College Planning Services

I provide insight and expertise to guide families in preparing for college admission through a variety of strategic services, including four package offerings.

The Premier Comprehensive package is designed for a thorough planning process starting in the tenth or eleventh grade. It includes career assessments and suggestions for exploration, academic and summer planning, and college list development, covering the entire application experience.

If space is available, two packages are for seniors only: a Fast Track one for students starting the college planning journey in May-July before senior year and a Terrific Ten option for those needing support starting in August or later in senior year. Each includes essay and application support.

I also have a Time to Transfer package for students seeking to transfer to a four-year college, either from a community college or another four-year one.

A variety of tech tools and assessments helps me to support students in identifying and exploring their strengths and interests, clarifying their goals, and managing the many details, including essays, of successfully applying to college.

My goal is to make this journey calm and organized, as stress-free and enjoyable as possible for students and their parents.

Testimonials

“We hired Donna when my son was a junior in high school and her knowledge and expertise in college admissions was beyond valuable to us. Not only did she navigate us through the process of applying, Merit Aid, advising on essay writing and SAT testing, but she tailor-made a list of colleges that fit, not only our son’s major, but also his personality. He graduated from Baylor University, and he could not have picked a better college. Without Donna’s help, we would have never thought to leave our home state of California. We are so grateful to her as Baylor was perfect for him.“

Package Offerings

  • For a student seeking to transfer from a community college or a 4-year college to a 4-year college to finish the undergraduate degree.

    Available in 3-hour blocks

    Full Service, College Transfer Planning Services may include, during and/or outside of meetings,

    • Application Timelines and Requirements

    • Brainstorm for & review of required application essays

    • Instruction on writing powerful activities descriptions

    • Resume Development Instruction and Review

    • Interview Tips

    • Wait-List and Final College Decision Guidance

    • Communication-text messages and emails

    • Behind the scenes research

    • Use of collaborative software account-College Planner Pro

    Time can be purchased in 3-hour blocks as needed to complete the transfer application process.

  • For Classes of 2026 & 2027

    This package is available for high school sophomores & juniors until May 1st before Senior Year, unless the roster fills.

    Up to 35 hours

    Full-service, comprehensive, college planning services may include:

    • High School Academic Planning & Activities Review

    • Testing Strategy and Prep Options

    • Summer Planning

    • Career Assessment

    • Financial Aid Strategies

    • Creation of Balanced, Customized College List with a range of admission selectivity that fits academic, social, and financial criteria

    • Behind the scenes research & communication

    • Instruction on researching colleges

    • College Visit Tips & Planning Suggestions

    • Application Timelines and Requirements-up to **10 applications

    • Strategy for Early Action/Early Decision Application Plans

    • Brainstorm for & review of required application essays

    • Instruction on writing powerful activities descriptions

    • Resume Development

    • Final detailed review of student’s application(s) prior to submission

    • Interview Preparation

    • Wait-List and Final College Decision Guidance

    • Financial Aid Package Review

    • Communication with parents-meeting summaries and emails

    • Use of collaborative software account-College Planner Pro and essay management software, Prompt

    *If hours exceed 35, additional hours can be purchased in 3-hour or 5-hour blocks.

    **The UC & CA State University applications each count as 1, no matter how many campuses are selected on each of those applications

    Student may apply to more than 10 colleges for an additional fee per college, determined by the number of required essays.

  • Available for students beginning college planning in May to late July before senior year, on a space available basis.

    Up to 20 hours

    Focused support to create strong applications, which may include,

    • High School Academic Record & Activities Review

    • Creation of or rounding out to create a Balanced, Customized College List with a range of admission selectivity that fit academic, social, and financial criteria

    • Instruction on researching colleges to quickly finalize list

    • Application Timelines and Requirements-up to **8 applications

    • Strategy for Early Action/Early Decision Application Plans-if timeline permits

    • Brainstorm for & review of required essays

    • Instruction on writing powerful activities descriptions

    • Final detailed review of student’s application(s) prior to submission

    • Interview Preparation

    • Wait-List and Final College Decision Guidance

    • Communication with parents-meeting summaries and emails

    • Use of collaborative software account-College Planner Pro and essay management software, Prompt

    *If hours exceed 20, additional hours can be purchased in 3-hour increments.

    **The UC & CA State University applications each count as 1, no matter how many campuses are selected on each of those applications Student may apply to more than 8 colleges for an additional fee per college, determined by number of required essays.

  • For high school seniors, available starting August 1 until Sept. 15.

    Up to 10 hours

    If you are a senior in need of college planning support, this package offers focused guidance, depending on what you need, including,

    • Application Timelines and Requirements-Common Application, UC, CA State University Applications

    • Brainstorm for & review of essays

    • Instruction on writing powerful activities descriptions

    • Detailed review of application(s) prior to submitting

    • Use of collaborative software account-College Planner Pro & essay management software, Prompt

    *If more time is needed, additional time can be purchased in 5 hour increments for this package, on a space available basis.