Barb Pasalis
College admissions consultant for students and families in Cleveland, Ohio
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $240 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | Cleveland, Ohio, United States |
| Credentials | Certified Educational Planner (CEP); Professional Member, Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA); Certificate in College Counseling, U.C.L.A. Extension; Member, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC); Member, Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling (OACAC) |
| Practice | Northcoast Educational Consulting |
Barb Pasalis is an independent college admissions consultant in Cleveland, Ohio. She guides students and their families through college search, testing, applications and financial aid. She started Northcoast Educational Consulting in 2003 and earned the Certified Educational Planner designation in 2010. She served as President of the Independent Educational Consultants Association from 2018 to 2020. She has visited over 250 colleges and taught middle and high school English before consulting.
What Barb helps with
Barb helps students and families handle each step of the college admissions process, from choosing tests to paying for school.
- Deciding between the SAT, ACT or both
- Narrowing thousands of colleges to a short list
- Choosing essay topics and personal statements
- Deciding whether Early Decision is a good fit
- Keeping track of deadlines for tests and applications
- Finding financial aid and scholarships
- Preparing for college visits and interviews
- Choosing courses and summer programs
Who Barb works with
Barb works with high school students and their parents. Her students plan for many paths, including engineering, music, art, medicine, athletics, law and finance. Families come to her at the start of the college search and stay with her through applications.
How Barb works
Each student gets an individual college plan. Barb gives learning, personality and career assessments. She reviews academic and testing records and suggests courses, test prep and a testing timeline. She also suggests summer programs that fit the student's strengths. Together they build a broad college list and narrow it down. She then gives a timeline for applications, helps with essays and personal statements, and formats the extracurricular resume. She also helps students prepare for campus visits and interviews.
Background and qualifications
Barb graduated with honors from Ohio Wesleyan University. She majored in psychology and earned teaching certification in English. She then earned a Certificate in College Counseling from U.C.L.A. Extension and completed the Summer Training Institute of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. She launched Northcoast in 2003 and became a Certified Educational Planner in 2010. She served on the IECA Board and as its President from 2018 to 2020. She has been quoted in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Cleveland Magazine.
Barb Pasalis pricing
Programs and services
- Individual college planning
- Learning, personality and career assessments
- Essay and application support
- Campus visit and interview preparation
- Workshops and speaking
Barb Pasalis reviews
The CoachVouch take
Barb is a former IECA President who has visited over 250 colleges and taught high school English.
Best for high school students and parents who want a personal plan for college search, applications and financial aid.
Common questions
How much does Barb Pasalis charge?
Coaching with Barb runs $150 to $240 an hour. Message Barb from this page for an exact quote.
What does Barb Pasalis help with?
Barb Pasalis helps with deciding between the SAT, ACT or both, narrowing thousands of colleges to a short list, choosing essay topics and personal statements and deciding whether Early Decision is a good fit.
Is Barb Pasalis certified?
Barb Pasalis lists: Certified Educational Planner (CEP); Professional Member, Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA); Certificate in College Counseling, U.C.L.A. Extension; Member, National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC); Member, Ohio Association for College Admission Counseling (OACAC).
Does Barb help with financial aid and scholarships?
Yes. Her practice helps families check financial aid eligibility, fill out the forms and find scholarships.
Does Barb help with test planning?
Yes. She reviews test records and suggests a testing timeline and test prep options.
How do I contact Barb Pasalis?
Send Barb a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.