Clay Phillips
College admissions counselor for high school students, based in Chicago
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students |
| Also coaches | Career coach |
| Based in | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Sessions | Online |
| Credentials | BS, Vanderbilt University; MSBA, Southern Methodist University |
Clay Phillips is a college admissions counselor who helps high school students build strong applications. He works as a technology consultant and has guided 20+ students through the process from start to finish. He builds custom timelines and oversees application submissions. He reports an acceptance rate above 80%, with students placed at Top 50 schools, including Ivies, some with scholarships. He also tutored children in STEM and coached lacrosse at inner-city schools.
What Clay helps with
Clay helps high school students plan and complete college applications. He works with students who are just starting out and with those facing near deadlines.
- Building a custom application timeline
- Application strategy
- Brainstorming and editing college essays
- Preparing for college admissions interviews
- Building a personal brand for applications
- Managing many applications at once
- Getting into Top 50 schools and Ivies
- Applying for scholarships
Who Clay works with
Clay works with high school students at every stage. Freshmen can start early and get ahead. Seniors with application deadlines coming up can get focused help to finish strong.
How Clay works
Clay guides students through the full application process from start to finish. He builds a personalized timeline for each student and oversees the submission of every application. His work covers essay ideas and editing, application strategy, interview prep, and building a personal brand. Students can send him a message before they book to start a conversation.
Background and qualifications
Clay is a software implementation consultant and business analytics professional. He holds a BS from Vanderbilt University and an MSBA from SMU, where he was valedictorian of his Master's program. He has worked as a consultant at Deloitte and has also worked at Capital One. He was a career counselor for students in his Master's program and leads recruiting and Learning and Development efforts at his job. In college he did admissions consulting and tutored local children in STEM subjects. In high school he mentored underserved youth and coached lacrosse.
Clay Phillips pricing
Programs and services
- Complete college admissions package, 20+ hours of coaching
- College essay coaching, 5+ hours
- College admissions interview prep, 3+ hours
- Custom hourly coaching for application strategy and editing
Clay Phillips reviews
Clay Phillips has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 8 reviews on Leland, as of September 2026.
The CoachVouch take
Clay is a working consultant at a major firm who has guided 20+ students through full application cycles.
Best for high school students who want a full application plan, from timeline to essays to interviews.
Common questions
How much does Clay Phillips charge?
Coaching with Clay runs $150 to $225 an hour. Request an intro for an exact quote.
What does Clay Phillips help with?
Clay Phillips helps with building a custom application timeline, application strategy, brainstorming and editing college essays and preparing for college admissions interviews.
Does Clay Phillips coach online?
Clay is based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Sessions are online.
Does Clay Phillips have reviews?
Clay Phillips has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 8 reviews on Leland, as of September 2026.
Is Clay Phillips certified?
Clay Phillips lists: BS, Vanderbilt University; MSBA, Southern Methodist University.
Does Clay Phillips help students at any grade level?
Yes. He works with freshmen who want to get ahead and with seniors facing application deadlines.
Can Clay help with the admissions interview?
Yes. He offers a program for admissions interview prep with 3+ hours of coaching.
How do I contact Clay Phillips?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with Clay and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.