HIGH SCHOOL & TRANSFER STUDENTS
College Admissions Counseling FAQs, & Pricing
A more thoughtful approach to College Advising focusing on where your student will receive an education that is both affordable - and genuinely transformative
Why Hire An Independent College Consultant?
As an independent college consultant (IEC), I work with students to develop a clear understanding of their passions and goals and to determine the right fit for a given institution. I do this by assessing their interests and goals, identifying the kind of college they are looking for, and getting to know the students. As a parent, I found that a professional can do this more easily than a parent because they have the necessary distance and objectivity to work with a student and draw them out.
I also work with students to craft a message and brand that weave their coursework, activities, and college essay into a compelling narrative that addresses the question of college fit. I can then access a proprietary database to build a strong, diverse list of colleges whose mission aligns with students’ interests and goals. This list is geographically diverse and includes colleges of varying selectivity to maximize the candidate’s chances of acceptance.
I also work with a student to write an essay that helps them stand out. This involves helping students dig deep to explore how they want to make a difference in the world and what they can contribute.
Finally, I help families figure out how much a college will cost and what the possibilities are for receiving need- and merit-based financial aid from a specific institution.
LOS ANGELES & ONLINE
How we work together
Step 1: Initial FREE Consultation: We discuss your goals, concerns, and overall situation.
Step 2: Strategy Development: Based on the package you choose, I create a plan tailored to student’s strengths, interests, and family financial priorities. As an Independent Education Consultant (IEC) I put in a lot of time researching colleges and putting together the college list.
Step 3: Ongoing Guidance:1-1 in-person or online via Zoom meetings are included in your package, where we review essays and work together to strengthen the college application beyond the student's grades. Helping families make informed and thoughtful, not reactive, decisions.
What's covered in counseling packages & fees
BASIC PACKAGE
Senior Year only- Three or four meetings in senior year
- One-hour, 1-1 meetings held via Zoom or in-person in Los Angeles area area
- Complete worksheets on student qualities
- Complete assessments of student interest and goals
- Assess the types of colleges the student is looking for
- Review the activities list
- Develop college list
- Essay development
- Application assistance
COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE
Junior & Senior Year- Covers Junior and Senior Year
- Regular 1-1, one-hour meetings with the student via Zoom or in-person in Los Angeles area. Up to 10 meetings are included.
- JUNIOR YEAR:
- Orientation and overview
- Planning timetable
- Academic planning - types of classes to take, summer activities.
- Test-taking strategies
- Extracurricular activities planning
- Assessment of students' interests/goals via questionnaires
- Getting to know the student and parents
- Assessment of what the student is looking for in a college
- Financial aid planning
- Timetable and timeline for college visits
- Activities list
- Financial aid discussion
- Narrow list of colleges
- Goal setting
- Letters of recommendation
- SENIOR YEAR
- Application list review
- Review activities list
- Work on applications and essays
- College essay review
- Define safe and reach schools
- Assessment of financial aid offered
Don't need the basic or comprehensive package?
Á LA CARTE rate is $125/hour.
Specializing in Liberal Arts & UC Transfer Pathways
Meet in-person at your home or local coffee shop
in Santa Monica or Greater Los Angeles area
What to expect & FAQs
FREE CONSULTATION: How long is it and what does it cover?
The complimentary consultation is via phone or Zoom.
As a former college professor and trustee, I don't do high-pressure sales calls. I do strategy. Let’s get on the phone for 30 minutes, discuss your student's unique situation, goals, and concerns, and talk about how I can help create a path to an incredible, affordable education.
Whether your child is trying to rebound from a tough sophomore year or trying to navigate the SMC-to-UCLA pipeline, you will leave the FREE consultation call with answers.
What do you cover in an in-person or Zoom counseling session?
College planning and Strategy.
- I administer a series of assessments to determine each student’s interests and focus. I then hold several discussions with the student based on these assessments and compile a list of colleges that align with the student’s needs and interests as well as the family’s finances.
- The student reviews the list, adding to and removing from it.
▪ Application Development
- I also work with students to optimize their grades, course levels, test scores, and activities to strengthen their applications.
- I help students develop a student profile that is reflected in their schoolwork, activities, and college application essays.
- I coach students as they complete their applications and work with families to maximize financial aid.
Family Decision Making
- Help families evaluate the best financial aid package and college fit.
What research and planning do you do beyond the sessions?
As an Independent Education Consultant (IEC) I put in a lot of time researching the colleges and putting together the college list, reviewing the essay, and more.
The student meetings included in the packages are just to check in with students and discuss their essays or college lists, and are a minor part of my overall counseling work.
When should I start college counseling with you for the best outcome?
The student starts the consulting process the summer before their junior year.
This way, they have time to reflect on their high school journey, determine their focus, choose appropriate classes, prepare for the SAT or ACT, and augment their activities to align with their focus
Do you only work with Liberal Arts students?
I work with all students, and I encourage students to pursue a broad-based liberal arts education that includes STEM majors as well as humanities or social science majors.
What if my student grades are not good?
If your student is more capable than their transcript suggests, and you want to find an affordable, meaningful path forward, I can help.
As an Independent education consultant I help:
- Identifying high-quality, affordable liberal arts colleges that match your child’s strengths and budget.
- Helping students with varying academic profiles build application narratives that highlight intellectual flexibility, clear thinking, and purpose - evidence of growth that colleges look for beyond the transcript.
Who do you typically work with?
I work with families who:
- Are concerned about the cost of college
- Want a thoughtful, high-quality education—not just a credential
- Feel their student’s potential is not fully reflected in their grades
- Are looking for clear, honest guidance in a confusing process
My clients are often:
- Middle-income families who need to think carefully about financial decisions
- Students who are capable, curious, or thoughtful—but uneven on paper
- Families who want to make informed, confident choices
Do you help community college student transfers?
Yes, I guide students at local community colleges to build strong, compelling applications for successful UC transfer pathways.
Santa Monica College (SMC) has been California's number one transfer institution to the University of California (UC) system for 35 consecutive years. I spent those same 35 years helping shape that exact pipeline. Don't just trust the system, trust someone who helped build UC transfer pathways.
Do you only work with Liberal Arts students?
I work with all students, and I encourage students to pursue a broad-based liberal arts education that includes STEM majors as well as humanities or social science majors.
Where are 1-1 counseling sessions held?
I will meet with the student in-person at the family's house (with an adult family member present), or at a coffee shop in Los Angeles area. I will also work with the student over Zoom.
How many 1-1 sessions are included in my package?
The number of sessions depends on the package and the student's needs.
For the comprehensive package, the limit is 10 meetings; for the basic package, the limit is 3 meetings.
For à la carte services, I charge an hourly rate of $125. For each à la carte service, there will yupically be around 4 hours of work needed.
The student meetings included in the packages are just to check in with students and discuss their essays or college lists, and are a minor part of my overall counseling work.
How long are the sessions?
Each session is one hour.
How do we avoid overpaying for college?
I will help you find and qualify for merit-based aid, it requires careful planning and knowledge of the institution, which I have.
College Feels More Competitive and More Expensive Than Ever
Families today are navigating a difficult reality:
- Rising tuition and growing concern about student debt.
- A confusing and often opaque financial aid system
- Increasing pressure to compete for selective admissions
- The feeling that grades alone determine a student’s future
For many families, this creates a quiet anxiety:
What if my student is capable—but their transcript doesn’t tell the full story?
And at the same time:
How do we avoid overpaying for college?
You shouldn’t have to choose between affordability, opportunity, and meaningful education.
Do you only work with Liberal Arts students?
I work with all students, and I encourage students to pursue a broad-based liberal arts education that includes STEM majors as well as humanities or social science majors.
Do you help with financial aid, scholarships, grants, & merit-based aid?
College tuition, including room and board, is extremely expensive, ranging from $50,000 to $80,000.
Because of the high cost of living and resulting salaries, many California families do not qualify for need-based federal financial aid, such as Pell Grants and federally subsidized student loans.
The main source of financial aid for middle-class families is merit-based aid provided by the specific college the student applies to.
Finding and qualifying for merit-based aid requires careful planning and knowledge of the institution.
What about UC application deadlines?
I will work with the familly to compile a spreadsheet of application deadlines.
Do you only work with UC schools?
I work primarily with UC schools and small private liberal arts colleges.
AI - how does that affect my education goals and future?
In a rapidly changing world, the most important skills are not narrow or technical, they are adaptable and to be prepared for everything that comes after college.
In an era of rapid technological advancement and economic uncertainty, students and parents in California often feel immense pressure to chase "practical" or highly technical college majors.. Read my blog post for more information on "How a strong liberal arts education helps students develop in the age of AI".
Do you only work with students in the Greater Los Angeles area?
Serving families in-person across Santa Monica, Venice, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Mar Vista and the greater Los Angeles area.
Many of my current students are currently enrolelled at Santa Monica High School, University High School, Loyola High School, Santa Monica Community College, and Los Angeles City College.
I am also available to accommodate clients across the country and internationally via Zoom.
How do I book a session with you?
Click link to choose a time slot on my calendar or if you prefer email ahwalzer@andrewwalzereducationconsultant.com, with your availability, and I will schedule a meeting on Google Calendar.
Do you offer a guarantee?
No, I do not offer a guarantee for acceptance to a specific college.
Do you offer discount packages, how do your rates compare to other counselors in Los Angeles?
Yes, I offer a basic package that covers senior year, a two-year comprehensive package that covers the junior and senior year. Given my credentials, my rates are affordable, and comparable to or less than those of most of my competitors.
I also offer a´ la carte pricing at $125/hour.
Affordable basic and comprehensive package rates are comparable to or less than those of most of my competitors in Los Angeles, given my extensive credentials.
How do I pay you?
Families can pay digitally via Venmo or Zelle, or write me a paper check.
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FREE 30-MINUTE CONSULTATION
Get expert help strengthening your college
application beyond your grades
