College Planning in Murrells Inlet, SC
Where Ambition Meets Admission on the Grand Strand
For more than a decade, Grand Strand families have trusted The College Planning Center to turn college dreams into acceptance letters. Our Murrells Inlet office offers in-person college admissions counseling, SAT and ACT prep, and college financial aid planning for students from Pawleys Island to Conway.
Years Serving the Grand Strand
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Students Guided One-on-One
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As Featured On
WMBF News
WCSC Live 5
IECA Member
NACAC Member
MB Chamber
Visit Us
Visit Our Murrells Inlet Office
Address
671 Jamestown Drive, Suite 208 E Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
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 Inlet Crossing professional complex on Jamestown Drive, just off US-17 Business. From Pawleys Island, head north on Highway 17 (~12 min). From Myrtle Beach, take US-17 South (~15 min). Free parking on site.
Service Area
Serving Families Across the Grand Strand
While our office is based in Murrells Inlet, our college planning services reach families throughout the Grand Strand and Pee Dee region. Many of our students travel to us from communities up and down the coast, and we offer virtual sessions for families who prefer to meet from home.
Pawleys Island
Litchfield Beach
Garden City
Surfside Beach
Myrtle Beach
N. Myrtle Beach
Conway
Georgetown
Loris
Aynor
Little River
Carolina Forest
Serving Horry County and Georgetown County, SC
What We Offer
College Planning Services in Murrells Inlet
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 Grand Strand 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 Murrells Inlet Office
Our Murrells Inlet team brings decades of combined experience in college admissions, financial aid, and standardized test preparation. Each consultant works one-on-one with students to build a personalized plan for college success.
Local Trust
Trusted by Families at Grand Strand Area High Schools
We’ve worked with students from public, private, charter, and homeschool backgrounds across Horry and Georgetown Counties. Our consultants understand the academic landscape, course offerings, 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 High Schools
- Waccamaw High
- Socastee High
- Carolina Forest High
- Conway High
- St. James High
- Myrtle Beach High
- Aynor High
- Loris High
- Georgetown High
- Andrews High
Private & Charter
- Low Country Preparatory
- Coastal Leadership Academy
- Pawleys Island Christian Academy
- Coastal Christian Preparatory
Homeschool
- SCAIHS curricula
- NCHE curricula
- Independent homeschool plans
- Classical Christian programs
What Sets Us Apart
College Planning for Grand Strand Families
Local fluency that goes beyond geography — we know the schools, the scholarships, and the strategies that move the needle for South Carolina families.
Popular College Destinations for Murrells Inlet Students
Grand Strand families consistently apply to Coastal Carolina University, the University of South Carolina, Clemson University, College of Charleston, and a growing list of out-of-state targets including UNC Chapel Hill, NC State, Wake Forest, Furman, and Wofford. Our consultants know these schools — admissions officers, scholarship deadlines, honors program nuances, and merit aid history — and we build school lists with that fluency.
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, so your student qualifies for the maximum award available.
Coastal Carolina University: A Local Advantage
For families considering CCU, we offer a particular depth of insight — from honors college admission strategy to specialized programs in marine science, resort tourism management, and PGA golf management. Our team has helped Grand Strand students navigate everything from in-state acceptance to merit-based scholarships at our local university.
What Grand Strand Families Are Saying
Real results from real families — read what parents say about working with Chris.
Dana J.
Local Guide · 16 reviews · 2 photos
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.
+200 SAT Points · Accepted Everywhere
Gwyn S.
3 reviews · 2 photos
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.
Dream School · Merit Scholarship
Ladonna Susan C.
5 reviews · 0 photos
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.
+5 ACT Points · $40K+ Scholarships
Common Questions
Common Questions from Murrells Inlet Families
Answers to the questions Grand Strand parents and students ask most.
Do you offer in-person college planning at your Murrells Inlet office?
Yes. Our Murrells Inlet office at 671 Jamestown Drive offers in-person sessions for families across the Grand Strand. We also offer virtual sessions for students with travel or schedule constraints — many families mix both formats throughout the year.
When should my Grand Strand 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. We offer free consultations to help you decide what timing fits your student.
Do you help students applying to Coastal Carolina University?
Yes. CCU is one of the most popular destinations for our students, and we have detailed knowledge of its honors college, scholarship programs, and major-specific admissions tracks (including marine science, resort tourism management, and PGA golf management).
Can you help my student qualify for the Palmetto Fellows or LIFE Scholarship?
We build test prep and academic strategies around these specific thresholds. Both scholarships have firm GPA and SAT/ACT requirements, and a few points on a test can mean thousands in tuition. Our financial planning service walks families through eligibility, renewal requirements, and stacking with merit aid.
Do you work with families outside Murrells Inlet?
Yes. We regularly work with families from Pawleys Island, Litchfield Beach, Garden City, Surfside Beach, Myrtle Beach, Conway, and Georgetown at our Murrells Inlet office. We also serve the Charleston metro from our Mount Pleasant office at 1501 Belle Isle Avenue.
Is there parking at the Murrells Inlet office?
Yes. Free parking is available on site at the Inlet Crossing complex on Jamestown Drive. The office is on the second floor — Suite 208 E.
Schedule Your Free Consultation in Murrells Inlet
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 Charleston? Visit our Mount Pleasant office