Alison Forbes
College admissions consultant serving students and families worldwide
| Hourly rate range | $130 to $300 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | New Hampshire, United States |
| Credentials | M.Ed., Tufts University; B.A., Connecticut College; Independent Educational Consultant Association (IECA); Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA); New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC); National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) |
| Practice | Forbes College Consulting |
Alison Forbes is an independent college admissions consultant who helps students and parents plan the college search and application process. She founded Forbes College Consulting more than 20 years ago with a former Harvard Admissions Dean. She spends 20 percent of each year visiting colleges and meeting admissions staff. Her firm serves families worldwide, and 16 percent of its families are international.
What Alison helps with
Alison helps students find colleges that fit them academically, socially and financially. She also guides them through essays, applications and interviews.
- Building a college list that fits academic, social and cultural priorities
- Finding colleges that fit academically, socially and financially
- Turning personal strengths into application themes and essays
- Preparing applications and interviews
- Staying on schedule through the application process
- Setting priorities for researching, visiting and applying to schools
Who Alison works with
Alison works with students and their parents going through the college selection and application process. Her firm serves families around the world, and many of its clients are international. Most clients come through referrals.
How Alison works
The firm uses a three-step process: Self Reflect, Identify Fit and Maximize Opportunity. Students first build self-awareness. Then they build a college list that matches their priorities. Finally they shape strategic essays, applications and interviews. The team keeps families on schedule and helps them set priorities for researching, visiting and applying to schools.
Background and qualifications
Alison Forbes holds a B.A. from Connecticut College and an M.Ed. from Tufts University. She has more than 20 years of college consulting experience and spent a decade teaching in independent and public schools. She also worked as a college admission counselor. She founded Forbes College Consulting with former Harvard Admissions Dean David Smith. She belongs to IECA, HECA, NEACAC and NACAC. She presents at national and international conferences and at secondary schools, and she visits US colleges to meet admissions staff.
Alison Forbes pricing
Programs and services
- Free intro call
- One-on-one college admission counseling
- Workshops
Alison Forbes reviews
The CoachVouch take
Alison spends 20 percent of each year on the road visiting colleges and talking with admissions staff and students.
Best for students and parents who want structure, a fitting college list and help staying on schedule.
Common questions
How much does Alison Forbes charge?
Coaching with Alison runs $130 to $300 an hour. Message Alison from this page for an exact quote.
What does Alison Forbes help with?
Alison Forbes helps with building a college list that fits academic, social and cultural priorities, finding colleges that fit academically, socially and financially, turning personal strengths into application themes and essays and preparing applications and interviews.
Is Alison Forbes certified?
Alison Forbes lists: M.Ed., Tufts University; B.A., Connecticut College; Independent Educational Consultant Association (IECA); Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA); New England Association for College Admission Counseling (NEACAC); National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
Does Alison Forbes work with international students?
Yes. Her firm serves students worldwide, and 16 percent of its families are international.
Does Forbes College Consulting offer a free first call?
Yes. The firm offers a free intro call to start college planning.
How do I contact Alison Forbes?
Send Alison a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
Similar coaches to compare
Tick "Compare" to message several coaches at once.
Abby Boaitey
Abby Boaitey is an independent educational consultant who helps high school students and their parents with college admissions. She runs CW Education and Career Services from New Jersey. Her work covers course planning, essays, college lists and applications for students in grades 9 to 12. She works with families in the U.S., Canada and Africa by video, phone and email. She also offers a Recent Graduate Program and summer program planning for middle school students.
Abby Friedman
Abby Friedman is an independent educational consultant in Berkeley, California. She helps students and parents plan for college and apply. She is a Certified Educational Planner and a lifelong educator. Her work covers US colleges and also programs in the EU, UK and Canada. She pays close attention to fit, including academic, social and financial fit. She holds a master's in education and a UC Berkeley certificate in college admissions and career planning.
Abigail Lind
Abigail Lind is a college admissions consultant who helps students build applications that tell a clear story. She has 13 years of experience and has helped over 600 students get into top colleges. She started out tutoring in California, where she learned the Stanford and UC applications well. She holds an MFA in creative writing, which shapes her story-driven approach. She left larger agencies to offer custom plans and unlimited support.
Abigail Simkus
Abigail Simkus is an independent college admissions consultant who helps high school, transfer and returning students plan for college. She founded The College Connection in 2008 and works from Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. Her team has helped over 400 students prepare for college. Most clients come from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. She also works online with students outside the region and with international students applying to U.S. colleges.
Browse related
Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.