Annette Mackaness
College admissions consultant for high school students in San Jose, California
| Rate | $225 to $250 per session |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | San Jose, California, United States |
| Credentials | Certificate in College Admissions Counseling, UCLA (with Distinction); Member, Higher Educational Consultants Association (HECA); Member, National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC); BS in Business Administration, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Former Certified Public Accountant |
| Practice | I'm Going 2 College! College Admissions Consulting |
Annette Mackaness is an independent college admissions consultant who helps high school students and their parents plan for college. She works from San Jose, California, and serves families in the South Bay and across the country. Before counseling, she was a CPA and then Director of HR & Recruiting at Ricoh Innovations. She uses that hiring background to match each student with a college that fits their needs, goals and interests.
What Annette helps with
Annette guides students through college preparation, college selection and applications. Her goal is a good fit for each student while keeping stress low.
- Finding where to start the college search
- Planning and mapping out college essays
- Setting a manageable application timeline
- Choosing a college that fits academic, personal and career goals
- Athletes who need help with the admissions process
- Internship preparation
- Support for students starting as early as freshman year
Who Annette works with
Annette works with high school students and their parents. Some start in freshman, sophomore or junior year and stay through senior year. Others need focused help with one part of the process, such as freshmen, athletes and seniors. She works with families locally and across the country.
How Annette works
Annette offers two service levels. Comprehensive services run from the start of a student's work with her, in freshman, sophomore or junior year, through the end of senior year. Targeted services cover specific parts of the college admissions and internship preparation process for freshmen, athletes, seniors or anyone who needs focused help. She starts by assessing each student's profile and college goals. She also works with students, families, teachers and high school counselors.
Background and qualifications
Annette earned a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. She worked as a Certified Public Accountant and held roles in public accounting and finance at Ernst & Young, Apple and Netscape. Later she was Director of HR & Recruiting at Ricoh Innovations and then specialized in corporate recruiting for the high-tech industry. She earned a certificate in College Admissions Counseling from UCLA and graduated with Distinction. She is a member of HECA and NACAC.
Annette Mackaness pricing
Programs and services
- Comprehensive services from early high school through senior year
- Targeted services for specific admissions needs
Annette Mackaness reviews
The CoachVouch take
Annette is a former corporate recruiter and HR director who applies her employer and job seeker matching skills to college fit.
Best for high school students and parents who want a personal plan and a college that fits the student.
Annette's rate sits above the range most admissions consultants charge ($70 to $220 an hour).
Common questions
How much does Annette Mackaness charge?
Annette Mackaness's rate is $225 to $250 per session.
What does Annette Mackaness help with?
Annette Mackaness helps with finding where to start the college search, planning and mapping out college essays, setting a manageable application timeline and choosing a college that fits academic, personal and career goals.
Is Annette Mackaness certified?
Annette Mackaness lists: Certificate in College Admissions Counseling, UCLA (with Distinction); Member, Higher Educational Consultants Association (HECA); Member, National Association of College Admissions Counseling (NACAC); BS in Business Administration, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Former Certified Public Accountant.
Does Annette Mackaness work with families outside California?
Yes. She works with families in the SF South Bay Area and across the country.
Can students get help with only one part of the process?
Yes. Targeted services cover specific parts of admissions and internship preparation for freshmen, athletes, seniors or others who need focused help.
How do I contact Annette Mackaness?
Send Annette a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.