College Planning and Admissions

Three ways to work with us. Start anywhere.

Every family arrives at a different place. Some need the numbers and the calendar. Some want the entire system in their own hands. Some want a counselor to carry the four years for them.

We built all three, priced them honestly, and told you plainly who each one is wrong for. Start where you are and move up only if you need to.

Since 2008
Guiding families
1,000+
Families helped
90%+
Attend a top choice college
1Free, no email required

Use the tools. See how we think.

Our public calculators and a curated set of twelve masterclass lessons are open to anyone. Nothing is gated, because a family should be able to judge our judgment before they pay us anything.

Open the free tools
Net price calculators
What a school will actually cost your family.
Twelve masterclass lessons
A curated introduction to the full curriculum.
On track assessment
Where this student stands for their grade level.
Deadline reference
The dates every family owns this year.
Written planning guides
A selection from the full library.
High school planning pages
Guidance specific to your student school.
2Self guided, one time price

The Custom College Plan

Everything Premier College Guidance knows about getting into and paying for college, as a self guided system your family runs on its own schedule. No counselor meetings, no four figure price.

Built for the UC and CSU systems, Cal Grant, the Middle Class Scholarship and the private universities, on 2026 and 2027 aid math validated against twenty seven University of California net price calculator outputs and real award letters. Generic national tools cover two thousand schools shallowly. This one covers yours.

It saves more than it costs, provably
One avoided mistake or one merit pivot pays for the system many times over. Our merit leverage and aid tools produce a real number for your family, not a national average.
It names the expensive errors before you make them
The generic essay trap, the impacted major math, the aid donut hole, the award letter that hides loans as aid. Every one of these is avoidable if you see it coming.
It ends the drowning feeling
The deadline engine is the antidote to overwhelm. You stop holding the whole calendar in your head and start seeing only what matters this month.
These are the professional frameworks, at a fraction of the price
Not a simplified consumer version. The same data and frameworks our full service clients pay four figures to have a counselor run for them.
One time, yours to keep
$297
one time

Multi year access for the whole family. Use it for every child you have, at every stage, for as long as you need it.

Get the Custom College Plan See inside the system first
Payment planTwo payments of $175
Or start monthly$19 per month

Fourteen day satisfaction window. If the system is not what your family needs, tell us and we will refund it.

Add the workshop library$497

Add recordings of the monthly live student workshops and teleconferences, where every student and parent question is answered on the call, for a total investment of $497.

Five pillars, one system.

A grade aware timeline that tells your family what to do this month, and tracks every deadline you own.

Included

  • A grade aware timeline that tells you what to do this month, from eighth grade through senior spring
  • Every application, testing, aid and scholarship deadline tracked in one account
  • Proprietary school intelligence, including merit leverage and negotiation tier data
  • The positioning frameworks our full service clients use
  • A shared family profile entered once, carrying across every tool
  • Access for every child in the family, at every stage

Why this matters

Families rate deadline accuracy and clear next step guidance above every other feature. This is the piece that keeps a family logging in for years instead of opening a tool once and forgetting it.

A full video curriculum, including line by line walkthroughs of the forms families dread.

Included

  • Line by line on screen completion of the FAFSA, the UC application, the Common Application, the Cal State application and federal loan entrance counseling
  • The complete UC Decoded series
  • Essay craft technique lessons, from first idea to final draft
  • The full financial aid and return on investment sequence
  • Specialty tracks for STEM and pre med, and for the service academies
  • A wellness cluster no competitor offers: the psychology of rejection, parent and student mental health, and mental health accommodations in college

Why this matters

The four figure course bundles sell video instruction alone. This library matches their depth and pairs it with working tools, which is the combination none of them offer.

Not videos about tools. The actual working tools, personalized to your student.

Included

  • The Money Room: UC aid, CSU aid, whole list cost comparison and merit leverage in one place
  • The Admissions Reality Engine: your student profile run against real institutions for honest admit chances, real net prices and a balanced list
  • The Application Strategy Builder: each school early decision, early action and regular decision policy turned into a concrete plan
  • Essay Prep with the rubric scorer, which scores a draft against the criteria admissions readers actually use
  • The Beyond the Classroom and Skills planners for depth building
  • The on track assessment and readiness roadmap

Why this matters

Every course bundle in this price range sells instruction. None of them hand a family working software that answers what this school will actually cost us.

Roughly fifty written guides plus twenty seven high school specific planning pages.

Included

  • Roughly fifty written planning guides across all six stages
  • Twenty seven high school specific planning pages
  • The student athlete track
  • The homeschool track
  • The STEM and pre med track, and the elite focused track
  • The B student track, written for families who need the frameworks most

Why this matters

A family on the transfer path and a family chasing a service academy need different answers. The library carries both instead of averaging them.

The Award Letter Decoder and the Financial Aid Strategy Planner.

Included

  • Each offer decoded into a true four year cost, side by side
  • Grants separated from loans dressed up as aid
  • Appeal and negotiation leverage identified per school
  • Expected family contribution modeled against every school on your list
  • Cal Grant and Middle Class Scholarship math where it applies
  • A funding plan for all four years, not just the first

Why this matters

An award letter that dresses loans up as aid can cost a family tens of thousands of dollars they never agreed to spend. Reading it correctly is worth more than the entire price of this system.

Who this is for

Buy the system if this sounds like you.

  • Your student is in grade eight through twelve and you have runway to work with.
  • You are organized and proactive, and you would rather run the process yourself with professional structure behind you.
  • You want the frameworks and the aid data without a four figure counseling commitment.
  • You have more than one child and want a system you can use again.

Who it is not for

Do not buy it if this is you.

  • Your student is already a senior with only weeks of runway left.
  • Your family qualifies for full need based aid, where merit positioning adds little.
  • You genuinely want someone else to manage the process, hold the deadlines and make the calls.

If any of those describe your family, the counselor programs are the honest answer. See the programs.

The system, layer by layer

Seven layers. Built in order.

Each layer rests on the one beneath it. Skip a layer and everything above it gets weaker. Select any layer to see the full scope of what happens inside it.

01 · Direction

Know who this student is before naming a single college.

Every family wants to start with the list. We start with the student, because a list built before direction is just a ranking with names on it.

What we do in this layer

  • Full career, aptitude, interest and personality evaluation through our planning software, with the student keeping access
  • Three counselor directed sessions to interpret the results and narrow the direction
  • Education requirements mapped major by major, so the family sees what four years actually asks of them
  • Industry growth, hiring outlook and starting salary range for every career considered
  • A written summary of the three strongest directions, which becomes the foundation for the college list

What the family gets

A student who can say why a major fits writes better essays, chooses better schools, and does not change majors twice at your expense.

The cost of skipping it

Undeclared students change majors and pay for extra semesters. Two extra terms at a private university costs more than our entire Advanced Program.

Included in Advanced, Top TierStandalone $850

02 · Architecture

Build the record admissions readers open first.

Selective admissions is decided long before the application opens. Rigor and trajectory are the first two things a reader looks at, and neither can be fixed senior year.

What we do in this layer

  • Four year course map with honors, advanced placement and dual enrollment sequencing
  • Testing calendar for the PSAT, SAT, ACT and advanced placement exams, with target scores set per school
  • A plan for every summer: programs, research, internships, service and work
  • Course rigor checked against the admitted student profile of the schools on the list
  • Audition, portfolio and program specific timelines tracked wherever they apply
  • Course correction sessions whenever a grade, a schedule or an interest changes

What the family gets

Every year strengthens the next, and nobody discovers in eleventh grade that a required course was never taken.

The cost of skipping it

A thin junior year transcript cannot be repaired. Families who start in twelfth grade are choosing from a list that has already narrowed itself.

Included in Advanced, Top TierStandalone $1,100

03 · Positioning

Make the student legible to a reader with seven minutes.

Admissions readers look for depth, not volume. Ten shallow activities read as a checklist. One thing the student built and led is what a reader remembers.

What we do in this layer

  • Full activity audit: what to keep, what to deepen and what to release
  • Leadership and impact plan for the activities that actually carry weight
  • Support launching a business, a nonprofit, a service project or a publication from the student real interest
  • A best fit college list weighed on job placement, alumni network, retention and graduation rates
  • Program level review, so the major itself is strong at that specific school
  • Formal academic resume and an activity sheet written to application character limits
  • Recommendation letter strategy, including which teachers to ask and exactly when

What the family gets

The student becomes a coherent person on paper instead of a list of unrelated commitments, and the list contains schools where they will actually graduate.

The cost of skipping it

The most expensive admissions mistake is not rejection, it is transferring or repeating a year because the fit was wrong from the start.

Included in Advanced, Top TierStandalone $1,700

04 · Voice

Write the one thing no other applicant can write.

Among applicants with the same scores and the same grades, the essay is what separates them. It is the only part of the application written entirely in the student own voice.

What we do in this layer

  • Brainstorming sessions to find the story only this student can tell
  • Instruction in the anatomy of the college essay and what each prompt is truly asking
  • Personal statement developed from outline through final draft
  • Every supplemental essay for every school on the list
  • One on one work with our editing team, with rounds until the essays are genuinely finished
  • Line editing for syntax, grammar and articulation, with the student voice preserved throughout

What the family gets

The highest leverage writing of a young life, finished rather than abandoned at the third draft the night before the deadline.

The cost of skipping it

The generic essay trap. A competent, forgettable essay is the most common reason a qualified applicant is passed over.

Included in Advanced, Top TierStandalone $1,800

05 · Execution

Submit clean, because nothing can be revised afterward.

Applications are read in minutes and cannot be edited once sent. How the activity list, the awards and the background are entered changes what the reader actually sees.

What we do in this layer

  • Access to our annual College Admission Boot Camp seminar for the student and both parents
  • University of California application, Common Application and each individual portal completed with us
  • Supplements, activity sheet, awards and background entries optimized for each platform separately
  • Section by section review before anything is submitted
  • A dated month by month checklist covering every deadline for every school
  • Document tracker for transcripts, scores and recommendation letters
  • Proven interview technique, a full practice interview, and a submission day confirmation check

What the family gets

Nothing is missed, nothing is discovered late, and no application goes out with a wasted field.

The cost of skipping it

One missed priority deadline or one unsent transcript can cost a school, a scholarship, or an entire year.

Included in Advanced, Top TierStandalone $1,525

06 · Funding

Read the award letters correctly and pay less.

Offers arrive in the spring written to look generous. Loans get called aid, work study gets counted as a grant, and the number a family remembers is usually the wrong one.

What we do in this layer

  • FAFSA and CSS Profile completed and submitted with us, plus verification worksheets
  • Expected family contribution modeled against every school on the list before decisions arrive
  • Each award letter decoded into a true four year cost, side by side with the others
  • Grants separated from loans dressed up as aid
  • Appeal and negotiation leverage identified per school, with the language to use
  • Professional judgement and special circumstance appeals where a family situation has changed

What the family gets

A funding plan for all four years rather than a first year surprise, and leverage used before the May deadline rather than after it.

The cost of skipping it

An award letter that hides loans as aid can cost a family tens of thousands of dollars they never knowingly agreed to spend.

Available as an add on to any programStandalone $800

07 · Partnership

Someone who knows this student, for the whole four years.

This is the layer that holds the other six together. A counselor who knows the student by name, meetings that are unlimited rather than metered, and a staff that carries the calendar.

What we do in this layer

  • Unlimited one on one counselor meetings inside the Advanced and Top Tier programs
  • Monthly live workshops and teleconferences where every student and parent question is answered on the call
  • Parent focused sessions on cost, aid and family decision making
  • Weekly reminders and ongoing communication with your advisor
  • Honest counsel about odds and cost, including when a school is unlikely or a price is not worth it
  • For Top Tier: a signature project built to a finished artifact, elite summer and competition placement, a mock admissions read, a merit scholarship campaign and waitlist advocacy

What the family gets

The whole process stops living in the parent head. Four years of decisions become one plan that someone else is actively managing with you.

The cost of skipping it

Families managing this alone spend four years anxious and still miss things, because the information they needed was information they did not know existed.

Included in Foundation, Advanced, Top TierPrograms from $2,850
3With a counselor beside you

When you want the process carried for you.

A counselor who knows your student by name, meetings that are unlimited rather than metered, and a staff that owns every deadline so your family does not have to. Built from the same eight services, offered at three depths.

Entry
Foundation

Targeted guidance at the moments that matter most, with the family driving the rest.

$2,850
Financial aid available for families who qualify
One year of guided support
  • Four one on one counselor meetings
  • Tailored list of twelve best fit colleges
  • Five hours of essay editing
  • Boot Camp and the live workshops
Request a consultation
Most families choose this
Complete program
Advanced

All eight services, unlimited meetings, and our staff on call from the first list to the final decision.

$3,000 - $6,000
Financial aid available for families who qualify
Full support through the entire process
  • Unlimited counselor meetings
  • All eight services included
  • Essays and supplements until complete
  • Unlimited student and parent support
Request a consultation
Selective admissions
Top Tier

A 3+ year partnership built for highly selective admissions and first choice majors.

$9,600+
Three or more years, grade ten through decision
  • Everything in Advanced, across all three years and beyond
  • Signature project built to a finished artifact
  • Competition and elite summer placement strategy
  • Mock admissions read and merit scholarship campaign
Request a consultation

Sessions with Trevor personally are available at a premium of $2,200. Ten personal clients per year.

The eight services

What every program is built from.

Each service can be purchased on its own. Inside a program they cost less together, meetings become unlimited, and our staff carries the calendar instead of you.

$8,825all eight, priced individually
Career and Major Discovery
Aptitude testing plus counselor sessions that turn results into real majors and careers.
$850
Course, Testing and Summer Architecture
The four year academic map: rigor, the testing calendar and every summer planned.
$1,100
Best Fit College List
Schools matched on where this student will be successful, not on rankings.
$850
Academic Resume and Activity Strategy
What to deepen, what to let go, and the record that proves it.
$850
Workshops and Teleconferences
Live sessions where every student and parent question gets answered.
$650
Checklist and Deadlines
A dated curriculum plus ongoing communication with your advisor.
$275
Essays and Supplements
The personal statement and every supplement, coached until finished.
$1,800
Application and Boot Camp
Every application platform completed with us, plus the Boot Camp seminar.
$1,250

Not sure which step is yours?

One conversation is usually enough to tell. There is no cost and no obligation, and you will leave with a plan whether or not you work with us. If the self guided system is the right answer for your family, we will say so.

A counselor replies within one business day, not an automated sequence.
The consultation is free and there is no obligation of any kind.
If the self guided system is the better answer for your family, we will tell you so.
805-334-0355 support@premiercollegeguide.com

Thank you. We have it.

A counselor will reply within one business day. If it is urgent, call us at 805-334-0355 and we will find time sooner.

Request a consultation

Tell us about your student.

We reply within one business day. Your information stays between your family and Premier College Guidance.

SERVICES

At Premier College Guidance, we provide a high-touch, personalized approach to college admissions, ensuring that students and their families make informed, strategic decisions every step of the way. Unlike generic online platforms, we offer one-on-one, expert-driven advising that has helped over 1,000 families gain acceptance to top universities and secure millions in scholarships and financial aid. 

Tailored Services for Every Student

Every student is unique, and so is our approach. Whether you’re aiming for Ivy League acceptance, securing merit-based aid, or navigating athletic recruitment, we design a roadmap that maximizes your success. 

Comprehensive College Planning & Admissions Support 

  • Personalized College List DevelopmentIdentifying the best-fit schools for your goals, interests, and financial situation. 
  • Admissions Interview CoachingTraining students to confidently present their story in admissions interviews. 
  • Portfolio & Creative Major AssistanceSpecialized support for students applying to arts, music, and film programs. 
  • Appeals & Admissions NegotiationGuiding families through merit aid appeals and financial negotiations to reduce college costs. 

Maximizing Financial Aid & Scholarships 

  • FAFSA & CSS Profile OptimizationStructuring your assets and income to maximize need-based aid. 
  • Scholarship Search & Application AssistanceIdentifying opportunities for merit-based and private scholarships. 
  • Customized Financial Aid Planning for CollegeEnsuring that families understand their best funding options before committing to a school. 

Test Preparation & Academic Enrichment 

  • SAT & ACT Preparation ServicesConnecting students with top-tier tutors and customized test-prep strategies. 
  • High School Course Selection & Academic PlanningMapping out a rigorous yet strategic course load to impress admissions committees. 
  • Research & Internship PlacementSecuring hands-on learning opportunities that enhance your academic profile. 

Exclusive Resources & Masterclass Access 

  • On-Demand College Admissions Masterclass15+ hours of expert-led video instruction on how to navigate the admissions process, reduce college costs, and build a standout application. 
  • Library of Proprietary College Planning Guides & TemplatesDownloadable resources to simplify applications, essays, and financial aid. 

Comprehensive College Guidance Tailored to Every Student 

Choosing the right path for college and beyond can feel overwhelming, but with expert guidance, students can confidently make informed decisions. At Premier College Guidance, we offer specialized support in key areas that families often find challenging, ensuring every student has a clear roadmap to success. 

For students unsure about their future career, we provide in-depth College Major & Career Planning. With industry insights, career assessments, and guidance on internships and job placement, we help students align their strengths and passions with high-demand careers. Whether theyre asking, What should I major in? or searching for Best majors for high-paying jobs, we ensure they make choices that lead to fulfilling and financially stable futures. 

Starting early can make all the difference. Our Early College Planning program is designed for 8th to 10th graders who want to build a competitive college profile from the start. From strategic course selection to leadership roles and summer programs, we help students develop strong academic and extracurricular foundations that align with their college goals, including those aiming for Ivy League and other top universities. 

For those considering a change in their educational path, our College Transfer Assistance program supports students transferring from community colleges or other universities into top-tier schools. We guide them through credit evaluations, application strategies, and financial aid options to ensure a seamless transition into their dream institution. 

Not every college decision is final, and sometimes, students find themselves on a waitlist or facing a deferral. Our College Waitlist & Deferral Strategy service helps students take the right steps; crafting compelling follow-up letters, demonstrating continued interest, and leveraging expert insight to improve their chances of admission. We know what colleges are looking for and help students position themselves strategically. 

For students with learning differences, finding the right college fit is crucial. Our Special Needs & Learning Differences College Counseling specializes in supporting students with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other learning challenges. We help families navigate disability accommodations, extended testing options, and find schools that provide the right support systems to ensure academic success. 

For those pursuing a path in military service, our Military Academy & ROTC Application Support provides expert guidance on the rigorous application process for institutions like West Point, Annapolis, and the Air Force Academy, as well as ROTC scholarship programs. From fitness test preparation to securing congressional nominations, we help students stand out in these highly selective programs. 

Additionally, we assist Homeschool and International Students in optimizing their college applications. Homeschoolers receive support with transcript evaluations and standardized testing policies, while international students receive assistance with U.S. college applications, visa requirements, and cultural transitions to ensure a smooth and successful college experience. 

No matter where a student is in their college journey, Premier College Guidance is committed to providing expert, personalized support to help them achieve their goals.  

Why Families Trust Premier College Guidance 

Since 2008, families, schools, and even college admissions professionals have turned to Premier College Guidance as a trusted source for expert college advising. Our experience is not just measured in years; it’s reflected in the thousands of students we’ve helped gain admission to competitive programs across the country. 

What sets us apart is our deep understanding of the ever-evolving college admissions landscape. We stay ahead of changing trends, financial aid strategies, and application nuances, ensuring that every family we work with has the most up-to-date and effective guidance. 

Above all, we are committed to a personalized, ethical, and results-driven approach. Every recommendation we make is tailored to the student’s unique strengths, ambitions, and circumstances. We believe in honest, transparent guidance that prioritizes what’s best for each student, helping them not only gain admission to their top-choice schools but also thrive once they get there. 

 Take the Next Step 

Schedule a Complimentary Consultation Today and start your journey toward college success! 

📅 Book a Consultation 

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BASIC

Designed for those who want some guidance while spending time to research the rest on their own.
  • 3 Meetings With Counselor
  • College List (Develop Top 12 Colleges)
  • 5 Hours Essay Editing
  • Access To Monthly Teleconferences
  • Admission To ApplicationBootcamp

ADVANCED

Designed for those who want the process done with a counselor all the way through. Financial Aid program can be added as a complete package.
  • Unlimited Meetings With Counselor
  • Monthly Student Workshop
  • Full Admissions Support
  • Essays (All Colleges)
  • Curriculum Advising
  • Extracurricular Activities
  • Develop Academic Resumé
  • Selection Of Final College List
  • College Major Discovery
  • Job Shadow
  • Timeline Management
  • Financial Aid Program
  • PLUS More Not Disclosed Here

Our team takes charge of everything, from staying ahead of schedule to the formulation of a stellar college application.

Program Enrollment Depends On Availability

TOP TIER

Designed to provide additional resources to gain admissions to the most selective colleges. Our proprietary method can only be offered to a few students each year.
  • Identical Services Offered As Advanced PLUS:
  • Strategic Planning For Ivy League Admissions
  • Test Preparation
  • Personal College Tours With Advisor

Some students stand out and make waves during the admissions process. Less than 12 students per year will join this prestigious program for highly selective colleges.

Program Enrollment Determined By Our Counselors

FINANCIAL AID

Designed to help those with a financial need gain access to the most amount of free money from all resources.
  • 5 Meetings With Advisor
  • Scholarship Reports For Colleges Considered
  • Forms Completion For All Schools
  • FAFSA / CSS Profile / Supplements
  • Awards Analysis For Accuracy Of Fin Aid
  • Guidance On Special Circumstances – How To Communicate With Financial Aid Counselors
  • Assistance With Loans (Student & Parent)
  • Timeline Management
  • Unlimited Email Support

*Price depends on family’s financial need. Payment plans can be arranged. We give financial aid which is based on the family’s financial situation and determined by our Counselors.*