Private College Admissions Counseling
Personalized Guidance For Your College Admissions Journey
From middle school planning through senior-year applications and beyond, a Private Counselor works one-on-one with your family to build a strategy around your student.
- A dedicated Private Counselor, available on your schedule
- Admissions experts read every application, committee-style
- Limited enrollment, so every family receives our full attention
72%
of early Ivy+ applicants admitted
9x
the national Ivy+ admit rate
Schedule a Conversation
- Your details
- Student
- Program
- Schedule
Let’s Start the Conversation.
Tell us a little about your family so we can personalize your experience.
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For other inquiries, email [email protected].
As Seen In
9x
the national Ivy+ admit rate
$6M+
in merit scholarships earned
90%
admitted to a top-two choice
20+
years guiding families
Results reflect Top Tier Admissions’ Class of 2030 outcomes. 2026 Ivy+ Acceptance Rates: Top Tier Admissions vs National
Class of 2030 acceptances include
- Harvard
- Stanford
- MIT
- Yale
- Princeton
- Columbia
- Duke
- Dartmouth
- Brown
- Penn
Charlie’s Story
A top-10% student from Texas with a 36 ACT, Charlie drew on his interest in Native American art and his work as a bilingual elections clerk to write essays that were unmistakably his own.
Mary’s Story
Starting sophomore year, Mary turned a passion for politics into research on women of color in office, a Senate internship, and her own initiative advocating for immigrants in her community.
The Private Counseling Program
A Trusted Partner for the Entire Journey
With a Private Counselor by your side, your family has personalized guidance to make confident, strategic choices at every step.
Dedicated Counselor Access
Flexible, hands-on support for students and parents by phone, email, and Zoom.
Personalized Admissions Report
A detailed evaluation of academic, extracurricular, and personal background.
Academic & Testing Roadmap
Course selection for rigor and balance, plus a year-by-year testing plan.
Academic Niche Development
Activities, research, and civic engagement that build a distinctive intellectual focus.
Essay & Application Support
A balanced school list and authentic storytelling across every application.
Committee-Style Review
Every application is reviewed and discussed by multiple members of our expert team.
About Top Tier Admissions
The Standard in Private College Counseling
Founded in 2001 by Dr. Michele Hernández, a former Dartmouth Admissions Officer, and published author, Mimi Doe, Top Tier Admissions was one of the first firms of its kind. Today, led by CEO Dr. Liz Doe Stone, we remain a second-generation, boutique team of former Admissions Officers and higher-education experts.
There is no formula. We see each student’s achievements, traits, and potential, and craft a tailored strategy that brings clarity to every step.
Common Questions
The answers, honestly.
Still have questions? A quick conversation is often the fastest way to find the clarity you need.
What does a Private Counselor do?
Far more than essay editing. Your counselor evaluates where your student stands, then builds a plan around it: course selection, a testing roadmap, which activities to deepen, how to develop an academic niche, which schools genuinely fit, and how every part of the application should come together.
When should we start?
Starting earlier gives us more to work with, but meaningful work happens at every stage. Families who begin in grades 9 or 10 can shape course load, testing, and activities. Families who join the summer before senior year receive strategy plus full application support.
How much does private counseling cost?
Private counseling is tailored to the length and intensity of each engagement, so a multi-year plan and a senior-year program differ considerably. We share exact pricing on your introductory call, before you commit to anything.
Can you guarantee admission?
No one outside an admissions office decides who is admitted. What we can do is make sure your student’s application is as strong, coherent, and distinctive as possible, and that your school list reflects a realistic read of their profile.
How is this different from our high school’s college counselor?
School counselors often support several hundred students and cannot build an individual, multi-year strategy. Our counselors work with a small caseload, offer high-touch support, and are only advocating for your student’s best interests.