About College Planning Center
The College Planning Center is a trusted guide for families navigating the admissions process. Our personalized approach helps students gain acceptance to the schools that fit them best — academically, socially, and financially.
Our consultants are there from the start to help guide you through the complicated and competitive college admissions process. We give you the tools to make your college dream a reality!
College Planning Center in South Carolina has gathered a unique blend of experts from the academic and private business sector who are well-equipped to help students devise the best plan of attack for getting into college. Now more than ever, students have to learn how to effectively market themselves to prospective colleges; and, our experienced consultants are prepared to help you every step of the way to come up with an effective admissions approach. Gone are the days when good grades and a high SAT score could ensure admission to the top schools. With more students fighting for fewer spots, and getting less and less guidance from a shrinking field of over-worked high school guidance counselors, the rules for the college acceptance game are quickly changing.
At College Planning Center, we understand the need for personal attention; and, we strive to fulfill that need in each of our clients. From formulating a detailed academic and extracurricular plan for students to helping them line up vital summer internships, our experts are qualified to assist students in a variety of significant ways to help give them the edge they need to succeed in today’s competitive world of higher education.
Christopher brings a fresh perspective to the college consulting field that really resonated with my freshman students. While his understanding of the complicated nature of the admissions process as it exists today was impressive, it was ability to relate his extensive knowledge in a way my kids could relate to that was truly inspiring.— Mary Beth – High School Learning Coach
Christopher Parsons, President and Founder
Christopher is a seasoned professional who takes serving his clients and ensuring their success very seriously. He stays abreast of the cutting edge of college admissions trends by constantly building upon his extensive background in education and communications. He is an active associate member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), the most credible educational consulting organization in the country. In addition to his 11 years in academia (six years at the collegiate level and five in high school), during which he worked on both sides of the application process, he also boasts national and international public relations and marketing experience with ESPN Sports in Atlanta and Bremer Lagerhaus Gesellschaft in Germany. His dedicated efforts over the past twenty years have afforded him the necessary tools to help hundreds of high school students realize their dream of college. Using his in-depth training in public speaking, marketing, public relations, and creative writing, Christopher has developed a winning formula to successfully unlock the complicated college admissions process. This is evidenced by his remarkable AP test pass rate of 87% and the high level of success his students have had in gaining admissions and scholarships to some of the most renowned schools in the country.
Meet Our CPC Team
SAT/ACT Tutor
- Active Duty Nuclear Instructor, U.S. Navy; 15+ Years SAT/ACT Tutoring Experience
- Norfolk, VA Metro
College Consultant
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College Consultant & Essay Coach; M.Ed. in Special Education
- Beverly, MA Metro
SAT/ACT Tutor
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SAT/ACT Tutor; 15+ Years with Compass Education Group
- Charleston, SC Metro
College Consultant
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College Consultant; 20+ Years in Higher Education Administration
- Charleston, SC Metro
SAT/ACT Tutor
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SAT/ACT Tutor; Third-Year Dental Student, DMD Candidate
- Charleston, SC Metro
SAT/ACT Tutor
- 20+ Years SAT/ACT Tutoring; Former Journalist & High School Teacher
- New York City Metro
College Consultant
- College Consultant; Award-Winning Educator with 10+ Years in Teaching & Literacy Development
- Myrtle Beach, SC Metro
College Consultant
- College Consultant; 10+ Years in Secondary Education & Student Success
- Myrtle Beach, SC Metro
College Consultant
- College Consultant; 12+ Years in High School English Education & Student Leadership
- Myrtle Beach, SC Metro
FAQ
Have questions about planning for college?
You’re not alone.
From SAT prep to financial aid to college selection, families often wonder where to begin. Our FAQ section shares the most common questions we hear from students and parents with clear expert answers to guide you through every step of the admissions journey.
Comprehensive college admissions planning is a holistic service covering every step of the college application process. At The College Planning Center, we guide students through everything – from selecting the right high school courses and extracurriculars to SAT/ACT prep, college list creation, essay writing, and even financial aid applications. This all-inclusive approach ensures nothing is overlooked and helps reduce stress for both students and parents.
It’s a good idea to begin college planning by 9th or 10th grade so your student can gradually build a strong academic and extracurricular profile. Starting early gives your family more time to make thoughtful decisions about courses, activities, and test prep, which means fewer last-minute hurdles junior or senior year. However, it’s never too late to begin – we frequently assist juniors and even seniors, helping them catch up and stay on track for successful applications.
High school guidance counselors often have to support hundreds of students, so they may not be able to provide in-depth attention to each child. At The College Planning Center, we keep our student-to-counselor ratio very low (around 15:1, compared to nearly 400:1 in many public schools collegeplanningcenters.com), giving each student one-on-one guidance. We work closely with your family on every detail – from academic planning to managing deadlines – providing personalized support that a school counselor simply can’t match.
We bring decades of expertise and a proven track record of success to each student’s college journey. Our team of counselors has over 60 years of combined experience in education collegeplanningcenters.com and provides individualized attention, crafting a plan that fits your student’s unique needs and goals. This personalized approach delivers results – 97% of our students have been admitted to one of their top three college choices collegeplanningcenters.com, and many receive substantial scholarship offers as a result of our guidance.
Our test prep experts tailor a plan to each student’s needs, focusing on areas that need improvement while building overall test-taking confidence. Students get 24/7 access to extensive online practice questions and lessons, plus one-on-one tutoring sessions designed to fit their schedule. On average, our clients see their SAT scores rise by around 150 points and ACT scores by about 3 points collegeplanningcenters.com – improvements that can translate into thousands of dollars in merit scholarships for college collegeplanningcenters.com.
e recommend starting SAT or ACT prep about 3–6 months before your student’s planned test date, though the ideal timeline can vary. Many students begin prepping in sophomore or junior year, giving them ample time to practice and the option to retake the exam if needed. The College Planning Center can help you map out a preparation schedule that fits your teen’s needs, so they feel ready and confident on test day.
Finding the right college fit is a core part of our planning process. We start by getting to know your student – their personality, interests, and goals – through assessments and one-on-one discussions collegeplanningcenters.com. Using these insights, our counselors create a customized list of colleges that align with your teen’s academic profile, career aspirations, and personal preferences. The result is a tailored college list where your student is more likely to thrive both academically and socially.
Absolutely. We support students through the entire application process, including brainstorming and editing college essays, preparing résumés, and completing college applications. Our counselors help highlight each student’s unique strengths and voice in their essays, ensuring every application is polished, authentic, and aligned with what admissions officers are looking for.
Yes – we guide families through the financial aid process to help make college more affordable. Our team helps with filling out the FAFSA and other financial aid forms, searches for scholarships, and even advises on which colleges are likely to offer the most generous aid packages. In fact, students guided by The College Planning Center have earned over $9 million in scholarships and grants in the past three yearscollegeplanningcenters.com, so you can trust that we know how to maximize your child’s opportunities for funding.
Getting started is easy and risk-free. We offer a free 30-minute initial consultation to discuss your child’s needs and college goalscollegeplanningcenters.com. You can schedule your free consult through our website or by calling us at any time – from there, we’ll outline a personalized plan to guide your student toward college success.