Jim Overton
College admissions consultant for high school students in Columbia, South Carolina
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | Columbia, South Carolina, United States |
| Sessions | Online and in person |
| Credentials | IECA Professional member |
| Practice | College Consultants of South Carolina, LLC |
Jim Overton is an independent educational consultant in Columbia, South Carolina. He guides high school students and their parents through college selection, applications, and financial aid. He has over 35 years of experience helping students in their high school years. He visits 20 to 35 college campuses each year to stay current. He works with families across the United States and in other countries, in person or by video.
What Jim helps with
Jim helps students find colleges that fit them in school, personal, and money terms. He also guides families through applications and the choice between offers.
- Finding colleges that fit educationally, personally and financially
- Using high school years to build a stronger admission profile
- Working through the application process
- Navigating financial aid
- Targeting merit scholarship opportunities
- Comparing college offers to pick the best one
- Understanding the true cost of college
- Reducing stress for parents during applications
Who Jim works with
Jim works with students in 9th to 12th grade who want in depth, one-on-one help searching and applying to colleges. He also works with parents who want more personal help and an experienced admissions expert on their team. His clients live across the United States and in other countries.
How Jim works
Jim meets clients after school, on weekends, or on school holidays. If a family lives far away or has a tight schedule, he meets by Skype. He looks at college affordability with parents so they know the true cost. The student, the parent, and Jim work as a team through the whole process.
Background and qualifications
Jim is a full-time independent educational consultant with over 35 years of experience helping students develop during their high school years. He is an IECA Professional member. He runs College Consultants of South Carolina in Columbia. To keep his advice current, he follows admissions trends and visits 20 to 35 campuses each year.
Jim Overton pricing
Programs and services
- One-on-one college consulting
- Meetings by Skype
- Weekend and holiday appointments
- College visits guidance
Jim Overton reviews
The CoachVouch take
Jim visits 20 to 35 college campuses every year and has over 35 years of experience with high school students.
Best for high school families who want personal help finding colleges that fit and earning merit scholarships.
Common questions
How much does Jim Overton charge?
Coaching with Jim runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Jim from this page for an exact quote.
What does Jim Overton help with?
Jim Overton helps with finding colleges that fit educationally, personally and financially, using high school years to build a stronger admission profile, working through the application process and navigating financial aid.
Does Jim Overton coach online?
Jim is based in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. Sessions are online and in person.
Is Jim Overton certified?
Jim Overton lists: IECA Professional member.
Does Jim Overton work with families outside South Carolina?
Yes. He works with students throughout the United States and internationally. He meets by Skype when families are not nearby.
How do I contact Jim Overton?
Send Jim a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
Similar coaches to compare
Tick "Compare" to message several coaches at once.
Geri Perkal
Geri Perkal is an independent college admissions consultant who helps students and parents plan for college. She runs Gemsight College and Career Planners in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina. Her practice has more than 20 years of experience advising students across the US and abroad. Gemsight uses a structured method called the Four Cs. It has placed students from over 30 states in the school of their choice.
Darcie Patrick
Darcie Patrick is an independent educational consultant who helps high school students and their parents choose a college that fits. She founded College HHI on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, after decades in education. She builds a personal admission strategy for each student and works with parents and college admission directors. She also offers ACT and SAT prep and personality and career testing. She is a professional member of IECA and NACAC.
Abby Boaitey
Abby Boaitey is an independent educational consultant who helps high school students and their parents with college admissions. She runs CW Education and Career Services from New Jersey. Her work covers course planning, essays, college lists and applications for students in grades 9 to 12. She works with families in the U.S., Canada and Africa by video, phone and email. She also offers a Recent Graduate Program and summer program planning for middle school students.
Abby Friedman
Abby Friedman is an independent educational consultant in Berkeley, California. She helps students and parents plan for college and apply. She is a Certified Educational Planner and a lifelong educator. Her work covers US colleges and also programs in the EU, UK and Canada. She pays close attention to fit, including academic, social and financial fit. She holds a master's in education and a UC Berkeley certificate in college admissions and career planning.
Browse related
Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.