Cassie Friend
College admissions consultant serving the Houston, Texas area
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | Texas, United States |
| Sessions | Online and in person |
| Credentials | HECA member |
| Practice | Gateway College Consulting |
Cassie Friend is a college admissions consultant who helps students and parents with college applications. She runs Gateway College Consulting and works in the Houston, Texas area. Before consulting, she worked in public schools and in advertising, where she led marketing campaigns. She uses that marketing skill to help students stand out in their applications. She has also guided her own three children through the application process. Sessions are in person or virtual.
What Cassie helps with
Cassie helps families plan and complete college applications, from building a college list to choosing a school and enrolling.
- Building a good-fit college list based on personal, financial and academic goals
- Writing application essays
- Planning summer activities
- Building a strategic activities resume
- Applying to honors colleges
- Finding scholarships
- Preparing for the SAT and ACT
- Making college decisions, housing and enrollment choices
Who Cassie works with
Cassie works with students and their parents. She offers packages for 9th and 10th graders, 11th and 12th graders, and transfer students. She also runs group workshops for applications and college essays.
How Cassie works
Cassie builds each student a personalized application action plan with due dates and goals. She gives one-on-one coaching on application essays. She uses personality and career assessments to suggest majors and career paths. She also plans academics and activities over the long term and oversees online application profiles and portals. Her marketing background shapes how she helps students present themselves.
Background and qualifications
Cassie Friend has a background in education and advertising. She has years of experience in the public school system. She also worked in the business world, where she led marketing campaigns and wrote promotional copy for corporations. She is a member of HECA and works as an independent college consultant. She has been through the college application process as a parent three times, which informs how she guides families.
Cassie Friend pricing
Programs and services
- One-on-one college consulting
- Application essay coaching
- Group application and essay workshops
- Packages for 9th and 10th graders
- Packages for 11th and 12th graders
- Packages for transfer students
Cassie Friend reviews
The CoachVouch take
Cassie combines a background in public education with years of marketing work to help students stand out in applications.
Best for families in the Houston area who want a full application plan and help making their student's application stand out.
Common questions
How much does Cassie Friend charge?
Coaching with Cassie runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Cassie from this page for an exact quote.
What does Cassie Friend help with?
Cassie Friend helps with building a good-fit college list based on personal, financial and academic goals, writing application essays, planning summer activities and building a strategic activities resume.
Does Cassie Friend coach online?
Cassie is based in Texas, United States. Sessions are online and in person.
Is Cassie Friend certified?
Cassie Friend lists: HECA member.
Does Cassie Friend offer virtual sessions?
Yes. She offers both in person and virtual sessions.
How do I contact Cassie Friend?
Send Cassie a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.