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My dream since I was in the tenth grade has always been to study in the United States. Thanks to Diana Navarro (Porta Sophia), that dream came true. Coming through. From day one, their advice was excellent. They accompanied me throughout the entire process, starting with choosing the right university for me. We filled out the applications together and completed the entire enrollment process.
They advised me in through every moment and in every circumstance. The most important thing is that they are always there for their students. Thanks to "Porta Sophia", I applied to four top universities in Boston. From those four I managed to get into three, with a scholarship in two of them, and one of them was a full scholarship.
Every step of the way with them was a new and cool experience for me.
The only thing left for me to say is THANK YOU!
During my application process to US universities, Diana Navarro's support through Porta Sophia was fundamental. She was always there to help me and solve all my doubts; thanks to her support I was able to fulfill my dream of being accepted to a university in the United States. Now I will be able to begin my studies at Loyola University in Chicago with a scholarship. Thank you very much for everything.
I worked with Diana Navarro during my college selection process. She walked me through the whole process and helped me decide which college was best for me. She helped me select by listening to everything I told her I wanted in my life and through a personality test she gave me. She was with me from that moment until I was accepted.
She is a hard worker who is always looking out for you and is there for you and any questions you may have about anything. She is the best college counselor you can choose and the advice and everything she knows about colleges is wonderful because her questions help you find out which college is your best fit, without even visiting it; it's the best.
Diana was a key person in the successful project that led our son to enter one of the best universities in the United States. Diana's charisma and patience were the starting point for a relationship that was not only fruitful but also warm. Diana was always available to solve any doubt, no matter how simple or complex it was, she always found the time to help us. We believe that Diana has all the qualities to guide this transcendental process: knowledge, preparation, experience, dedication, passion, dedication, relationship management with students and their parents
I got accepted in six out of the seven universities I applied to in Italy and the US. All of them awarded me with some kind of financial aid that varied between $1,000USD and $23,000USD, covering initial international fees or living expenses.
I'm incredibly grateful for their guidance throughout this process. I appreciate every session to cover what I have researched at home, suggestions that they emailed me, inspirational messages in the overwhelming moments, cappuccino that changed my mood after a long day, advice that grounded my feet on the ground (but let me set loose my dreams), and follow up on my decisions even after finishing the process. All of those professional big and small details made this experience one worth remembering and recommending to friends that have similar goals as the ones I have achieved thanks to PORTA SOPHIA’s hard work.
From the first day Diana welcomed me with a smile in this process that was totally new to me, I felt in a safe space where I could share my fears and at the same time my biggest dreams. Today with a smile on my face I can say that I enjoyed this process because I got to know myself better, something that I personally feel is one of the biggest challenges you face in life. Diana also taught me to see the future as something to be excited about but not afraid of, because there is always something new to learn and improve.
It was a month full of emotions and the one that prevailed the most was the satisfaction of knowing that I was heading down a great path; that of knowing myself. I feel very grateful to her, because she knew how to listen to my goals and based on that guide me to achieve them.
I have always had the dream of studying in the United States, but I was completely unaware of the details of the admissions process for universities in that country. A friend contacted Diana Navarro and as soon as we met her we felt she was the ideal person to support me in the process. His knowledge about all aspects of career selection, college search, application submission, essay writing, and constant willingness to help were critical to the success of my project, having been admitted to several top U.S. colleges.
The truth is that a college counselor cannot change your grades, extracurriculars, or the overall scope of your application. What they can do, and what Diana did for me, is give you security in the choices you make and push you along the way to not only have a better application, but a better sense of self in such a stressful and life changing process. Without Diana's careful advice, encouraging words, and attention to detail, the process would not have been the same.
Working with Diana was an experience that transformed my college process and one that I consider to have been a vital tool in achieving my goals. She is a very attentive person who made sure to walk me through every part of the process and assure me that, with hard work, we can achieve our dreams and much more. Working with her guaranteed me a safe space that made it easier to share my concerns and aspirations because beyond being a very professional person, she is someone I trust a lot. From the beginning he went beyond just doing his job and took the time to get to know me as a person. It was a great experience, to the point that he was the only person I trusted and shared all my process with. Before we started our process, applying to universities seemed to be very confusing for me as well as what I wanted to study, everything was very uncertain and it seemed to be a lot of work for a busy student like me. However, working with Diana made a lot of things easier and made me not to be afraid of the future and believe in myself. I recommend anyone thinking of working with her to do so, you will not regret it.
Before going to Diana I looked at several options and I think working with her was the right one. It is not a person who does all the work for you, but it is someone who makes it easy for you to do things and helps you understand how to do them. She will always have my greatest appreciation and thanks to this process we did together I was admitted to 8 colleges out of the 10 I applied to and will be able to attend New York University, which has been my dream for a long time.
Thank you very much for everything.
Throughout my college application process I had a lot of uncertainty about what I wanted to do, Diana was there to guide me every step of the way, taking the time to get to know me and make me feel heard. Thanks to this I was able to get to know myself better and figure out what career to study. Also, whenever I had urgent situations such as deadlines for applications or decisions that would affect the process (such as choosing subjects in school), Diana found a way to create time for me. During the last two years I felt very supported and this process helped me to clarify my thoughts, reach my goals and define the path I want to take.
We turned to Diana so that our daughter Sarah, in addition to reinforcing her career guidance, could receive guidance on how to accurately choose and apply to the colleges of her choice.
Diana's guidance was timely and effective. Sarah achieved her dream!
All the hours of work between Diana and Sarah, dedicated to create and thoroughly review both the documentation and the contents to be presented to the universities, achieved, in addition to the recognition of Sarah's competencies, the right way in which she could highlight her skills.
Thank you Diana!
It was a great learning experience. You were able to help bring our daughter's academic future to fruition.
We will always recommend your work.
Co-Founder
Dr. Jonathan Chenier is co-founder and key contributor to Porta Sophia. With over two decades of experience in the field of international education, Jonathan’s journey has encompassed various pivotal roles across five different countries. He has served as an educator, mentor, coach, activities director, athletic director, curriculum director, assistant principal, and principal, crafting a rich tapestry of expertise.
Jonathan’s unwavering commitment lies in empowering students to reach for the stars and fervently pursue their dreams. His extensive career in education has not only cultivated his profound understanding of global academic landscapes but also ignited his passion for guiding students toward their full potential.
Phone: (+52) 55 5473 5321
Email: jc@portasophia.com
Co-Founder & Chief Counseling Officer
Diana is a professional psychologist, certified career and college counselor with over two decades of extensive expertise in career counseling, college counseling, and university admissions. With a wealth of experience, she has guided countless students towards their academic and professional aspirations, offering invaluable insights and support throughout the complex journey of college selection and application. Her deep understanding of the admissions process, combined with her commitment to empowering students, makes her an invaluable asset in helping individuals achieve their higher education goals.
Phone: (+57) 313 2100944
Email: diana@portasophia.com
Co-Founder & Business Development Director
Juan Manuel Navarro, Co-founder and Business Development Director of Porta Sophia. With a background in industrial design and international business from Columbia University and Universidad Externado, Juan Manuel brings over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience to the table. Passionate about guiding students toward their academic and personal goals, he and his team offer personalized assistance in college selection, test preparation, essay writing, career choices, and scholarship applications. Let Porta Sophia help you succeed on your journey.
Juan Manuel understands the challenges and rewards that come with pursuing one’s dreams, and they are eager to share their insights and expertise. Whether you require assistance in selecting a college, preparing for admission tests, crafting essays, making career choices, or applying for scholarships, they are here to support your path to success.
Phone: (+57) 301 2010575
Email: juan@portasophia.com
Counselor
Mónica Marriaga is a certified university counselor whose experience supporting processes within international schools spans over 15 years. She is deeply invested in ensuring that students’ trajectory in school propels them to successful career paths. This is why she works tirelessly towards student welfare and actively supports the university counseling process. Mónica has been involved in directorial affairs at one of the most prestigious IB schools in Colombia since 2015 and she assumed the role of Chairwoman two years ago. Â
Mónica thoroughly understands the challenges of becoming an international student, having studied Management at the London School of Economics (LSE) in the UK through a Colfuturo scholarship. She holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Economics from Universidad de Los Andes and her 20+ years of professional experience include working in diverse industries in the public and private sectors.
Phone: (+57) 313 7184313
Email: monica@portasophia.com
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