John Garbi
College admissions counselor for high school students applying to elite colleges
| Hourly rate range | $70 to $130 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students |
| Sessions | Online |
| Credentials | Columbia University graduate; Master's degree in Cognitive Science and Philosophy (in progress) |
John Garbi is a college admissions counselor who helps high school students with applications, essays and strategy. He is a Columbia University graduate with a background in cognitive science and philosophy. He worked as a teaching assistant at the Rosetta Institute for Biomedical Research summer camp for high schoolers. Students he has advised went on to Harvard, Princeton, MIT and Yale. He is also finishing a Master's degree in Cognitive Science and Philosophy.
What John helps with
John helps students build strong college applications, from essays to interview prep. He works with students aiming for elite schools.
- Writing college essays
- Common App guidance
- Planning application strategy
- Preparing for college interviews
- Final review of a full application
- Building a college resume
- BYU application and essay guidance
Who John works with
John works with high school students who want to apply to elite colleges. He has advised students through mentorship roles, including a summer camp for high schoolers in biomedical research. His students have gone on to Harvard, Princeton, MIT and Yale.
How John works
John sells his help as coaching packages with set hours. A full package runs 20 or more hours. Smaller packages cover essay writing at 5 or more hours, a final application review at 3 or more hours, and a general application boost at 2 or more hours. He also offers a resume service billed by the hour. He hosts free live sessions, including one on the essay writing process from start to finish.
Background and qualifications
John graduated from Columbia University. He worked as a research assistant at both Columbia University and the University of Cambridge. He was a teaching assistant at the Rosetta Institute for Biomedical Research summer camp for high schoolers, where he advised students on admissions to elite colleges. He is now finishing a Master's degree in Cognitive Science and Philosophy and hopes to work in academic research.
John Garbi pricing
Programs and services
- Complete college admissions package, 20 or more hours
- Common App and BYU application and essay guidance, 15 to 25 hours
- College essay writing help, 5 or more hours
- Final college application review, 3 or more hours
- Common App essay review with BYU essay review
- Application boost sessions, 2 or more hours
John Garbi reviews
John Garbi has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 2 reviews on Leland, as of September 2026.
The CoachVouch take
He is a Columbia graduate and a working researcher in cognitive science who has advised students headed to Harvard, Princeton, MIT and Yale.
Best for high school students who want essay and application help for elite colleges.
Common questions
How much does John Garbi charge?
Coaching with John runs $70 to $130 an hour. Request an intro for an exact quote.
What does John Garbi help with?
John Garbi helps with writing college essays, common App guidance, planning application strategy and preparing for college interviews.
Does John Garbi coach online?
Sessions are online.
Does John Garbi have reviews?
John Garbi has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 2 reviews on Leland, as of September 2026.
Is John Garbi certified?
John Garbi lists: Columbia University graduate; Master's degree in Cognitive Science and Philosophy (in progress).
Does John Garbi offer free resources?
Yes. He hosts free live sessions, such as one on the essay writing process from start to finish, and shares recorded Q&A sessions on elite college admissions.
How do I contact John Garbi?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with John and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.