Welcome!

Thanks for stopping by. It's wonderful to "see" you. A veteran homeschooler, professional college planning specialist, and practicing Catholic, Katherine O'Brien, MA CCPS, founder of Celtic College Consultants, works with college bound teens all over the US. Preparing for college is a multi-faceted multi-year process. Preparing well makes the difference between an average outcome (1-3 major changes, 6 years to graduate, $30,000+ in student loan debt) and college success (graduate in 4 years with little to no debt). Preparing for college is completely different now than when we parents went. There are so many facets and complexities. Add to that recent changes and test scarcity and homeschoolers face real challenges when it comes to the college admissions process.

What is College Consulting/College Planning?

I work with teens from 8th - 12th grades to help them identify their goals, personal and academic strengths, evaluate their post secondary options, and take the steps to prepare themselves for and successfully apply to those schools and programs. I also work with their families on the financial side of things. Many families hire me to provide complete college planning services.  I also offer some of my services individually. Over the past five graduating classes, my clients have been offered over $240,000 each, on average, in scholarships and have been accepted at multiple colleges and universities. They have clear goals, know themselves well, and have the personal skills to be successful on campus. Their families have enjoyed the journey to college, avoided the many hours of research, and the headaches and challenges of managing the entire application process, and they saved money.

My College Success Program has three pillars: Premier Student Preparation, Savvy College Selection, and Abundant Funding. Doing these three well has had tremendous outcomes. My 2015 - 2020 College Success Program graduates have been offered over $240,000 each in merit scholarships, on average, and have been accepted at several colleges each. This gives them excellent options for their futures!

Interested in exploring working together? Sign up for a consultation by clicking Let's Meet! I invite you to use one of the 60% off discount options. ($100 rather than $250) I look forward to meeting you and helping you on your journey to college!

Please take time during the conference to view my 8 talks for this conference (click the Speaker link). If your child is 0-14, be sure to see Homeschooling the College Bound & 15 Ways to Save $10,000+ on College. Those with high school students will benefit from all eight. There's a link to my speaker booth below.

One hour private family consultation

Ask all your questions. Get expert advice. Meet with Katherine O'Brien, MA CCPS, Homeschooler & Founder of Celtic College Consultants. We will explore your student's accomplishments, both in and out of the classroom, his or her hopes and dreams (if they have been identified yet), the financial side of things, and the relevant post-high school options. Click the picture, then Katherine O'Brien, and select a good day and time for both the parents and the college bound teen(s) in your family. The fee can be applied to additional consulting services you select. A consultation is the first step for those interested in one on one consulting services. Having a consultation in no way obliges you to any other services. Click the Let's Meet logo to schedule yours!

Career Exploration Services:

The average time to complete a bachelors in the US is 6 years. Through my Career Exploration Jumpstart program, I help students identify the options, evaluate the various possibilities and find a focus. The process itself teaches them how to continue refining their ideas during college. I use the excellent Focus2Career program as a starting point. For an account plus four one on one 30 minute consultations, click the green box. If you'd like to just get an account (not available directly to students), click the Focus2Career logo.

NB Career exploration is included in my one on one consulting program.

Essay Coaching, Reviewing, & Editing Services:

   Writing admissions and scholarship application essays is a challenging process.  It's also essential for students to convey their personalities and aspirations effectively; the essay is THE part of the application for students to differentiate themselves from their peers. As a seasoned essay coach, author, veteran homeschooler, and admissions expert, Katherine O'Brien, MA CCPS is uniquely qualified to help students identify their message and craft their essays. Her students have been accepted at numerous highly selective colleges, programs, and honors colleges for the past 15 years. Click the image for essay services. (Please note, essay services are included in my one on one college consulting program.)

Top Notch Online ACT, SAT Test Prep Courses, 20% off!

As homeschoolers, our test scores are a key part of the admissions process since many colleges and universities (even test optional ones!) use them to validate our coursework.  ePrep.com's top notch courses all come with a guarantee. With testing shifting to online platforms starting with this year's AP exams, prepping online makes more sense than ever before. Get course details at ePrep.com then return and purchase here for 20% off any of their courses.

Financial Aid Evaluation & Consultation:

Curious about how much financial aid you will be eligible for? Wondering what you can do to increase your eligibility for aid? Need a college funding plan evaluation? If so, you've come to the right place. Katherine O'Brien, MA CCPS is a certified college planning specialist and financial aid expert. She can help you identify ways to increase your aid elibility, create tax "scholarships" (aka savings), and suggest investment opportunities to help increase your cash flow for college. Click the cash and mortar board picture to schedule your financial aid consultation today.

A financial evaluation and consultation is included in my one on one college consulting program. FAFSA and CSS PROFILE and other required financial aid application preparation filing services are also available.

Books:

Let's meet to discuss your situation!

In your one hour consultation, we will discuss your student and family situation, answer your questions, and make suggestions about how to move forward most effectively to accomplish your child's college goals. Click the mug to select your meeting day and time. It's best if both parents and the student attend.