College Admissions COnsulting
The journey to college can feel like navigating a Complex maze.
At Cardinal College Consulting, our goal is to optimize your path through it. Our team will create personalized plans based on your unique goals and strengths while leveraging up-to-date academic datasets and the latest enrollment trends. We can help you stand out, find the right schools, and put together steps guide through all stages of your high school career. Trust us to provide clear, effective strategies that set you on the path to your perfect college.
Consulting Sevices Include:
One on One Personalized Guidance
High School Course Selection
Interests and Strengths Discovery
Extracurricular Activities Strategy
Leadership Development
Summer Program Planning
Testing Planning
Strategic Positioning
Letters of Recommendation Advising
College List Building
Major & Career Assessment
Interview Prep
Resume Building
Scholarship Applications Planning
Personal Consulting: 8th Grade
Starting with a college consultant in 8th grade can be incredibly beneficial, even though college applications are still years away. At this stage, it’s about setting a strong foundation—choosing the right classes, developing good study habits, and exploring interests that could grow into passions. With early guidance, students enter high school with clarity and confidence, making intentional choices that support long-term goals and reduce stress later on.
Personal Consulting: 9th Grade
In freshman year, students should focus on building strong study habits, exploring interests, and setting a solid foundation for high school success. We’ll provide tailored guidance at each stage to ensure students stay on track
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Structure a rigorous yet manageable 4yr course load that is optimized for each individual student
Help develop and maintain strong study habits – time management, accountability, and organization
GPA monitoring – colleges look at all four years, so it’s important to build a solid foundation early.
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Guide students on clubs, sports, and activities – Explore a variety of interests in 9th grade before narrowing them down starting 10th grade
Help find leadership opportunities early – Taking small leadership roles now makes it easier to take on bigger ones later.
Encourage passion projects – Whether it’s coding, art, community service, research, or an online business, building something unique helps students stand out.
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Provide a testing timeline
Suggestions to strengthen reading, writing, and math skills specific to SAT/ACT
Advice on potential early summer test prep programs
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Discuss and explore potential colleges and universities
Discuss potential majors and careers
Set academic and personal goals – Identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
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Guide students on potential summer programs whether it be pre-college camps, research programs or internship experiences
Help guide student to pursue independent projects or engage in community service
Encourage more academic prepon
Personal Consulting: 10th Grade
Sophomore year is about continuing academic excellence, refining interests, taking on leadership roles, and preparing for standardized testing.
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Same as 9th grade but greater emphasis on pushing for a more challenging course load
Identify 2-3 teachers to begin building strong relationships for potential recommendation letters
Start building a relationship with counselor (they also write recommendation letters)
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Help students narrow down activities to a few key passions – instead of participating in many clubs, focus on 2-3 meaningful activities.
Encourage students to pursue leadership roles – Run for an officer position, start a club, or take initiative in an existing organization.
Encourage engagement in community service – Find ways to make an impact locally or start a self-driven service project.
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Help student find test prep resources and make suggestions on which prep courses to pursue
Refining testing timeline – Decide when to take the SAT/ACT and set up a study plan.
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Help student research colleges more seriously – attend virtual tours, info sessions, and explore programs.
Explore possible career paths – do personality and career assessments assessments to help guide interests.
Hleping student find summer internships or pre-college programs – Hands-on experience in a field of interest is valuable.
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Guide students on potential summer programs whether it be pre-college camps, research programs or internship experiences
Help guide student to pursue independent projects or engage in community service
Encourage more academic prepon
Personal Consulting: 11th Grade
Junior year is often called the "make-or-break" year in college admissions because it is the last full academic year colleges see before applications are submitted. It is the year when students take the most rigorous courses, finalize standardized testing, develop leadership in extracurriculars, and begin their college search.
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Same as 9th and 10th grade goes as far as class planning but main focus here is to push for the most challenging course load possible
Extreme focus on high grades
Help narrow down potential teachers for recommendation letters
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Help student focus on stepping into leadership roles (club president, team captain, starting a nonprofit, organizing a major event, etc.).
Help navigate major awards and competitions happening in 11th grade, such as science fairs, national writing contests, and leadership recognitions.
Help student finalize their “spike” – Colleges value students who develop a specialized interest or standout achievement rather than just doing many different activities.
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Help create and refine a college list - help properly categorize schools (reach, match, safety)
Help create an application timeline
Help prepare for early action/early decision options – If a student has a dream school, consider an early app
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Guide students on potential summer programs whether it be pre-college camps, research programs or internship experiences
Help guide student to pursue independent projects or engage in community service
Time for helping student begin or look into essay and application prep
Application and Essay Consulting: 12th Grade
Senior year is all about execution—and college applications can quickly turn into a whirlwind of deadlines, drafts, and decisions. That’s where we come in. At Cardinal College Consulting, we help seniors stay focused, organized, and on track through every step of the process.
We specialize in both application and essay consulting, and we strongly recommend combining the two as a package. Why? Because it gives us more visibility into your overall strategy and allows us to guide your narrative with clarity and cohesion—from your college list to your final submission.
This is your moment to bring it all together. We’ll help you stay grounded, tell your story authentically, and hit every milestone with confidence.
Packages and Pricing
At Cardinal College Consulting, we believe expert guidance should come with clarity, not confusion. While every student's journey is different, our pricing reflects the depth of our support and the flexibility to meet your specific needs.
We understand that investing in college consulting is a significant financial decision for families. That’s why we offer a range of options—from one-time essay help to comprehensive multi-year plans—so you can choose what makes the most sense for your goals and budget.
Services typically range from a few hundred dollars for ad hoc one-time support to several thousand for in-depth, long-term advising. We work with students from 8th through 12th grade, and our packages can be customized to span a single year or serve as a multi-year roadmap. Essay coaching is also available on its own, with tiered options for up to 3, 6, or 10 schools.
Reach out to learn more—we’ll walk you through your options and help you find the right fit.