Get Accepted To Your Top College Choice
Navigating high school and applying to college looks much different than it did a generation ago. The process has become competitive, confusing, and stressful.
Our experts help you:
- Create a strategic admissions plan that optimizes acceptances
- Discover the ideal college, major, and career path
- Select the right courses, activities, and internships
- Enhance standardized test scores and grades
- Craft impactful essays and applications
- Secure scholarships and maximize financial aid
HelloCollege is here to help. Our students gain admission to their top schools, earn more scholarships, and graduate faster with a job in their major.
Class of 2026 College Acceptances Include:
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Jamie Witt104 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
HelloCollege did an amazing job of helping our daughter for the ACT test !! We had used a different tutor previously (who was highly recommended by good friends), but he just wasn't quite the "right fit" for our daughter. Firstly, Ian Simon really listened to us during our intake session, and he fully understood that fit was arguably the most important factor. We needed someone who could help reduce / minimize our daughter's test anxiety, while also building her confidence. And the great positive about an organization like HelloCollege is they have a sizable staff where leadership at the top has the flexibility to find the best tutor to match with the individual student's particular personality traits, strengths, and weaknesses. Which leads me to Shelley Farmer. She is such a thoughtful, supportive and motivating tutor, who worked perfectly with our daughter !! And she went the extra mile to make herself available when our daughter's schedule was jammed. And most importantly, our daughter increased her score by 5 points (from her first test in October with the previous tutor, to her third and final test in July) with Shelley's help!! Our daughter surpassed her objective of breaking 30, and I am 100% positive that it never would have happened without Shelley's involvement !! Thank you, thank you, thank you .... =)Posted on Google![]()
Emily Chapman120 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We are halfway through our hellocollege journey. The team has been amazing and we are looking forward to navigating senior year and college applications next. We are just finishing up ACT testing and I cannot recommend Shelley Farmer enough! She has tutored my son through two rounds of ACT testing, and the experience has been wonderful. My son is neurodivergent, very bright, and needed someone who could not only teach the material but also build his confidence and approach learning in a way that worked for him. Shelley did exactly that. She was patient, creative, and incredibly thoughtful in how she worked with him. If one approach didn’t click, she would reflect, adjust, and find another way to help him understand. Beyond ACT strategies and content, Shelley helped him develop confidence, feel supported, and believe in himself. She truly became one of his biggest cheerleaders. She also communicated so well with my husband and me throughout the entire process, which we appreciated so much. We have been so happy with Tanner’s progress and his experience with Shelley that we are continuing with her for math tutoring during the school year. If you are looking for a tutor who is knowledgeable, encouraging, flexible, and truly invested in her students, I highly recommend Shelley and HelloCollege.Posted on Google![]()
Lily Piper135 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I have loved hello college so far! Everyone is so kind and encouraging to get everything done and it makes me excited for college!Posted on Google![]()
Camille191 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The advice and college counseling we received was top notch. Adam was awesome and walked us through everything we needed to do to make sure my daughter submitted the best application she could to her top choice. We mainly needed help tightening up her common application and essay. My only regret is not starting with them earlier (we signed up the fall of her Senior year). It was easy to schedule time with them and each session was beneficial. As a parent, I felt like they really cared about my daughter and were very interested in helping her achieve her goals. She was accepted Early Action to her top school, and is excited to start there in the fall.Posted on Google![]()
Christy Cleveland207 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Adam Salazar was amazing! I don’t know how we would have gotten through the college application process without him and HelloCollege. Best decision I ever made to help us stay on track and relieve a lot of stress. I am thrilled with the results and how easy and effective the program is. I highly recommend Adam and HelloCollege. ChristyPosted on Google![]()
Lara Matariyeh297 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I loved the customized approach at HelloCollege. Their college counseling was truly personalized to my strengths and goals. The staff took the time to understand my interests and helped create a tailored plan for my applications. I felt confident and well prepared thanks to their expert guidance. Highly recommend. Also Meg is an excellent essay coach that made sure my essays were perfect and on time.Posted on Google![]()
Chloe N310 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
The customized approach and the expertise of the team at HelloCollege made the college admissions process clear and manageable. They were thorough, honest, and involved my family in every step while staying cost effective. I especially appreciated the comprehensive college counseling that helped us stay on track with applications. I highly recommend HelloCollege.Posted on Google![]()
Diya Sundaresan320 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
I had a wonderful experience working with my essay coach, Max Freeman, through HelloCollege! He was clear, honest, and incredibly helpful in breaking down my ideas and strengthening my essays. His feedback often included thoughtful questions that pushed me to build a more authentic essay and add meaningful detail, and he always delivered feedback in a kind, supportive way. Max was very friendly and easy to talk to, which made the entire process feel much less intimidating. From helping me generate ideas to offering tips on editing and managing the word count, he supported me throughout the whole process. It relieved a lot of stress, and I’m very grateful for his help!Posted on Google![]()
Sam Sundaresan320 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
We are incredibly grateful to Max Freeman for the guidance and support he provided our daughter, throughout her college essay process. Max helped my daughter shape a compelling and thoughtful narrative. His feedback was insightful and encouraging, and he made the entire writing process feel much less stressful. His feedback helped my daughter gain confidence not only in her essays but also in her ability to tell her own story. We would highly recommend Max to any family seeking a great essay coach.Posted on Google![]()
Charles Coppelman322 days agoTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google.
Incredible from top to bottom! They provide a truly comprehensive amount of assistance from any angle you could conjure up. My college counselor, Kim, was incredibly kind and helped me all throughout the process, from realizing what kinds of schools to look at for my specific interests and needs, to what to do to bolster my resume, to ultimately narrowing down my list. And my essay counselor, Margaret, was also greatly supportive; she helped me think deeply and make sure that was reflected in my essays, from my personal statement to supplementals. From brainstorming to making my essays more engaging and rhetorically strong, she was with me the whole step of the way. And if that wasn’t enough, I also had the help of one of their SAT coaches, Daniel, to improve my score by 50 points. All in all, could not recommend enough.Verified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
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Navigate the College Admissions Maze with Confidence
HelloCollege simplifies the college admissions journey, helping your family achieve peace of mind and success.
Percentages from the Class of 2026 exit survey. How we measure this
What It's Like to Partner with HelloCollege
Hear about the positive experiences of real students and parents.
Hello college helped me so much with making sure I stayed on track during the college application process. With the multiple one-on-one meetings with counselors and personal essay helpers I never once felt stressed. I recommend Allison Dahleen, she was the biggest help and guided me into getting into now my future school, Notre Dame!
It's been great working with my counselor Ms. Husband. She helped me find schools that I am truly passionate about. She made sure I was on track with all the things I had to do and provided constructive feedback. I always looked forward to our meetings and left feeling very supported.
Would heavily recommend the HelloCollege services. Ms. Leslie has provided me with guidance and ample resources. Most importantly she has set me up for success within the college and scholarship application process. Thank you HelloCollege!
Avoid College Planning Chaos
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the college admissions process? Here's what changes when you have a team in your corner.
Peace of mind knowing you've done everything to set your student up for success.
Book a ConsultationIs HelloCollege Right For You?
Below are several types of families that utilize the benefits of HelloCollege.
Want to attend a highly competitive university
We know exactly what it takes to get you there. Our expert college counselors will work with you to stand out on applications and improve your odds of admission.
Aren't an expert on the admissions process
The college admissions process can be confusing for everyone, let alone for parents who haven't gone through this before or didn't attend college in the U.S. That's why we are here to help you avoid common mistakes and maximize opportunity.
Have a neurodivergent student and need extra support
Our highly trained counselors emphasize executive functioning skills, ensuring each student stays organized and on track. We offer a supportive and encouraging environment that nurtures their unique strengths and needs.
Need help staying on track
With a strong emphasis on accountability and organization, we help students stay on track with crucial deadlines. By offering personalized guidance and keeping students motivated, we elevate their potential and increase their chances of acceptance and finding aid.
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College Admissions Consulting FAQs
What families ask most before their first conversation with us.
What happens during the free consultation?
It's a 45-minute Zoom call with a HelloCollege advisor, focused entirely on your student. We'll:
- Learn about your student's goals, interests, grades, and timeline
- Identify where they stand today and what will matter most from here
- Walk you through how we work and who would be on your student's team
- Recommend a plan and answer every question you bring
You'll leave with a clearer picture of the road ahead, whether or not you choose to work with us.
Who should attend the consultation?
Ideally, both parents (or guardians) and the student. College planning is a family journey, and the call is most valuable when everyone hears the same information and can ask their own questions.
How should we prepare?
No preparation is required, but it helps to have a recent transcript or grades, any test scores, a list of activities, and any colleges you're already considering. Bring your questions too; nothing is off the table.
What makes HelloCollege different from other college admissions consultants?
Every student gets a dedicated counselor who knows them personally, backed by a collaborative team of specialists in essays, tutoring, test prep, and financial aid. You get one coordinated team instead of juggling multiple providers.
Our counselors are NACAC members, and our team brings 60+ combined years of admissions-office experience. Plans are flexible, so support can shift to wherever your student needs it most.
How much does HelloCollege cost?
Every HelloCollege plan is customized, so the investment varies. Most families invest between $6,000 and $20,000, with a typical plan around $9,000. Where you land depends on when you start, the support you want, the selectivity of your college list, and any tutoring or test prep needs. A free consultation is the best way to find the right fit.
When should we start college planning?
As early as possible, ideally before high school begins. The right course choices in 9th grade open the door to the advanced classes top colleges expect later on. Early planning also makes high school smoother for students and parents, and a couple of B's that could have been A's, or a few points on the ACT, can cost tens of thousands of dollars in merit scholarships. We've worked with thousands of families, and not one has told us they wish they'd started later.
Is senior year too late to start?
No. We welcome new seniors through December and January, in time for both Early and Regular Decision deadlines. We build a detailed calendar of tasks and milestones, provide regular accountability, and focus on the right schools, the right application strategy, and essays that tell your student's story. We also guide you through evaluating offers, securing scholarships, and making the final decision.
Do you only work with top students aiming for the Ivy League?
Not at all. We believe every student deserves a path to their best-fit college, whether that's an Ivy League school or a regional gem. We work with students at every academic level, including students with an IEP or 504 Plan.
Do you work with families outside Illinois?
Yes. HelloCollege works with families nationwide and internationally. Meetings take place virtually, so your student gets the same personalized support wherever you live.
Let's Build Your Student's Success Story
Schedule a free consultation. We'll walk through your student's goals and timeline, and how HelloCollege can help them thrive.