Let’s find where your student fits — and build a plan to get them there.
Why Families Choose College Planning Center
And why it changes everything for their student.
- 5.0 Google Rating
- 13+ Years
- 13 years · 97% top-choice admissions
- Trusted by 1,000+ Families
- 2 SC Locations
300–400
That’s how many students the average high school counselor manages. They don’t have time to learn your student’s story — let alone help craft it.
That's where we come in.
By the Numbers
13 years. 1,000+ students.
Results that speak for themselves.
Aid Awarded
Accepted
Google Rating
Who We Are
25 Years in Education. One Mission.
Former College English Professor — 6 Years
Former High School English Teacher
Author — Entering the Arena
Certified Independent Educational Consultant — 13 Years
The Book Behind the Strategy
Entering the Arena
Most students run straight for the same weapons everyone else is grabbing — the same clubs, the same essays, the same schools. The Cornucopia kills them every time.
This book is the map they never got. A step-by-step guide to turning the college admissions odds in your favor — by playing your game, not everyone else’s.
— Christopher Parsons, Owner & President, College Planning Center
Our Approach
Most consultants hand you a checklist. We build a strategy.
The Student Marketing Plan
The Extracurricular Blueprint
The Personal Narrative 6-Step Process
The Scholarship Search Engine System
Where Our Students Have Been Accepted
From Harvard to West Point.
And everywhere in between.
Ivy League & Elite Universities
Harvard University
Princeton University
Columbia University
University of Pennsylvania
Brown University
Dartmouth College
Duke University
Northwestern University
University of Chicago
Tufts University
Vanderbilt University
Cornell University
NYU
Military Academies
West Point (U.S. Military Academy)
U.S. Naval Academy
U.S. Air Force Academy
Highly Selective National Universities
UCLA
USC
University of Virginia
Wake Forest University
UNC Chapel Hill
Villanova University
Bucknell University
Northeastern University
Boston University
Tulane University
SMU
TCU
University of Texas–Austin
Purdue University
UW–Madison
University of Florida
Penn State
Ohio State
University of Georgia
UMass Amherst
Syracuse
American University
Strong Universities & Regional Standouts
Clemson University
Virginia Tech
University of Maryland
University of Tennessee
Alabama
Auburn
NC State
Ole Miss
Indiana University
University of Minnesota
CU Boulder
Colorado School of Mines
Arizona State
Florida State
UCF
Iowa State
George Mason
UC Irvine
Liberty University
Miami University
University of South Carolina
College of Charleston
The Citadel
Coastal Carolina
Appalachian State
East Carolina
UNC Wilmington
Georgia Southern
University of Tampa
Loyola University Chicago
Marquette University
Temple University
Distinguished Liberal Arts & Specialty Colleges
Davidson College
Rhodes College
Sewanee: The University of the South
Denison University
Wofford College
Furman University
Dickinson College
Eckerd College
Elon University
Belmont University
High Point University
Flagler College
Savannah College of Art and Design
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Queens University of Charlotte
A Word of Honesty
This is not for everyone.
If you’re looking for someone to hand you a spreadsheet and call it a plan — we’re not your people.
“College success isn’t determined by where you go. It’s determined by what you do when you get there.”
But getting there — to the right place, with the right support, without unnecessary debt or regret — that’s what we do.
Ready to Begin?
Schedule Your Free Consultation
By the Numbers
13 years. 1,000+ students.
Results that speak for themselves.
Who We Are
25 Years in Education.
One Mission.
I’m Christopher — founder of College Planning Center. I’ve spent my career at the intersection of education, writing, and student success.
I’ve read thousands of essays from both sides of the admissions desk — at The Citadel and the University of South Carolina.
I watched students struggle, cry, and settle for less — not because they weren’t good enough, but because nobody showed them how to play the game.
A step-by-step roadmap covering every stage of the admissions process — from building your academic profile to decoding financial aid.
I stay current on every shift in admissions policy, test-optional changes, Supreme Court rulings, and financial aid strategy — so you don’t have to.
I didn’t stumble into this work. I was called to it — by too many students I saw fall apart in the final stretch because no one had prepared them for the arena.
The Book Behind the Strategy
Entering the Arena
Most students run straight for the same weapons everyone else is grabbing — the same clubs, the same essays, the same schools. The Cornucopia kills them every time.
This book is the map they never got. A step-by-step guide to turning the college admissions odds in your favor — by playing your game, not everyone else’s.
— Christopher Parsons, Owner & President, College Planning Center
Get the Book →Our Approach
Most consultants hand you
a checklist. We build a strategy.
Our approach is built on four signature frameworks developed over 13 years of working with families just like yours.
The Student Marketing Plan
Your student doesn’t just apply to college — they position themselves. Wherever we start, we build that story intentionally and strategically.
The Extracurricular Blueprint
Purposeful, differentiated activities that reflect who your student actually is — not a résumé stuffed with clubs nobody cares about. We work with what they’ve built and sharpen it.
The Personal Narrative 6-Step Process
The essay isn’t a summary of accomplishments. It’s a story. We help your student find it, own it, and write it with confidence.
The Scholarship Search Engine System
Because the right college at the wrong price is the wrong college.
Where Our Students Have Been Accepted
From Harvard to West Point.
And everywhere in between.
Our students earn acceptance to schools across the full spectrum — from elite universities to the perfect-fit college that changes everything.
🏆 Ivy League & Elite Universities
Harvard University · Princeton University · Columbia University · University of Pennsylvania · Brown University · Dartmouth College · Duke University · Northwestern University · University of Chicago · Tufts University · Vanderbilt University · Cornell University · NYU
🎖️ Military Academies
West Point (U.S. Military Academy) · U.S. Naval Academy · U.S. Air Force Academy
🏛️ Highly Selective National Universities
UCLA · USC · University of Virginia · Wake Forest University · UNC Chapel Hill · Villanova University · Bucknell University · Northeastern University · Boston University · Tulane University · SMU · TCU · University of Texas–Austin · Purdue University · UW–Madison · University of Florida · Penn State · Ohio State · University of Georgia · UMass Amherst · Syracuse · American University
🏫 Strong Universities & Regional Standouts
Clemson University · Virginia Tech · University of Maryland · University of Tennessee · Alabama · Auburn · NC State · Ole Miss · Indiana University · University of Minnesota · CU Boulder · Colorado School of Mines · Arizona State · Florida State · UCF · Iowa State · George Mason · UC Irvine · Liberty University · Miami University · University of South Carolina · College of Charleston · The Citadel · Coastal Carolina · Appalachian State · East Carolina · UNC Wilmington · Georgia Southern · University of Tampa · Loyola University Chicago · Marquette University · Temple University
📖 Distinguished Liberal Arts & Specialty Colleges
Davidson College · Rhodes College · Sewanee: The University of the South · Denison University · Wofford College · Furman University · Dickinson College · Eckerd College · Elon University · Belmont University · High Point University · Flagler College · Savannah College of Art and Design · Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University · Queens University of Charlotte
What Families Say
In their own words.
“Deciding to use College Planning Center made my middle and high school years so much less overwhelming and helped me curate a path perfect for my future goals. Chris guided me through everything from choosing classes to writing college essays — and I got into the college I had been hoping for.”
— Lily, Class of 2026“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.”
— Susan, Parent of Class of 2026 Student“Christopher began working with my son Harrison at the start of his senior year — a relatively late start — yet he immediately brought structure, clarity, and momentum. Harrison has been accepted to every college he applied to and received merit money based on his improved scores. What impressed me most was Christopher’s ability to connect with Harrison, motivate him, and keep him focused. I would wholeheartedly recommend him to any family looking for expert guidance.”
— Gwyn, Parent of Class of 2026 Student“Chris has been such a big help with my college craziness. He helped me through the whole process and gave me so many valuable tools.”
— Reyna, Class of 2026“Everyone at the College Planning Center was absolutely amazing! As someone with a neurological disability, I can’t emphasize enough how much your support meant to me and my family. Your team made what felt impossible not only manageable but achievable. This is the best money I’ve ever spent, and I’ll be recommending your services to every family I know!”
— Stephanie, Mother of Joey SC Honors College, Class of 2026“I raised my score from around 1000 to 1230 and got accepted to all 5 schools I applied to: Ole Miss, Clemson, The Citadel, Texas A&M, and Virginia Tech. When senior year started, I had no idea where I wanted to go — within two weeks of working with Chris, I had over 10 great options.”
— Dru Virginia Tech, Class of 2029“At first I was hesitant about the cost. However, it absolutely paid off. My son was accepted into every college he applied to, and his SAT scores increased by 200 points in a 3-month period. The guidance and support throughout were invaluable.”
— Dana Johnson Google Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“By the end of October of her senior year, my daughter had already submitted all eight of her early admission applications. She’s received a pile of acceptance letters — including a ‘Yes!’ from her top choice. The College Planning Center removes that stressful burden from parents so they can enjoy the ride. I wish I could give more than 5 stars!”
— Lisa Bethune Jones Google Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A Word of Honesty
This is not for everyone.
If you’re looking for someone to hand you a spreadsheet and call it a plan — we’re not your people.
“College success isn’t determined by where you go. It’s determined by what you do when you get there.”
But getting there — to the right place, with the right support, without unnecessary debt or regret — that’s what we do.
Ready to Begin?
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Let’s find where your student fits — and build a plan to get them there.