Barbara Sams
College admissions consultant in Saint Louis, Missouri
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students, Parents and Athletes |
| Based in | Saint Louis, Missouri, United States |
| Credentials | Member, Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) |
| Practice | McNeal Sams College Consulting, LLC |
Barbara Sams is a college admissions consultant and Managing Partner at McNeal Sams College Consulting in Saint Louis. She guides college applicants and their parents through the admissions process. She worked in university admission and high school college counseling before starting the firm with Cornelia McNeal. Her focus areas include athletic recruiting, international students, the US military academy process, and students with learning differences. The Princeton Review named her one of its 20 School Counselors Who Make a Difference in 2019.
What Barbara helps with
Barbara helps students pick colleges and build strong applications. She also guides families through special paths such as athletic recruiting and military academies.
- Choosing a best fit college
- Planning where and when to apply
- Applying to universities worldwide
- Navigating athletic recruiting
- Applying to US colleges as an international student
- The US military academy process
- Admissions for students with learning differences
- Transfer and graduate school applications
Who Barbara works with
Barbara works with college applicants and their parents. Her focus includes future college athletes, international students who want a US education, and students with learning differences. Her firm serves undergraduate, graduate, and transfer applicants around the world.
How Barbara works
Each applicant works directly with a lead counselor. They can also use the firm's wider team of college counselors, writing consultants, interview coaches, and career advisors. The work covers college selection, a strategic application plan, and essays.
Background and qualifications
Barbara had a long career in university admission and high school college counseling before she partnered with Cornelia McNeal to form McNeal Sams College Consulting. She is now Managing Partner. She advises on admission to universities worldwide. She is a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. She has earned local, regional, and national praise for her work. In 2019 the Princeton Review named her one of its 20 School Counselors Who Make a Difference.
Barbara Sams pricing
Programs and services
- College selection support
- Application strategy planning
- Essay support
- Support for undergraduate, graduate, and transfer applicants
Barbara Sams reviews
The CoachVouch take
Barbara pairs a background in university admission and high school counseling with focus areas such as athletic recruiting and the US military academy process.
Best for student athletes, international students, and families of students with learning differences who want help with college admissions.
Common questions
How much does Barbara Sams charge?
Coaching with Barbara runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Barbara from this page for an exact quote.
What does Barbara Sams help with?
Barbara Sams helps with choosing a best fit college, planning where and when to apply, applying to universities worldwide and navigating athletic recruiting.
Is Barbara Sams certified?
Barbara Sams lists: Member, Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA).
Does Barbara Sams work with international students?
Yes. She advises international students who want a US education. Her firm also supports applicants around the world.
Can Barbara help with athletic recruiting?
Yes. She advises future college athletes on the recruiting process.
How do I contact Barbara Sams?
Send Barbara a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.