College Admissions Counseling, College Counseling for Success
College Admissions Counseling · Grades 11–12

A college list that fits.
Essays that are genuinely theirs.
A strategy that holds.

Complete College Admissions Counseling · Grades 11–12 · Package-Based

Strategic support from initial planning through submitted applications.

College Admissions Counseling covers the full arc of the process, from an initial strategy session and a multi-month roadmap through college list development, essay guidance, activities and resume review, and a final check before submission. The work is grounded in the student's own story: building a balanced list with cost and merit aid in view, developing a personal statement and supplemental essays over as many rounds as the student needs, and shaping recommendation strategy and a brag sheet.

The level of involvement scales to match how much support a family wants, from frequent parent updates throughout the year to a partnership that extends further for families facing a more complex or high-stakes process, with priority scheduling and fast response times, summer planning for rising seniors, and support through waitlists, deferrals, and appeals if they come up.

Whatever the scope, the goal stays the same: a student who leaves the process with an application that reflects who he or she is, and a family who never has to guess what happens next. Support continues past the decision itself, including post-acceptance guidance as the student prepares for the transition ahead. Exact scope and pricing are discussed during the initial consultation, once I have a clear picture of the student's grade, timeline, and goals.

Dale Koplik, M.Ed.
A counselor and strategist

Focused on the whole person.

I’m Dale Koplik, M.Ed., a Certified School Counselor and Independent Educational Consultant. I work one-on-one with students and families as both a counselor and a strategist, always focused on the whole student, not just the application or the grade. My approach is counselor-led and developmentally grounded, rooted in adolescent development and school counseling theory, built around the student. I bring structure, questioning, and honest feedback, so the voice that comes out stays his or hers. My process is holistic, looking at best fit schools, financial considerations, mental health balance, and long-term readiness alongside the application itself.

M.Ed., School CounselingUniversity of Southern California
Certified School CounselorLicensed professional credential
Independent Educational ConsultantU.S. and international families

Learn more about my background and approach →

Focused Services · Grades 9–12

Focused support when you need it.

Early College Planning

Standalone or Add-On  ·  Grades 9–10

Start before the junior-year rush. Build academic direction, develop meaningful activities, and understand what strong positioning looks like so students arrive at 11th grade with a foundation rather than starting from scratch.

College Strategy Intensive $950

Standalone Service  ·  Grades 11–12

A focused reset for families who need direction before ongoing advising. Assess academics, testing, activities, fit, and affordability, then leave with a clear, personalized plan for what should happen next.

College List & Fit Audit $695

Standalone Service  ·  Grades 11–12

An expert review of an existing college list. Evaluate academic fit, balance, intended-major options, personal priorities, and affordability so the family can move forward with greater confidence.

Common Questions

Questions parents ask before starting.

What makes this different from working with the school counselor? +
School counselors do important work, but with caseloads of 300 to 400 students, individualized strategy and essay development take a back seat by necessity. That's the gap I try to fill: one-on-one support, with the time and focus a competitive application needs.
When should we start? +
Junior year is the most common starting point. Families who begin in 9th or 10th grade arrive at that stage with clearer direction and stronger positioning. A 30-minute consultation is the clearest way to identify where your student is right now and what makes the most sense.
How does pricing work? +
I discuss pricing during the consultation. Once I have a clear picture of your student's grade, timeline and goals. That context is what makes the conversation meaningful, and it's how I make sure the right package gets recommended for the right reasons.
What Parents Are Saying
★★★★★
“Dale is a true professional with an in-depth understanding of the college admissions landscape. He has a highly personalized approach and took the time to understand my child’s aspirations and unique qualities. My child has become more organized and motivated and is starting to truly flourish.”
Parent of a high school student  ·  Google Review

View on Google →

Next Step

Find out where your student stands and what the right level of support looks like.

In a 30-minute call, I'll help you get an honest read on where your student stands, what he or she needs most, and which package fits.

  • Get an honest read on your student’s positioning and what it will take to get where they want to go
  • Understand which package makes sense for your timeline and goals
  • Ask anything about the process, the approach, or what working together actually looks like

Learn more about Dale’s background  ·  View all packages and services