Today's college application process is full of hurdles and potential minefields, particularly if…read moreone is applying to several colleges. I used Balanced College Planning in Santa Barbara to help me with the process and I'm so glad I did! Rya Carpenter and Jean Fox have many years of experience supporting students in the application process and they are outstanding, value-minded professionals at helping students navigate that complex process. I worked very closely with Jean Fox, who patiently asked questions to understand my needs (my #1 goal was to transfer into UCSB, which is local for me). Jean provided clear direction, great insights and laser focus on the many steps required to create my strongest possible application. Jean was always cheerful, supportive, flexible and a pleasure to work with. Whether you are entering the college application as a high school student or as a transfer student (I am an older student), I would highly recommend Jean, Rya and Balanced College Planning! This Wednesday, I received my acceptance letter to UCSB. I couldn't be happier!

Rya's skills, knowledge and passion gave our family the tools to assist our two kids in their quest…read morefor their #1 college choice. She is a coach, a trusted advisor and a realist in helping us understand the process along with what scholarship may or may not be available. Anyone looking to get an "edge" in the competitive college application process, we strongly encourage you to hire Rya. If we had two more kids, we certainly would! Steve &Debbie Woodward

As the first person to be able to attend college in my family I had no idea where to start and was…read morehaving a difficult time applying to colleges. Holly was able to help me through the whole process. She helped me create a plan and worked with me every step of the way. I am currently attending a four year university that I love and I would not have been able to be where I am now without the help of Holly.

From the owner: There are more than 4000 colleges and universities in the USA alone. Let's find a school where you…read morewill thrive. I know the college admission process and can reduce stress, arguments, and guide you in all aspects of the preparation and application process.I focus on finding each student the right academic, social, and economic fit so they become the person they were meant to be.

What a beautiful beautiful beautiful school what a beautiful blue beautiful beautiful place…read morethe people are really cool here too. there's a lot of diversity actually it's a huge school so there's a lot of people I had so many years of free counseling amazing course counseling I really like all the extracurriculars offered here having been out of college for a long time I've never been anywhere like this I lived some of my best years here

I attended UCSB from 2004-2008. While it was a fun party school, I can still barely get an…read moreentry-level job at nearly 40 years old (and getting a masters in business at USC Marshall). While the schools have prioritized reaching out to alumni for donations, they need to take accountability for improving the job market, to make sure their graduates have jobs. I'm sure the chancellor and other high level staff, sometimes making upwards of a million dollars in salaries, are smart enough to figure out how to help create more jobs and place graduates in them. If you're looking for an education in order to get a job, I'd say pass.

Looking for strong academics with incredible teachers and staff? Come check out Laguna Blanca…read moreeither at the Lower Campus (elementary)in Montecito or the Upper Campus (middle & high school) in Hope Ranch. Both campuses are beautiful, large green spaces and expansive with nice classrooms and many outdoor areas for learning and exploring. There is a huge field for sports at the Upper Campus. Brand new science and engineering labs and classrooms are at the Upper Campus and it's all under the expertise of brilliant teachers who care about their students. The academics are very strong here and they raise the bar high for all students, but in a way that is not stressful. They work hard to support each student's needs. From the core classes to the electives to summer camp....they have it all. Want to get involved as a parent? They have the Parent's Auxillary and board with activities and events all year long. The administration here is tops on both campuses. Friendly, intelligent, kind, hard working and truly devoted team of people at every level here.

I had the best experiences attending this school, and their rigorous academic standards well…read moreprepared me for college and law school.

Signed my son up for the SAT class because I took the class when I was going to college. Class…read morecancelled because there were not enough kids...I get it. They put him into another class a couple of months later. Class cancelled because there were not enough kids....bummer....we went elsewhere. They refunded a little over half of the $999 for the class. Where is the other $400? It is in the other accounting system...I know this only because I called and asked. "No problem, you will get a refund on your credit card, so sorry." Nine months later.....no refund. Five calls, three or four emails, there is no answer. Maybe it costs $400 if they chose to have the class or not?? Hopefully this is a total misunderstanding but nine months, no class and no answers sucks.

I enrolled my daughter Emma in an Ultimate Weekend course. It was a bit pricy, but we needed to get…read moreher well-prepped for the SAT. I thought it would be difficult to get her up in the morning, convince her to go to class on Saturdays and Sundays. After the first day, she loved it! I mean, as far as one can truly enjoy going to school on the weekends. She said her teacher Zach was very well-pepared, yet also made it entertaining for the students. Her score ending up improving by over 250 points. Highly recommend The Princeton Review in Santa Barbara.