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Families Trust Us With Their Future

Real results from real families — read what parents say about working with Chris.

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Kevin Kinley profile picture
Kevin Kinley
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As a parent of two teenagers entering adulthood that are very different, having a "coach" in our corner was a game changer. They are hearing a voice that's not their parent, guides them with no judgement and does so with experience and vast options of the future. Our first experience was easier because our daughter was organized and had an idea of what she wanted to do after high school. She was tasked with structured steps to help her and the coach determine the best path throughout her journey. We're on the home stretch and feel confident that the work she put in the last few years will be fruitful. Our son was slow out of the gate. Although he has high ambitions of playing a sport post-high school, it took some time for him to realize the importance of academics in the step ladder of success. With procrastination playing a part, we became frustrated with the progress he was making towards his potential. Chris and his team were able to discern his personality and assign him a coach that was relatable and encouraging. Within a month, our son was scheduling his coach meetings, completing tasks towards the checklist and forging forward in his own quest. We're so grateful for the time and thoughtfulness of Chris and all of the coaches we've had.
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Meg Sandefur profile picture
Meg Sandefur
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Chris and The College Planning Center did an amazing job helping my daughter get though every step of high school - from assisting with test prep to reviewing college applications and so much more. As parents, having someone so knowledgeable about the testing and college application process relieved so much stress from us!
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Vann Roe profile picture
Vann Roe
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The College Planning Center was a huge help. I didn’t realize how much work the college process involved, but Christopher guided me through everything and made it simple. He’s always available, keeps you on track, and genuinely cares. Highly recommend.
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Harrison Single profile picture
Harrison Single
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When I first met with Christopher I was completely behind in my college application process. I did not have a good enough SAT score, my essay and common app weren’t even complete. With the help of Christopher Parsons and Miles Kelly, I was all caught up and ready to submit my college applications two months after meeting with them. As a result of them pushing me and holding me accountable I got into all seven colleges I applied to including my reach school. They truly care about each kid they work with and helped me tremendously in those two months.
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Reyna Flores profile picture
Reyna Flores
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Chris has been such a big help with my college craziness. He has helped me through the whole process and gave me so many valuable tools
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Lily Sandefur profile picture
Lily Sandefur
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Deciding to use the College Planning Center to help me through my middle and high school years made them so much less overwhelming and helped me to curate a path perfect for my future goals. Chris was so helpful and guided me through everything from choosing classes to writing college essays, and test prep with Miles was extremely beneficial for my scores. I’m so grateful I had their guidance as it has helped me get into the college I had been hoping to get in to!
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Ladonna Susan Campbell profile picture
Ladonna Susan Campbell
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We highly recommend Christopher Parsons of College Planning Center. We had some unique needs, and he was able to create trust with our senior. Our family is so pleased with Christopher's help.
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Gwyn Single profile picture
Gwyn Single
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I cannot recommend Christopher Parsons highly enough for his work with students navigating the college application process. Christopher began working with my son, Harrison, at the start of his senior year — which was a relatively late start for college planning — yet he immediately brought structure, clarity, and momentum to the process. Christopher worked directly with Harrison, setting clear deadlines and holding him accountable at every step. He helped Harrison improve his SAT scores, guided him through the Common Application, and provided thoughtful support in developing and refining his college essay. His approach struck the perfect balance between encouragement and expectation, ensuring Harrison stayed on track while still owning the process. Our family was also in the middle of moving out of state, which added another layer of complexity. Christopher was incredibly helpful in helping us navigate the logistics of Harrison graduating early in December while simultaneously applying to out-of-state colleges. His knowledge and calm guidance made what could have been an overwhelming situation feel manageable. The results speak for themselves: Harrison has been accepted to every college he applied to and has received merit money based on his grades and improved test scores. Christopher’s guidance played a significant role in that success. Beyond the outcomes, what impressed me most was Christopher’s ability to connect directly with Harrison, motivate him, and keep him focused during a very busy and transitional time. His organization, experience, and genuine investment in his students make him an exceptional college advisor. I am extremely grateful for Christopher’s help and would wholeheartedly recommend him to any family looking for expert guidance through the college application process. -Gwyn Single (Harrison Single WHS Class of 2026)
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Dana Johnson profile picture
Dana Johnson
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At first, I was a bit hesitant about the cost of working with Chris, the college planner for my son. However, it absolutely paid off in the end. My son was accepted into every college he applied to, and the guidance and support throughout the process were invaluable. I highly recommend Chris and his services to any family navigating the college application process and SAT prep!! His scores increased by 200 points on the SAT in a 3 month period.
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Thomas Young profile picture
Thomas Young
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Great experience! We came late to the program but it was excellent. Our son already had great ACT and SAT scores but really needed vocational counseling to narrow down choice and identify best direction. Christopher Parsons guided him through very thorough vocational testing and Tom was able to utilize online college interface College Planning Center offers to then identify best fit schools. Christopher was very flexible meeting over Skype around a busy senior fall schedule and guided him through advising process with tons of support for the essays required for honor colleges, etc. We appreciated the opportunity to be the parent cheerleader instead of the nag. Christopher kept on top of deadlines and worked directly with our student. I would advise to start earlier than we did and highly recommend the vocational testing/advising which felt like a more old fashioned guidance counseling. Tom received excellent offers from the 4 colleges selected and he chose the college Christopher had initially recommended which wasn't on our radar but upon visiting was EXACTLY what Tom was looking for in a school.
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Dana J.

Local Guide · 16 reviews · 2 photos

google
5STAR

3 weeks ago

At first, I was a bit hesitant about the cost of working with Chris, the college planner for my son. However, it absolutely paid off in the end. My son was accepted into every college he applied to, and the guidance and support throughout the process were invaluable.
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+200 SAT Points · Accepted Everywhere

Gwyn

Gwyn S.

3 reviews · 2 photos

google
5STAR

3 weeks ago

I cannot recommend Christopher Parsons highly enough for his work with students navigating the college application process. Christopher began working with my son, Harrison, at the start of his senior year — which was a relatively late start for college planning — yet he immediately brought structure, clarity, and momentum to the process.
ribbon

Dream School · Merit Scholarship

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Ladonna Susan C.

5 reviews · 0 photos

google
5STAR

3 weeks ago

We highly recommend Christopher Parsons of College Planning Center. We had some unique needs, and he was able to create trust with our senior. Our family is so pleased with Christopher’s help.
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+5 ACT Points · $40K+ Scholarships

Why Families Choose Us

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.

Proven Scholarship & Financial Aid Results

From merit-based scholarships to full-ride offers, our students have earned $20M+ in aid awarded across 13 years, averaging $255K per student. These scholarship opportunities help reduce family costs and make 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. 

Years — working with students
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Acceptance into Top 3 Choices
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In aid awarded across 13 years — $255K per student
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Students served across 13 years
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Our Services

College Planning Center Services

Comprehensive Admissions Planning

Full-service guidance from school selection to acceptance — essays, applications, interviews, and strategy.

SAT & ACT Test Prep

One-on-one expert tutoring with diagnostic tests, targeted strategies, and 2,000+ practice questions.

College Financial Planning

FAFSA, CSS Profile, merit scholarships, and aid package comparison to minimize what families pay.

Stand-Alone Sessions

Flexible, a la carte help — essay review, interview prep, or test strategy exactly when you need it.
Helping Students Achieve Academic Success for Over 13 Years
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 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.

Our Mission

Guiding Students Toward College and Career Achievement

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.

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christopher parsons college consultant charleston sc
"As a parent, author, and someone who earned nearly $250K in scholarships myself — I know what your student is going through because I've been there."

Christopher Parsons, M.A. — Founder & President

Doctoral studies at USC · Summa Cum Laude from The Citadel · 25+ years in education · IECA & NACAC member · Author of Entering the Arena

Simple Process

Your Path to College Success: Step-by-Step

1

Book Free Consultation

Full-service guidance from school selection to acceptance — essays, applications, interviews, and strategy.

2

Get Your Custom Plan

A personalized admissions strategy built around your student’s strengths.
3

Execute With Expert Support

Your consultant guides every application, essay, and deadline.
4

Celebrate Acceptance

Choose the best-fit school with confidence.
Free Resources

Get Started Today

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Entering the Arena

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All-In College Planning

Self-paced starter course with short videos and practical tools to build your plan.

 

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Common Questions

College Planning Questions? We Have Answers.

When should my child start planning for college?
We recommend beginning as early as freshman or sophomore year. Early planning allows time for strategic course selection, extracurriculars, and standardized test prep. That said, we regularly help families who start junior or senior year and still achieve excellent results.

School counselors manage 400+ students. Our team of 9 specialists limits caseloads to ensure every family gets dedicated one-on-one support — personalized college lists, essay coaching, financial aid strategy, and application management throughout the process.

We offer several service levels — from stand-alone sessions to comprehensive packages. The best way to understand pricing is a free 30-minute consultation where we assess your student’s situation and recommend the right level of support. Many families find the investment pays for itself through scholarship awards alone.
Absolutely. We help families navigate FAFSA, CSS Profile, merit scholarships, and full-ride opportunities. Students have earned $20M+ in aid awarded across 13 years, averaging $255K per student.
Yes — expert one-on-one tutoring with full diagnostic tests, targeted strategies, and 2,000+ practice questions. Customized plans based on each student’s diagnostic results.

Yes. We have offices in Murrells Inlet and Mount Pleasant, but work with families nationwide via video calls and our online student portal.

Schedule a free 30-minute consultation — call 855-442-4222 or book online. We’ll discuss your student’s goals, assess their position, and recommend a plan. No commitment, no pressure.

Your Student's Future Starts With One Conversation

Join 1,000+ families who found clarity, confidence, and $20M+ in aid awarded across 13 years with our team.

No commitment. No pressure. Just a clear plan forward.
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