Ben Stern
Admissions and visa consultant for international students applying to US colleges
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | United States |
| Credentials | Engineering degree, Columbia University; J.D., Yale Law School |
| Practice | BGZ International Admissions Consulting |
Ben Stern runs BGZ International Admissions Consulting. He helps international students and their parents apply to US colleges and get through the US student visa process. Ben has an engineering degree from Columbia and a J.D. from Yale Law School. He practiced law before starting his firm. He uses his legal and editing background to guide families. He also reviews social media for visa risks and helps with the DS-160 form.
What Ben helps with
Ben helps international students apply to US colleges and get their student visas. He also helps families who feel lost in a complicated process.
- Applying to US colleges as an international student
- Building a clear visa narrative
- Explaining why a student chose certain universities
- Explaining study plans and goals after graduation
- Reviewing social media before a visa application
- Filling out the DS-160 visa form
Who Ben works with
Ben works with international students and their parents. His admissions packages cover college applications and the US visa process. He also takes on students who only need visa help, when his schedule allows.
How Ben works
Ben helps each student build a narrative for the visa process. It covers what motivates them to study, why they applied to their set of universities, what they will study, and what they plan to do after graduation. He works to get the narrative right the first time. He does not work on volume. He also offers social media review and help with the DS-160 form.
Background and qualifications
Ben Stern earned an engineering degree from Columbia University and a J.D. from Yale Law School. He practiced law for a few years, then started BGZ Consulting with a focus on international admissions. Earlier, he was Editor-in-Chief of his high school yearbook and newspaper, a copy editor at the Columbia Daily Spectator, Editor of the Yale Journal of Law & Technology, and Senior Submissions Editor at the Yale Journal of Health Policy, Law & Ethics. He uses his legal and publishing experience to guide families.
Ben Stern pricing
Programs and services
- Admissions packages
- Visa narrative help
- Social media review
- DS-160 form assistance
Ben Stern reviews
The CoachVouch take
A former lawyer with Columbia and Yale degrees who combines admissions help with visa narrative coaching and social media review.
Best for international students and parents who want help with both US college admissions and the student visa.
Common questions
How much does Ben Stern charge?
Coaching with Ben runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Ben from this page for an exact quote.
What does Ben Stern help with?
Ben Stern helps with applying to US colleges as an international student, building a clear visa narrative, explaining why a student chose certain universities and explaining study plans and goals after graduation.
Is Ben Stern certified?
Ben Stern lists: Engineering degree, Columbia University; J.D., Yale Law School.
Can Ben help a student who only needs visa help?
Yes, if his time allows. He also helps those students build their narrative.
How do I contact Ben Stern?
Send Ben a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
Similar coaches to compare
Tick "Compare" to message several coaches at once.
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.
Becky Song
Becky Song is an MBA admissions consultant and career coach. She helps applicants get into MBA, master's and college programs, and helps professionals land consulting, strategy and business roles. She holds a Wharton MBA and was a Wharton admissions fellow. She has coached more than 500 candidates through career moves, resumes, interviews and consulting recruiting. Her own path includes work as an actuary, nonprofit leader and strategy consultant.
Cambridge Tutors
Cambridge Tutors is an educational consultancy that helps students get into the universities of Cambridge and Oxford. Its tutors are Cambridge and Oxford experts who teach one-to-one, online or in person. They help with personal statements, admissions tests and mock interviews. They also tutor 11+, 13+, GCSE, A level and IB students. The firm runs free Maths GCSE revision workshops and university prep summer courses.
Carfax Education
Carfax Education is a private education consultancy for ultra high net worth families around the world. It helps with school placement from nursery to boarding school, and with university admissions in the UK and US. The firm began in Oxford as Carfax Consultants and now has its global headquarters in London. Its team includes British and American specialists focused on areas like Oxbridge, Ivy League and Swiss international schools.
Browse related
Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.