Our Offerings

Our Approach

We help students craft a powerful, authentic narrative rooted in their lived experiences, academic interests, and extracurriculars. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all advice.

We believe in strategies tailored for each student.

Our Philosophy

We are your champions. Your coaches. Your strategic partners. The ones who challenge you to think bigger, dig deeper, and go further than you thought possible.

And college admissions isn't just about checking boxes. It’s about telling your story — and we’ll help you own it.

Grades 6-12 Academic Counseling

  • Academic counseling helps students successfully navigate their school years by managing their curriculum, GPA, course selections, and overall academic progress.

    For many parents, understanding school systems and graduation requirements can be challenging.

    At McLean College Consulting, we provide expert academic counseling for students in grades 6–12, ensuring they stay on track for long-term success.

    • Unlimited calls and meetings throughout the year

    • Monthly and quarterly check-ins with students and parents

    • Course selection advisement

    • Comprehensive transcript audit

    • GPA remediation and improvement planning

  • Michelle brings years of experience working in several Title I schools in Fairfax County, where she led crisis management and academic support for students facing challenging circumstances. She now applies that expertise to college consulting, offering families responsive, discreet guidance to stabilize difficult situations and create a clear path forward in both academics and admissions.

Grades 8-12 College Consulting + Coaching

  • Applying to college can be one of the most exciting and overwhelming journeys a student and their family will take.

    But imagine the moment you open your acceptance letter and realize: you did it. That’s the moment we work toward together.

    We offer three consulting programs to guide students through every stage of the college admissions process:

    • Grade 8-12 College Consulting + Coaching

    • 11th Grade Program

    • Senior College Application Consulting

  • No matter which package you choose, every student receives the same high level of strategic guidance, personalized support, and expert insight.

    All programs include the following services:

    1. Preliminary Review

    • Comprehensive review of transcripts, test scores, and extracurriculars

    • Student and parent intake questionnaire

    • Strategy session based on academic profile and goals

    • Recommendations to strengthen the student’s overall application

    2. Data Collection & Analysis

    • Detailed analysis of academic performance and course rigor

    • Review of SAT/ACT/AP scores and future testing plans

    • Tailored academic planning and recommendations

    3. Application Preparation

    • Custom admissions timeline (EA/ED/RD/Rolling)

    • Guidance on gathering and completing all application materials

    • Step-by-step Common App support

    • Final review for red flags, missing info, or errors before submission

    4. Essay Writing Support

    • Brainstorming compelling essay topics

    • One-on-one guidance to develop strong content

    • Instruction on writing effective, authentic college essays

    • Expert review by the CollegeTOP essay team

    5. Extracurricular Planning & Resume Support

    • Development of polished, strategic activity lists and resumes

    • Guidance on strengthening in-school and out-of-school involvement

    • Framing activities to highlight leadership, impact, and growth

    6. Final Components & Follow-Up

    • Strategies for securing strong letters of recommendation

    • Interview preparation (if applicable)

    • Application submission tracking and follow-up support

  • This program is geared towards middle and early high school students who want to jump start their journey to college through well-prepared strategies and guidance on academics and extracurricular activities. The sooner you begin your journey, the more you’ll have achieved by the time you need to submit your college applications. 

    Services include: 

    • Academic Advising 

    • Activity Development 

    • Leadership Mentoring 

    • 1-1 Mentoring

  • This program is targets students going into their junior year or current high school juniors. We help you maximize your efforts as you push towards college applications in the next few months. 

    Services include:

    • Academic Advising

    • Activity Development 

    • Leadership Mentoring 

    • 1-1 Mentoring 

  • This program is for current or rising seniors. We’ll help you strategize and edit every single component of your applications. 

    Services include:

    • Transcript Audit

    • Advice to maximize your senior year

    • Build your resume

    • Common Application support

    • Essay Support

    • Letters of Recommendation Support

    • Testing advice (SAT, ACT)

Transfer Applicants

  • We're proud to have helped students successfully transfer to top-tier universities, sometimes after just one semester.

    Transferring isn’t an easy decision, but if you’re ready to challenge yourself and pursue your dream school, it can be one of the most rewarding moves you make. With transfer admissions becoming more competitive each year, having a clear strategy is essential. That’s where we come in.

    We provide expert guidance on every part of the transfer process—from crafting a powerful personal statement to securing strong professor recommendations. Just as important, we help students identify the schools that truly align with their goals, values, and academic path.

    Our students have been accepted to top transfer programs with acceptance rates under 5%, and we’re here to help you achieve the same.

  • Our Transfer Consulting Services Include:

    • Identifying each student’s unique strengths and story

    • Developing a tailored transfer preparation plan

    • Building a clear, compelling resume

    • Brainstorming, editing, and refining essays and written materials

    • Finalizing a balanced and strategic list of transfer schools

    • Preparing students for college interviews

Crisis Management

  • we understand that sometimes a student’s path doesn’t go as planned. Whether it’s an unexpected drop in grades, a disciplinary record, a change in mental health, or an academic integrity issue, our crisis management service provides immediate, confidential support to help families regain control and plan a constructive way forward.

  • Michelle brings years of experience working in several Title I schools in Fairfax County, where she led crisis management and academic recovery for students facing challenging circumstances. She now applies that expertise to college consulting, guiding families with empathy, structure, and discretion to ensure long-term success.

    • Immediate consultation and case assessment

    • Personalized recovery and communication plan (for school administrators, teachers, or counselors)

    • Academic remediation strategy and GPA recovery plan

    • Disciplinary and behavioral record guidance

    • Emotional and organizational support for students

    • Ongoing check-ins to track progress and adjust the plan as needed

    • Admissions strategy recalibration (if applicable)

Ready to get started?