College Planning in Mount Pleasant, SC
Where Ambition Meets Admission in the Charleston Area
Charleston-area families work with The College Planning Center to turn college dreams into acceptance letters. Our Mount Pleasant office offers in-person college admissions counseling, SAT and ACT prep, and college financial aid planning for students from Daniel Island to West Ashley.
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As Featured On
WCSC Live 5
WMBF News
IECA Member
NACAC Member
MB Chamber
Visit Us
Visit Our Mount Pleasant Office
Address
1501 Belle Isle Avenue, Suite 110 Mount Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone
(855) 442-4222
info@collegeplanningcenters.com
Hours
Mon–Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: By appointment
Sunday: Closed
Driving Directions
Located in the Belle Hall corridor on Belle Isle Avenue, just off Long Point Road and I-526. From downtown Charleston, take the Ravenel Bridge and exit onto Long Point Road (~12 min). From Daniel Island, head east on I-526 to Long Point. Free parking on site.
Service Area
Serving Families Across the Charleston Area
While our office is based in Mount Pleasant, our college planning services reach families throughout the Charleston metro area and the Lowcountry. Many of our students travel to us from Daniel Island, downtown Charleston, and the islands, and we offer virtual sessions for families who prefer to meet from home.
Mount Pleasant
Daniel Island
Isle of Palms
Sullivan's Island
Charleston
Downtown Charleston
West Ashley
James Island
Folly Beach
North Charleston
Summerville
Hanahan
Serving Charleston County, Berkeley County, and Dorchester County, SC
What We Offer
College Planning Services in Mount Pleasant
Choose the level of support that fits your student’s needs — from full multi-year planning to single-session help with a specific milestone.
01 / SERVICE
Comprehensive College Planning
A full-service plan covering school list building, application strategy, essay coaching, and interview prep — designed for families who want guided support from sophomore year through admission.
02 / SERVICE
Stand-Alone College Planning
Targeted help when and where you need it — application reviews, essay edits, financial aid sessions, or a single strategy meeting. Ideal for families who only need support on specific milestones.
03 / SERVICE
College Financial Planning
Navigate FAFSA, the CSS Profile, merit scholarships, and need-based aid with a financial aid specialist. We help Charleston-area families maximize awards from in-state and out-of-state schools.
04 / SERVICE
SAT and ACT Test Preparation
In-person and virtual tutoring with diagnostic testing, full-length practice exams, and 24/7 access to over 2,000 practice questions. Our SAT/ACT students average meaningful score gains across both tests.
Not sure which service fits your student? We'll help you decide.
Our Team
Meet the Team at Our Mount Pleasant Office
Our Mount Pleasant team brings deep experience working with Charleston-area students — including those at Wando, Lucy Beckham, Academic Magnet, and the area’s top private schools. Each consultant works one-on-one to build a personalized college plan.
Local Trust
Trusted by Families at Charleston Area High Schools
We’ve worked with students from public, magnet, charter, private, and homeschool backgrounds across the tri-county area. Our consultants understand the academic profiles, course rigor, and counseling resources at each of these schools — which means we can build admission strategies that reflect what colleges actually see on your student’s transcript.
Public & Magnet
- Wando High
- Lucy Beckham High
- Academic Magnet
- School of the Arts
- James Island Charter
- West Ashley High
- Cane Bay High
- Hanahan High
- Summerville High
- Stratford High
Private & Independent
- Porter-Gaud School
- Bishop England High
- Ashley Hall
- Charleston Day School
- Pinewood Preparatory
- Mason Preparatory
- First Baptist Church School
- Trident Academy
Homeschool
- SCAIHS curricula
- Classical Christian programs
- Independent homeschool plans
- Charlotte Mason curricula
What Sets Us Apart
College Planning for Charleston Area Families
Local fluency that goes beyond geography — we know the Lowcountry’s competitive landscape, the in-state advantages, and the strategies that get Charleston students into selective schools.
Popular College Destinations for Charleston Area Students
Charleston-area families consistently apply to the College of Charleston, The Citadel, Clemson University, the University of South Carolina, Furman, Wofford, and Sewanee — along with a strong out-of-state list that includes Vanderbilt, Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, Davidson, Washington and Lee, and the Ivies. Our consultants know these schools' admissions patterns, scholarship programs, honors college tracks, and supplemental essay expectations.
Maximizing South Carolina Merit Aid
For SC residents, the Palmetto Fellows, LIFE, and HOPE scholarships can mean tens of thousands of dollars in tuition support — but eligibility is tight, and the test score and GPA thresholds shift outcomes dramatically. Our financial aid team builds test prep timelines specifically around hitting and exceeding these thresholds.
College of Charleston and The Citadel: A Local Advantage
For students considering College of Charleston or The Citadel, we offer specialized insight — from CofC's Honors College and study abroad programs to The Citadel's SCCC requirements, leadership development, and ROTC scholarship strategy. Our team has guided Charleston-area students through every stage of admission to both institutions.
What Charleston Area Families Are Saying
Reviews from families across the Charleston area who worked with our Mount Pleasant team.
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Common Questions
Common Questions from Charleston Area Families
Answers to the questions Lowcountry parents and students ask most.
Do you offer in-person college planning at your Mount Pleasant office?
Yes. Our Mount Pleasant office at 1501 Belle Isle Avenue offers in-person sessions for families across the Charleston area. We also offer virtual sessions for students with travel or schedule constraints — many families mix both formats throughout the year.
When should my Charleston student start college planning?
Most families benefit from starting in 9th or 10th grade. Early planning gives time to optimize course selection, build strong extracurriculars, prepare for SAT/ACT, and align with Palmetto Fellows or LIFE Scholarship requirements. Charleston-area students applying to selective private schools especially benefit from earlier preparation.
Do you help students applying to the College of Charleston or The Citadel?
Yes. Both are popular destinations for our students, and we have detailed knowledge of CofC’s Honors College and study abroad programs, as well as The Citadel’s admissions requirements, ROTC scholarship paths, and Corps of Cadets life. We help families understand the unique application requirements at each.
What is your experience with private schools like Porter-Gaud or Bishop England?
We work regularly with students from Porter-Gaud, Bishop England, Ashley Hall, and other independent schools across the Charleston area. We understand the curricular rigor, GPA scales, and counselor recommendations these students bring to admissions, and we build strategies that translate that profile clearly to college admissions officers.
Do you work with families outside Mount Pleasant?
Yes. We regularly work with families from Daniel Island, Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, downtown Charleston, James Island, West Ashley, and Summerville at our Mount Pleasant office. We also serve the Grand Strand from our Murrells Inlet office at 671 Jamestown Drive.
Is there parking at the Mount Pleasant office?
Yes. Free parking is available on site at the Belle Hall complex on Belle Isle Avenue. The office is in Suite 110.
Schedule Your Free Consultation in Mount Pleasant
Book a free 30-minute consultation with one of our college planning experts. We’ll review your student’s academic profile, goals, and timeline — and recommend a path that fits your family. No obligation, no pressure.
Closer to the Grand Strand? Visit our Murrells Inlet office