Debra Clay
College admissions consultant helping students find and choose the right schools
| Hourly rate range | $70 to $130 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | College admissionsCareer clarity and purpose |
| Works with | Students |
| Also coaches | Career coach |
| Credentials | B.A. Communications, Northern Illinois University; MBA, Bradley University |
| Practice | College Knowledge |
Debra Clay is a college admissions consultant who helps students find colleges where they fit and can do well. She guides them from high school course choices through the final decision on which school to attend. Before this work, she spent 32 years at Caterpillar Inc. There she hired and developed marketing talent and handled career development for more than 2000 employees. She holds an MBA from Bradley University.
What Debra helps with
Debra helps students plan for college, from high school classes to the final choice of school. She also helps them think through their life goals and direction.
- Choosing high school coursework
- Picking extracurricular and summer activities
- Thinking through life goals and direction
- Setting key criteria for a college search
- Building a target list of schools
- Planning standardized testing
- Planning college visits
- Interview coaching
Who Debra works with
Debra works with students who are getting ready for college. She starts early, with high school coursework and activities. She stays with them through applications and the final decision on which school to choose.
How Debra works
Debra builds a college search plan for each student. The plan sets key search criteria and a target list of schools. It also includes a standardized testing plan and a college visit plan. She adds interview coaching and advice on the application process. At the end, she advises on the final acceptance decision. The goal is to match each student with a college where they can thrive.
Background and qualifications
Debra spent 32 years at Caterpillar Inc. She was responsible for recruiting, hiring and developing marketing talent, including intern and mentor programs. She also ran career development for more than 2000 employees, matching their strengths with company needs. She worked as a strategic planning consultant, studying trends and making links across fields. She holds a B.A. in Communications from Northern Illinois University and an MBA from Bradley University. She served as District Commissioner for U.S. Pony Clubs, Inc., and served on the board of the Fine Arts Society of Peoria. She also mentored small businesses through the Peoria Chapter of SCORE.
Debra Clay pricing
Programs and services
- College search plan
- Standardized testing plan
- College visit plan
- Interview coaching
- Application process advising
- Final acceptance decision advising
Debra Clay reviews
The CoachVouch take
Debra brings 32 years of corporate recruiting and career development experience at Caterpillar Inc. to college admissions advising.
Best for students who want help building a college list and planning each step from high school to the final decision.
Common questions
How much does Debra Clay charge?
Coaching with Debra runs $70 to $130 an hour. Message Debra from this page for an exact quote.
What does Debra Clay help with?
Debra Clay helps with choosing high school coursework, picking extracurricular and summer activities, thinking through life goals and direction and setting key criteria for a college search.
Is Debra Clay certified?
Debra Clay lists: B.A. Communications, Northern Illinois University; MBA, Bradley University.
Does Debra Clay help with high school planning?
Yes. She advises on high school coursework, extracurricular activities and summer activities.
Does Debra Clay help students choose between acceptances?
Yes. She advises students on the final acceptance decision.
How do I contact Debra Clay?
Send Debra a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.