Now that I have both of my teenagers at UC Santa Barbara I can stop to thank College Planning Source and their entire staff. I can't even begin to tell you how much you they have helped our family. With two UC degrees, I thought I was pretty smart until I tried to help my kids apply to colleges, and then apply for Financial Aid. Was I wrong!!!! They filled the void of both high school counselors and financial aid counselors. Each of my kids started out really knowing very little about where to apply, what their real chances were of getting in, what a particular college would be like, etc... CPS was able to build rapport with them and help them come to smart decisions on where to apply, how to set their expectations and then fill out the college applications. They went back and forth so many times helping with the college essays, what to put on the applications, etc. That in itself paid for the fee. Everything else was like icing on the cake. Also, let's face it, filling out the FAFSA is like doing your own taxes, you need to hire someone who knows what they are doing - and College Planning Source knows what they are doing. There is no question that they were able to significantly help us reduce the cost of attendance for our kids. I tell everyone that I know with prospective college students that they need to call t right away. Working with them was one of the best decisions I have ever made. read more

Michelle and her team are AWESOME! 2 of my children worked with Michelle with fantastic results. Because of the program, my kids were far ahead of their peers in app submissions, much less stressed overall and they felt very confident. Michelle is exceptional at communicating w the parents and really is personable with the kids. I HIGHLY recommend Michelle and her services! read more

Michelle, Jaclyn, Arriana, and a wide array of the editing team are some of the most encouraging, most involved people. Every member of the College Planning Source team has devoted time and energy past our scheduled meetings to make sure that I am supported in my college application process. I don't know how I would get through this process without their help and faith in my abilities. Thank you all! read more

Navigating the college application process is so daunting, unless of course you have people like Michelle Mai and Arianna and Jaclyn helping your child manage the process. It was a total team effort with my oldest child and we were able to maintain a healthy relationship through it all (it always helps when it's not mom and dad always suggesting how to do things). They offer workshops and opportunities and such positive and responsive support, that my child felt so prepared to engage in the application process. We are starting with our second child now and are so happy to have the support yet again. Their guidance is priceless and I am very thankful to have formed this relationship. read more

Michelle and her team are amazing! They handle the entire process from start to finish. They are super knowledgable and took all the stress off of us. Our son is now in his Junior year at a private college, and our daughter is beginning the college application process. I highly recommend working with the College Planning Source team. read more

This review is in response to Irma B. regarding our daughters experience with College Planning Source. I agree that Anais benefited from using this service. I agree Anais deserved and worked hard to get accepted by excellent colleges, and her choice school, Dartmouth is an amazing fit for her and Anais will excel there. I did NOT agree to accomplishing her goals with dishonesty. The fact and truth is Irma asked and Michelle suggested to me to lie on Anais's college application and my personal income taxes to reduce college expenses. I acknowledge the insane cost of college. My parents paid for all five of their daughters to attend college and received no financial aid. I know it was a hardship but they never complained or considered cheating. The reason I chose to disagree was that I was not willing to compromise my values for this request. More importantly I considered the situation a teaching and learning lesson for Anais. I want her to experience and know that in life with effort and integrity all things are possible. To hold her head up and know she was accepted because of her hard work and didn't compromise herself by lying and cheating the system. The truth is integrity matters, now more than ever, and Anais may not appreciate this value now but as she continues on her amazing path she will decide by her choices. Anais is an amazing person and I'm a proud Mom. I gave her life and now her choices and values will determine her journey! read more

I am a proud student of Carnegie Mellon University, and I'm happy to say that College Planning Source played an integral role in helping me get to where I am today. When I began the college application process, I felt quite apprehensive because I had so many questions about the intricacies of applying to college, what should be on my application, etc. But after a few sessions with Michelle at CPS, I felt a lot more comfortable applying to the places I wanted to go. CPS was well-equipped with a comprehensive team to help with all my needs, from reviewing my essays to helping with financial applications. They answered all the questions I had, as well as the ones I didn't know to ask, and made sure I had all the resources and information I needed to build a strong application. I relied heavily on their advice for things like which tests to take, to what activities I should mention, to managing letters of recommendation. With the help I got from College Planning Source, I was able to build an application I could confidently say would help me study where I wanted. read more

I'm glad I went here for advice in college planning. They've provided great services and helped me get my Associates degree in Santa Ana college and got me to Cal Poly Pomona. Highly recommended for prospective college students. read more

Definitely recommend College Planning Source to parents and students looking for help applying to colleges!!!! They were very helpful every step of the way, and all questions I had were thoroughly answered. Michelle and team are very professional and will make the daunting process of college applications way less stressful. read more

Michelle Mai was very helpful in navigating the college application process. Michelle and her staff also helped guide us to colleges that offered the most financial aid then helped us apply and manage the daunting process. They did all the work for us. Not just the first year. They filed our FAFSA each and every year after. I've been dealing with CPS for 7 years now. I give them the highest recommendation. read more

Michelle and the staff have been so helpful to my family. My brother needed some guidance with student admissions and funding. They where incredibly helpful and answered all our questions. It was a truly great experience! read more

Michelle is the absolute best! She is incredibly knowledgeable and an expert in her field. She has an innate ability to connect with each and every student. Would definitely recommend College Planning Source! read more

College planning source is a scam. Their editors are absolutely terrible (especially Manvi) and they do not do ANYTHING promptly. I talk to all my friends about this place who also do it and they all agree that they are very unhelpful. PLEASE do not waste your money here. At first, Michelle makes the program seem full of integrity but after that, it just goes downhill. Ive never been so disappointed. $3000 for something that's only worth $300? Pretty much all they do is make a calendar and then write shitty edits about grammar. read more

Brigitte did wonderful job working with my son. She was patient, thorough, knowledge and very responsive to all aspects of our engagement. I would highly recommend Brigitte to everyone who may work with her. read more

We have been working with Michelle Mai with CPS for over two years, and we expect to be working with them for several more! Michelle was recommended by a friend and counselor, and contacting her and working with her has been the best decision we made in this stressful and confusing college planning process! We have two sons, one who is now in his second year of college and one who is a high school senior. Michelle has helped us to map out an entire 6 year plan- of how to cover college costs. We started with an initial consult meeting as well as attending her workshop, and went to her presentation at La Jolla High School. Michelle made sure to go slowly and help us understand every step of the way. Honestly, I have no idea how we would have figured it all out without her. She also has met wtih both of our kids and has made suggestions and supported them as they navigated the school selection process. All along the way, her staff was professional and helpful. When it came to our FAFSA submission, there were delays in the government system (as expected) and her staff kept me informed. They were also very clear about what materials I needed to provide and about specific deadlines. It was VERY reassuring to know that I had College Planning Source assisting me, as it took away a lot of the worry and fear that comes along with the whole application process. I have recommended so many friends to Michelle, and all have been impressed and appreciative of the services she offers. Do NOT hesitate to contact CPS and make your first appointment. You will learn so much and you will be in great hands. They are experienced, hard working, genuine and KIND! and they will help you FIND MONEY and a college that is a good fit for your student and your finances. SK read more

I worked with Michelle Mai after my child was accepted to a top private University. Michelle provided me with the knowledge to help make a private education become a reality by educating me on the various types of financial aid available including grants and scholarships. I felt Michelle was the perfect resource and will use her again once my next child is ready to enter college. read more

Firstly, I want to thank Michelle and her team for giving my daughter the tools to successfully be admitted to 11 of the 12 colleges she applied to. Bridget was great at keeping my daughter on track. She met with her regularly, gave her constructive criticism to improve her essays, ensured deadlines were met and gave her the tools to know what colleges she should apply to - from 'safety' to 'reach' schools. College Planning Source clearly showed us what ACT/SAT scores were needed to get into specific schools and recommended AP/Subject exams to help round out her college applications. Financially, CPS was great at helping me understand how and what colleges award aid, based on merit and/or need, and what my financial contribution would be based on my finances. CPS helped me complete the FAFSA, respond to colleges regarding inquiries and even proof read my financial aid responses to each college. Michelle and her team worked with us with no judgment, much patience and sincere kindness. I could not have completed the financial process and deadlines on my own, nor could my daughter have met all her deadlines and written such great essays without Michelle and her team - for this, we are incredibly grateful. Secondly, this is in response to the one-star review, that claims that Michelle instructed us to be dishonest. Never at any point where we instructed to do anything illegal or unethical. All financial options were presented to us and it was our choice on how to proceed. The one-star reviewer merely needed a scapegoat (Michelle & College Planning Source) as an excuse to estrange herself yet again from our daughter's life, and not contribute financially to our daughter's college education. Finally - and most notably, thanks to my daughter's hard work and College Planning Source, my daughter was admitted to her top school choice - Dartmouth College! She is a freshman and although at times a bit homesick - she is thriving and loves it there! I am so proud of her for not only doing her part academically to get into Dartmouth, but for also having the emotional strength, at her young age, to overcome challenging relationships in her life. We are both so grateful to Michelle and College Planning Source for helping make the dream of attending Dartmouth College a reality. We couldn't have done it without you! read more

Michelle is knowledgeable, efficient and friendly. She helped us navigate the confusing world of financial aid applications for our firstborn and continues to guide us in financing our children's future educational endeavors. Our daughter is in the top school for her major and we are satisfied parents. We value Michelle's advice and expertise. read more

Thank you SO much College Planning Source!! I cannot imagine going through this process without the counseling and Financial Planning that CPS provided. Just the FAFSA alone being handled was such a blessing, but the help went way beyond that in terms of both helping us and the kids figuring out where they wanted to go and why, guidance through High School, the admissions process, and again the Financial Planning piece which helped us garner significant Financial Aid. Lauren will be attending The University of Denver in the Fall, and David at SDSU after having a great 2 years as a Miramar College Jet and taking advantage of the TAG program. I will continue to tell everyone that I can how amazing College Planning Source is, and highly recommend them. read more

The editors here are amazing! (Went here previously for help with college essays + financial planning). All of them are super dedicated to what they do, and the prices are very fair also. Michelle is great at making sure that you're efficiently using your words to cast yourself in the best possible light to colleges (She's also super funny and a sociable person to chat with, which is a nice plus). Definitely recommend! read more

We were overwhelmed by the application process when our older daughter was ready for college. A family friend referred College Planning Source! CPS helped us navigate through the maze of paperwork, guided us to the right colleges and worked with us in filling out FAFSA forms, etc. We would have been lost without all the guidance of CPS. A couple of years later it was time to repeat the process with our younger daughter. Once again we leaned on CPS! With their help, both our daughters are in great colleges and we are grateful to CPS and their staff who patiently guided us! Thank you, CPS!! read more

I can't say enough about the staff at College Planning Source. Michelle is extremely knowledgeable and an awesome counselor/planner. She guided my son throughout a 3 year process of narrowing his focus so he could achieve his goal of attending a college with a strong business program. The support staff is outstanding. The summer before college apps are due they get the students to really buckle down and write the necessary essays by giving them deadlines and keeping tabs on their progress. They edit, direct rewrites, edit again, and meet with the student on an ongoing basis. The application process can be overwhelming not only for the student but for the parent as well. Their guidance and support really alleviates the stress on the parents to try to manage all of the requirements and deadlines. The staff stays in close contact with the student all the way through the actual application due dates so the students are on task and on time! Plus, Michelle offers financial advice for the parents and she really helped us maximize our financial goals. The FAFSA process and all of the accompanying documents is complicated and crazy making, plus we appealed the awards that my son received so even more paperwork! Chris and Michelle didn't even blink when I called for help. They immediately alleviated the stress and anxiety I was experiencing with the different requirements from each of the colleges' appeals process. Now my son is going to a college he really is excited about. Seriously, Michelle and her staff are top notch and are well worth engaging them!! read more