| Image Scholar |
| Image Scholar Blakeleigh Kim Overpriced, deceptive billing practices, shyster Westwood, California |
| 8th of Jan, 2011 by User855429 |
As a former customer of Blakeleigh Kim's, I can attest that the previous "expose" written by the anonymous submitter is, unfortuantely, true. While the name of his company has changed, I'm sure his practices have remained similar. For one, he was extremely expensive (when I was under Blake's tutelage, he charged $120 per HOUR with two hour sessions three times a week). In addition, "Dr." Kim is a less than savory character whose smooth talking and greasy hair will undoubtedly convince the less informed (i.e. immigrant parents) of his trustworthiness. He has several strategies for doing this. For example, I see that he continues to use the term "doctor" to describe himself. What a laugh. While he does have three degrees, C.P.H., Ed.M., and M.P.H., none of which qualify him as a doctor of philosophy, a medical doctor, or even a doctor of psychology (which I believe he describes himself as). Lastly, Blake most definitely takes advantage of the students under his care. In my own case, and in the cases of other students who have worked with him, he filled our heads with aspirations of Ivy League glory. Which, in the clarity of hindsight, was no doubt a ploy to string us and our parents along for his monthly paydays.
But, I must admit, there are some redeeming qualities to Mr. Kim's tutoring service. Many of the tutors they have hired are, in fact, knowledgeable in their fields of study. I must maintain that the tutors do not redeem Mr. Kim, though. Of course, one must always expect to deal with hacks who simply keep one step ahead of the student and have the absolute minimum of actual knowledge of their subjects, when dealing with all tutoring companies, and Image Scholar is no exception.
In short, it's obvious that Blakeleigh Kim has a history of deceiving his customers, and as the manager of daily operations at image scholar, he will have a lot of power over your child's quality of tutoring. So, even if there are some good tutors, is it worth putting up with him?
P.S. Blake, I assume that sooner or later you will read this and allow your neuroticisms to overtake your sensibilities. I'm sure you'll wrack your brains over which of your former students wrote such a "slanderous" message for the whole world to see. I'm sure dozens of names will pop up in your head. And that's the problem isn't it? Dozens. |
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HONORING IMAGESCHOLAR & BLAKELEIGH KIM
THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXTRAORDINARY WORK AND SERVICE!
I am writing this in response to the scathing and incredibly insensitive comments made by the person who calls him/herself "User855429, " in regards to Blakeleigh Kim and Imagescholar Staff. First of all, I am also one of the former clients who have worked with Blakeleigh Kim and Imagescholar college counselors and instructors. I also have many friends and colleagues who have used his service and I am absolutely outraged by the comments made by this so called "User855429, " who cowers behind his/her Internet anonymity to lie and say horrible things about a person who does such extraordinary work with all ranges of students and parents.
My name is Susilo Wulandari, and I was an international student when I first met Blakeleigh Kim seven years ago. I was referred to Blakeleigh by a close friend of mine who received help from him earlier and was attending NYU at that time. I feel compel to write this because I have personally experienced Blakeleigh's extraordinary kindness and his brilliance. You see, like many students who receive service at Imagescholar, do NOT pay. Blakeleigh and his staff does a significant amount of pro-bono work with international and financially under-privileged students. Other students who I met at Imagescholar, like Aumahn Washington, Sean Connors, and Israel Kakshoor, and many other students have received thoughtful and wonderful services from Blakeleigh and his staff without financial stress. Moreover, he and Imagescholar sponsor many local volunteer services and he even took his time to come to our school graduations, when our own parents could not.
He worked with me when I was struggling at school to get me into top universities in New York and Boston. I counseled me once a week to keep me out of trouble and encouraged me to pursue my degree in Business and International Relations. I had the privilege of spending some time at Imagescholar with Blakeleigh and I often felt sorry for him having to work with those rich and privileged students and their self-entitled and disconnected parents in his neighborhood (e.g., Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Palos Verdes, and etc.), who make ridiculous demands of Blakeleigh and his staff. I think that lots of them feel that, just because he provides them services, that they treat him like a "servant."
The "User855429" sounds like someone who either has some personal issues with Blakeleigh or someone who is trying to bad mouth him for hi/her own business benefits. Making such personal and venomous attack on someone who dedicates his life to working with struggling students and those with learning disabilities, is both unacceptable and unimaginable. I am absolutely appalled by the petty and inaccurate descriptions of Blakeleigh Kim and Imagescholar by this person. Obviously, the "User855429" doesn't care about his/her own personal ethics and sounds angry while cowarding behind his/her online anonymity. In addition, this person's immature and vindictive comments found in his/her P.S. content should be self-evident that this person should seek a professional psychological help and, I hope that this person, if ever caught, is brought to justice to face his/her toxic behavior.
I have referred dozens of friends and families to Blakeleigh Kim and Imagescholar over the past five years, and they have all benefited greatly from Blakeleigh and Imagescholar's service. It is because he and the company put people and their needs first, I will always recommend Blakeleigh Kim and Imagescholar to anyone under any circumstance. Thank you Blakeleigh Kim and Imagescholar!
Susilo Wulandari |
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