I have had the good fortune to receive coaching in a variety of areas and employment from Ferah Aziz starting in 2012, during my gap year from my alma mater Smith College.  Ferah helped me in areas of student success coaching and, among other things, aiding in the confirmation of my majors; due to her assistance, my purpose was clarified—and when I went back to Smith, I saw improved grades every semester, until I was receiving straight As senior year. Ferah also hired me on a part-time basis during school breaks:  I served both as webmaster and personal assistant.  I can attest to Ferah’s professionalism, management skills, and eye for detail—I enjoyed working for her, and I recommend her as an employer. After I graduated Smith College in Winter 2016, Ferah led me through the job application process—crafting resumes, cover letters, and statements of purpose; finding positions and applying to them; and going through several mock interviews—which all led to success for several positions, some as soon as a month after we began our work.  These positions included being a private tutor for students with learning disabilities, serving on a local mayoral campaign, and completing a year of service with AmeriCorps in Birmingham, AL. In 2018, I decided I was ready to apply to graduate schools for a Master’s of Social Work, and again went to Ferah for some guidance. Ferah helped me (a) narrow down my list of programs through research and problem-solving, (b) devise HIGHLY detailed and thorough charts for deadlines + requirements, (c) allowed me use of her space to study for my GREs (all subjects ended up being in the 93rd+ percentiles).... and, most importantly, (d) went above and beyond the call of duty and helped me research for, write, edit, and finesse over 12 essays for these 8 graduate schools.  I know it is in no small part due to her help that this spring I was offered (and have subsequently accepted) admission to Columbia University's School of Social Work this fall 2019. I have enjoyed over seven years of not only mentorship and guidance, but also close friendship with Ferah Aziz, and I highly recommend her for secondary, postsecondary, and graduate and career assistance.

At the beginning of summer in 2014 I had my first meeting with Ferah. Based on my increased heart rate, sweaty palms, and twitching eye, I think a may have had a little panic attack. All I could think as I sat there between my parents was my future and everything that this lady wanted me to do to prep for it. Questionnaires, personality tests, multiple worksheets about what I like in a college and what I don’t, and not to mention all the essays and drafts of a resume she wanted me to complete during the summer. The list seemed endless and I had just got off of my toughest year of high school and was ready to do some major relaxing, but that is not what Ferah nor my parents had in mind. My second meeting with Ferah was a lot less stressful and she really took the time to get to know my personality and me. Now that I look back on all those questions I answered to find out what college best fit my personality, I realize it wasn’t a waste of time because I would have never known that I wanted to go to a smaller school rather than a large university, or wanted a discussion oriented classroom, or to be close to a big city for internship opportunities. The more and more I went to see Ferah the more and more I got excited. Not only excited about my future and where I would be next year, but excited to just talk about my life to someone who truly cares and should get an award for being the best listener. A couple of my friends also go to Ferah and we have a little inside joke that not only is she our college prep coach, but like a therapist as well. She will listen to you if you are stressed, excited, sad, happy, or angry and will try and figure out her role in helping make things better or celebrating alongside with you. I cannot count the amount of hours I have spent contacting admissions counselors, researching/visiting schools, following suggested tips, and filling out applications, but I am thankful that I had Ferah and my parents pushing and supporting me each step of the way. Without the guidance of Ferah I would have never gotten into my top schools and received scholarships from them. I don’t know where I would be today in my college process without Ferah. As a student who went through launchphase2, I can confidently say that I know my college decision will provide me with a bright and successful future.

Ferah has been instrumental in helping our daughter achieve the often stressful process of applying for college. She has spent time helping our daughter research schools that have the degree she is seeking, giving her multiple resources, and providing guidance on writing essays. Now that our daughter has chosen the college she would like to attend, Ferah continues to help her find scholarship opportunities. I am grateful to the dedication and professionalism Ferah has provided through this entire process.