Abby McKinnon
College admissions coach for students and parents in Portland, Oregon
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Also coaches | Financial coach |
| Based in | Portland, Oregon, United States |
| Credentials | HECA member |
| Practice | Garden Shed College Coaching |
Abby McKinnon is an independent college admissions coach in SE Portland, Oregon. She runs Garden Shed College Coaching and helps students and their parents find a college that fits. She takes on a small group of students each year. Her work draws on more than 20 years with kids and families. She is a HECA member.
What Abby helps with
Abby helps students plan for college, build a list, finish applications and make a final choice. She also helps families get on the same page about budget and funding.
- Pre-college planning
- Building a college list
- Managing application deadlines
- Writing college essays
- Making a testing plan
- Scholarships and financial aid
- Deciding between college offers
- Moving from high school to college
Who Abby works with
Abby works with high school students and their parents. Her site has separate sections for freshmen and sophomores, juniors and seniors. She takes a small group of students each year. Parents are part of the process, so everyone stays informed and on the same page.
How Abby works
Families can choose how often to meet and what to focus on in each meeting, or sign up for complete support from start to finish. Services run in stages. Early projects cover through junior year, and later projects start in the summer before senior year. Abby also uses colorful notecards to help students explore what they want in a college. Her plans are tuned to each student's needs.
Background and qualifications
Abby started Garden Shed College Coaching after more than 20 years of working with kids and families in different roles. That work showed her a need for affordable, personal help with the high school years and the admissions process. She then continued her education to specialize in college admissions. She is a member of HECA and works from the Woodstock neighborhood in SE Portland, Oregon.
Abby McKinnon pricing
Programs and services
- Comprehensive support from start to decision
- Hourly coaching
- Essay workshops
- Pre-college planning
Abby McKinnon reviews
The CoachVouch take
She takes on only a small group of students each year and works with parents as well.
Best for high school students and parents who want personal help finding a best fit college and planning for costs.
Common questions
How much does Abby McKinnon charge?
Coaching with Abby runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Abby from this page for an exact quote.
What does Abby McKinnon help with?
Abby McKinnon helps with pre-college planning, building a college list, managing application deadlines and writing college essays.
Is Abby McKinnon certified?
Abby McKinnon lists: HECA member.
Does Abby help with scholarships and financial aid?
Yes. She helps families with scholarships and financial aid and works to get everyone on the same page about budget and funding.
When can a student start working with Abby?
Students can start at any time. Support can begin in freshman year or span the whole process through decision-making.
How do I contact Abby McKinnon?
Send Abby a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.