College counseling in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area

Find your groove, navigating the college admissions process with clarity and confidence.

The college admissions process is more complex, competitive, and unpredictable than ever. Many families quickly find themselves overwhelmed, and it is not uncommon for the stress to create friction between parents and teens. With so much at stake, having expert guidance can make a meaningful difference.

Your child has worked very hard to reach this point. Now, your goal is to help them find a college where they can thrive not just academically, but also socially and personally. The right support can help make that happen.

At CollegeGroove, we believe this journey does not have to be stressful. With thoughtful planning, it can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Many US students do not graduate in four years, often because they have chosen a college that is not the right fit. With the proper guidance, your teen can apply to a range of schools that suit them academically, socially, and financially.

CollegeGroove offers private college advising services both virtually and in person in Chapel Hill, NC. By working with CollegeGroove, you will give your student the tools, support, and strategy they need to navigate the admissions process with confidence to find a college where they can truly thrive.

Did you know…

  • …that the average public school guidance counselor-to-student ratio is more than 400:1?

  • …that 97% of colleges do not meet 100% of a family’s demonstrated need?

  • …that over a third of college students transfer schools at least once, adding to the time and cost it takes to get their degree?

  • …that some colleges may defer, waitlist or even deny a qualified student to protect their own institutional yield?

  • …that most merit aid goes to families who can afford to pay full tuition?

  • …that a college's supplementary essays often carry more weight than the personal statement?

  • …that even "need blind" colleges consider family assets when selecting students from the waitlist?

  • …that even in today’s ‘test-optional’ landscape, submitting competitive test scores is always to a student’s benefit?

See what people are saying.

  • Now that we are happily on the other side of the process, I would strongly suggest that everyone trust this very important transition to Lauren. She has great insight and is also a keen listener. Knowing our son was in the right hands was honestly worth every dollar we paid. We were able to maintain peace in our house and enjoy his senior year. And he is so excited about his college choice!

    — Brian N., Raleigh, NC

  • Lauren was incredibly kind and knowledgeable—we learned more in our middle child's first few sessions with her than we did in our oldest child's entire process. Lauren’s calm demeanor and organizational systems kept the stress to a minimum. Her enthusiasm was contagious. We could not be happier with our daughter’s choices and are thrilled with the merit aid she received.

    — Ellen P., Chapel Hill, NC

  • My only regret of working with Lauren is that we didn't start the process much sooner! I understand now how helpful it would have been to start earlier, and plan to sign up my sophomore very soon. A longer relationship will allow her more time to advise on summers, activities and course choices, which can all widen his eventual college options.

    — Molly D., Boston, MA

Book a free consultation with Lauren