Investment
A significant investment. A clear one.
College counseling is a significant investment, and I believe families should have a clear sense of cost before scheduling a conversation. Most families work with me through structured advising packages. Investments range from $5,000 - $16,000+ depending on the student's grade level, timeline, and needs.
Most popular & best value
The Signature Program
Overarching years of intentional, holistic support.
Comprehensive multi-year advising is the best fit for families who want continuity, calm, and a long view of the process. Shorter-term support may be available for students entering later in high school. After an initial parent conversation, I'll recommend the level of support that makes the most sense for your student.
Entry points
Students can enter at 9th, 10th, or 11th grade. Payment plans are available and discussed during the initial conversation.
What's included
- A comprehensive roadmap for coursework, summers, and extracurricular growth
- Ongoing strategy sessions that evolve as your student grows
- Parent support and guidance throughout — so you're not guessing
- Coaching for motivation, balance, and sustainable pacing
- Full application-season support: list-building, essays, decisions
Why families choose this
- Trust over time — a relationship that deepens for honest, effective guidance
- Continuity — fewer start-overs, less explaining, more momentum
- Calmer decision-making — a clear framework that reduces stress
Individual year support
| Package | Grade | Sessions | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exploring | 9th Grade | 4 sessions/yr + 2 parent sessions | Foundational habits, course planning, extracurricular planning, summer planning, mindset coaching |
| Building | 10th Grade | 8 sessions + quarterly parent check-ins | Course planning, leadership, standardized testing strategy (PSAT/SAT/ACT), meaningful summer opportunities |
| Focusing | 11th Grade | Monthly sessions + monthly parent check-ins | College list, personal essay strategy, résumé, testing plan, financial aid awareness, summer planning |
| Execution Existing clients | 12th Grade | 2 sessions/month + monthly parent check-ins | College list finalization, application strategy, essays (Common App + up to 10 colleges), UC PIQs, financial aid strategy |
| Essay Support New clients | 12th Grade | 7 sessions + email support | Common App personal statement, supplementals for up to 5 colleges, UC PIQs, prompt strategy, editing, AI guidance |
Supplemental services
Targeted support, when you need it.
For families who want clarity at a specific point in the journey. These support — but do not replace — comprehensive counseling.
Financial Aid Strategy
50-minute strategy call + 30-minute follow-up.
Net price calculators, FAFSA/CSS Profile readiness, need-based vs. merit aid, and comparing financial aid offers. Educational and planning-focused.
Strategy Session
A focused 50-minute consultation for a specific decision point.
Course planning, extracurricular prioritization, summer opportunities, college list review, or timeline strategy. Does not include work outside the call.
Discovery Call
30 min
A no-cost, pressure-free conversation about where your family is and what kind of support would be most helpful. The right place to start if you're unsure which package fits.
Good to know
A few notes on how this works.
Boutique capacity
Kowal College Counseling is intentionally small. We work with a limited number of families each year to ensure every student receives genuinely high-touch support. Availability fills quickly — especially for multi-year packages.
Payment plans
Payment plans are available for multi-year packages. Options are discussed during the initial parent conversation based on what works for your family.
No wrong entry point
Students can enter the Signature Program in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade. Each entry point still provides significant savings compared to year-by-year pricing, and the approach adapts to meet the student exactly where they are.
What's always included
All packages include phone and email support available outside of scheduled sessions. Students and parents are never left guessing between meetings. Additional support is available upon request.
Not sure which package is right for your family?
The Discovery Call is free, 30 minutes, and designed to answer exactly that question. After a brief conversation, Dot will recommend the level of support that makes the most sense for your student.