Your Trusted Partner
in College Admissions

Collegewise is the nation's most trusted and highly reviewed college admissions consultancy, earning over 500 5-star reviews on Trustpilot. For over 26 years, our expert counselors and tutors have guided 35,000+ families through a proven, 1-on-1 mentorship process that replaces the stress of college admissions with clarity, confidence, and outstanding results.

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Getting into college has become an anxious rite of passage for too many families. There is so much to keep track of. Requirements change. Trends shift. Everyone in your community has "heard something" that contradicts what you heard last week. Here is what we know: Your teen is only going to do this once. The stakes feel high, and you don't want to make mistakes. You want to be the parent, not the project manager.

As expert college admissions consultants, Collegewise takes that work and worry away. We track every requirement and every trend, so you won't have to. With us in your corner, you can rest easy knowing your student is informed, on track, and on schedule.

98%

of Students Admitted
to One of Top 5 Choices

35,000+

Families Guided

26+

Years of Experience

$73,500

Average Scholarship & Grant Aid

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

Transcripts and test scores matter. But they don't tell the whole story. Colleges don't admit spreadsheets. They admit interesting, multifaceted young adults through a holistic admissions process.

That's the human you've raised. And that's the person colleges need to see in the application. We ask the right questions. We listen carefully. We help them tell their story, in their own voice. What's confusing and overwhelming for most families is another day at work for us.

And we create that same sense of comfort for the families who join our program. You'll know your teen is being guided by an expert you trust who's been here thousands of times before.

Because when a student's application authentically reflects who they are? That's when great things happen.

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College Counseling Support

Our comprehensive, 1-on-1 partnership guides your family through the entire admissions journey—from high school course selection to final applications—replacing stress with a calmer, expert-led plan.

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Academic Tutoring & SAT, ACT, and Test Prep

Our 1-on-1 mentorship helps students master challenging subjects and conquer standardized tests, building the skills and confidence to succeed in high school and beyond.

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Extracurricular Strategy Mentorship

We mentor students to move beyond 'checking boxes' and turn their genuine passions into purposeful, real-world projects that make their application stand out.

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Essay Support

Our unique, two-expert process pairs your student with an admissions strategist and a dedicated writing mentor, guiding students to craft powerful, authentic personal essays.

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High school should be about self-discovery,
not just
the application.

We believe a fulfilling high school experience is the single best preparation for college. Instead of a checklist of expected activities, we help students explore their genuine interests with purpose and depth. A powerful application isn't the goal; it's the natural outcome of helping a student become a more confident, engaged, and self-aware young adult.

An application tells a story, not just a list
of achievements.

Colleges aren’t just admitting a class; they’re building a community. The application is your teen's opportunity to show the person behind the accomplishments. We act as story-guides, asking the right questions to help them reflect on their experiences and articulate their unique voice. Our expertise is in helping them craft a narrative that is authentic, compelling, and entirely their own.

We bring expertise.
You get peace of
mind.

Navigating the complexities of admissions requires deep expertise, and our team has it. But here's our real mission: by empowering your student to truly own their journey, we transform a process that is often a source of friction into a shared and positive experience. We understand how much trust you're extending when you hire someone to help your student prepare for college. Many of us are parents ourselves, and we know it's never just business when it comes to our own kids.

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Real Students. Real Outcomes.

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:

Over 26 years, I’ve learned this: When you help a student be authentically themselves, good things happen. Sometimes those good things are at Stanford. Sometimes they're at the state flagship. Sometimes they're at a college you've never heard of. All of them can be great outcomes.

We also want to help as many students as possible access the transformative power of higher education. That's why we provide pro-bono college counseling to 30+ students annually through our scholarship program; why we speak at conferences and high schools; why thousands of families and school counselors attend our free webinars every year.

We even partner with Michelle Obama's Reach Higher to recognize outstanding high school counselors through the Excellence in College Counseling Award.

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09 Mar

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Navigating the College Application Process for Students with Learning Differences

Is your teen a neurodivergent learner with ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning differences? Join us on Monday, March 9 at 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET for expert insights to help you navigate the college admissions process with confidence.

Webinar

Register now

10 Mar

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Preparing Your High Schooler for a Business Major: Courses, Activities, and a Smart Timeline

Join us on Tuesday, March 10 at 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET to learn how to help your high schooler navigate the competitive world of business admissions and build a path to success.

Webinar

Register now

11 Mar

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The Changing Landscape at the University of Texas-Austin and Texas A&M University

Join us on Wednesday, March 11 at 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET to learn what parents and students need to know about admissions trends at Texas’s largest universities.

Webinar

Register now

16 Mar

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Harvard, Yale, MIT: What Highly Selective Colleges Really Look For

Join us on Monday, March 16 at 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET to gain insight from former admissions leaders on how selective colleges actually evaluate applicants and what helps students rise to the top.

Webinar

Register now

Get honest about where your student stands.

The consultation begins with us learning about your teen's academic background and future goals. You'll get an expert perspective on where they are and what opportunities lie ahead.

Address your specific concerns.

Every family has unique questions and challenges. Bring us your biggest worries. We're here to provide direct answers and help you navigate whatever circumstances you're facing.

Show you exactly how we can help.

No two students are alike. Based on your student's specific needs and goals, we'll show you how our programs are tailored to provide the best support for your family.

Give you a clear path forward.

You'll leave the conversation with a tangible plan, actionable next steps, and transparent options for partnership. You'll have the confidence and knowledge to move forward.