College admissions pricing & packages
Founding 2026 rates, exactly what each package includes, and how to choose.
Clear scope, clear price. Below is what each admissions package includes, who it's best for, and what falls outside it. Every engagement starts with a free 20-minute intro call — no commitment, just a conversation about fit.
Founding 2026 rates are available for a limited number of students while this service line is being launched.
Admissions Strategy Session — $300/hr
Founding 2026 rate · pay-as-you-go
Best for: families who want expert eyes on a specific decision, or who aren't yet sure how much help they need.
A single focused working session — pressure-test a college list, work an essay in progress, or talk through a specific decision. No commitment beyond the hour.
Single-Application Sprint — $1,800
Up to 2 schools · capped scope
Best for: a strong student focused on one or two closely prioritized schools — an early-decision/early-action target, a single dream school, or a focused UC application strategy.
What's included
- Up to 2 closely prioritized schools
- Personal statement or main application essay, plus each school's supplements
- Up to 3 draft rounds
- Activities and resume framing
- One mock interview, if relevant
- Final application review before submission
For UC-only applicants, scope is defined during the intro call because the UC application can serve multiple campuses.
Senior-Year Comprehensive — $9,500
Full-cycle support for one application season · capped scope
Best for: seniors applying to a full list who want one experienced advisor across the entire cycle, with school-specific strategy rather than generic essay review.
What's included
- Up to 8 schools
- College-list strategy
- Up to 3 draft rounds per major essay and supplement
- Activities and resume framing
- Up to 2 parent meetings
- Up to 2 mock interviews
- Timeline management through submission
Research / Pre-Health Narrative Intensive
Signature add-on · available by consultation
Best for: science and pre-health students with real research or clinical experience who struggle to write about it well.
We turn lab work, shadowing, or a science project into a clear, specific, jargon-free narrative an admissions reader can follow. Add it to any package or take it on its own. More on science & pre-health →
What's billed hourly
Each package has a defined scope so you always know what's included. Work beyond it — additional schools, extra draft rounds, additional parent meetings, scholarship essays, BS/MD applications, and urgent turnaround — is billed at the Admissions Strategy Session rate ($300/hr, Founding 2026) and only ever agreed in writing before it happens.
Parent communication is built into the process through scheduled check-ins and reasonable between-meeting updates. Additional calls, urgent timeline changes, or expanded school lists can be added hourly when needed.
Why capped scope matters
A cap isn't a limit on care — it's how I protect the quality of the work and keep pricing honest. A defined number of schools, drafts, and meetings means each one gets real attention, you know the cost up front, and nothing turns into a surprise on an invoice. When a student genuinely needs more, we agree to it in writing first.
On school caps specifically: strong applications are not built by copying the same story across more schools. Each school needs a different version of the student's narrative — what fits, what to emphasize, which essays matter most, and how interview preparation should be tailored. The caps keep the work personalized, realistic, and high-quality.
How to choose the right package
- One dream school, strong student → Single-Application Sprint.
- A full senior-year list, and you want a steady hand throughout → Senior-Year Comprehensive.
- A specific question or a second opinion → Admissions Strategy Session.
- A science or pre-health student whose research or clinical story isn't landing → add the Research / Pre-Health Narrative Intensive.
Still unsure? That's exactly what the free 20-minute intro call is for. We'll match you to the right option — or I'll tell you honestly if you don't need me yet.
Planning for every outcome
Good pricing and good strategy share the same foundation: a balanced college list. The two questions families ask most:
What if my child doesn't get into their top choice?
We plan for that from day one. Because the list is built around fit, selectivity, affordability, and realistic range — not prestige alone — a disappointing decision from one school still leaves strong options on the table. If it happens, we regroup calmly: compare admitted offers, weigh a waitlist strategy where it's worth it, and keep perspective. A single decision is not a verdict on a student's future.
What if my child doesn't get in anywhere?
A balanced list makes that very unlikely, and I'll say so directly if a list is too reach-heavy or a student is starting late. If options are still needed after the main cycle, the system is more flexible than most families realize: NACAC's annual College Openings Update lists accredited institutions still accepting applications for the coming fall, and Common App offers Direct Admissions pathways with participating colleges. These are legitimate routes, not failure routes.
Book a free 20-minute intro call or back to college admissions
Independent educational consultant. Not affiliated with Harvard College Admissions; my prior Harvard alumni-interviewer role was separate from this practice and conferred no admissions influence, confidential information, or endorsement. No admission outcomes are guaranteed; the student remains the author of all application materials.