Benjamin Caldarelli
College admissions consultant for students and families in Princeton, NJ
| Hourly rate range | $130 to $300 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | Princeton, New Jersey, United States |
| Credentials | MA in English, Northern Illinois University; Harvard Institute on College Admissions training; Member, National Association of College Admissions Counseling; Member, Higher Education Consultants Association |
| Practice | Benjamin College Consulting |
Benjamin Caldarelli is a college admissions consultant who helps students and their families plan for selective colleges. He runs a boutique practice in Princeton, NJ, and works with a small group of clients. Since 2009 he has helped over 600 students through the admissions process. He built the Citizen Scholar Admissions Strategy, his own framework for positioning students. He also spent 10 years as Co-Founder of Princeton College Consulting.
What Benjamin helps with
Benjamin helps students build a clear plan for college admissions. He also guides families through choices in high school, testing, and applications.
- Building a list of colleges and a timeline for applications
- Planning high school courses across several years
- Choosing which standardized tests to take
- Finding extracurriculars, summer programs, and internships
- Telling a clear personal story in applications
- Writing strong college essays
- Managing time and stress during the process
- Exploring college majors and career paths
Who Benjamin works with
Benjamin works with students and families going through selective college admissions. His clients include entrepreneurial students, STEM-focused students, humanities students, artists, and students who are undecided on a major. He builds a custom plan for each one.
How Benjamin works
Benjamin uses the Citizen Scholar Admissions Strategy, his signature framework. It gives students a guiding direction for choices in high school and helps them build a clear story across their application. Work starts with a strategic consultation that includes a review of the student's current situation and an action plan. He also offers multiyear curriculum planning, test guidance with diagnostic testing, extracurricular planning, and mentorship on time, information, stress, and reputation management.
Background and qualifications
Benjamin Caldarelli has worked in education for over 20 years. Since 2009 he has helped over 600 students through selective admissions. He spent 10 years as Co-Founder and Chief Educational Strategist at Princeton College Consulting before opening his own boutique practice. He graduated from the University of Illinois and earned an MA in English from Northern Illinois University. He trained at the Harvard Institute on College Admissions. He belongs to the National Association of College Admissions Counseling and the Higher Education Consultants Association. He also writes a newsletter and leads workshops in schools.
Benjamin Caldarelli pricing
Programs and services
- Strategic admissions consultation
- Citizen Scholar Admissions Strategy
- Peak performance mentorship
- Standardized test guidance
- Extracurricular enrichment
- College essay coaching with a partner essay coach
Benjamin Caldarelli reviews
The CoachVouch take
He created the Citizen Scholar Admissions Strategy, a framework that ties character and story to the college application.
Best for students and families who want a custom, high-touch plan for selective college admissions.
Common questions
How much does Benjamin Caldarelli charge?
Coaching with Benjamin runs $130 to $300 an hour. Message Benjamin from this page for an exact quote.
What does Benjamin Caldarelli help with?
Benjamin Caldarelli helps with building a list of colleges and a timeline for applications, planning high school courses across several years, choosing which standardized tests to take and finding extracurriculars, summer programs, and internships.
Is Benjamin Caldarelli certified?
Benjamin Caldarelli lists: MA in English, Northern Illinois University; Harvard Institute on College Admissions training; Member, National Association of College Admissions Counseling; Member, Higher Education Consultants Association.
What kinds of students does Benjamin work with?
He works with entrepreneurial, STEM-focused, humanities, and artistic students. He also works with students who have not chosen a major.
Does Benjamin help with standardized tests?
Yes. He offers diagnostic testing to decide which tests to take and builds a prep plan and timeline. He can also connect students with a tutor when needed.
How do I contact Benjamin Caldarelli?
Send Benjamin a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.