Ellen Chao
College admissions consultant for Southern California high school students
| Hourly rate range | $130 to $300 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | California, United States |
| Credentials | Certificate in Independent Educational Consultant, UC Irvine Extension; Certificate in Advising the College-Bound Student-Athlete; Wow Writing Workshop College Essay Experience; MBA in Finance and International Relations, NYU; Bachelor's in Political Science, Barnard College, Columbia University |
| Practice | South Bay Educational Consultants |
Ellen Chao is a college admissions consultant who guides high school students through course choices, activities, summer plans and the application process. She runs South Bay Educational Consultants and has helped families since 2015. Ellen began her career as an investment banking analyst and holds an NYU MBA in Finance. She raised two recruited athletes as a single parent, so she knows athletic recruiting and financial aid. She works with students in Southern California.
What Ellen helps with
Ellen helps students plan high school years and find a college that fits. She also builds the skills students need to move into college life.
- Choosing high school courses
- Picking extracurricular activities
- Planning summer activities
- Finding leadership opportunities
- Discovering the best college fit
- Navigating the college admissions process
- Athletic recruiting
- Financial aid questions
Who Ellen works with
Ellen works with motivated students from public and private high schools in Southern California. She starts with students as early as 9th grade and can stay with them through senior year.
How Ellen works
Ellen offers services at different levels. Families can book hourly Strategy and Planning Sessions for a single topic. Others choose Concierge-Level Packages that cover the whole process. Some families work with her for one session, and others build a long-term relationship. Her work builds self-appraisal, advocacy and organizational skills, and she matches strategies to each student's personality, learning style and goals.
Background and qualifications
Ellen started her career in finance as an investment banking analyst. She graduated with distinction from Barnard College, Columbia University, with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. She then became a Stern Scholar at NYU and earned an MBA in Finance and International Relations. She earned her Certificate in Independent Educational Consultant from UC Irvine's extension program. She also completed a certificate in advising college-bound student-athletes and the Wow Writing Workshop College Essay Experience. She attends conferences and visits many colleges to keep up with admissions trends.
Ellen Chao pricing
Programs and services
- Hourly Strategy and Planning Sessions
- Concierge-Level Packages
- One-time sessions
- Long-term advising
Ellen Chao reviews
The CoachVouch take
A former investment banking analyst who is also the parent of two recruited athletes, she brings first-hand knowledge of athletic recruiting and financial aid.
Best for Southern California high school students and families who want help with recruiting, financial aid and choosing a college.
Common questions
How much does Ellen Chao charge?
Coaching with Ellen runs $130 to $300 an hour. Request an intro for an exact quote.
What does Ellen Chao help with?
Ellen Chao helps with choosing high school courses, picking extracurricular activities, planning summer activities and finding leadership opportunities.
Is Ellen Chao certified?
Ellen Chao lists: Certificate in Independent Educational Consultant, UC Irvine Extension; Certificate in Advising the College-Bound Student-Athlete; Wow Writing Workshop College Essay Experience; MBA in Finance and International Relations, NYU; Bachelor's in Political Science, Barnard College, Columbia University.
What grades does Ellen Chao work with?
She works with students from 9th grade through senior year. Her students come from public and private high schools.
How do I contact Ellen Chao?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with Ellen and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.