Private college counseling in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill

Find your admissions groove.

Today, the college admissions process is more complex, competitive, and unpredictable than ever. Even strong students are often surprised by their outcomes, leaving families uncertain about whether they made the right choices.

Selecting a college is one of the most important decisions your family will make, with implications that extend well beyond admission. With the right guidance, families can shape not only a student’s college choice, but their level of confidence and success they are once enrolled.

At CollegeGroove, we help students make informed, strategic decisions and apply to colleges where they are genuinely competitive and well-positioned to thrive academically, socially, and personally. When choices are grounded in fit, the process becomes calmer and outcomes are more satisfying.

CollegeGroove provides private college advising both virtually and in person in Chapel Hill, NC. Families who work with CollegeGroove gain clarity, confidence in their decisions, and a thoughtful path forward that supports long-term student success.

Did you know…

  • …that the average public school guidance counselor-to-student ratio is more than 400:1?

  • …that 97% of colleges do not meet 100% of a family’s demonstrated need?

  • …that over a third of college students transfer schools at least once, adding to the time and cost it takes to get their degree?

  • …that some colleges may defer, waitlist or even deny a qualified student to protect their own institutional yield?

  • …that most merit aid goes to families who can afford to pay full tuition?

  • …that a college's supplementary essays often carry more weight than the personal statement?

  • …that even "need blind" colleges consider family assets when selecting students from the waitlist?

  • …that even in today’s ‘test-optional’ landscape, submitting competitive test scores is always to a student’s benefit?

See what people are saying.

  • Now that we are happily on the other side of the process, I would strongly suggest that everyone trust this very important transition to Lauren. She has great insight and is also a keen listener. Knowing our son was in the right hands was honestly worth every dollar we paid. We were able to maintain peace in our house and enjoy his senior year. And he is so excited about his college choice!

    — Brian N., Raleigh, NC

  • Lauren was incredibly kind and knowledgeable—we learned more in our middle child's first few sessions with her than we did in our oldest child's entire process. Lauren’s calm demeanor and organizational systems kept the stress to a minimum. Her enthusiasm was contagious. We could not be happier with our daughter’s choices and are thrilled with the merit aid she received.

    — Ellen P., Chapel Hill, NC

  • Lauren was very helpful in every aspect of college advising and counseling. She laid out a clear plan for me to follow without limiting my own ambition, helped me to bring my life to words on paper, and was super supportive throughout my entire application process. I feel I owe my admission into college in part to her expert guidance during the essay process. She helped me decide what experiences to place the most emphasis on and my essays were very strong as a result.

    — Bryce J., Raleigh, N.C.

Book a free consultation with Lauren