lives up to its name; it IS the best academy one can ever attend. Of course, words can never fully express one's feelings sufficiently, nor can fully convey the value of a certain object. Alpha is one of those things that one must experience for himself... it is special. There is no other place where the teachers care more about their students.
Pointing fingers is never right, and thus, I will not mention any names. But, for most of the tutoring places I've come across, almost 99.99% of all of them ask for money first. However, the first thing that Mr. Kim asks of you is to reach 2100 or up. I have never been to an academy where the teachers care as much as Mr. Kim does. There is no one that cares more than Mr Kim, who asks the students to do the most beneficial ridiculous assignments in the face of the earth: 1) writing long, extremely personal journals in order to learn more about the students and to help them appreciate themselves for who they are, 2) writing notes to neighbors requesting permission to pick up the hundreds of plastic bottles they have and later recycling them, 3) placing Vocabulary packets in the bathroom, car, kitchen (EVERYWHERE) so that students will remember to study SAT where ever they are, 4) asking students to get their sleeping bags and stay for a weekend at Alpha, in order to brainwash them for 48 hours straight while having priceless fun and bonding time. There are probably hundreds of millions of infinitesimal things that Mr. Kim does little by little that all guide students to the light at the end of the tunnel.
Mr. Kim to most people will come off as crazy; to me, he comes off as a genius. Everything he does has a purpose, whether it's the class-wide "brainwashing" (long motivational speeches that somehow work magic into the brains of young intellectuals and cause them to work hard), the sometimes random "jobs/tasks" he gives us (like dressing up everyday to feel more professional and thus, work more diligently), or the 2 hr. long extra help sessions. I could go on and on forever about how much Mr. Kim does for us and how much he expects of us as students.
I can honestly say that Mr. Kim is like my father; he is the father of my entire Megacourse family. The 23 students I met this summer are not my friends, nor my classmates or peers; they are my family. We may not be linked by b lood, but our hearts are all in the same place. I can say that I will comb the heavens and tear apart the earth if it means being able to see and protect my surrogate family.
I hope that whoever sees this will be convinced enough to at least try Alpha; from there on, I know that the student will be so enticed they wished they lived in Alpha. I urge you all to attend Alpha Academy; it's a life defining experience that will illuminate the dark path in the Valley of the Shadow of Death.
IRIS YOON UCLA
When my friends recommended so strongly me to go toAlpha Academy, I did not truly believe that it would be good. I thought my friends were just telling me to have a common experience to talk about. Also, I did not like the part that the teacher, Mr.Kim, does not talk about only SATs but more about life experiences and disciplines. I wondered ' why would I want to spend my precious time on other priority? I would rahter focus on SAT fully for now.' However, I was totally wrong. Mr. Kim's stories were not tirivial. They moved my heart and changed me to be a sharper, more focused, and better person. I can not forget this 2011 summer. I really thank Mr. Kim. Also, I am so thankful that I got to know wonderful friends and teachers. Our time at Alpha means so much to me. I thank God for allowing me to know those people. Those people are the ones who will be in my heart forever. Thank you Alpha Family!!
STEVE CHUNG UCLA
Alpha Academy is not your typical SAT school. Actually, you may not even call it "just" a SAT private tutor. The truth is, we humans have lost sight of how we should prioritize our morals, and Alpha has set my priorities straight. Starting off this tutor, i was depressed and lonely: none of my friends came to this tutor, and i had to learn 90 words a day. However, after hearing Mr. Kim's(one of the tutors) comforting words, I felt more confident. Although my SAT score has taken a considerable leap(forward of course), i can not say that it is my greatest achievement from this tutor. Every week, we are required to write 5 journals for everyday we attend Alpha. One of the consistent topics would be what you have learned today. Another topic would be emotionally powerful such as one's own insecurties. It was very surprising how much emotion all of the students poured into these journals. Normally, at my school, I would have expected mediocre, emotionless journals that might have been done in 5 minutes. Instead of just teaching me how to improve my SAT score, Alpha taught me how to become a better person. I now respect my parents much more; I have come to truly understand who my true friends; and most importantly, I am now sure of which profession to take on in the future. Alpha made all of this possible. This is from the heart.
FRANKLIN ZHANG
When I first walked into Alpha, I thought it was going to be another useless SAT school that was going to drain my parents of their money. However, after meeting Mr. Kim, my entire conception of life changed. I was actually inspired to try my best to be diligent and boost my SAT score, whereas in the other SAT schools I've been to I slacked off and tried to the least of my abilities. I highly recommend this institution to anyone who has children who are in vital need of a more positive outlook on the importance of education in a critical stage of life.
BRENT KIM UCLA
So it all started off like this: "Mom, do I REALLY have to go to SAT school called Alpha? This is ridiculous". I felt unfortunate when my parents forced me into going what I believed was only a needless tutoring center. In fact, I live in a town called Visalia, which is nearly four hours away from where Alpha is located, and therefore, it required me a great will and endurance to come and learn at Alpha--for the most part, it was my parents' enforcement. Also, I had never believed that eight weeks of learning could change my perception of looking at the world around me. However, I can now confidently argue that my time here has been deeply worthwhile.
At Alpha, I have not only learned about the crucial strategies of improving the SAT score, but also about how we should live our lives. Here, students learn to pursue and fulfill their life-long dreams through continuous endeavor. Namely, at Alpha Academy, Mr. Kim teaches the individuals of high visions of what attitudes they should attain; serving as an inspirational motivator, he re-charges students' 'motivation energies' every time they come to be taught.
When memorizing vocabs, we learn to comprehend what are beyond their superficial meanings. As we relate our own sentiments and stories to the sentences that we create, we immediately gain a firmer grasp and understanding of the usages of the words. Also, through weekly journals, we become capable of sharing our innermost thoughts through the art of writing, in which we can freely discuss our deepest and private problems with Mr. Kim, thus seeking solutions. (In fact, the journals that we submit are good tools that can be later used for college application essays).
In conclusion, Alpha has become a place more than just a simple tutoring center. It has taught me what I should focus on as a student, and even later on as an adult. I have learned to be diligent in striving for my dreams, and understood that without experiencing hardships, I wouldn't be able to gain or earn my goals. Alpha Academy is definitely the place of endless inspiration, where I would like to come back for a visit in the future. I feel very indebted and graceful for having attended a place like Alpha. It has completely changed my attitude, morality, and perception of the world.
WILLIAM PARK NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY
After going to several SAT academies, i thought that Alpha would just be the same thing. Other than the fact that I knew the director of Alpha, I assumed that we would be doing the same thing as what I had done in other academies. However, Alpha was very different. Mr. Kim and the many other teachers have inspired me and shaped me into becoming a better person. Just like our textbook says, Alpha truly is a prep for college and for LIFE. Sure we do learn about SATs but that is not all that the class teaches. Through the countless stories of previous students from Mr Kim, the students get to become new people. The teachers here are all very influential on the students and we get to absorb a lot of knowledge from them. When this summer ends, I will miss every aspect of my time here. Whether it is the classes, aquarium rap battles, stories, tests, lunches, meeting youtube celebrities, donut/icecream runs, or so many other things I will truly miss them all.
Based on all my observations, I can strongly advocate that Alpha is the best SAT academy out there. HAHA
CHRIS LEE UC DAVIS
You know alpha, to me, was at first your glance was just another tutoring center but as i attended daily i learned that it wasnt just for the sats but i learned that it was also for life. Mr. Cobert Kim is an inspirational figure to whoever meets him. He teaches us about everyday things and mixes it into what we study. Mr. Kim gives the best advice for life and how to study for the sats and for school. Before, alpha academy was just a tutoring center. but now, its more than that. Alpha has turned into a sanctuary for me. It is a place where dreams are fulfilled. I would definitely encourage EVERYONE to come to Alpha Academy, Rowland heights, even if it is far from your house. I drive 30 to 45 minutes everyday just to learn something new from mr.kim. To wrap it all up, i just wanted to say that ALPHA IS THE BEST SAT ACADEMY out there and that everyone should at least talk to Mr.Kim once in there life because i know that he will change your life like he changed mine. This place is the best of the best... hence the name... Alpha
IDEN EMAM
When my parents first enrolled me in Alpha Academy, I thought it would suck. After the first week, however, I found it to be one of the beat experiences in my life. The knowledge I learned increased my SAT scores by about 500 points. I also met a diverse group of shining individuals and made a group of lifetime friends. Overall, my Alpha experience has been one of the best I have ever had.
TIMOTHY YOON CORNELL UNIVERSITY
I passed by Alpha many times, but never thought that I would go there. I had been to plenty of institutions back in Korea and I did not think this small academy would be significant in my life.
When my dad dragged me into Alpha after he dropped by and talked with Mr. Kim, I was still doubtful of how much I was going to learn. I was pretty confident that I had most of the teaching methods for SAT prep figured out. I thought this would be generic and boring, which did not make me look forward to going.
The first few days of class changed my world for me. The SAT prep was more than adaquate and quite rigorous, taking practice tests all the time. What changed my world was Mr. Kim.
He seemed to have his own philosophy and seemed like a confident man that would not back down for anything. He taught us not just to choose which answer, but how to live life and how to make it better. He touched base with everyone in the classroom by digging in deeper into their inner selves.
Sometimes the whole class was laughing so hard, sometimes the whole class was crying. Everyone seemed to be moved and it inspired me to have my own philosophy and have my confidence stem out of that philosophy.
I have regretted going to many SAT courses and thought of them as a waste of time, but Alpha is something I will not regret and remember for my lifetime.
JACKIE TRUONG UC BERKELEY
I first came to Alpha during the summer after my sophomore year. At first, I thought it'd be like any place and I only went to Alpha because my cousin went here. However, as I continued my SAT class at Alpha and then my college essay class my senior year, I realized that Alpha is much more than just any SAT prep class. The teacher Mr. Kim is truly a great teacher; he teaches not only SAT and how to write good essays, but also life lessons. I know that these lessons has not only affected my SAT scores positively, but it has also affected my life in a way that I can barely describe. I feel as though I have became a different person after attending ALPHA.
