Your Path to the Right College Starts Here
Personalized college counseling for North San Diego families. Expert guidance through every step — from school selection to acceptance.
Comprehensive College Counseling
Expert, personalized guidance for every stage of the college journey.
College Selection Strategy
We help students identify the right-fit colleges based on academic profile, personal goals, and family priorities — building a balanced, strategic list tailored to your future.
Essay Coaching & Writing
From brainstorming to final polish, we guide students through crafting compelling personal statements and supplemental essays that authentically showcase who they are.
Application & Timeline Planning
Stay organized and on track with a personalized roadmap covering testing, deadlines, recommendations, and every milestone from high school to decision day.
Where Our Students Get In
Our students have earned acceptance to top universities across the US and UK — here's a selection of their achievements.
Cornell University
UCLA
Belmont University
Baylor University
TCU
University of Oregon
CU Boulder
Purdue University
San Diego State University
Boise State University
Pepperdine University
NYU
University of Montana
University of Arizona
Sonoma State University
Syracuse University
22 universities · 16 US · 6 UK
Work With Us
Choose the session that fits where you are in the college planning journey. Both options are available directly through our Calendly calendar below.
30-Minute New Client Consultation
First time working with us? Book the New Client Consultation — a complimentary 30-minute call or Zoom to learn about your student and how we can help.
60-Minute Existing Client Session
Already working with us? Book the Existing Client Consultation — a 60-minute deep-dive session to continue your college planning work.
Select your session type in the calendar below, then choose a date and time that works for you.Open in Calendly
Not sure which session to choose? Send us a message and we'll point you in the right direction.
Kelly & Abby
Two experienced counselors. One shared mission — helping North San Diego students find and get into the colleges where they'll thrive.
Abigail MacNeal
essay specialist & international college counselor
Kelly MacNeal
Founder & Lead College Counselor
Together, Kelly and Abby bring decades of combined experience guiding North San Diego families through every stage of the college admissions journey. Based in Carlsbad, they work closely with students from Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Costa, and the surrounding communities — building personalized strategies that turn the college search from overwhelming to empowering.
Their approach is holistic and student-centered. They believe every student has a unique story worth telling — and their job is to help students tell it in a way that resonates with admissions committees at their dream schools, whether that's a UC campus, a top private university, or a prestigious UK institution.