Ellen Chao
College admissions consultant for high school students in Manhattan Beach
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | Manhattan Beach, California, United States |
| Credentials | HECA member |
| Practice | South Bay Educational Consultants, LLC |
Ellen Chao runs South Bay Educational Consultants in Manhattan Beach, California. The practice helps high school students and their parents with college admissions. Work starts as early as 8th grade and runs through senior year. It covers course planning, activities, summer plans and finding a good college fit. The practice has worked with students since 2015. Each family gets a primary consultant backed by a team. The firm does not write essays.
What Ellen helps with
The practice helps students and parents handle college admissions and financial aid, and plan the high school years with college in mind.
- Finding the best college fit
- Planning the best course path from 8th grade on
- Choosing extracurricular and summer activities
- Finding leadership opportunities
- Building self-advocacy and organizational skills
- Navigating college admissions and financial aid changes
- Boarding and private school admissions
Who Ellen works with
The practice works with high school students and their parents, starting as early as 8th grade and continuing through senior year. Families can book a single session or build a long-term relationship with a primary consultant.
How Ellen works
The practice offers a range of services, from hourly Strategy and Planning Sessions to Concierge-Level Packages. Each student works with a primary consultant who is backed by the wider team. The student stays in charge of the process. The consultant acts as project manager, so parents do not have to push. The practice does not write essays or promise acceptance to any school.
Background and qualifications
South Bay Educational Consultants has helped students with the college process since 2015. Ellen Chao is an independent college consultant and a member of HECA. The team follows professional ethical standards for college admissions. They attend conferences, visit colleges and track changes in the admissions field. The practice has also been featured in local school news coverage about private college counseling.
Ellen Chao pricing
Programs and services
- Hourly Strategy and Planning Sessions
- Concierge-Level Packages
- One-time sessions
- Long-term college counseling
Ellen Chao reviews
The CoachVouch take
The practice acts as project manager and does not write essays or promise acceptance, so the student stays in the driver's seat.
Best for families who want early, hands-on college planning from a consultant with a team behind them.
Common questions
How much does Ellen Chao charge?
Coaching with Ellen runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Ellen from this page for an exact quote.
What does Ellen Chao help with?
Ellen Chao helps with finding the best college fit, planning the best course path from 8th grade on, choosing extracurricular and summer activities and finding leadership opportunities.
Is Ellen Chao certified?
Ellen Chao lists: HECA member.
Does South Bay Educational Consultants write college essays?
No. The practice does not write essays or guarantee acceptance to any school. The student does the work and the consultant manages the process.
How early can students start working with South Bay Educational Consultants?
Students can start as early as 8th grade. Support continues through senior year.
How do I contact Ellen Chao?
Send Ellen a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.