One-on-one tutoring for middle and high school students: homework help, test preparation, study skills, organizational strategies - at home or school - in math, science, and language arts. Academic coaching by Stanford, Berkeley tutors.

We know that preparing for college can be a daunting task and that private tutoring may be just one piece of the overall solution. College advisors and consultants provide an invaluable service to students looking for some assistance in navigating the college admissions process. From selecting and applying to the college that is the best fit for you, to charting out a multi-year plan to get there, these service providers are an excellent resource.

If you are interested in learning more about how a college advisor or consultant can help your child, please contact any of the providers below. These individuals come highly recommended from area high schools and our clients.

To ensure that you find the right match for your child's needs, we recommend that you contact at least two or three names below and request an initial interview. Additionally, you can research more about college advising services at the Tutorpedia blog.

PENINSULA

Financial Planner David Beck is a specialist in college planning, offering education and advice on financial aid, college savings plans, tax reduction strategies, cash flow evaluation, gifting and loan strategies. His goal is to preserve the client's ability to pay for college and still retire on-time. David is a Fee-Only Financial Planner and is Principal of Bay Area Planners, a registered investment advisor. His clientele includes business owners and sole proprietors, executives and professionals, and affluent families. David's current professional credentials include Certified Financial Planner designee, Certified Tax Preparer, and California Life Insurance agent. Prior to entering personal financial planning, David served for 27 years in senior-level positions at a cross section of entrepreneurial, high-growth, and Fortune 500 companies. David's education includes graduating from the Personal Financial Planning Program at U.C. Santa Cruz, a BSc. from the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom, and Graduate Studies in Management at Ealing College, London. David resides in San Jose with his wife and two cats.

Head Start College Services helps students and families navigate through the daunting college application process. HSCS has a niche in the industry where we can help save students between $25,000 and $80,000 in college costs while at the same time reducing stress and anxiety by building self esteem and self confidence for high school students. We prefer to start working with students in their 2nd semester of their 9th grade year so that they can save the most money and STANDOUT on future college applications.

Admissions Edge offers full service, in-home College Admissions Counseling for students in the Los Altos and Palo Alto areas. Additional meeting time is available on Saturdays at our office in Campbell. Please see website or call for more details. AB Princeton University, 1993, College Admissions Counseling Certificate - UCLA ext.

Gail Wasserman is a highly qualified and knowledgeable independent college consultant with fifteen years experience in college admission counseling. She participates in several college admission workshops and conferences each year enabling her to provide up-to-date advice and assistance. In her current role and previous work as a guidance counselor and assistant principal at Saratoga High School, a very high performing institution from which graduates are accepted to colleges at every selectivity level, Gail has guided hundreds of students to colleges that have suited them well academically and personally. Her goal is to provide advice, guidance, support and undivided attention as she helps plan and monitor college preparation and all related tasks well in advance of deadlines. She is dedicated to giving both student and parent peace of mind concerning the often-stressful college preparation, testing and application process.

Irena Smith, Ph.D. spent four years reading thousands of applications at the Stanford University Undergraduate Admission Office. She now uses that expertise to provide highly personalized college counseling to high school students (grades 9-12) and their families. Her unique perspective -- and her background as a writer, editor, and college-level instructor of literature and composition -- gives her students a sense of control over what can be an overwhelming and frustrating process; most importantly, she encourages her students to think long and hard about who they are, what matters to them, and what they bring to the table as they embark on the long and arduous journey from high school to college student. Irena offers assistance with course selection, obtaining letters of recommendation, preparing for interviews, and crafting college essays that are compelling, memorable, authentic, and absolutely true to each particular student.

In 1997, Admissions Academy's founders recognized a need within the community for a comprehensive college resource and strived to meet those needs by creating an organization based on quality and excellence in education. Today, we have established ourselves as a community fixture serving a diverse group of college bound teens. Our dedicated counselors and instructors work closely with each other and with our students to develop meaningful, supportive relationships as we guide students and parents on the path to higher education.

Application Advisors is a full-service College Admissions Advising company in the South Bay. We specialize in the college admissions process, starting as early as 9th grade or as late as the fall of 12th grade. Services can include: interest surveys to recommend meaningful summer/extracurricular activities and majors, academic advising, college list development, a college visit plan, essay workshops with personal follow-up, finacial aid discussions, and management of deadlines and the college application process. Marita Surace received her graduate level certificate in College Admissions Advising through UC Berkeley, where she also used to work as a member of the Admissions Committee.

College Focus LLC, of Burlingame, CA, helps high school and college transfer students have college choices that meet their academic and social needs, talents, and interests-places that will make them happy and where they will flourish. Founder Maureen McQuaid has a Certificate in College Counseling and Career Planning from the University of California Berkeley Extension, and has over 30 years of experience as a business attorney in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is the mother of a recruited athlete in two sports and a performing artist, bringing personal experience to students that she counsels with these talents who have a goal of continuing these talents in college. Having professional memberships in the Higher Education Consultants Association and Western Association for College Admissions Counseling, in addition to visiting colleges throughout the year, assist Maureen in providing informative and current advice concerning college admissions. Maureen not only serves students on the SF Peninsula, but has an office in the Central Valley and works with students long distance.

Finding the perfect college can be an overwhelming process. The experienced counselors at College Counseling Associates help guide students and parents through this maze in a sensitive and knowledgeable way. Our specialties include: personalized strategic admissions counseling (ie. learning disabled, transfer, athletes, etc.), essay and application help, and preparation for the PSAT/SAT/ACT.

Sam Teixeira specializes in teaching writing and critical thinking one-on-one to students on the Peninsula. Through her business, Savvy Young Writers, she develops individually tailored programs targeting the skills her students most need to develop. She also works with students on their college application essays and has strong relationships with highly regarded college counselors in the area.

Vicki O'Day offers personalized college advising to high school and transfer students, with an emphasis on helping students find an excellent college fit through a calm, collaborative college process. Comprehensive services offered by Willows College Consulting include: course planning; brainstorming summer activities; developing strong college lists; education and planning for college affordability; preparing for college visits, interviews, and test-taking; essays; college applications and timelines; financial aid and scholarship applications. Vicki is a certified college consultant (UCLA) with graduate degrees in both computer science and anthropology. She also serves as freshman application reader for UC Berkeley and volunteers with local college access organizations.


SAN FRANCISCO

Assists students through high school to identify strengths and interests which, in turn, can help determine application choices; more critical than getting into college is how one gets out of college. Experience with students from National Merit to those with mild learning disabilities. Offers three types of services: College Search Only, Comprehensive Application, and Transition after College Acceptance. Member of the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC) and Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA); UCLA Certificate in College Counseling, earned with distinction; other degrees from Stanford, Johns Hopkins, and UC Berkeley. Free initial discussion of services to be rendered.

Susan provides writing coaching to students who need guidance in composing college application essays or who want to hone their academic researching and writing skills. As the founder of WordSuite, a communications' consulting firm, Susan has provided writing, editing and coaching services to over 40 Fortune companies since 1989. Susan has also coached middle-grade, high school and college students, as well as graduate-school applicants, on their writing. Susan has published nine nonfiction middle-grade books for Pearson Learning Group; these books are used exclusively in the classroom as part of the reading curriculum. In addition, she has published over 45 magazine articles in magazines such as Financial Executive and Compliance Week. Susan holds a B.A. in education and English from The College of William and Mary, an M.B.A. in general management and finance from Golden Gate University, and a certificate in Web design from the University of California, Davis.

College Match, a San Francisco based college admission consulting firm, provides strategic advising for students considering colleges and graduate programs. Over the past 10 years, founder David Montesano has helped hundreds of clients identify and gain acceptance to their preferred colleges. Admission rates for David's clients to their "reach" schools is 95% with 70% of clients receiving merit scholarships along with admission to their dream colleges.

 

EAST BAY

I work easily and patiently with students (and their parents) through the college admissions process, explaining as we go and assisting with building a college list, organizing the process, completing applications and making decisions all along the way. I charge by the hour, so can work with you just on targeted needs or from start to finish. I am a graduate of Stanford and UC Berkeley School of Law, and received my certificate in College Admission and Career Planning from UC Berkeley Extension. Member of NACAC and WACAC (National and Western Associations for College Admission Counseling) and HECA (Higher Education Consultants Association).

  • Carola Ingram | 510-547-1191 | Independent College Adviser | Piedmont

As a Certified College Admissions Counselor, I offer complete college advising and post-high school transition counseling. In the constantly changing educational field, I keep up on trends by researching and visiting campuses throughout the country. I also have a comprehensive knowledge of different post-high school options for students who choose to go to vocational school, work, travel, or volunteer. My primary passion is to help students with special needs succeed, including those who may have LD, ADHD, and/or emotional/behavioral difficulties. After many years of working with at risk youth, I continue to be energized by their desire to shape their own futures.

Member of NACAC, WACAC, HECA (Former Regional Rep on Board and Conference Chair) and NCEC. Volunteer and College & Career Director at Piedmont High School from 1986-2002 and Independent College Counselor from 1992. I work with students to develop their goals, the college selection process or gap year plans, and aid with the application.

  • Elizabeth White | 510-814-8820 | Certified College Admissions Counseling | Alameda

I am a financial aid consultant offering a full range of comprehensive services. I am available to help families understand the financial aid process, assist with the completion of financial aid forms, and advise regarding a letter of special circumstances and/or appeal.

  • Frances Fee | 510-548-0896 | FAFSA Consultant | Oakland

I completed the UC Berkeley Certificate program in College Counseling and I have been working as a college admissions advisor for six years. I have a BA from Stanford University and a MS from the University of Kansas. I work with students with a range of profiles, including those who apply primarily to the UCs and the CSUs and those who apply to private schools across the country. I also have additional experience helping jazz students who are looking to continue their jazz studies in college.

  • Jan Hale | 925-254-9532 | College Admissions Advisor | Orinda

Lesley is an essayist and coach who specializes in mentoring students through the process of developing publish-worthy college application essays.

Lora earned her B.A. in English from the University of California at Berkeley and her M.A. in English and Creative Writing from Boston University. She also holds a teaching credential in English and a M.A. in Educational Leadership, and brings over fifteen years of experience as an educator and professional writer to her college admissions practice. She believes in the power of higher education to transform lives, and is passionate about helping young people find and gain acceptance to the "best fit" colleges and universities where they will begin to discover themselves and launch their futures.

I offer Oakland/Berkeley-based certified independent college advising to all students, with a special focus on young visual and performing artists. My services are highly individualized and I limit my practice to ten students per graduation year. Also, with college advisor Vanessa Roth, I conduct three-day college essay workshops during the summer and fall.

Vanessa offers personalized, in-home admissions consulting, designed to help students stay motivated, on task, and confident. She supports the entire application process, from the earliest stages of identifying and developing a student's strengths, through the nuts and bolts of course selection and standardized test planning, to the later stages of identifying and applying to the colleges that will offer the greatest opportunities for future success. In addition to supporting the entire application process, Vanessa specializes in the essay portion of the application and offers summer and fall personal statement workshops, one-on-one essay assistance, and remote essay support. Vanessa is the founder and director of Scholar's Station, an academic support and consulting agency in the Bay Area. She graduated with honors from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in English and holds certificates in both Professional Editing and College Admissions and Career Planning.

 

NORTH BAY

Barry Beach meets clients at their home throughout the Bay Area. His process of guiding students toward college is more like guiding students toward finding their passion. He helps students discover what they want to do in college through career interest profiling. He engages students and gets them to take an active role in the college process, with the goal to guide all students toward college success.

Barry also works in college counseling for visual artists, helping both in the college search and in portfolio coaching to help make successful portfolios.  Barry formerly was director of admissions at Oregon College of Art and Craft in Portland, reviewed portfolios for San Francisco Art Institute and was an application reader for UC Berkeley. An artist himself, he has an MFA from San Francisco Art Institute and BFA from Rhode Island School of Design.

 

Learning Specialists

Tutorpedia works with all students, including students with learning disabilities. However, if you are looking for learning specialists in the field of testing, we highly recommend the following professional learning specialists:

Matt has been working with kids with learning differences for ten years as a classroom teacher and, more recently, as an educational therapist. He works with students, parents, and other professionals to help kids build on areas of academic strength and improve areas of weakness. He has a great deal of experience working with kids on the Autism Spectrum, particularly in areas related to written output, executive function, and social skills. Matt's master's thesis explored the issues and opportunities related to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in college.

In addition to tutoring with Tutorpedia, Elisa has 14 years of experience in the field of special education. She  is a  credentialed Special Education teacher and has taught students with learning disabilities in public, private, and charter schools. She also have extensive experience with working with at risk urban youth.

Elisa have developed a repertoire of unique skills and experiences that she able to interface as an educational therapist. She has worked with students who have ADHD, mild learning disabilities, behavioral/emotional issues, and autism. She is passionate about empowering students into achieving their potential and academic goals. Educational testing includes reading, written expression and mathematical skills. Referrals can be made to qualified psychologists if additional cognitive testing is required.