The questions families actually ask

Coaching costs are a small fraction of the total cost of a degree, which typically runs from US$150,000 to US$300,000 or more.

The third pillar of The College Master Plan™ exists specifically to change that number. See the case studies for what that has looked like in practice.

Comprehensive college coaching involves far more than a few meetings. Depending on the program, families may receive approximately 25–50 hours of direct coaching and application support, plus planning, research, document review, financial aid guidance, follow-up, and quality control throughout the process.

The goal is not simply to submit applications, but to make better academic, admissions, and financial decisions along the way.

No. Flexible payment plans are available based on your family's needs. All fees are due by August 1st of senior year.

Pricing depends on the program and the student's grade at the point of enrollment. Request pricing and we'll send the full breakdown along with a recommendation on which level actually fits — including when the answer is the least expensive one.

Yes, subject to availability. We intentionally limit the number of students in our premium programs to maintain a high level of personalized support.

Any upgrade will be based on current-year pricing, and some benefits may no longer be available if the ideal timing has passed. For that reason, we recommend selecting the program that best fits your needs from the beginning to secure the full scope of services and the best available pricing.

School counselors are typically responsible for 200–500 students and are process centric by necessity — transcripts, schedules, forms. We are student centric. We have the time to know one student's strengths, story, and family finances well enough to build a strategy around them.

This is not a criticism of counselors. It is a difference in what the two roles can structurally deliver.

No — and any consultant who does is violating professional ethical codes. We help students stand out in their application. We cannot control admissions decisions.

Three things. First, one integrated system rather than assembled services — see The College Master Plan™. Second, the third pillar: we treat the financial decision as part of the work, not an afterthought. Third, we cap at 30 families per admissions cycle so that attention is real rather than nominal.

College Prep Master uses a team-based model. Your lead coach oversees the student's strategy and overall direction, while specialized essay coaches, tutors, and other team members may support specific parts of the process. This gives each student access to the right expertise while maintaining one coordinated plan.

Parents are important partners, especially in major decisions, finances, and long-term planning. At the same time, we work directly with students to build independence, accountability, and ownership.

Parents are copied on key communications so the family stays informed and can have productive conversations as the student evaluates important decisions.

Yes. When appropriate, we can coordinate with school counselors, teachers, tutors, or other professionals while respecting the family's privacy and the school's role in the application process.

Ideally before senior year. Students who begin in Grades 9–11 have more time to strengthen academics, activities, skills, testing strategy, and college direction. Families who start later can still benefit from the Senior Track, but some opportunities may already have passed.

Yes, subject to capacity. We can focus on the highest-priority application, essay, college-list, financial aid, and decision tasks based on the time remaining.

Sessions adjust to the student's schedule: afternoons, evenings, and Saturdays during the school year, with coordinated timing over the summer.

Yes. We work around the student's schedule and location.

We track progress, follow up on priorities, and help students regain momentum. However, students are expected to complete assigned work and meet agreed deadlines. Successful coaching requires active participation from the student.

Silver provides structure — best for independent, proactive students and families who can execute the recommended steps themselves.

Gold adds depth and affordability — for students who need more application and essay support, and families who want real financial aid work.

Platinum provides the highest level of hands-on strategic oversight — for highly selective targets, students who need close supervision, and families who want maximum access and the strongest possible financial package.

The full comparison table shows exactly what differs.

Academic and activity monitoring, personalized roadmap, academic strategy, major and career exploration, activities strategy and development, résumé, strategic college list, Common App, deadline tracking, and scholarship strategy.

What varies is the number of Foundation Track sessions, senior-track hours, essays included, financial aid depth, and senior-year decision support.

The level of financial aid support depends on the program. Silver includes guidance. Gold and Platinum include hands-on support with FAFSA, CSS Profile, IDOC, and Florida Bright Futures where applicable, plus institutional forms for international applicants when required.

Platinum adds comprehensive financial optimization and one appeal when justified.

Preparation and submission of institutional merit scholarship applications and external or private scholarship applications are not included unless specified.

No. We help students brainstorm, organize, develop, and strengthen their ideas while preserving their authentic voice. Students are responsible for the final content submitted to colleges.

Yes. Interview preparation covers key dos and don'ts, opening and closing statements, how interviewers evaluate candidates, our 4 C's framework, and the STAR Method for answering behavioral questions.

Platinum includes full mock-interview preparation; interview support is available as an add-on for other program levels.

Yes, depending on the program. All students receive guidance on how to request strong letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors.

Post-application communication — such as follow-up emails, waitlist letters, deferral responses, and Letters of Continued Interest — is included at the Platinum level and may be available as an add-on for other programs. These communications are used strategically to maintain interest and provide admissions officers with meaningful new information when appropriate.

Yes. All students receive guidance on how to prepare for college fairs and campus visits, what to observe, what questions to ask, and whom to meet.

Gold includes one College Tour Planning Guide, while Platinum includes unlimited College Tour Planning Guides. Physical accompaniment on campus visits may be available separately for an additional fee.

We do not limit the number of Common App colleges we support, subject to the platform's own limits. Essay support depends on the selected program. Specialized application platforms and international applications have separate limits based on program level.

No. SAT/ACT test prep and academic tutoring are offered separately. Coaching families receive preferred client pricing.

We recommend test preparation when improving the score is strategically worthwhile — and we will also say when additional testing is unlikely to meaningfully improve the student's college options.

Yes. We work with students in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and other international markets. We coordinate meetings across time zones and help families navigate differences in school systems, grade translation, English-proficiency testing, U.S. application requirements, and how to present a student's multicultural background as a strength within the application.

Yes. Applications to universities outside the United States often require completely different systems, deadlines, documents, and admissions processes. Two international applications are included in the Platinum program. Additional international applications may be available at preferred client pricing.

We communicate through Zoom, phone, text, WhatsApp, email, and our dedicated client portal. Brief questions and routine follow-up are part of our commitment to every student regardless of program level.

Senior Track hours refer primarily to major coaching sessions, application work, and significant deliverables — not every brief interaction with the student or family.

We encourage every student to take at least one SAT or ACT during 11th grade, and additional attempts when there is a realistic opportunity to improve. Not every student is a strong test-taker, so we evaluate the final scores in context and build a college list that includes strong test-optional options when appropriate.

Keep in mind that colleges requiring test scores will not consider an application complete without them.

Both matter, but colleges evaluate them in context. If a student applies test-optional, some colleges may place greater emphasis on GPA, course rigor, and other academic evidence such as AP or IB results.

GPA is also highly school-specific, so colleges generally evaluate a student relative to the opportunities, grading practices, and academic profile of their own high school.

We accept major credit cards, ACH/bank transfers, Zelle, and Venmo. Secure payment instructions are provided with your enrollment agreement or invoice. Payment plans are available for eligible coaching programs.

Yes. A one-hour consultation is available for $295 and can be paid directly through PayPal.

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