John Gardezi
College Advisor
he/him
John is an experienced college admissions advisor with more than ten years of experience helping students navigate highly selective undergraduate and graduate admissions processes. He is a 2009 graduate of Harvard College, where he earned an AB in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, and previously served as an interviewer for the Harvard College Office of Admissions.
John has advised students from a wide range of academic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, with successful outcomes at Ivy League institutions, top private universities, leading public flagships, and specialized design and graduate programs. His advising approach emphasizes thoughtful school selection, long-term academic planning, and, most notably, the development of application narratives that authentically reflect each student's lived experiences, values, and intellectual curiosity.
In addition to college advising, John has extensive experience coaching students on essays, interviews, summer planning, research opportunities, and competitive enrichment programs. Before working full-time in education, he was a Senior Consultant at Ernst & Young (EY), advising Fortune 500 clients on communications and training initiatives.
John is known for his calm, supportive advising style and his ability to meet students where they are — whether they are highly self-directed or seeking more structured guidance. Outside of counseling, he enjoys surfing, traveling internationally, and volunteering in his local community.
Abridged Student Matriculations
John's Student Matriculation List
An abridged list of institutions where students John has personally advised have matriculated, across both undergraduate and graduate admissions cycles.