
Kathryn Ackerman
Independent college admissions consultant in Reston, Virginia
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | Reston, Virginia, United States |
| Credentials | IECA Professional member |
| Practice | Admission Pathways |
Kathryn Ackerman is an independent educational consultant in Reston, Virginia. She runs Admission Pathways and helps students and parents with high school planning and college admissions. She works with families in the US and around the world. Her college lists cover the US, UK, Canada and English-taught programs in other countries. She focuses on best-fit schools that families can afford, from community college pathway programs to selective universities. Her subject focus is liberal arts, humanities, STEM and health careers.
What Kathryn helps with
Kathryn helps students plan their high school years and find colleges that fit their interests and budget. She also guides them through applications and the choice of an offer.
- Planning academics and extracurriculars in high school
- Finding best-fit colleges in the US, UK and Canada
- Finding English-taught programs around the world
- Choosing a major or career path
- Making a test plan
- Understanding financial aid and outside scholarships
- Writing college essays
- Applying for college accommodations
Who Kathryn works with
Kathryn works with a wide mix of students in the US and in other countries. Her full package is for students in 10th grade and up. She also helps undecided students who are still exploring options, and students who are aiming for a set profession or major.
How Kathryn works
Kathryn offers services from hourly consults to a full package. The comprehensive package reviews academics and extracurriculars in depth. It adds aptitude assessments, a test plan, college search help, application planning, essay help and offer decision guidance. Families can pick a single country package for the US, Canada or UK, or an international package for applications to several countries. Independent students can buy resource packages that include some time with Kathryn.
Background and qualifications
Kathryn is an independent educational consultant and a Professional member of IECA. She runs Admission Pathways, a small consultancy in Reston, Virginia. It serves families in the US and internationally. Her subject specialisms include the liberal arts and humanities, STEM majors and health careers. She also supports students who are unsure what to study.
Kathryn Ackerman pricing
Programs and services
- Free 30-minute consult
- Comprehensive package for students in 10th grade and up
- Single country packages for the US, Canada or UK
- International multi-country packages
- Hourly consults
- Resource packages with some time with Kathryn
Kathryn Ackerman reviews
The CoachVouch take
Kathryn builds college lists across the US, UK, Canada and English-taught programs worldwide, including community college pathway programs.
Best for families who want affordable, best-fit college advice in the US or abroad.
Common questions
How much does Kathryn Ackerman charge?
Coaching with Kathryn runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Kathryn from this page for an exact quote.
What does Kathryn Ackerman help with?
Kathryn Ackerman helps with planning academics and extracurriculars in high school, finding best-fit colleges in the US, UK and Canada, finding English-taught programs around the world and choosing a major or career path.
Is Kathryn Ackerman certified?
Kathryn Ackerman lists: IECA Professional member.
Does Kathryn Ackerman work with students outside the US?
Yes. She works with students in the US and around the world. She helps them look at colleges in the US, UK, Canada and English-taught programs in other countries.
What grade should a student be in to start the full package?
The comprehensive package is for students in 10th grade and up.
How do I contact Kathryn Ackerman?
Send Kathryn a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
Similar coaches to compare
Tick "Compare" to message several coaches at once.

Hannah Serota
Hannah Serota is an independent educational consultant who helps students and parents with college admissions. She founded Creative College Connections in Leesburg, Virginia, in 2010. Before that, she worked in college admissions and sat on admission committees in the 1990s. She now leads a team of four consultants. She visits 20 to 30 colleges each year and focuses on finding colleges that fit a student academically, personally, and financially.

Allison Henderson
Allison Henderson is an independent college counselor who helps students and parents with the college admissions process. She runs A+ College Consultants in the San Diego area of California. She has counseled over 1,000 clients across the country and abroad. Her work covers college search, applications, essays, deadlines, and merit-based aid. She also writes a blog with data-driven advice on admissions. She holds a college counseling certificate from UC San Diego.

Bettina Weil
Bettina Weil is an independent college admissions consultant who helps students and their parents plan for college. She has advised families since 2007 and runs Weil College Advising, a boutique firm in Westchester, NY. Before that, she was Dean of High School Partnerships at the State University of New York. She also served as Director of College Programs at Yonkers Partners in Education. Her firm supports students in Latin America, Asia and Europe who want to attend college in the U.S.

Carolyn Francis
Carolyn Francis is an independent college admissions consultant in Englewood, Colorado. She helps students and parents with college search, applications and post-high school planning. Before consulting, she worked in retail and manufacturing, then served on the board of the Denver Waldorf School. She started as an ad-hoc college counselor for its high school. She visits college campuses across the US and the world, and she has worked with international students, first generation students and students with learning differences.
Browse related
Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.