Testimonials

The past four years of developing my college applications have been a journey I entered fully aware of the stress and rigor I was bound to face. However, working with Dr. Navin Valrani and his team made this process the complete opposite. They made it truly smooth sailing, always there to hear me out and never just focused on getting me to college, but on taking the time to know me for who I am. Through this, I was not only able to pave my way to my dream university, but also to discover more about myself, broaden my perspective on the world, and adopt his traits of resilience and curiosity that I know will carry me forward. Dr. Navin Valrani has served as a true inspiration for my future career in education, and I could not have imagined sharing this journey or my successes with anyone else.

Working with Navin and his incredible team has been one of the most reassuring parts of my application journey. I immediately felt comfortable and supported from the very first meeting—they made it clear that they genuinely cared about helping me find the best path forward. Navin and his team truly listened to what I wanted and made me feel like I didn’t have to carry all the stress alone. They lifted an immense weight off my shoulders and made the entire process so much more manageable. Beyond their warmth, they were also incredibly efficient and consistent, always keeping me on track without ever making me feel overwhelmed. Their belief in me always pushed me further, and I’m deeply grateful for their guidance and would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone reading this today. Thank you Navin, Jaimie, and Molly!

Working with Forward Thinking has truly been one of the most meaningful parts of my university journey. From the very start, Jamie and Navin saw me for who I really am. They didn’t just focus on my grades or my resume—they took the time to understand my personality, my goals, and what makes me me. They guided me through every part of the process with patience, care, and constant encouragement. Whether I was overwhelmed by essays, confused by deadlines, or just needed reassurance, they were always there, ready with answers, support, and a belief in me that never wavered. Thanks to Jamie, Navin, and Molly, I didn’t just apply to university—I grew more confident in my choices, in my voice, and in myself. I’m so grateful for everything they did to make sure I ended up exactly where I wanted to be.

From the moment I first met Navin during the Junior MBA program in 2022, I knew I was in good hands. He didn’t just serve as a counselor, but as a true mentor who helped me refine my business acumen and public speaking skills. His guidance continued when I began my college application process, where he supported me through every step, even when we had differing views. If any aspect of my application ever felt lacking, Navin always kept me positive, helping me find the best solutions during the most stressful times. His ability to guide me in framing my application in the most effective way allowed me to present and be the best version of myself.

Working with Forward Thinking was one of the most transformative parts of my university journey. From day one, Navin helped me see the bigger picture and guided me toward schools that truly fit who I am and what I value. Jaimie was my biggest cheerleader — she helped me bring my voice to life in every single essay and made sure every part of my application felt authentic. Kelly and Molly constantly kept everything running smoothly, always checking in, always making sure we were on track. I never felt alone in this process. Their support, encouragement, and belief in me made all the difference. I’m so proud of the applications I submitted — and so grateful to have had them by my side every step of the way. I cannot believe that our journey has come to an end, and I would like to express my endless gratitude towards the entire team. Thank you for making my experience so memorable and helping me grow into the person I am today.

From the very moment I began my high school journey, Dr. Navin was there to guide me. Words cannot express the immense gratitude I have for Dr. Navin and his team. Their unwavering support pushed me to strive for my best, while their step-by-step guidance through applications ensured I had a thorough understanding of the process and how to succeed. Dr. Navin encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, promoting both my academic growth and personal development. Dr. Navin’s expertise is incomparable in the way he guides his students to thrive and achieve their dreams. In my case, Northeastern University felt like a reach—I didn’t think I could achieve my dream of being able to study there. But Dr. Navin made it possible. In every meeting, I had his full attention, thoughtful guidance, and genuine kindness, all of which helped turn my goal into a reality. All I can think to say is thank you Dr. Navin.

I wouldn’t have trusted anyone else with something as important and personal as the college process other than Navin Valrani and the team at Forward Thinking. Today, there are so many people who claim they can get your child into a top university, and maybe some can, but what they often can’t do is help your child grow into who they’re truly meant to be. Navin does both. He and his incredible team don’t just guide you to college; they help shape your character, confidence, and future. The entire FT team is made up of some of the most dedicated, kind, and driven people I’ve ever had the privilege of working with. The hours, effort, and energy that went into this process were all completely worth it. I felt supported every step of the way, and I’m beyond grateful for the lessons I learned and the perspective I gained from everyone involved. Navin once told me that his role doesn’t end when you get into college. He’s there for life. That couldn’t be more true. The impact he’s had on me goes so far beyond admissions. He helped me build structure, develop my work ethic, and grow into a version of myself I never knew was possible. I went from being a shy, stubborn, angry kid who did not want to try at school or any aspect of life, to someone who now wakes up excited to work hard and be better every day. Today, I study at Bentley University, and I wouldn’t be where I am or who I am without Navin’s care, guidance, and belief in me. He pushed me to think bigger, dig deeper, and discover parts of myself that were always there but needed someone to help bring them out, like my passions, my interests, and my empathy for others. It was never just about the end result. It was about the growth along the way. And for that, I’ll always be thankful. I also want to say a massive thank you to Jaimie. Her patience, organization, and consistent support made a world of difference, and none of this would have been possible without her either. She was always there, helping me stay on track and making the entire journey feel manageable. If you’re wondering whether or not to work with Navin and the Forward Thinking team, don’t think twice. This is more than just college counseling. It is a lifelong investment in your child’s future, their growth, and their ability to become all that they are meant to be.

My first encounter with Dr Navin Valrani was in 2020 in my year 10, when I joined the Junior MBA programme. As a reticent kid, who was afraid of public speaking and with low self-esteem, the Junior MBA programme was daunting. However, the encouragement and motivation I received from Dr Navin helped me overcome my fear and probably the first time I ever spoke in public was when I presented my business proposal at The Arcadia School. That was the turning point! Soon after this, Dr Navin became my career counsellor and mentor. I looked forward to our sessions where we would have discussions on how I could better myself. He always gave me confidence and helped me discover my strengths and values, equipping me to navigate my career path with confidence. At each meeting, we would discuss what I had achieved and what I needed to do further to develop myself. He also guided and helped me find suitable internships that related to my chosen field. The weekly reports of my internship documented my learning journey helping me track my goals, record challenges, and reflect on my own learning process. Writing exams was a big challenge for me as anxiety would kick in and I would lose confidence. Dr Navin provided a sense of reassurance and supported me through in-person meetings, online calls, or simply a WhatsApp voice message even when he was travelling. He understood who I was and adapted how he could mentor me to ensure my success and happiness. At no point was I ever judged and he was always reassuring me of my abilities. He guided and supported me through the entire process of my university applications, listening very carefully to my apprehensions and also my requests.

Much of my success and where I stand today can be credited to Navin’s unwavering support and guidance over the last few years. He went above and beyond typical advice, pushing me to explore new ideas in my writing. He urged me to reflect on experiences and ideas previously beyond my consideration, helping me see my own potential in a new light. This encouragement to venture into new ways of thinking and writing has not only improved my skills but has also broadened my perspective, making me a more insightful and adaptable student. Navin’s role in my academic and personal journey has been truly transformative, guiding me through challenges with wisdom and patience. His combination of support, inspiration, and insight has empowered me to achieve milestones I once thought were out of reach, shaping me into the individual I am today.

It would be very difficult for me to put into words everything that Mr. Navin is and all that he has helped me achieve. Let me begin with the end; I have been offered scholarships by not one, not two but by four top universities!!! The most interesting part is that we did not even apply for scholarship. Mr. Navin’s expertise in higher education, his ability to understand students, and his power of presentation are top-notch. He has the ability to tweak just one word in an essay to increase it’s impact by tenfold. His attention to detail, work ethic, and commitment to the process are unmatchable. Mr. Navin has not only been my guide and mentor but has also been involved in every minute detail of my applications. I have been truly blessed to have him by my side during this whole process. Other than the process of applying to universities, I have also learned so much more from him – to work hard, to get things done within an otherwise unfathomable time limit and to push myself to achieve more. Thank you so much, Mr. Navin, I would not have achieved these great things without your guidance and unwavering support.

As I reflect on my college application process from building a college list to improving my extracurricular activities to the hours of essay writing, it’s impossible to overlook the influence Navin has had on my journey. His insights and advice have been invaluable in navigating university admissions. Working with him closely over the last few years has been a pleasure, he takes the time to understand his students and tailor his guidance to fit our unique aspirations and challenges. With his help, I’ve learned to present my best self, not just in terms of academic achievements but as a well-rounded individual. I am extremely grateful for his dedication to my personal and academic development, and it’s largely thanks to him that I have been accepted early decision to a top ten university in the United States. His belief in my potential has been a constant source of motivation. Thank you, Navin!

Words aren’t enough to thank Mr. Navin. He has supported me throughout my entire application process and has been an outstanding mentor to me. He has been firm when I needed to pull up my socks up and understanding and supportive whenever I’ve needed him. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be mentored by such an inspiring role model and am sure the connection with Mr Navin will be one that is everlasting.

Throughout my high school journey, Navin has been a pillar of support and strength, continuously helping me navigate through this difficult time. Navin has not only supported me academically, but he has pushed me to be the best version of myself and has given me someone other than my family to rely on in any situation – both inside and outside the classroom. Through our many calls and WhatsApp conversations, Navin has been able to truly get through to me and see me not only as my grades but as a person. Whether this is by making me see the importance of a positive attitude or helping me have a good work-life balance. His continuous support has truly inspired me and made me realise that he was always in my corner throughout this stressful time, and he will always be there anytime I need him. I only hope in the future to be able to pass the help and impact he had on me to other students. Though he doesn’t love being continuously thanked, I owe my academic prosperity, dedication and success both in and out of the classroom to him for continuously believing in me and always being realistic but optimistic. Thank you, Navin!

I approached Navin and his team to support me with the daunting process of applying for a Masters degree and I could not recommend them enough. Their vast knowledge and expertise of the US college admissions process and support they offered was instrumental in helping me secure a place at my dream graduate school. I really value the support I received during the process of writing my personal statement. Their efforts in helping me weave together my experiences to tell a story and present myself in the best possible manner helped me formulate a great personal statement. Navin’s positive attitude, encouragement and hands-on approach made this stressful process a lot easier and I could not thank him enough. His expertise and extensive knowledge makes him the perfect counsellor and mentor for students of all ages applying to any degree.

Navin was simply amazing. The time, effort, and commitment he gave to me as his mentee was incomparable. He made the stressful admissions process that much easier. He created a relaxed environment with just the right level of a push to help me strive to be the best I could while not overbearing or overwhelming me. He takes his time to understand the student and what is best for his student, gives personalized advice and mentoring, and guided me down a path that suited me perfectly. He played an integral role in my current success, and I could not recommend him more.

A big thank you to both Navin and Jaimie for helping me. They were able to take the anxiety out of the entire process. They were very encouraging and were always willing to provide support if I had questions or problems. Through the Arcadia Counseling system, I was able to get accepted to wonderful universities. Their efforts have not been in vain, and were very appreciated!

Applying to university is extremely important as such choice will determine your future, experiences and overall happiness. However, it can also be extremely stressful. For this reason, I want to thank Mr. Valrani and Ms. Jaimie as they made the process smooth, helping me feel confident and successful. Thanks to them, I was granted an acceptance in University of Bath, where I will be able to pursue my interests and eventually achieve my dream career!

Navin helped me through the college application process. He helped me to construct an aggressive and balanced college list, giving me valuable suggestions on which colleges I should add and remove to my list. I was also given immense guidance on my course selection along with grades and exam scores I should aim to get into my dream college. Navin also helped me decide which extracurricular activities I should focus on and suggested new endeavours for me that boosted my college application. Overall, I feel like Arcadia Education played an integral role in my acceptance to the UC Berkeley Electrical Engineering and Computer Science program.

Navin Valrani was amazing at helping me with my application, he was realistic about where I could get into but also had optimism and was always able to keep me in good spirits when I was feeling stressed. He considered where I would be happiest yet intellectually stimulated. Navin Valrani takes his time to get to know who he is working with, their interest, personality, and what academically is suited for them. He knew that I would not be a good fit for schools that were highly competitive and instead I suited schools that had a more collaborative culture and he was so right. Unlike other counselors, Navin looks at students as people rather than scores and grades, working with him is inspiring. When you work with him, he dedicates himself fully to his students to the point, he makes time to be available not just for applications but for overall support throughout the process. Navin knows the culture at different universities and when creating a list of schools to apply to he is very methodical and works with students, and doesn’t force his opinion, it’s a collaborative process. He knows how to match students with schools they’ll be happy at, which is truly important. I owe a lot of my success to Navin.

As I neared the end of high school in Dubai five years ago, I brimmed with ambition for college but found myself hopelessly lost and without direction in the admissions process. As my counselor, Navin Valrani guided me through each step of my college applications, offering sharp clarity to seemingly opaque questions about my “fit” with the colleges I applied to. Navin helped me weave my years of schooling together into a well-rounded candidate profile that foregrounded my past experiences and research questions and looked beyond just test scores. With a keen eye for detail, Navin also focused extensively on my prose in my application essays and helped me convey my ideas in a succinct but compelling manner. Navin’s unflagging support throughout and even after the application process gave me the confidence I needed, and with his help, I was able to land an acceptance at my dream school. The students that Navin advises at Arcadia Education are, without doubt, in the best possible position to face the rigors of college admissions and gain acceptance at the best schools in the world.

I attribute my admission to the University of Pennsylvania to Navin’s counseling services. After identifying a class of schools I wanted to attend (top tier Ivy Leagues) during the beginning of my high school career, Navin guided me through every single aspect that was relevant to college admissions. This included assisting with course selection throughout high school, suggesting out-of-the-box extracurricular activity ideas, brainstorming internship opportunities, narrowing down college choices, and critiquing essays. His disciplined, rational approach to the process coupled with his creative spark of ideas enabled me to pursue my studies at the school of my dreams.