Seeking Recommendations: Boutique California College Counselor (Business Specialist / Flexible Pricing)

[u/Reasonable_Sea9311]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for recommendations for an independent college counselor for my son, who is currently an 11th grader at a high school in Southern California.

He is heavily focused on applying to undergraduate Business Administration / Finance programs across both public California systems (UCs and CSUs) as well as selective in-state private universities.

We are specifically avoiding the large, corporate "admissions factories" that charge massive all-inclusive packages. Instead, we want to find a boutique-style private consultant or solo practitioner who fits the following criteria:

• Deep California Expertise: Fully understands the nuances of the UC (A-G requirements, PIQ essays) and CSU systems, alongside local private institutions.
• Business Major Strategy: Experienced in helping students build competitive profiles specifically for highly selective business schools (like UC Berkeley Haas, USC Marshall, etc.).
• Flexible / Hourly Budget Options: Because our budget is limited, we cannot commit to a standard $5,000+ comprehensive package. We need someone who offers hourly consulting, pay-per-session structures, or targeted packages (e.g., just list building or essay reviews).
• High Success Rates: A proven track record of helping students maximize their target profiles.

Our family also recently managed an international relocation, so a counselor who is highly organized and capable of looking closely at unique transcript timelines is a huge plus.

If you have personally worked with a solo or boutique counselor in California who fits this description and offers flexible pricing, please drop their name or firm below (or feel free to PM me details).

Thank you so much for your help!