College Counseling for Atherton Families
Discreet, thorough, and exceptionally personalized. We help Atherton students craft applications that reflect genuine depth, not just privilege, for the most selective institutions in the country.
College Counseling Services for Atherton Students
College counseling for families in Atherton. From Lindenwood to West Atherton, we understand the expectations of this community: the highest caliber guidance, total discretion, and a process that treats each student as an individual.
College Application Strategy Where Most Families Start
School list building, timeline management, and positioning. Atherton families often have specific schools in mind. We provide honest, strategic assessment of where your student is strongest, then build a plan that maximizes their chances at top-20 programs and strong-fit alternatives alike.
Personal Essay Coaching
Story discovery, drafting, and revision. The most effective Atherton essays don't lean on advantage. They reveal character, curiosity, and self-awareness. We help students find the narrative that admissions officers remember, written in their own authentic voice.
Interview Preparation
Mock interviews for selective schools. We prepare Atherton students to present themselves with poise and authenticity, whether speaking with alumni interviewers or on campus. Confidence rooted in substance, not rehearsed talking points.
Course Planning & Profile Building
Strategic course selection, extracurricular positioning, and summer planning starting sophomore year. For Atherton students, we focus on building a profile with intellectual depth and genuine commitment, qualities that set an application apart at the most selective schools.
Financial Aid & Scholarship Guidance
FAFSA, CSS Profile, and merit scholarship strategy. Financial planning is part of the admissions picture for many families. We help navigate institutional aid, merit-based scholarships, and the strategic considerations that come with multi-school acceptances.
UC & CSU Application Support
PIQ (Personal Insight Questions) coaching and UC-specific strategy. Even students targeting private universities often apply to the UC system. We know the nuances that make UC applications distinct, from major selection to campus-specific positioning.
We've helped Atherton students build applications for the nation's most selective universities, top-tier liberal arts colleges, and leading UCs. Our focus is always on presenting your student authentically: the school where their strengths are valued and their growth will continue.
Common Questions from Atherton Families
When should we start college counseling?
Ideally sophomore year, when course planning and extracurricular choices start to matter most. Atherton families who begin early can shape a more intentional profile. That said, we also work with seniors who need focused application support during crunch time.
Is this just for students applying to elite universities?
While many Atherton families are targeting top-20 schools, good counseling is about the right match. We help students consider the full landscape, including strong-fit schools they may not have considered, where they'll thrive academically and personally.
Do you help with essays?
Yes. Essay coaching is one of our most requested services. For Atherton students, the essay is an opportunity to reveal qualities that transcripts and test scores cannot. We help students discover their story, draft, revise, and polish, for both Common App and UC PIQ essays.
My student would be the first in our family to attend college. Can you help?
Absolutely. We specialize in making the college process clear and navigable for all families, regardless of background. First-generation students often have incredible stories to tell. They just need someone to help them see it and communicate it. We walk through every step together.
What does college counseling cost?
Engagements typically start at $100/hour. Some families want comprehensive support from sophomore year through senior spring, and others need focused help during application season. We discuss fit, goals, and timeline during the free consultation before making any recommendations.
The application should be as exceptional as the student
A private conversation about where your student stands, which schools are the right match, and how to build an application worthy of their potential.