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.

Very beautiful campus actually pretty unique you can walk to classes and then walk along the beach…read moreon the same day very nice and relaxing place to study

My first time to the University of California, Santa Barbara was for the 3rd Summit on Diversity in…read morethe Minerals, Metals, and Materials Professions in July 2018. I arrived the night before the start of the diversity summit. The campus was well marked on the streets, though I did get lost trying to find my lodging accommodations. Slowing down as I drove my car, I eventually spotted a building matching the description I had. The workers were friendly and clearly directed me to where parking was for those of us attending the summit. I had signed up for the conference of my own initiative following attending a conference for the corresponding professions in March 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. Finding parking that first night was my first sigh of relief I had made it. Then, walking my small suitcase towards the lodging building, I noticed a tunnel with lights running parallel to the tunnel entrances/exits up the sides and across the top of the tunnel. Pausing to take a look, someone on a bicycle rode through the tunnel and the lights blinked as they passed each strand. So cool. My lodging was comfortable, I was happy I had chosen to pay for everything myself in addition to choosing the summit myself. It helped build my confidence that I could call the shots in my own career. Summit sessions were held across the following two days in multiple on-campus buildings. Talent brought in spanned academia, national laboratory researchers, and people in industry. A few talk highlights included a presentation by a man from a company that had decided to pull his slides at the last minute for proprietary (intellectual property) reasons - he had to improv his entire talk. Another man, from my university (University of California, Berkeley) and a different department (Materials Science and Engineering) commented on how he hoped some day a Nobel Prize (corresponding disciplines: Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry) would be awarded to someone who cared enough about diversity to attend this diversity summit in advance of being awarded the prize. I enjoyed the on-campus meals (catered) we shared together as well. The weather was beautiful and we could watch an on-campus lagoon for wildlife. A birdwatching guide and binoculars had been provided in my room. All around, I had a lovely time.

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.