Meet Your Mentor
Hello! My name is Alex.
Hi, I’m Alex – a founding mentor at Pacific Mentor!
I bring a mix of academic insight, planning expertise, and personal experience navigating California’s higher ed systems. Whether you’re writing a Statement of Purpose, planning your UC transfer, in high school applying to college, or just figuring out your next step, I offer tailored guidance built around your goals, strengths, and story.
I’ve supported students applying to bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs, including successful admissions to competitive STEM graduate programs. My style is flexible: some students prefer live coaching sessions, others want detailed edits in Google Docs or quick advice over Discord. Whatever works best for you, I’ll meet you there.
View my full service offerings, including academic support and practical solutions for tech, relocation, and more.
📌 Why Work With Me?
Accepted to UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD
I’ve been through it myself.
Experience reviewing SOPs and research proposals at the grad level.
Allow me to help you present your best self.
Supportive, honest, and practical mentorship
No judgment, just progress.
Deep knowledge of UC, CSU, and California community college systems.
Whether you’re moving on up or laterally within the California educational system, I can help.
Flexible communication
Google Docs, Microsoft Word/emailed tracked changes, live feedback, or Discord.
Client Feedback and Reviews
This section highlights positive testimonials from clients, showcasing their experiences and satisfaction with our services.
“With Alex’s help, I got into my top-choice STEM PhD program with full funding — better than some elite fellowships.”
Ryuji
PhD Admissions Applicant
“I came to Alex with a nearly final SOP and only 1–2 days before the deadline. I chose his basic package, but he still delivered incredibly detailed feedback, helped me cut down the word count without losing meaning, and added more nuance and clarity than I thought possible. He even followed up on my questions the same day. His support helped me feel confident in my story and qualifications — and I got into my nursing program.”
Jasmine
Grad School Admissions Applicant
“Alex supported me regularly with my Japanese studies, and with his guidance, I qualified for a national Japanese language competition. That experience led to a referral for a competitive study-abroad opportunity in Japan.”
Mary
Japanese Language Support
“I went to Alex for all my PC building questions — and I wouldn’t have had the courage to build mine without his live, on-call help. I always recommend him to friends who need support during their own builds.”
Ron
PC Build Support
📦Full Service Offering
How may I serve you.
🎓 College & Graduate Admissions Coaching
Services Offered:
➡️ Personal Statement Review (UC PIQs, SOPs)
➡️ Application Strategy & School Selection Guidance
➡️ Essay Brainstorming Sessions
➡️ DEI & First-Gen Narrative Coaching (Whether you’re unsure if your background is competitive enough, worried about “saying the wrong thing”, or just need help framing your experiences authentically, I’ll guide you in crafting an application that aligns with your story and the program’s values.)
Why I’m Qualified:
I was accepted to multiple University of California (UC) campuses, including UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego. I’ve reviewed numerous graduate-level personal statements, and two of my clients were admitted to their top-choice STEM master’s programs. I hold a BA and a Master’s degree, and have five years of PhD-level training in academia.
📚 Academic & Research Support
Services Offered:
➡️ Essay Structuring & Editing (Academic, Policy, and Planning Topics)
➡️ Zotero Setup & Citation Management Coaching
➡️ APA format review
➡️ Microsoft Excel for Research (data cleaning, pivot tables, formatting)
➡️ ArcGIS Fundamentals (intro-level, social science use cases)
Why I’m Qualified:
With five years of PhD-level academic training, I’ve graded hundreds of college-level social science essays and supported students with APA formatting. I have academic publications based on original data analysis, and professional experience using ArcGIS and QGIS in planning and policy contexts.
🏙 Urban Planning & Public Policy Career Support
Services Offered:
➡️ Resume & Cover Letter Reviews (for planning/policy/public sector roles)
➡️ Early career Strategy Coaching for Urban Planning/Policy Paths
➡️ Interview Prep for Nonprofit, Consultant, and Government Positions
Why I’m Qualified:
I hold a Master’s in Urban Planning with a concentration in Transportation Planning, and pursued PhD-level work in Urban Planning and Public Policy with a focus on innovation and urban mobility. I’ve worked in both public and private sectors on multimodal transportation projects, including pedestrian, bicycle, rail, and bus transit planning.
🗣 Japanese Language Tutoring
(Beginner–Intermediate)
Services Offered:
➡️ Grammar and Sentence Structure Help
➡️ Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji Reading Practice
➡️ Everyday Conversation, Travel Phrases, and Cultural Context
Why I’m Qualified:
Japanese is my second language, and I attended Japanese supplemental school growing up. I also spent part of high school in Japan and continued taking Japanese as an elective in the U.S. I’ve informally tutored peers and helped others with homework and self-study in beginner to intermediate-level Japanese.
💻 Tech Help & PC Building Support
Services Offered:
➡️ Beginner Tech Troubleshooting (Mac/PC basics, file management, digital tools)
➡️ Custom PC Build Consulting (compatibility, parts selection, builds for students)
Why I’m Qualified:
I’ve built multiple custom gaming PCs in both small and mid-sized form factors. I’ve helped clients select compatible parts based on budget and performance needs, and provided virtual support through the build and troubleshooting process. I’m experienced with Windows, macOS, and Linux environments, and enjoy making tech more approachable.
📍 Relocation & Neighborhood Guidance (California-focused)
Services Offered:
➡️ Housing & Neighborhood Fit Advice (SoCal LA/OC areas)
➡️ Moving Logistics Coaching (cost of living, transportation, local culture)
Why I’m Qualified:
I’ve spent over a decade living in Southern California, across several distinct areas. As an urban planner, I bring insight into local neighborhoods, transportation access, housing types, and the cultural feel of each area—whether you’re a student, young professional, or family relocating.
Not sure what you need?
I also offer general consultations to talk through your goals and help you figure out next steps. Also, check out our Discord–maybe there is free advice!
50% Off While I Build My Client Roster!
I’m currently offering all services at half price (already marked) as I expand Pacific Mentor and build my portfolio. It’s the same personalized coaching, strategy, and support — just at a lower rate while I work with more students and professionals like you.
Take advantage of limited-time pricing while it’s available. Let’s make your next step your best one.
College & Graduate Admissions Coaching
This section outlines pricing and service options for students applying to undergraduate or graduate programs. Each plan includes personalized, actionable feedback tailored to your background and goals.
If you’re not sure which plan is right for you or need help customizing a service bundle, feel free to reach out — I’ll help you design a scope of work that fits your needs and budget.
⏱ Need a fast turnaround? Rush delivery is available for an additional fee.
$44.99
$90.00
Basic Plan
Essay Feedback: Ideal for students with a solid draft. I’ll review and provide detailed feedback to help strengthen structure, clarity, and tone.
✅ Quick Consultation
✅ Rewriting
✅Deep Feedback
✅1 Review
3-Day delivery
$94.99
$190.00
Standard Plan
Strategy & Brainstorm: Includes a 45-minute call to map out your story, followed by written feedback on one full essay draft. Perfect for students early in the writing process.
✅ Structural Brainstorm
✅ Rewriting
✅Deep Feedback
✅2 Reviews
5-Day delivery
$149.99
$300.00
Premium Plan
Comprehensive Application Support: From outline to polish. Includes a 45-minute strategy call and thorough support on two essays. Best for students seeking end-to-end coaching.
✅ Structural Brainstorm
✅ Rewriting
✅ Deep Feedback
✅3 Reviews
7-Day delivery
Academic & Technical Tutoring
Best for students needing help with research, writing, or technical tools.
$19.99/hr
$40.00/hr
Academic Writing Boost
Perfect for students who want clearer, stronger essays with expert feedback.
- Essay structure and clarity coaching
- Feedback on thesis flow and argument strength
- Citation cleanup (APA)
- Grammar, phrasing, and transition polish
- Academic tone and formatting review
$39.99/hr $80.00/hr
Research Toolkit Coaching
Tailored coaching for students working on complex research, data, or workflows.
- Zotero setup & citation workflows
- Excel for research (cleaning, pivot tables, charts)
- ArcGIS basics (maps, layers, symbology)
- Workflow design for social science projects
- One-on-one coaching for papers, theses, or reports
Japanese Language Tutoring
Best for beginners & intermediate learners seeking supplemental help.
Personalized Grammar Help
Get tailored support on Japanese sentence structure, particles, and common grammar mistakes — all explained clearly in English.
Reading Practice with Hiragana, Katakana & Kanji
Learn to read and recognize characters at your pace, with exercises and mnemonics that match your level.
Everyday Conversation & Cultural Tips
Practice travel phrases, casual dialogue, and real-world expressions while exploring cultural context (anime, school life, etiquette).
$14.99/hr
$30.00/hr
Senpai Plan
Support from someone just a step ahead to help you grow faster.
Urban Planning & Public Policy Career Coaching
Each job you take shapes how future employers see you. Let’s align your next move with the career you actually want.
$69.99 $139.99
Resume & Cover Letter Review
Basic Plan
✅ 2 reviews of your resume and cover letter
✅ Interview questions worksheet walkthrough
$119.99
$239.99
Career Strategy Call (60 min)
Standard Plan
✅ Everything in Basic Plan
✅ One-on-one guidance on job search, sector fit, and skill development strategy.
$249.99
$499.99
Job Hunt Jumpstart Bundle
Premium Plan
✅ Everything in Basic and Standard Plans
✅ 2 follow-up coaching sessions (60 min each within 30 days)
✅ Access to my sector-fit guide (used in university workshops)
→ Best for early-career professionals or switchers applying across sectors (public, nonprofit, consulting).
Not sure which one’s right for you?
Book a free 15-minute intro call and I’ll help you find the best option for your goals.
General Computer & PC Building Support
This section provides details about our pricing options, highlighting the value and benefits of each plan.
Tech Support Plan
1:1 help for basic troubleshooting, setup, and digital tools.
Per hour purchase.
$19.99
$40.00
Software & OS help
Resolve common issues on Windows/macOS/Linux systems.
Device setup
Get your printer, webcam, or apps working right.
File & cloud management
Organize your digital life with ease.
PC Build Starter Pack
Perfect for 1st time builders or students upgrading.
Per session purchase.
$29.99
$60.00
Custom part picking
Choose the right CPU, GPU, PSU & case.
Compatibility check
Avoid mismatches or overheating issues.
Build strategy
Learn how to future-proof your setup.
🔧 Optional Add-Ons
➕ Streaming Setup Help $+15 $30
Camera, mic, lighting, and OBS walkthroughs to get your stream-ready setup running smoothly. For an additional $15 $30, I can help you set up a V-tuber profile.
➕ Build Day On-Call Support +$15 $30
Get real-time advice during your build via Discord or Zoom. Great for minimizing mistakes and frustration.
Relocation & Neighborhood Consulting
Ideal for grad students, new hires, or families moving to moving to California (especially LA/OC).
$125
$250
Basic Plan
1:1 coaching session (60 min).
✅ Assess commute, lifestyle, and housing needs
✅ Shortlist of ideal neighborhoods
✅ Advice on rent, transportation, and local vibes
$150
$300
Standard Plan
Personalized PDF guide.
✅ Everything in the Basic Plan
✅ 2–3 tailored neighborhood profiles
✅ Cost of living breakdown
✅ Transit access, safety, and nearby amenities
✅ Couple commute finder (let’s find the best scenario for both your commutes)
✅ Resource links for housing, transit, and moving logistics
What do you need to know about working with Alex?
Here, you’ll find clear answers to frequently asked questions, ensuring you have all the details to confidently move forward.
Can you help me if I have a low GPA or test scores?
Absolutely. We focus on strong personal statements, research experience, and recommendation letters to boost your chances.
Do I have to use voice or have my camera on?
Feel free to keep your camera off or only use text for messaging.
What if my English is not very good?
That’s okay, we can go over things slowly and try different approaches until things make sense.
How can I book an appointment with Alex?
You can easily schedule an appointment through Discord, the contact form on this website, or by reaching out directly via email at alex@pacificmentor.com
What is Alex’s pricing structure and how does payment work?
➡️ The pricing guide on this webpage is transparent and flexible, designed to suit various budgets. Reach out for a personalized quote.
➡️Payment is due before services begin.
➡️ For hourly services, the first hour will be charged before services begin while the remainder is charged after.
➡️ You’ll get a secure link to pay (Stripe or PayPal).
➡️ All sales are final (no refunds), but I’ll try to ensure reasonable satisfaction via revisions.
Take the First Step Today
Discover the benefits of mentorship and take action to unlock your full potential with Alex.
Email: alex@pacificmentor.com
Discord: pacificmentor.com/discord
