Group of young diverse students walking up steps towards a university building, carrying backpacks and books, with one smiling woman looking back at the camera

A Clear, Structured Path from High School to College

Strong college applications are not built during senior year alone. They are built over time through intentional decisions, meaningful experiences, and thoughtful planning.

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At Concierge College Counseling, students and families receive personalized college counseling designed to bring clarity, direction, and confidence to what can often feel like an overwhelming process. Based in Los Gatos, Concierge College Counseling serves families throughout the South Bay Area, including San Jose, Saratoga, Cupertino, Campbell, Monte Sereno, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Willow Glen, Almaden Valley, Palo Alto, Fremont, and surrounding communities.

Led by Sondra Garcia (“Ms. Sondra”), students in grades 9–12 receive individualized guidance that helps them build a strong and authentic foundation long before applications are submitted.

Many families begin the college process wishing they had started earlier. Students often have strong potential but may lack a clear plan, cohesive direction, or understanding of how the pieces fit together. Through a structured, high-touch approach, Ms. Sondra works closely with a limited number of students to help them make intentional decisions, develop meaningful interests, strengthen their profiles, and build compelling applications that reflect who they are.

The goal is simple: by senior year, students should not feel like they are scrambling. With the right guidance and preparation, they can move through the admissions process with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Strategic College Planning for Grades 9–12

College admissions planning is most effective when it begins early rather than when application deadlines are approaching. Concierge College Counseling gives students a clear grade-by-grade roadmap, helping them make stronger academic, extracurricular, and personal decisions throughout high school.

Graduating Students Smiling

Grades 9–10: Foundation and Direction

In the early high school years, students begin building the foundation for future college applications.

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Areas of focus may include:

  • Academic strength and course planning
  • Honors, AP, and elective strategy
  • Early exploration of interests
  • Meaningful extracurricular involvement
  • Strong study habits and writing skills
  • Early awareness of college admissions expectations

The goal is to help students avoid scattered activities and instead begin making thoughtful choices that reflect authentic interests and long-term growth.

Grade 11: Positioning and Strategy

Junior year is a critical time for college admissions planning. Students begin refining their direction, identifying areas of distinction, and preparing for the application process ahead.

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Areas of focus may include:

  • Academic positioning
  • Extracurricular depth and leadership
  • SAT/ACT planning, if applicable
  • Major and career exploration
  • Summer program, internship, or enrichment strategy
  • Initial college list development
  • Early essay brainstorming
  • Building a cohesive student narrative

By the end of junior year, students should have a stronger sense of who they are, what they value, and how their academic and personal story may come through in their applications.

Grade 12: Application Execution

Senior year is when planning becomes execution. Students receive structured support through the application process, from college list refinement to essay development and final application review.

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Areas of focus may include:

  • Balanced college list development
  • UC application/essay development and review
  • Common App support
  • Personal statement development
  • Supplemental essay development and review
  • Application timeline management
  • Recommendation guidance
  • Interview preparation
  • Final decision and waitlist guidance

The goal is to help students complete applications with clarity, confidence, and a strong sense of personal direction.

Comprehensive College Coaching and Admissions Support

Every family enters the college admissions process at a different stage. Some students benefit from long-term coaching that begins in 9th or 10th grade, while others need focused support during junior year, senior-year applications, or the essay-writing process.

Concierge College Counseling offers several personalized options, including:

  • Comprehensive Coaching Program for grades 9 to 11
  • A Senior Admissions Program for 12th grade students
  • Essay-Only Packages
  • Hourly Support for families who need targeted guidance

Parents can start with a top-level overview of each option, then review more detailed program information to determine which level of support best fits their student’s goals, timeline, and application needs.

group of students

What Students Gain from the Comprehensive Coaching Program

Students receive more than a checklist. They receive guidance designed to help them make thoughtful decisions throughout high school and present themselves authentically in the college admissions process.

What Students Gain:

  • A clear academic plan aligned with college goals
  • Strategic course selection guidance
  • Support with Honors, AP, and elective planning
  • Meaningful extracurricular development
  • Direction in identifying authentic interests
  • Major and career exploration
  • Stronger writing and communication skills
  • Confidence in decision-making
  • Long-term planning support
  • A well-developed personal narrative before senior year

Comprehensive Program Features

Depending on the student’s grade level, goals, and timeline, comprehensive college counseling may include:

  • One-on-one personalized coaching with Ms. Sondra
  • A clear grade-by-grade roadmap
  • Academic planning and course selection strategy
  • SAT/ACT planning and preparation guidance
  • Extracurricular planning
  • Summer program, internship, and enrichment strategy
  • Early essay planning and application positioning
  • Accountability and consistent check-ins
  • College list development and refinement
  • Major selection and program strategy
  • UC essay guidance
  • Common App personal statement support
  • Supplemental essay brainstorming and review
  • Application strategy, including Early
  • Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, UC, and CSU planning
  • Application review and submission support
  • Interview preparation and mock interviews
  • Financial aid and scholarship guidance
  • Recommendation letter guidance
  • Parent check-ins and ongoing support
  • Waitlist, deferral, and final decision guidance
Group of Friends Enjoying an Outdoor Study Session in a Park During a Sunny Day

Flexible Payment Options

We offer flexible payment structures while reserving your student’s place in the program.

  • Annual Payments: Payments are made at the start of each school year.
  • Installment Plans: Split each year into 4 equal installments (quarterly)
  • Pay-in-Full Courtesy Discount: 3% multi-year discount on program investment.

Senior-Year College Application Support

For students starting counseling in 12th grade, Concierge College Counseling offers structured, high-touch college application support from application planning through final admissions decisions.
This option is designed for rising seniors or current seniors who need focused support with application strategy, essays, college lists, and timelines.

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Senior-Year Support May Include:

  • Custom college list development and refinement
  • Brainstorming opportunities to strengthen applications
  • Final major selection and program strategy
  • Common App personal statement guidance
  • UC Personal Insight Question support
  • Supplemental essay brainstorming, drafting, and review
  • UC, CSU, and Common App application support
  • Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision strategy
  • Recommendation letter guidance
  • Interview preparation
  • Scholarship and financial aid guidance
  • Student and parent check-ins
  • Waitlist, deferral, and final decision support

This support helps students stay organized, reduce stress, and submit stronger applications with a clearer sense of strategy.

graduating

Payment Options Available:

  • We offer flexible payment structures while reserving your student’s place in the program.
  • Installment Plans: Split each year into 4 equal installments (quarterly)
  • Pay-in-Full Discount: 3% discount on program investment

Essay Coaching and Review

College essays are one of the most important opportunities for students to communicate who they are beyond grades, test scores, and a list of activities.

Ms. Sondra’s unique background as a professional writer, editor, and English teacher is especially valuable to help students brainstorm, develop, revise, and polish essays that are authentic, focused, and aligned with the student’s broader application strategy.

Essay support may include:

  • Common App personal statement
  • UC Personal Insight Questions
  • Supplemental essays
  • Scholarship essays
  • Internship and summer program essays
  • Essay brainstorming
  • Multiple rounds of revisions
  • Narrative development
  • Editing for clarity, structure, and voice

The goal is not to overwrite the student’s voice. The goal is to help students express their ideas with more clarity, authenticity, and confidence.

Essay-Only Packages

Foundational Essay Package:

  • Personal Statement (Common App) + 4 UC Essays
  • Ideal for students applying to a focused list of UCs and schools with few or no supplemental essays.

Balanced Application Package

  • Personal Statement + UC Essays + 6–8 Supplemental Essays
  • Designed for students applying to a balanced mix of UC and private universities that require supplemental essays.

Comprehensive Essay Package

  • Personal Statement + UC Essays + Up to 12 Supplemental Essays
  • Best suited for students applying broadly, including highly selective private colleges that require supplemental essays.
NOTE: All packages include iterative drafting, in-depth feedback, and guidance to ensure each essay is authentic, polished, and aligned with the student’s overall application strategy.

Hourly College Counseling Support

For families seeking occasional guidance, hourly support is available depending on Ms. Sondra’s schedule and current student capacity.

This may be a fit for families who need help with a specific question, essay review, application decision, college list concern, or planning conversation.

smiling student
me with chinese parents

Choosing the Right College Counseling Plan

Every student’s path is different. Some families want long-term college counseling beginning in 9th or 10th grade. Others reach out during junior year for strategic positioning, or senior year for direct application and essay support.

Concierge College Counseling can help families determine the best fit based on the student’s grade level, goals, timeline, and desired level of support.

To learn more about current availability and program options, please contact us to schedule a consultation.

College Counseling FAQs

Do you offer college counseling in Los Gatos?

Yes. Concierge College Counseling provides personalized college counseling for students and families in Los Gatos and throughout the South Bay Area.

Do you help with UC applications?

Yes. Support may include UC application strategy, brainstorming and reviewing UC Personal Insight essays, activity descriptions, major selection, and application review.

Do you create college lists?

Yes. College list development and refinement can be part of the counseling process, with attention to fit, academic goals, admissions strategy, and family priorities.

Do you offer in-person as well as virtual meetings?

Yes. Ms. Sondra meets with students either virtually on Zoom or in person in Los Gatos, depending on the student’s needs.

How do we know which program is right for our student?

The best fit depends on your student’s grade level, timeline, goals, and how much support your family wants throughout the process. A consultation can help determine the right path.

When should my student start college counseling?

While many families begin in 9th or 10th grade to take advantage of long-term planning, students can begin at any stage of high school. Starting earlier provides more time to make intentional academic, extracurricular, and college planning decisions while reducing stress later in the process. However, whether a student begins in 9th, 11th, or even 12th grade, the goal remains the same: to create a clear strategy, maximize opportunities, and help students move through the admissions process with greater confidence and direction.

Do you help with Common App and supplemental essays?

Yes. Ms. Sondra helps students brainstorm, draft, revise, and polish Common App personal statements and supplemental essays.

Do you work with families outside Los Gatos?

Yes. Concierge College Counseling serves families throughout the South Bay Area, including San Jose, Saratoga, Cupertino, Campbell, Monte Sereno, Los Altos, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Willow Glen, Almaden Valley, Fremont, Palo Alto, and nearby communities.

Do you offer hourly support?

Hourly support may be available depending on current availability and the type of support needed.