College Bound & Ready Packages
The college admissions process is ever-changing, but Kristen and College Bound & Ready will expertly guide you through your student’s unique journey. Having an early understanding of the college landscape and how a student’s choices impact admissions is key. Creating a roadmap early in high school for the college process helps reduce stress, maximize outcomes and lets students and parents enjoy the journey (and each other!) along the way.
The goal of comprehensive counseling is to help high school students identify, apply and gain admission and financial aid or scholarships at colleges that are the right fit for the student. I break the process (preparation, college list development, admissions, and decision-making) into manageable pieces. Most students receive well over 50+ hours of consultation, research, and work on their behalf based on their needs and desires. Consultation is primarily virtual (via Zoom) along with support via Google Docs, phone, and email. Students are busy, and teaching students how to explore their interests, plan their activities and courses, and research colleges is easily accomplished with online meetings. Summer essay and application workshops will be offered in person and online.
What are the Benefits of Working with College Bound & Ready?
Peace of mind that your student is being guided to do the right things at the right time to find good-fit colleges and maximize their admission chances.
A better relationship with your child. You get to be the cheerleader while I am the coach. But, ultimately, your student makes the choice to take my advice or not.
Communication: I share detailed meeting summaries with parents following every one-on-one meeting with students and monthly newsletters with grade-specific tips and video messages. I pride myself on getting back to my clients within 24 hours during the work week. Students have a to-do tab in their college planning account with clear instructions and deadlines for important college planning tasks. During application season, they receive a customized, step-by-step to-do list.
The expertise of a seasoned consultant (10 years and over 300 students guided) and never-ending student of colleges (member of two professional organizations, visits 20+ colleges/year, networks with counselors across the globe, offers multiple webinars/year to families). Students receive in-depth research sheets for every college they seriously consider, including expert tips and information on how each college will evaluate them.
Improved Writing and Critical Thinking Skills. I don’t just edit essays but rather guide students to be better writers and communicators. I help them set goals for their writing, craft outlines, and guide them to improve their writing through editing and coaching. I also help students determine their priorities and needs and then teach them how to determine which colleges best meet those wants and needs. This helps students feel more confident about the process and their choices and feel good about the applications they share with colleges.
Value. Past families have said my service is “priceless,” but they also receive generous scholarship offers and multiple good-fit college options. Hear what they have to say.
Package Services offered:
Foundation Package: Ideal for students applying to West Coast public universities who want focused support in building a strong application foundation.
This package is perfect for students targeting schools like the University of Oregon, Oregon State, the University of Washington, the University of California campuses, Cal States, and WUE-participating institutions. You'll receive targeted guidance on strengthening your academic profile, résumé, and application strategy:Includes support with up to 8 college applications and 10 essays (note: all UC campuses count as one application)
$5,000 total
Signature Consulting Package (most popular): Designed for students applying to a balanced mix of public and private colleges who want strategic support, reduced stress, and maximized results.
This package offers hands-on, personalized guidance throughout the application process—ideal for students building a college list that includes likely, target, and reach schools. With strategic planning, essay coaching, and insider admissions insights, students gain the clarity and confidence they need to shine.Junior Year Start: Monthly meetings, spring/summer essay & app workshops, college planning account, insider tips for each college, 15 complete essays: 2 payments of $3,250 ($6,500 total)
Sophomore Year Start: includes Jr. Start + two essential early meetings for course and activity planning, career/major exploration, and college research: 3 payments of $2,250 ($6,750 total)
Freshman Year Start: includes Soph. Start + two additional meetings (4 more than the junior start) for course and activity planning, career/major exploration: 4 payments of $1,750 ($7,000 total)
Summit Comprehensive Consulting: For high-achieving students aiming for Ivy League and other ultra-selective institutions.
This package is designed for students applying to schools with acceptance rates under 15%, including Ivies, Stanford, MIT, and other highly competitive institutions. These students typically require extensive strategy, standout essays, and polished application materials to differentiate themselves in a hyper-selective pool.Support for up to 25 total essays (applications, honors, or scholarships) if completed by 12/15 of senior year
Additional meetings and deep-dive support to refine résumé, activities, and application narrative
Personalized guidance to help students present a cohesive and compelling applicant profile
Freshmen or Sophomore Start Only: $7,500
A La Carte and Add-On Services:
Summer Essay & Application Workshops - on a space-available basis, dates & prices announced each March (included in the Signature or Summit Package)
Research Mentorships & Internships (ask me about it!)
SAT, ACT and AP tutoring (a combined AI and one-on-one tutoring package tailored to help students achieve their specific goals for much lower cost than traditional private tutors)
Online Common App Essay/College Personal Statement Course: A 3 to 6-week, self-paced online course to complete a student’s main college essay. Includes three one-on-one meetings with Kristen to review topic ideas, essay strategy and structure. Three additional rounds of feedback (via Google Docs) are included after completion of the course and assignments within the 6-week time frame: $800.
Artists: for students applying to BFA, BArch, Dance or Theater programs that require supplemental program applications, auditions, and/or portfolios, an additional fee of $1,000 is added.
List Development, $550: includes two hourly meetings and the presentation of a list of 12-20 good-fit options, with notes/links on how each meets your goals/priorities.
Hourly Assistance: $250 for the first and second hour; $195 for additional guidance (for anything college-related beyond list development)
The Signature & Summit Package Details:
Consulting through May 1st of a student’s senior year:
Two meetings freshman year (for college account/college process introduction, activity, summer and course planning)
Four meetings sophomore year (for activity and course planning, plus interest assessments, college preferences discussion/ranking, and college visit planning)
Monthly meetings during junior year (for college research, communication and list development, test prep planning, college visit planning and continuation of activity and course planning, letters of recommendation planning)
Weekly check-ins September-October of senior year (following the development of a customized, step-by-step plan to complete applications by early deadlines)
Offline essay work, November-December 15th, to finish applications
Counsel as needed, January-May of senior year
College Planning account: a college planning and communication tool that includes inside information on thousands of colleges, virtual tour links, and timeline management tools. The account also includes Kristen’s notes from meetings with college reps and college visits.
Inside College Admission Tips: accessible with a password through the College Bound & Ready website and via proprietary college research sheets created for each college on a student’s list.
Monthly newsletter with video tutorials for both parents and students throughout high school
YouScience Career Exploration Account
Essay Workshops are offered during the summer between junior and senior year, covering specific applications, the main college essay (personal statement), school-specific essays, and scholarship essay planning.
For the Foundation Package details, go here.
Topics covered in the Signature & Summit Packages:
Career & Major Exploration
Resume Development
Mock Interview/Prep
College list recommendations and insider tips
College research and communication strategies
College Comparison/decision-making
Scholarship search tips/competitive preparation
Financial Aid Appeal
Waitlist or Deferral assistance
Essay/App Workshops (may be included in Foundation package)
Essay brainstorming and editing for all essays included in the package
College Application Timeline Development and Management
PAYMENT DETAILS
Families pay upfront for essay workshops, classes and 10-meeting packages (if not comprehensive clients).
Comprehensive Packages require varying payment amounts as an initial deposit, depending on the start date (year in high school). The total payment balance is due by July 1st, prior to the student’s senior year.
College Bound & Ready accepts checks mailed to 2679 NW Rippling River Court, Bend, OR, or payments via Stripe (online debit and credit card processor. Note: There is a 3% processing fee for credit card payments.
The prices quoted are good for 30 days.
Note & Next Steps: I limit my class of students to 22-24 per grade, so contact me soon if you are interested in becoming a College Bound & Ready client.