Testimonials & Alumni Speak

Throughout the application journey, we met regularly to have in-depth discussions about each university I was applying to, their requirements, values, and priorities. Shashank guided me in thoughtfully shaping each essay to authentically reflect both the university’s ethos and my personal aspirations.

Later, as we shifted focus to scholarships, Shashank once again helped me build awareness of the value systems and expectations of each programme, allowing me to present my application with greater alignment and authenticity.

Working with Shashank has not only helped me achieve my short-term goal of securing admission at my dream schools but has also given me long-term clarity about the path I wish to take after my master's. The sense of direction I have developed through this process has been invaluable. What sets Shashank apart is his genuine commitment to understanding your values, motivations, and passions, and the way he draws on his extensive experience and deep knowledge of the education and social development sectors to guide you. I am incredibly grateful for this journey with him.

One of the biggest challenges was translating my work into an application that truly reflected my journey. As an architect, my portfolio was just as important as my essays, and Shashank Bhaiya went beyond just reviewing my work—he meticulously helped me structure, refine, and enhance every detail to bring out my best version. He provided constant feedback, ensuring that my designs and narratives aligned with what top universities look for.

His commitment to my success was unmatched—he edited each essay multiple times, pushing me to think deeper, refine my arguments, and articulate my vision in the most compelling way. His feedback was sometimes brutally honest, but it was exactly what I needed to elevate my application. He never settled for “good enough”; he kept working with me until he was convinced that this was the best version of my application.

Beyond the technical aspects, he created a safe space where I could openly share my doubts and aspirations. He wasn’t just a mentor—he was like my elder brother who genuinely believed in my potential and made sure I believed in it too. Thanks to his guidance and unwavering support, I secured an offer from my dream school, Manchester School of Architecture.

iDream isn’t just about getting you into a top university—it’s about helping you discover the best version of yourself. I am incredibly grateful to Shashank Bhaiya for everything he did to make this possible.

The experience wasn’t just about picking the right course or university, or writing SOPs—it was about gaining a deep, practical, and ambitious understanding of your own goals and dreams.

Working with Shashank was effortless. His ability to connect ideas, make sense of uncertainty, and offer honest insights shaped the entire process. His genuine care for the people he mentors sets him apart. I’ll always be grateful I took this journey with him because, to him, it’s never just about an application—it’s about investing in a person.

In his multifaceted role as a coach, mentor, and friend, Shashank provided not only moral and intellectual encouragement but also strategic advice on selecting colleges and navigating the application process. I am profoundly grateful for his guidance and would highly recommend him to anyone considering higher education. Had our paths crossed 5-7 years earlier, I can only imagine embarking on this journey much sooner. Yet, I am deeply grateful that it has fruition.

Shashank’s assistance extends far beyond applications, he helps craft a career vision that aligns with one’s aspirations. His meticulous research on colleges and scholarships, coupled with his unwavering integrity, makes him an exceptional guide. Thanks to his mentorship, I have gained admission to prestigious institutions such as Georgetown Harvard, NYU, and Georgetown University. I wholeheartedly endorse Shashank to any prospective student seeking expert guidance in their educational journey.

I From the very beginning, they took the time to understand my aspirations, strengths, and experiences, helping me craft acompelling application that truly reflected my personality and goals. His insightful feedback on my essays, meticulous attention to detail, and strategic advice on college selection made the entire process smooth and stress-free. Beyond just admissions, he instilled confidence in me, always reassuring me that I was on the right path. His commitment to his student's success is truly remarkable, and I couldn't have asked for a better mentor during this crucial phase of my life

Thank you, iDream, for your invaluable guidance and for being a constant source of motivation. I highly recommend iDream to any student looking for expert college counseling!

I am so glad I put my trust in him. He truly cares about the people he mentors and is deeply invested in their success. I highly recommend Shashank to anyone pursuing further studies and looking for a mentor who will push them toward excellence.

His guidance was sharp, structured, and deeply insightful. From the very first conversation, he helped me think strategically about my choices, ensuring I applied to programs that aligned with my long-term goals. As I navigated the demanding process of writing essays, he pushed me to dig deeper, refining my story, clarifying my motivations, and ensuring every word carried weight.

I t wasn’t just about the big picture—Shashank helped with every single bit. Whether it was brainstorming the first draft of an essay, polishing a final version, or preparing for interviews with confidence and precision, he was always there. His feedback was honest and constructive, never sugarcoated, but always motivating.

There were moments of doubt, as there always are in a process this competitive, but having someone who believed in my journey made all the difference. His structured approach kept me focused, his keen eye helped sharpen my narratives, and his unwavering support gave me the clarity and confidence I needed.

Beyond just getting into these schools, this journey has been one of immense learning and growth for me. And for that, I’m incredibly grateful to Shashank. This is not just a thank you—this is a recognition of the role he played in shaping this process and my future.

His guidance was far beyond the realm of college applications. We started of the journey with counselling sessions where we figured out my strengths, ambitions and aligned them to narrow down courses. He then motivated me to push the envelope and strengthen my profile as well as enhance my skill set. He was always available to answer any query that I had.

Shashank also helped me to identify my weaknesses and overcome them. For example, he helped me to compartmentalise my day to take out time for GRE prep, essays, resume etc. He guided me to construct the best narrative which also helped me to improve my writing skills.

His guidance helped to secure admissions from three universities – Columbia University (Masters in Public Administration-Development Practice), UC Berkeley (Masters in Development Practice) and The University of Chicago (Masters in Public Policy).

Our journey has not ended here. Currently he is also helping me to navigate scholarships and other ways to finance my education.

I recommend idream to not just young professionals but also mid year professionals who are looking to change careers or enhance their skill set. They really do make your dreams come true.

My spaces with him were comfortable and authentic at the same time. He never missed a chance to share honest feedback, push me out of my comfort zone, and show me the other side of everything.He took a conscious effort to schedule our catch-ups regularly, and be completely present mentally when he would step in. Shashank has impeccable attention to detail. He would catch words that others around me would generally ignore. This attention to detail was only amplified when we were creating the final drafts of my essays, and he really noticed little details to bring everything together.He paints a picture beyond just the application process and helps in creating long-term life goals. He made me realize how graduate school admission is just a stepping stone towards the bigger goal, thus enabling me to understand the importance of my admission objectively.Lastly, he has a way around words and stories. I loved how he brought his diverse life experiences to the space, sometimes to lighten up the environment and sometimes to share life-altering anecdotes. I really looked up to his perspectives and his stories.I wholeheartedly recommend working with Shashank to all prospective students who are looking for an admission coach. He has a way of making things work!

Secondly, one of Shashank’s indispensable assets is knowledge of what precisely these idream League universities seek. I think this expertise helps in crafting an informed SOP. Additionally, he explained to me the different formats for SOP, which format might suit my story the most, and finally, what were the pros and cons of each format. This information assisted me a lot in articulating a very personalized SOP.

Finally, for the third module on references, he clearly understands how an academic reference differs from a professional one. Because I had both, this information played an imperative role in guiding my referees and ensuring that my references were befitting. As a result I was able to secure admissions in prestigious universities like Harvard, that too with 50% Scholarship, Columbia with 50% and Michigan with 70% Scholarship.

Shashank is very meticulous, dedicated, and punctual in his work. In him, I found a mentor and a friend. He is equally strict with deadlines. I remember due to some reason I had delayed writing my SOP, but he kept pushing me through regular follow-ups and never lost his patience. He has also worked with me beyond the regular calls each time I required help. What I really like about idream is that they work very closely with applicants and not like any other typical money-churning consultants. Shashank also helped me to hone my writing skills and I successfully published Op-eds of mine in reputed news portals. He also helped me build a stronger profile which doubled my chances of getting accepted. Thank you, Shashank, Pooja, and iDream for making this happen.

He helps you translate your work in an easily understandable format, more so as he himself is a TFI alum and knows the work we do. He created a safe space that allowed me to share my expectations and challenges without any hesitation and in turn enabled me to produce an authentic work product. His mentoring and continuous feedback ensured that I am not just writing essays that will get me into my target college but also doing enough research to get clarity on what program I select and how will it help in the long term. Shashank’s feedback is brutal at times but he makes sure that we are producing the best version we are capable of. He is more of a friend than a mentor.