College Admissions Counseling Service for College Success
HelloCollege is more than just a team of expert college admissions consultants. We are your personal guides. Our top notch college admissions counseling, when paired with our personalized mentoring, allows us to partner with your family to achieve the best college admissions results for your student.
That's because, at HelloCollege, we truly care.
Our Approach
Collaborative, Team-Based Support
At HelloCollege, you’re never alone. Our entire team collaborates to ensure every student and family gets the benefit of collective expertise, diverse perspectives, and seamless support throughout their college journey.
Comprehensive, All-in-One Services
We’re your one-stop resource for college planning. Our packages are offered in flexible hourly bundles and can be used across all of our services. This includes access to a comprehensive applicant platform, educational curriculum, and a wealth of resources covering every aspect of the admissions process.
Strategic, Individualized Planning
Our process-driven, structured approach is anchored in our S.A.F.E. methodology, which allows us to deliver strategic guidance tailored to each student’s unique goals and needs. We meet families where they are, ensuring individualized, targeted support that adapts as your journey unfolds.
Holistic, Student-Centered Planning
We believe college planning is about more than applications. Our holistic approach considers the whole student—academic strengths, interests, personality, and critical skills like executive functioning—to help them thrive in high school, college, and beyond.
Family-Focused Involvement
We believe college planning is a family journey. Our process actively includes parents and fosters open communication, ensuring everyone is aligned with and confident in each decision.
Honest, Time-Saving Guidance
We cut through the noise. Our honest, data-driven evaluations save you hours of wasted effort on unlikely applications and provide valuable, targeted insights that keep your student focused on the best-fit opportunities. We pride ourselves on being highly responsive, so you feel supported and informed at every step.
Reviews about Our College Admissions Counseling Services
Dr. Raymond Gonzales is by far the best thing I have done as a parent for my daughter Taylor Young. We are so grateful Raymond was paired with Taylor. He was a guiding light for my daughter, creating the way for her to push past limitations, STARTING a Psychology Club, taking classes from Harvard over the summer, she thrived and achieved SO MUCH under his care. Taylor is going to Dayton, almost completely paid for as well;) Raymond thank YOU for making my life as a mom easier!!
Sara Goggin Young
Parent of Taylor
Lyons Township High School
University of Dayton
From our very first consultation, Hello College made us feel at home with their approach and their ability to help us! I would highly recommend them to anyone that is applying to a service academy or any other highly competitive institution. They build an entire profile specifically for you, so that you don’t miss any deadlines. They also spend time really getting to know you, so they can help you represent yourself genuinely. Because of them our son received appointments to both of the service academies he applied to. He is about to live his dream! Thank you Hello College! And special thanks to the two people who walked the entire process out with us: Counselor Amanda Yoder and Essay Coach Brooke Kent! Thank you for all of your diligence and care and for celebrating with us when we got the news!!
Catherine Rumfelt
Parent of Dirk
Fairfield High School
United States Naval Academy
I have had Gina T. and Amanda Y. as my counselors throughout my college application process and they have been immensely helpful. From the beginning, both Amanda and Gina have been nothing short of understanding and supportive towards me and guiding me through the extensive application process. Specifically, Amanda has been incredibly flexible and responsive when it came to any questions and concerns I had- she was always able to answer questions in a way that worked for me, as well as working with me rather than against me to build the best application that correlates to who I am as a college applicant. She kept me on a schedule that I was able to follow- as well as giving me access to the notes and spreadsheets we had created together so that I was able to reference anything we talked about at anytime. Gina has been incredibly supportive in my essay comprehension journey as writing the essays is one of the most stressful parts of the application process. She worked with me to create outlines and develop ideas that strengthened who I was as an applicant. She was very responsive and dedicated when it came to my essays. All of her feedback and comments felt personal and positive as she really cares about how you build an essay that reflects you and your best abilities. Hello College has been a great experience and I highly recommend this program when looking to enhance your college application.
Lizzie Donovan
Shorecrest High School
San Diego State University
Hello College is a top tier college preparatory program; and would recommend them. My twins (class of 2025) have successfully achieved acceptance into their respective universities – thanks to this program and our ace counselor, Allison. She has kept them focused, motivated and engaged in what can be a cumbersome, confusing process. In addition to Allison’s guidance, each of them had an amazing college essay coach to help them find their voice in that all important essay. Parents, my one bit of advice is to start with Hello College by the winter of your student’s Junior HS year if not sooner – as they have a lot of test prep services as well. Hello College is the real deal and a valuable investment to make.
Pamela Von Lehmden
Parent of Piper & Georgia
Naperville Central High School
Butler University & The University of Iowa
I had an incredible experience with HelloCollege’s college counseling program. Specifically, Don Keller was a huge help throughout the entire process. Not only did he help keep me on track while applying to 15 different schools, but he was always available to help with any and all of my requests. Don Keller set up multiple mock interviews so that I could be prepared to compete for scholarships at the University of Texas and at the University of Virginia. I was incredibly impressed with his responsiveness and attention to my situation. Don was involved every step of the way. Whether it was reading essays, giving advice on college selection, or simply being interested and attentive about my personal life, I always felt confident that I could hop on a phone call with him and talk out my situation. Ultimately, with the help of Don Keller and the entire HelloCollege program, I was granted a full-ride scholarship to attend the University of Texas’s McCombs School of Business. I could not be more thrilled with this result, and HelloCollege was an integral part of this achievement.
Michael O’Connor
Saint Viator High School
University of Texas - Austin
We worked with Amanda and her insights, assistance, guidance, and helpfulness were priceless. I would 100% recommend her and HelloCollege.
Her positive attitude, encouragement, and overall presence helped my student get through some huge hurtles. We both learned so much about the college application process (so different now), FASFA, and scholarships. With Amanda’s guidance my student was accepted into every school she applied to! No, we didn’t aim for Ivy League schools but 7 out of 7 acceptance letters across our state UC and CSU system was huge for a student who was scared and worried about this entire process. HelloCollege helped give her better direction and they really helped her drive, determination, and perseverance shine through her essay’s, and the review and edit program they have was amazing.
Thank you Amanda!!
Erin Berndsen
What is the HelloCollege S.A.F.E. Methodology?
We believe that finding the right college is about far more than rankings or name recognition. It’s about fit. That’s why we developed the S.A.F.E. College Fit Methodology, a structured, research-driven approach that evaluates every college through four essential pillars. By balancing aspiration, alignment, affordability, and outcomes, this approach transforms college selection from a guessing game into a smart, intentional process.
SOCIAL
With more than 6,000 colleges out there, each with its own unique social vibe, finding the right one can be the difference between your child having a great time in school and their transferring.
ACADEMIC
We'll help you discover the perfect academic fit for your child, a college where they'll be appropriately challenged – striking the right balance between supporting them and pushing their limits so they both thrive and grow.
FINANCIAL
College costs can be confusing and intimidating, but if you know how to navigate them, you’ll be able to take control. We help you maximize scholarships and financial aid to reduce your costs.
EMPLOYMENT
When your child heads off to college, they're gearing up for a future job, and the choice of college can significantly shape their career path and earnings potential. Set them on the right track by applying to colleges that align with their goals.
HelloCollege Plans
Our plans are flexible, with hours that can be used wherever students need support most. Every plan includes one-on-one guidance with a dedicated college counselor and a dedicated essay coach, ensuring personalized, consistent support throughout the process.
Essential Plans
20, 30, or 40 HOURS
Designed for seniors, transfer, and gap-year students, this plan offers 1:1 guidance through every step of the application process, including dedicated counseling, personalized essay coaching, financial aid and scholarship support, and access to expert-led workshops, online tools, and test prep resources - all backed by a full support team.
MOST POPULAR
Advanced Plans
50, 60, or 80 HOURS
Ideal for juniors, underclassmen, and highly selective candidates, this plan builds on the Essential plans with deeper, more frequent support. You will receive advanced application strategy, targeted essays, test prep, major and career exploration, standout factor development, and extracurricular planning for a truly comprehensive approach.
Premier Plans
100, 150, or 200 HOURS
Designed for Ivy+, BS/MD, international, or students needing extensive support. This top-tier plan includes everything in the Essential and Advanced levels, plus the highest meeting frequency, deep passion-project development, intensive essay and application support, comprehensive interview prep, robust ACT/SAT and academic tutoring, and executive functioning coaching for a concierge experience.
Meet our Expert College Admissions Counselors
Kevin Krebs
Founder and Managing Director
- 25+ years in college admissions counseling
- Guided 10,000+ families through one-on-one counseling, workshops, and events across the country
- First-gen Northwestern University graduate; MA in Journalism from Northwestern
Allison Dahleen
VP of Client Services
- 10+ years of experience supporting 500+ HelloCollege students and families
- Bachelor’s in Marketing Management, Master’s in Administration Leadership, NACAC member
Amanda Yoder
Director of Counseling
- 12+ years as a licensed high school counselor
- 17+ years of experience advising and counseling high school students and families
- Master’s in Education with Counseling concentration, licensed professional counselor, NACAC member
Don Keller
College Counselor
- 10 years of experience as a licensed high school counselor
- 20+ years of experience advising students
- Admissions experience at UC-Berkeley, Northeastern, and QuestBridge Scholars
- Master’s and Bachelor’s in Counselor Education and Sports Management, NACAC member
Raymond Gonzales
College Counselor
- 20+ years of experience guiding first-generation and highly selective admissions students
- Master’s in Education (Harvard), Master’s in Public Health (UPenn), Master’s in Social Work (USC), NACAC certified
- Common App Counselor Advisory Committee board member and licensed social worker
Miracle Husband
College Counselor
- 12+ years of experience guiding 1,500+ students
- Former UC-Berkeley Admissions Advisor and Tulane Academic Counselor
- Master’s in Education (University of Vermont), NACAC & NASPA member, Breakthrough College Access Coach
Kimberly Shipman
College Counselor
- 7+ years in high school and career counseling
- Former Career Advisor and Instructor at Rice, Duke, and Barton College
- M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration (NC State), dual BS in Human Development & Psychology (Virginia Tech)
Brooke Kent
College Counselor & Essay Coach
- 20+ years working with students
- Summa cum laude Rice University graduate; Expert in essay coaching, merit scholarships and athletic recruiting
- Former White House Transition Project researcher and executive writer at Los Alamos National Laboratory
Leslie Riccio
College Counselor
- 20+ years of experience as a licensed high school counselor
- Twice recognized as a Distinguished Educator by Virginia Beach City Public Schools
- Holds B.S. and M.S. in Education from Old Dominion University and an Educational Leadership Endorsement from Longwood University
Keira Vollandt
College Counselor
- 8+ years in college admissions at UW-Madison, Tufts, U-Mass Amherst, Columbia School of Social Work, and Dominican University
- Former Assistant Director of Admissions at UMass Amherst
- M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Columbia University, and a Graduate Certificate of College Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University
Brigid Johnson
College Counselor
- 7+ years of experience in higher education and college counseling, including running her own admissions consulting firm
- Holds a B.A. from the University of Iowa and an M.A. from Tufts University
- Specializes in highly selective admissions, first-generation students, and those with learning differences
Adam Salazar
College Counselor & Essay Coach
- Former admissions reader and advisor for the University of Central Florida
- Holds a B.A. in English Literature and an M.A. in English–Technical Writing from UCF
- Specializes in demystifying the college process and helping students craft strong, personalized essays
Claire Kirchoff
College Counselor
- 10 years of experience as a licensed high school counselor supporting students and families in boarding schools, public schools, and private day schools
- Expert in Ivy League and Highly Selective admissions
Will Wagner
Essay & College Application Coach
Ellen Boyette
Essay & College Application Coach
Margaret Wickham
Essay & College Application Coach
Bertrand Cooper
Essay & College Application Coach
Willow Green
Essay & College Application Coach
Max Freeman
Essay & College Application Coach
Elizabeth Wiet
Essay & College Application Coach
Hee-Eun Kim
Essay & College Application Coach
Brian Berger
Academic Tutor, Essay & College Application Coach
Check Out Our College Admissions Counseling Platform In Action
HelloCollege’s online platform helps keep things on track. Check your child’s progress, schedule a meeting, and access resources at any time.
Looking For Free College Admissions Counseling Resources?
We offer a variety of free resources including live workshops, blogs, videos, downloadable checklists and more. Here’s where we recommend you get started.
Workshops
- Live sessions
- Open Q&A with the experts
- Freshman through senior year content
- Free to attend
Downloads
- College Planning TImeline
- College Fit Guide
- College Visit Checklist
- College Research Workbook
- Scholarship Directory
Blog
- High School Class Rank, Explained
- What is an Advanced Placement (AP) Class?
- Is Babysitting an Extracurricular Activity?
Videos
- Grade Level Specific Content
- Essay Writing Series
- Helpful Admissions TIps
- More about HelloCollege
Schedule a 45-min Consultation with HelloCollege Experts
Navigating high school and applying to college is much different than a generation ago. The process has become competitive, confusing and stressful.
Let us help you with:
- Selecting the right courses and activities
- Prepping for standardized tests
- Choosing the right college and major
- Writing compelling essays
- Completing applications
- Applying for scholarships and financial aid
HelloCollege is here to provide you expert college admissions counseling services. Our students gain admission to their top schools, earn more scholarships and graduate faster with a job in their major.
Do You Still Have Questions?
Schedule a consultation with us to get all of your answers, otherwise here are some most asked questions and answers to them.
College admissions counseling is a process of assisting students and families in navigating the challenging and competitive college admissions process. Acting as a personalized guide, counselors provide tailored support at every step, from choosing the best-fit colleges to writing standout application essays and beyond.
There are many differences between high school counselors and college admissions counselor. High school counselors focus on academic advising, graduation requirements, and overall student well-being. College admissions counselors, on the other hand, specialize in the college application process, helping students select schools, write essays, and meet deadlines. They offer more personalized, in-depth support for college admissions.
The cost of getting private college admissions counseling can vary based on the provider’s experience, location, and services offered. On average, hourly rates range from $100 to $300, with some experts charging more. Many counselors offer package deals that can cost from a few thousand dollars to over $10,000, depending on the level of support. While it’s a significant investment, many families find the guidance invaluable.
At HelloCollege, we offer a variety of packages and a la carte options to suit different needs and budgets. Visit our college counseling plans for more details.
For a full breakdown if it’s worth it, visit our blog post: Are College Counselors Worth It?
The best time to start working with a college admissions counselor is typically during junior year, but starting earlier is even better. Some students begin as early as freshman year to build a strong foundation, set goals, and plan extracurricular activities. Starting early gives you more time to plan your college application strategy and reduces stress later in the process.
Our experienced admissions counselors and intuitive digital tools provide a structured approach that helps students stay organized and motivated throughout the application process. By offering continuous support and personalized guidance, we bring ease and stability to the college planning experience, allowing students and their families to confidently navigate each milestone and stay on track for a successful future.
Yes! Our counselors guide students through a thoughtful assessment of their aptitudes and interests, helping them better understand what motivates and excites them. From there, counselors support students in identifying and applying to programs, experiences, and opportunities that align with those interests, like summer programs, internships and job shadowing. When appropriate, students are also connected with professionals and college students in fields they’re curious about to gain real-world perspective. Throughout the process, counselors introduce colleges and academic programs that are strong fits for each student’s interests, goals, and strengths.
In a highly competitive college application pool, standing out is key. Your HelloCollege admissions counselor evaluates your competitive positioning with respect to other applicants. Then, through personal sessions, students and counselors collaborate to identify strengths. We then develop a strategy for showcasing your unique qualities – your Stand-Out Factor. We’ll then analyze potential schools’ acceptance rates and academic profiles, before offering strategies to improve admission odds for your top-choice schools.
Our expert essay coaches, with over 200 years of combined writing and editing experience, provide hands-on assistance to elevate your essay writing skills. You’ll work with your coach to develop compelling topics and refine your essays. Essay coaches focus on your essay’s story, structure, and mechanics, ensuring your essays stand out.
Yes! HelloCollege not only guides students to admissions success but also fosters their growth as young leaders and professionals. Through our program, you’ll engage in resume building, professional preparation, and college interview skills-building. You can also access our exclusive Parent Mentor Network for informational interviews, job shadowing, and internship connections with high-level professionals.
Every high school student and family can benefit from expert college guidance, whether they’re applying to competitive STEM programs, exploring liberal arts colleges, or figuring out how to afford college without need-based aid.
With a private college admissions counseling, students develop a clear plan, showcase their strengths, avoid common mistakes, and receive tailored support throughout the entire process. For a full breakdown of the reasons to work with a counselor, read here: Why Should I Hire a College Counselor?
No, college admissions counselors do not and cannot guarantee acceptance to any colleges. While they provide expert guidance, admissions decisions are ultimately up to the colleges. Counselors can help improve a student’s chances by strengthening their application, but they cannot control or predict admissions outcomes.
Choosing the right admissions counselor involves researching their qualifications, experience, and areas of expertise. Look for someone who understands your specific needs, whether it’s selecting schools or crafting essays. A good consultant will personalize their support and outline a clear process.
For more information on finding the right match, visit our blog post, How to Choose a College Admission Counselor?
While private college counselors can be costly, they aren’t just for wealthy families. Many offer a range of services at various price points, with some even providing scholarships. Additionally, by helping families navigate financial aid and scholarship opportunities, consultants can actually be a cost-effective option for many, potentially reducing the overall cost of college.
Yes. Our counselors provide academic advising, helping students choose the right high school courses and map out a smart testing timeline. For ACT and SAT preparation, students work with our dedicated team of expert tutors who specialize in test prep. This team conducts personalized assessments to identify knowledge gaps, builds tailored testing plans, and supports students with targeted instruction to earn their best score.
We make building your college list easy with our S.A.F.E. College List Strategy. Your counselor will guide you through finding your best-fit schools based on Social, Academic, Financial, and Employment factors. We also help you balance your list with a mix of reach, target, and safety schools to both maximize your chances of admission and put you in the best position for competitive financial aid packages.
Absolutely. HelloCollege helps families tackle college costs. Our college counseling sessions and workshops cover strategies for affording college, winning scholarships, and maximizing aid. In sessions with our financial specialist, we’ll help you evaluate your annual budgets and your student’s aid potential, ensuring an airtight FAFSA application. We also help you dissect and compare financial aid offers and write successful letters of appeal.
Our sessions are flexible and designed to meet your student’s specific needs. During a session, counselors may:
- Get to know your student’s interests, strengths, and goals
- Create a personalized college application timeline
- Explore potential colleges and majors
- Discuss different application strategies, including Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision
- Review transcripts, test scores, and academic planning
- Conduct mock interviews to prepare for college admissions
- Provide guidance on essays and personal statements
- Discuss scholarships, financial aid, and strategies to maximize awards
- Answer any questions about the application process or next steps
Each session is tailored, so your student gets support where they need it most, ensuring a strategic and stress-free approach to college planning.