About Us

Our Philosophy and Team

Our Philosophy

Everyone Deserves a Second Chance

        Almost all of us have experienced failure at one time or another in our lives. Sometimes we ourselves are at fault; sometimes we fail because of outside forces we cannot control.
        The question is whether we let that failure define us, or whether we find a way to rise up, put failure behind us, and make a fresh start.
        It is quite possible you are reading this because you have not succeeded in finishing high school, or you have received poor grades, or you have done badly in the University Entrance Examination, or you scores in standardized examinations are low. As a result, you no longer think you can obtain admission to the university of your dreams, and you believe you will have to settle for a mediocre institution and, perhaps, a mediocre life.
        We believe that you deserve a second chance; that with the right assistance and guidance, you can overcome past disappointments and build a bright future.

All of Us Fail Sometimes

Dr. Tristan Needham is a member of our distinguished Advisory Board. If you read about him here, you will see that he is a famous mathematics professor who has written some of the most innovative books on mathematics ever produced.

Yet, Tristan failed his O-level mathematics examinations in school. These are examinations in England that determine what subjects one can study in preparation for university. He was advised to give up dreams of becoming an academic, and instead to consider a career in a field such as garbage collection.

He faced a tremendous battle just to be allowed to study high-school mathematics. Fortunately for him, his father was a very famous professor of anthropology at Oxford University, and he helped Tristan beat the bureaucrats and succeed in his quest for a second chance.

The rest is history. Tristan excelled in high school; he passed the entrance examination and was admitted to study at Oxford. Eventually, he received a doctorate in Mathematics under the supervision of the world-renowned mathematician and physicist, Sir Roger Penrose. And today he has achieved his own fame and realized his youthful dreams.

Our Mission

We learn three things from Professor Needham's experience. First, it is possible to turn failure into success. Second, you have to be determined to succeed. And third, it is useful to have someone to help you fight to turn your life around.

Our mission is to be that helping hand for you.

Our founder, Dr. Stanley Nel, has first-hand experience in how to do this. While studying in Oxford, he tutored students who had failed examinations in Mathematics. Through personal one-on-one teaching, he was able to help them turn grades of "F" into "A."

As a young professor, he did the same thing: A Chinese student was failing one of his classes, and asked for his help. He spent many hours giving this person extra problems to solve, and going over her work with her after class. Eventually, she passed his class and went on to do a master's degree in Operations Research at Stanford University. She became a senior executive at a major international company.

Dr. Nel founded our company to do the same thing for other students. He firmly believes everyone deserves a second chance, and he wants us to provide the helping hand they need.
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The opportunity

Fortunately, California shares the belief that people who fail to achieve excellent grades in school should be given a second chance.

That is why the State created the three-tier Higher Education system on which our program is based. Specifically, the California Community Colleges open their doors to students who cannot gain admission to the major universities. And California law guarantees admission to major universities for students who do well enough in their two years at community college.

But succeeding at community college is not automatic. International students, in particular, face many difficulties.

However, based on our own experience, we know how to help such students succeed. The key is to create a supportive learning environment for them: provide one-on-one tutoring; monitor their progress weekly; provide constantly updated advice on what course to take and how to study; help them develop good living habits so that they become responsible adults; and be available, just like parents, at any time of day when they get into difficulties.

We look forward to extending a helping hand to you, and seeing you begin a new chapter in your life on the road to success.

Proven Leadership

More than 100 Years of Relevant Experience

The Top US University Program is led by Dr. Stanley Nel. a former Rhodes Scholar and University Vice President with many years of experience in International Higher Education. He is joined by a team of advisors and consultants who themselves are leaders in Education and Business, and who have a deep knowledge of issues affecting our clients.

Dr. Nel served for many years as the Dean of Arts and Sciences and then as Vice President for International Relations at a top 100 US university. During his time as Vice President, his university moved up to 7th in the United States in international student enrollment, tied with Harvard University.
        He lived in Beijing for five years, and has interviewed thousands of Chinese parents and students. He therefore understands better than most what is required for Chinese students to successfully complete their studies in America.
        In 1978, Dr. Nel he was one of only 70 students in the world to receive the renowned Rhodes scholarship for study at Oxford University. He has published numerous articles in his field of cosmology. While he was at Oxford, Professor Nel also taught at one of the university’s most famous constituent colleges, Balliol College, which was founded in 1263.
        He lived in Asia for thirteen years, and has interviewed thousands of Asian parents and students. He therefore understands better than most what is required for international students to successfully complete their studies in America.
        Dr. Nel is assisted by a distinguished Advisory Board whose members have over 100 years of experience in Higher Education and other relevant industries, such as executive recruiting and job placement. They are extremely familiar with the problems international students face, and have implemented numerous programs to support such students. They have drawn on this vast experience to assemble a team of expert advisors and teachers who focus not only on academic matters, but also help students develop the maturity to deal effectively with any problems they encounter.
        The first student in the Top US University Program is one of Dr. Nel’s own sons, who is now completing his second year at a California Community College and will soon be enrolling at a major California University.
        Our program runs in close cooperation with Skybridge, a California college consulting company that assists students with university applications. Their clients have been admitted to many prestigious institutions, including: