SOAR Services


College Planning Services That Meet Your Family’s Needs


Every student’s path to college is different—which is why our services are designed to meet them where they are. Whether your child is just starting high school or gearing up to submit applications, we offer personalized support that takes the guesswork and stress out of the process. From course planning and career exploration to essays and deadlines, we help students stay organized, confident, and focused—so they can apply to college with clarity and purpose.


What We Do In A Nutshell

  • Student Initial Consultation
  • Student Onboarding
  • Extracurricular Evaluation & Development
  • Activity Reporting in Apps
  • Career and Major Research
  • Standardized Testing Advisement
  • College List and Research
  • Essay Brainstorming
  • Essay Writer’s Workshops
  • Supplemental Essays Brainstorm & Review
  • Common Application Essay Workshops
  • Personal Statement Edit and Review
  • UC Personal Insight Essay Workshops
  • UC Essay Edit and Review
  • Letters of Recommendation
  • Application Workshops and App Review
  • Common Application
  • University of California Applications
  • Cal State Applications
  • Misc. Application Reviews


More One-on-One Support. Lower Cost. Greater Value.

College planning services can vary widely in cost, often driven by overhead, branding, and location. Our pricing is intentionally designed to be more accessible than many college planning services. Because we operate locally, our cost structure is lower, allowing us to pass those savings directly to families. At the same time, we prioritize depth of support, often providing more one-on-one hours and personalized guidance than many higher-priced providers.


We offer in-person workshops for $250 per session, providing a flexible option for families who want targeted support on specific parts of the application process. Most families invest between $1,200 and $2,750, with some spending up to $4,000 depending on the level of support and timeline. Comprehensive college planning services typically cost around $5,000 to $8,000 on average nationwide, with many families investing between $4,000 and $15,000 depending on the level of support. In California, where demand and cost of living are higher, the average is generally higher—about $6,000 to $12,000 or more, with premium, highly personalized services, such as those we provide at SOAR, often exceeding $15,000.

Our goal is simple: deliver high-quality, individualized college planning with more personalized support and without the inflated price tag.

We’ll walk you through our services and pricing during your consultation so you can choose the level of support that’s right for your family.


Explore our plans below to see what’s the best fit for your family, and reach out to schedule a consultation.

Discovery Plan (Freshmen & Sophomores)


For families looking to get ahead early, our Discovery Plan lays the foundation for a strong college application journey by starting in 9th or 10th grade. This plan is perfect for students who are just beginning to think about college and need guidance on how to make the most of their high school years.


We provide personalized support to help students choose the right classes, including college-recommended and A-G course requirements, and develop strong academic habits early on. We'll also review and refine extracurricular activities to ensure students are building a meaningful, well-rounded profile. Each semester, we meet to review grades and activities—parents are invited to join so we can all stay aligned. You'll also receive guidance on SAT/ACT planning, financial aid basics, and long-term strategies to strengthen your child’s application. With access to college planning software, ongoing text/email/phone support, and expert insight into what colleges are really looking for, your student will be well prepared for the years ahead.

Comprehensive Plan (Juniors & Seniors)


As students enter their final years of high school, the pressure and complexity of the college application process increases. Our Comprehensive Plan, our most popular and best-value option, provides personalized,  step-by-step guidance through every stage, from planning to final submission, so students stay organized, competitive, and confident throughout the process.


We work one-on-one with each student to clarify academic goals, evaluate transcripts, explore career paths, and identify best-fit colleges. From SAT/ACT planning to developing a strong resume of extracurriculars and leadership, we ensure every piece of the application tells a compelling story. We’ll walk your student through every stage of the process: writing and editing essays, preparing recommendation letters, organizing deadlines, and attending application workshops. Whether your child is applying to local universities or top-tier private schools, we tailor our advice to fit their goals. With up to 40 hours of personalized support, nothing gets missed, and you can rest easier knowing your child isn’t doing this alone.

UC/CSU Only Plan (Juniors & Seniors)


If your student is planning to apply only to University of California or California State University schools, our UC/CSU Only Plan is a streamlined, cost-effective solution focused entirely on those systems.


We provide targeted support for everything specific to the UC and CSU application process, including help with the Personal Insight Questions (PIQs), academic planning, and enrichment to align with admissions expectations. We’ll guide your student through selecting majors, building a strong academic and extracurricular profile, and crafting standout responses for the UC application. This plan also includes transcript evaluation, software tools, and one-on-one guidance—all tailored specifically to the nuances of these California schools. It’s a smart choice for families with a focused college list and a desire to keep the process efficient and affordable.

Basic Plan and Senior Express Workshops


The Basic Plan is our most affordable option, offering up to six structured workshops designed to guide students through the college application process. This plan includes expert review and feedback, ensuring students not only complete their essays and applications but strengthen them along the way.


For students getting a later start, our Senior Express Workshops provide a fast, focused alternative. Designed for last-minute applicants, these sessions deliver essential, high-impact instruction on key applications like the Common App, UC, and Cal State systems. Senior Express includes workshop instruction only and does not include individualized reviews.