Few decisions in your child's life will have as great of an impact as their college choice and how much you spend on their college education. With four-year graduation rates close to 23% and transfer rates close to 60%, a poor match can literally cost you tens of thousands of dollars. College planning and college admissions can be a complex, competitive, and complicated process with over 3500 colleges and universities in the United States. Just getting admitted to many of these institutions has grown increasingly selective. Moreover, the cost of higher education has skyrocketed, rising more than five times the rate of inflation during the last ten years. I help with all facets of the application process, including essays, recommendations, school selection, and financial aid.

I offer one-to-one private sessions with students and their parents for college planning and financial aid services with the purchase of a College Admissions Club membership. I offer four levels of membership to suit the needs of every college-bound family with students in grades 8 through 12. Please review my "Coaching" page to see which membership level you are interested in starting. When you purchase these services online, I will be notified. I will contact you to begin working together immediately. If you have any additional questions or concerns, you can reach me by calling 704-944-3543 or by emailing me at [email protected].

I look forward to working with you!

Selecting a college will be the second largest investment you will make in your lifetime (maybe the biggest), other than purchasing a house. Would you consider buying a home without the assistance of a real estate agent to make sure you don't make a mistake or take on unnecessary risk? Would you consider going to court without consulting a lawyer beforehand? A good college counselor can provide valuable insights into the college planning process that can save you time and money.

With the recent school budget cuts, constant turnover, and increased responsibilities, high school guidance counselors have minimal time for college planning. With the large number of students they work with each year, in addition to the non-college planning responsibilities they are saddled with daily, it is a tough job. It is almost impossible for them to give each student the attention that is needed for this very crucial and expensive decision.

Also, many counselors are not trained or do not help with making sure the college your child selects is a sound financial fit for your family. They will not help you with determining the best way to pay for college or show you ways to reduce the cost of college. They place that burden on each household.

Many parents turn to colleges for help. Would you ask a barber if you need a haircut? Why would you ask a college for ways to reduce the cost of college?

Many families may feel the need for a more personalized approach to their college search, the application process, financial aid, paying for college, etc. My team has the gratification of working with a small number of families each year, so we can get to know each student. We provide individualized and customized college advice to each student.

Moreover, my team and I are also able to regularly visit colleges, attend college-specific seminars, keep abreast of government regulations, and participate in professional development activities.

We are not a replacement for your high school counselor, rather a personalized enhancement of the college planning assistance that you will receive.

While the majority of our students come from North and South Carolina, we have worked with students in almost all 50 states via telephone and Zoom video conferencing. Many of my clients that live down the street from my office prefer to meet virtually. I have designed my business to give us the flexibility to work with families throughout the U.S.

No. Clark College Consulting was founded on the idea of helping all students who demonstrate the desire and motivation to attend college. Not all colleges are looking to recruit the same type of student, and there is a broad range of college options that are available to families. We can identify the right educational opportunities that best match the needs and goals of any student.

No. We are not a bank, lending institution, or a scholarship search company. However, depending on your needs, we will identify and recommend the best college financial tools for your situation. We can help you evaluate the different loan options available to you, and we can give you recommendations based on your specific financial goals.

I do give out the "Bob & Darlene Clark Scholarship," in which I provide pro-bono work for at-risk or needy students each year. If you think you might qualify, please call me at 704-944-3543 or email me at [email protected].

You can spend countless hours searching websites and reviewing college guidebooks only to come away more confused. It is easy to waste precious time on these sites and still make a poor college match. A poor college selection can result in higher dropout rates and transfers after the first year. Most websites only provide a limited amount of information about colleges and universities, with most of the data being general and statistical.

While working with my team, you will experience less stress and enjoy participating in your child's college search. We can personalize the process by helping students understand the most critical elements in the college selection process. I give them a step-by-step system to follow, resulting in a college list that best matches their individual needs. We provide personalized information, proven strategies, and objective insights to eliminate stress and gain the competitive edge needed to navigate your way through every aspect of the college planning process.