The Collegewise Counselor

Collegewise families are paired with a counselor who meets the industry's highest standard.

But behind every counselor is something even more powerful: a team of experienced colleagues, proven training systems, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional guidance.

We don’t rely on a few star counselors. We’ve built a system that ensures every Collegewise counselor meets the same high standard.

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They are dedicated, independent experts with an exclusive focus on your student.


Your Collegewise counselor is different because their singular focus is your child's success. While a high school counselor manages a national average of 424 students, our counselors maintain a small, committed caseload so they can provide consistent, proactive guidance throughout all four years.

At Collegewise, the core of the work that we do with families is recognizing that this isn’t just about college. It’s about making sure our students know what classes make most sense for them and their goals, which activities will allow them to thrive, and what summer opportunities will help them grow. A college counselor, at their best, helps you navigate every piece of that journey and how it fits into the broader picture of who your student is becoming.

Our counselors receive rigorous training and we keep a close eye on roster sizes to ensure our students get the attention and support they need. Because, after all, if you're not successful, neither are we.

Who Our Counselors Are

To guide your student effectively, our team brings a 360-degree view of the admissions process. Comprised of former admissions officers, veteran high school counselors, and expert educators, we’ve sat on both sides of the desk: as officers making the decisions and as students at the world's most selective colleges. We combine this high-level expertise with rigorous internal training to ensure your family receives the most informed, strategic, and empathetic guidance possible..

 

We Hire Fewer than 1% of Applicants


Each year, thousands of professionals apply to become Collegewise counselors. Last year alone, more than 3,500 applied. We hired just 23. That’s a hiring rate of less than 0.65%, more selective than any university.

We don’t hire based on where someone went to college. We hire based on their ability to guide, mentor, and connect with students. Because great counseling is about people, not resumes.

120
+

COUNSELORS

10
+

YEARS OF AVERAGE EXPERIENCE

0.65
%

CW COUNSELOR ADMISSION RATE

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Why We Hire Coaches

Hiring former admissions officers (FAOs) or graduates from a handful of highly selective schools would be the easy thing to do. It looks great on a brochure, but it’s a strategy built on branding rather than student outcomes. We’ve been in this game long enough to know that a prestigious alma mater doesn't automatically make someone a great mentor.

The "Doer" vs. "Teacher" Gap

There is a massive difference between being a high achiever who got into a competitive school and being a professional who can teach others how to do the same. Often, the best doers are the worst teachers because they can't articulate the "how" behind their own success. We look for the rare individuals who can deconstruct a complex process and rebuild it for a student.

The Specialist Trap

Most FAOs spend very little of their career working 1:1 with students. Furthermore, their expertise is often hyper-specialized; they know exactly how one university evaluates students, but admissions criteria vary wildly across hundreds of institutions worldwide. Instead of hiring someone who knows one school’s secrets, we hire people who understand the broader landscape and can pivot their strategy to fit your student’s unique list.

The Training Never Stops

Experience is great, but the admissions landscape changes every week. That’s why everyone at Collegewise undergoes the same rigorous training.

Four-Week Intensive Onboarding

Every new hire must pass a final exam before they see their first student.

Year-Round Development

Our internal L&D team runs weekly workshops and monthly best-practice updates.

The Collegewise Way

We don't "wing it." Every counselor is trained to meet our exact standards for strategy, communication, and student well-being.

The Collegewise DNA

While our counselors come from a vast range of backgrounds, they all share four non-negotiable attributes:

 

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Deep Empathy

The ability to hear the stress behind a student’s voice and turn it into calm.

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A Desire to Coach

They don't want to do the work for the student; they want to empower the student to do it themselves.

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Unsatiable Curiosity

A drive to stay on top of shifting trends and niche programs across 500+ universities.

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A "High-Stakes" Calm

The project management skills to keep a multi-month, high-pressure process on track without breaking the family dynamic.

1,000+ Years of Collective Wisdom

When you work with a Collegewise counselor, you aren't just getting one person; you’re getting a bridge to an institution that has been doing this since 1999.

Experience at Scale

Our team of 120+ counselors brings over 1,000 years of combined experience to the table.

Proven Tenure

Our team loves being here: just check our Glassdoor. Collegewise counselors stay because they’re supported, trained, and valued. And that stability translates into better guidance, stronger relationships, and better outcomes for students.

The "Hive Mind" Advantage

Behind your counselor sits an army of 100+ colleagues who share data, essay trends, and niche program insights in real-time. Whether it’s a specific merit scholarship or a rare learning difference, your counselor has "The Hive" at their fingertips.

How We Match Your Student

In your first call, our team will get to know your student better and understand who they learn from best. Is there a coach, a teacher, or a mentor they love? What are that person’s characteristics and style? What are your student’s goals and aspirations? 

From there, our Program Advisors act as matchmakers, finding a counselor who fits your student’s style, goals, and personality. We prioritize the partnership because we know that when a student feels understood, they do their best work.

 

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Success is Predicted, Not Guessed

We are just as proud of the C-student who discovered their love for filmmaking at a mid-sized state school as we are of the valedictorian heading to the Ivy League.

This philosophy is the heart of our work. While our definition of success is personal for each student, our results demonstrate a consistent record of positive outcomes across a wide range of colleges.

 
98%
of Students Admitted 
to One of Top 5 Choices
 
35,000+
Families Guided
 
 
26+
Years of Experience
 
 
$73,500
Average Scholarship & Grant Aid

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Highest & Most Reviewed Consulting Company in Trustpilot

We’ve built our business almost entirely on the generous referrals of families who join us; for us, that's the ultimate benchmark of our success. That personal trust is confirmed by objective public data. On Trustpilot, Collegewise holds a 4.9-star rating from over 500+ reviews, the most in our industry.

  • Lindsey Conger was my counselor and she was the ABSOLUTE BEST OF THE BEST. She was especially helpful with the essay writing process... and also super helpful at keeping me organized and on track... Because of Lindsey, I got into my #1 college that I also dreamed of getting into, and I would not have been able to do it without her. She's the best!
    Jacob Lieberman
    Dec 11, 2025
  • Working with Collegewise and our counselor, Ida Lonnqvist, was an absolute game-changer for our college application process. Ida not only helped us to focus and organize our timeline - but she also made the process enjoyable and FUN for our family! We highly recommend working with her and Collegewise!
    Rebecca Krattiger
    Jan 12, 2026
  • Sarah Turner was my counselor and she was the best!! She was extremely helpful, especially throughout the essay brainstorming process, and supportive of my ideas. She also ensured that I stayed on track and started the application process early. With her help, I got into my top school!
    S.A.
    Jan 12, 2026
  • I am so grateful to have worked with Lynne O'Shaughnessy throughout my college process. She consistently helped me stay calm and confident during such a stressful time. At the same time, she made sure that I stayed organized and on top of every deadline. Her guidance and feedback truly strengthened my applications.
    Victoria
    Jan 10, 2026
  • Working with Liz Albertelly as a college Counselor was a dream come true! She was so positive all the time, extremely helpful, and a joy to meet with. (And I got into my top school!) I would 100% recommend to anybody interested!
    Nora Beach
    Dec 19, 2025
  • We truly could not be happier with our experience at Collegewise. Lynne O'Shaughnessy was our daughter's counselor, and she was exceptional... She brought professionalism, clarity, and structure to a complex and stressful process, while always remaining deeply human and supportive. The outcome was the one we were hoping for.
    Marcela Melero
    Jan 8, 2026
  • Our daughter worked with Sarah and we are extremely pleased with how the process worked... Sarah is extremely knowledgeable, professional, respectful, and patient! She was quick to respond to questions... and the fact that Sarah is very easy to talk to, made the college application process smooth for our daughter and with limited stress.
    SG
    Jan 6, 2026
  • Collegewise really helped me see beyond the haze of college application anxiety... I was able to center my application on my authenticity and communicate to colleges exactly who I am. Super duper big shout out to my #1 cheerleader in this process, Lori Jones! (...) Her research and attention to detail were also impeccable...
    Jana Orief
    Jan 1, 2026
  • Navigating college admissions can be stressful... partnering with Collegewise was the best decision we've made. Having an external counselor allowed us to focus on our role as parents - listening, encouraging and supporting - instead of pilling on the stress... Most importantly, it allowed my daughter to take ownership of the whole process.
    Patricia Amaral
    Dec 27, 2025
  • Our experience with this company has been excellent, mainly because of our phenomenal college counselor, Christopher Logan. Christopher ensured that both our daughters were on track with their applications and catered their approach to the girls’ different personalities, interests and skill sets. (...) We could not be happier with the results...
    Shahbano Bilgrami
    Dec 31, 2025
  • Hanifa Abdul Sabur was incredible! She was thoughtful, and brought an undeniably experienced view of the college admissions landscape to my son's application! I received this service for free through my workplace benefits and would highly recommend others to take advantage of great counselors like her!
    Priya Rajan
    Dec 22, 2025
  • I enrolled my daughter with Collegewise when she was a junior in high school. We have had a fantastic experience working with Collegewise team, especially Melissa Royal... Melissa guided her not only as a counselor, but also as a mentor and friend throughout the college application process. I am extremely grateful and thankful...
    Akash Sahni
    Dec 19, 2025
  • We began working with Collegewise a few months ago. While there was a small hiccup at the start, we were quickly connected with Shannon Frankel, the Customer Success Manager. She put us at ease. Though we were anxious, she was calm, organized, and took the time to truly listen to our concerns. Her support made a big difference...
    Brianna Sabacinski
    Dec 19, 2025
  • From the very first interaction with the staff, it was total professionalism; they really cared about what we were trying to do... Our coach, Sarah Turner, was absolutely the best. We came in knowing nothing about the college process, and Sarah... walked both my son and me through every step. He was accepted to his first-choice school...
    Roxanne Spencer
    Nov 10, 2025
  • I worked with Sarah Turner over the last year for the college admissions process and I can't say enough good things about my experience. She consistently held me accountable for submitting my supplemental essays... and gave me great starting points for finding the perfect institutions for me... With all the stressors of senior year, I can confidently say I was almost never stressed about college.
    Al Pirani
    Dec 17, 2025
  • Liz Albertelly, our college counselor at Collegewise, was excellent. Her kindness, positivity, resourcefulness, availability, and attention to detail really stood out and helped our son thrive during the entire college application process. We are so grateful we had her to guide us.
    Suzanne Moffitt
    Dec 16, 2025
  • While we are pleased with the college outcomes for our kids, we are even more grateful for the time that we were able to share with Sarah Turner and the steady and supportive guidance that she provided them. (...) The end results were always out of our collective control but the process was not. We are forever thankful to Sarah for making sure it was overseen with compassion and kindness.
    Kevin Pirani
    Dec 16, 2025
  • My Collegewise counselor, Ida, was extremely helpful and accommodating to any questions or revisions I went to her for. Thanks to her constructive feedback and comments, by the time my UC application needed to be submitted I truly felt confident in my PIQ essays, activities list, and additional information section!! Thank you Ida!
    ayden aryeh
    Dec 16, 2025
  • Collegewise, and especially our counselor Mary Finn, made the college application process so much more manageable for our family. Mary helped my son shape a powerful personal statement, refine his additional information section, and gave clear, practical pointers on how to write about his activities. Her guidance helped him present his strengths authentically and confidently...
    Lamont &
    Ruthie Cannon
    Dec 1, 2025
  • Collegewise was very helpful in providing feedback and encouragement for my UC application. There is plenty of interaction with counselors, like my counselor Ida Lonnqvist, who provide lots of meaningful comments and suggestions for the application, particularly the PIQs.
    Veronika Shidlovskaia
    Nov 26, 2025
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The Right College for Your Student.

We guide students to successful outcomes across the entire spectrum of higher education, from the nation's most selective private universities to top-tier public flagships to excellent liberal arts colleges.

Our goal is always the same: help your student gain admission to a college where they will thrive.

Universities and colleges our students have been accepted include:

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Let's Talk About Your Child's Path to College.


The admissions process is stressful. You have questions, and you deserve clear answers from an expert. This is your opportunity to get them. Book your free 30-minute consultation to get a true sense of direction and discover how a partnership with Collegewise can bring calm and confidence to your family.