The College Planning Center
Where Ambition Meets Admission
Your Best College Admissions Consultants for Great Academic Planning
Guiding Students Through the College Application Process, Academic Success Program, and Elite Scholarship Opportunities
Helping Students turn College Dreams into Reality.
Press Mentions & Associations
Standardized Test Prep
Achieve your highest scores with expert tutoring tailored to the SAT/ACT, and other standardized tests. Our prep expert tutoring program includes full-length diagnostic tests, targeted exam preparation, and 24/7 online access to 2,000+ practice questions. With flexible one-on-one sessions and proven test prep courses, we help you improve college admissions and elite scholarship opportunities.
Comprehensive Admission Planning
Gain an edge with a preferred admission plan built around strengths. From college counseling services and application processing help to college essay coaching and interview preparation, our team provides step-by-step guidance through college admissions. We help create a targeted school list, strengthen student resume, and present a standout application.
College Financial Planning
Maximize your financial aid for college with guidance from our seasoned financial aid counselors. We help families navigate elite scholarship opportunities like FAFSA, merit-based scholarships, and other unique scholarship opportunities to reduce tuition costs. With a track record of millions in scholarships awarded, our strategic approach ensures you target schools offering the best scholarship grants and aid packages.
Stand-Alone College Planning
Select only the college planning services you need, exactly when you need them. Our flexible blocks can feature SAT/ACT test prep, best college admission consultants, application review, and career counseling for students. Perfect for families wanting customized guidance without long-term plans, these sessions combine academic success program and personalized support to achieve your academic goals
Who we are
Helping Students Achieve Academic Success for Over 13 Years
For over a decade, The College Planning Center has been a trusted education consultant for families seeking expert college planning services and personalized higher education consulting. Our team of experienced educational consultants provides proven strategies for college admissions consulting, tailored exclusive academic success plans, and dedicated career counseling for students.
From building a targeted schools list and offering curriculum review to assisting with examination review, student resume, and essays, we help you move through college preparation with confidence. With our proven approach, resources, and commitment to student achievement, we make your path to higher education clear, achievable, and rewarding.
Our Mission
Guiding Students Toward College and Career Achievement
At The College Planning Center, our mission is to equip students with the tools and confidence to succeed through proven student success planning and tailored support. As a trusted education center, we provide expert guidance across every stage of the admissions journey—from building a strong academic profile and preparing with a college essay consultant to navigating college financial planning and scholarships.
Our team of professional educational consultants and interview coaches works with students to create a personalized student success plan that highlights their strengths and ensures standout applications. With a focus on both college and career readiness, we make the path to higher education clear, manageable, and filled with opportunities for lifelong achievement.
Why Families Choose The College Planning Center
Expert Guidance You Can Trust
With over 80 years of combined educational consulting and college counseling services, our team—led by founder Christopher Parsons—delivers insider strategies on college admissions, scholarship opportunities, and college readiness. We help students navigate every step, from course selection to interview preparation.
Proven Scholarship & Financial Aid Results
From merit-based scholarships to full-ride offers, our students consistently secure millions in college financial aid each year. The Class of 2019 alone earned $4.7M in scholarship opportunities, reducing family costs and making dream schools a reality.
Personalized, High-Touch Planning
We limit the number of families we work with to ensure every student receives individualized admissions planning, tailored application process support, and targeted college essay coaching—maximizing both acceptance rates and financial outcomes.
Core Concepts
Individualized Plan
We create a preferred college admission plan tailored to each student’s goals, combining college counseling services, academic advising, and targeted strategies to build a strong student success plan.
One-on-one Counseling
Our college admissions experts provide step-by-step guidance through the college application process, including college essay coaching, interview preparation, and portfolio assessment to help students stand out.
Team-driven student accountability
Our experienced educational consultants keep students focused with proven admissions strategies, ensuring progress on college application deadlines and readiness for college acceptance.
"With creativity, collaboration, and proven strategies, we empower students to solve challenges, explore opportunities, and reach their full potential in college and life."
Your Path to College Success: Step-by-Step
Applying to The College Planning Center’s program — and ultimately to colleges — is made simple through a clear, step-by-step process. Below is our “Easy Steps to Apply” guide.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Book a free 30-minute consultation with one of our college counseling services experts. This no-obligation meeting allows us to assess your student’s goals, academic readiness, and admissions needs, so we can recommend the best college application process strategy for success.
Get a Student‑Centered Plan
We design a preferred admission plan that includes academic advising, course selection, and test preparation tailored to your student’s strengths. Our team works one-on-one to integrate college essay coaching, interview preparation, and a targeted schools list for the best overall fit.
Prepare and Submit Applications
From college application help and essay review services to FAFSA and scholarship submissions, we guide students through every requirement. Our college admissions assistance keeps them on schedule while ensuring each application reflects their strengths for maximum admission strategy impact.
Choose with Confidence
We compare financial aid packages, merit-based scholarships, and school profiles to find the institutions that best fit your academic and financial needs. With our expert college admissions guidance, your student will make the final choice knowing every factor has been carefully considered.
Across the U.S., Our College Planning Center Students Are Getting Accepted through College
“I relied on my independence, tenacity and ability to take things lightly — because college was a walk in the park compared to where I grew up.”
Alumni 2012
FAQ
College Planning Questions? We Have Answers.
From SAT/ACT prep to financial aid for college and college selection, families often wonder where to begin. Our FAQ section addresses the most common questions from students and parents, offering expert answers that guide you through each stage of the college admissions journey with clarity and confidence.
Comprehensive college admissions planning is a personalized service that helps students navigate every step of the admissions journey. At The College Planning Center, this includes college selection guidance, SAT ACT test prep, college essay coaching, college application review, and financial aid counseling. Our goal is to create a custom plan that maximizes your student’s chances of admission to their top-choice schools.
We recommend beginning the college planning process as early as freshman or sophomore year of high school. Early planning allows time for academic course selection, extracurricular activities, community service opportunities, and standardized test prep, all of which strengthen a student’s application.
While school counselors provide general advice, The College Planning Center offers one-on-one expert guidance with a personalized approach. Our team provides in-depth college counseling services, tailored timelines, test prep tutoring, scholarship search support, and detailed application strategies that school counselors often don’t have the time or resources to deliver.
With over 40 years of experience, our team delivers proven results through personalized college planning, prep expert tutoring, and financial aid assistance. We focus on creating a balanced targeted school list, preparing winning applications, and maximizing elite scholarship opportunities to reduce college costs.
We offer expert SAT ACT test prep through customized learning plans, diagnostic testing, practice exams, and one-on-one tutoring. Our prep expert tutoring ensures students understand key concepts, develop test-taking strategies, and improve performance on standardized tests.
Most students benefit from starting SAT and ACT prep during sophomore or junior year. Our diagnostic tests help determine a starting point, and our flexible scheduling allows for test prep expert tutoring that fits into even the busiest student schedules.
We guide students through a college selection process based on academic goals, campus culture, location, and financial considerations. Using our college financial planning tools, we identify schools that align with the student’s interests and offer elite scholarship opportunities.
Yes — our college admissions experts provide college essay coaching, application review, and step-by-step support for completing all required forms, including FAFSA and scholarship applications. We ensure every submission highlights the student’s strengths and tells their unique story.
Absolutely. Our financial aid counselors help families navigate FAFSA, merit-based scholarships, and full-ride scholarship opportunities. We identify awards that fit the students academic achievement and financial needs, maximizing aid potential.
Getting started is easy. Schedule a free 30-minute consultation with our college planning experts. We’ll review your student’s goals, outline a personalized plan, and explain our college planning services to help you feel confident about the path ahead.
Secure Your College Future Now!
Maximize your college admissions success with expert test prep, admission planning, financial aid consulting, and flexible stand-alone services. From winning applications to elite scholarships opportunities, we guide you every step toward your dream school.