Frequently Asked Questions

  • Most students begin working with us in sophomore or junior year, though some start earlier to allow for more gradual planning. Support is tailored to each student's starting point, goals, timeline, and individual needs.

  • We begin with an initial consultation to learn more about your student, answer your questions, and discuss your family's goals for the college planning process.

    If it feels like a good fit, we'll walk you through what working together would look like, discuss the investment, and guide you through the next steps.

Getting Started

Process & Support

  • Students meet with us regularly based on their grade level and needs.

    Sophomores: Usually every 6-8 weeks
    Juniors: Usually once a month, or every 4 weeks
    Rising seniors: Ongoing as needed throughout the summer and fall of senior year.

    Meetings are primarily one-on-one with the student, which allows them to take ownership of the process, speak openly, and build confidence in their decisions.

    Parents are kept informed and involved as needed, and we schedule dedicated family meetings at key points—such as finalizing the college list—to ensure everyone is aligned.

    As students move into senior year, meetings become more frequent, providing additional support during the application and essay process.

  • We work closely with students while keeping parents informed and involved as needed. Meetings are primarily one-on-one with the student, helping them take ownership of the college planning process and build confidence in their decisions.

    At the same time, we serve as a consistent point of communication for families—helping everyone stay aligned while reducing the need for parents to manage day-to-day details. Many families find that having a neutral third party makes the experience feel more collaborative and significantly less stressful.

  • A core part of our approach is providing structure and accountability. We break the process into clear, manageable steps, set expectations, and help students stay organized so they can make steady progress over time.

    Students receive clear next steps after each meeting, along with ongoing guidance between sessions. We use a structured system to track priorities, deadlines, and progress, so students always know what to focus on and what comes next. We also incorporate tools and reminders as needed to support follow-through—so nothing falls through the cracks.

  • Yes. We guide students through the full essay process, from understanding expectations and developing strong ideas to ensuring each piece supports a cohesive and compelling application.

    As students enter senior year, essay work becomes more intensive. At that stage, we integrate additional support from experienced essay coaches who work closely with us, providing hands-on guidance with brainstorming, drafting, and refining students’ writing.

    We remain closely involved throughout the process—overseeing progress, reviewing key drafts, and ensuring every essay meets a high standard and aligns with the student’s overall application strategy.

Pricing & Logistics

  • For comprehensive, start-to-finish support, pricing ranges from $5,200–$6,500.

    The final investment is based on your student's starting point when we begin working together. Some students begin with a well-developed college list and clear direction, while others are starting from the very beginning. During the initial consultation, we'll learn more about your student's goals, timeline, and the work they've already completed before confirming the final investment.

  • Comprehensive support includes guidance across all aspects of the college application process, including academic and activity planning, college list development, essays, application strategy, and interview preparation.

    College lists are capped at 12 schools to ensure a focused, thoughtful application process. Additional schools may be added for an extra fee.

    Support also extends through application outcomes, including guidance on deferrals, waitlists, and final college decisions.

  • Yes, we offer hourly support for families seeking targeted guidance. Please inquire about hourly pricing during our consultation if interested. However, most families choose comprehensive support, as it provides the structure and consistency needed for a smoother, less stressful experience.

  • College lists are capped at 12 schools to ensure a focused, thoughtful application process. Additional schools may be added for an extra fee.

    We build a balanced list that includes a range of schools aligned with the student’s academic profile, interests, and goals—so they have strong options without becoming overwhelmed by the process.

The Right Fit

  • We work especially well with students who benefit from structure, accountability, and step-by-step guidance—particularly those who feel overwhelmed by complex, open-ended tasks.

  • Yes. We regularly work with students with ADHD, anxiety, and a range of learning differences.

    Our approach is designed to support students who may struggle with organization, follow-through, or feeling overwhelmed. We provide clear structure, step-by-step guidance, and consistent accountability so the process feels manageable and achievable.

    We tailor our approach to how each student works best, helping them stay engaged, build confidence, and make steady progress over time.

  • We combine college admissions expertise with hands-on project management. Rather than simply advising students on what to do, we help them break complex tasks into manageable steps, stay organized, and follow through over time.

    Our goal isn't just to help students submit strong applications—it's to make the entire college planning process feel clear, structured, and significantly less overwhelming for both students and families.