Laura Villamil
College admissions consultant for students and parents in Shorewood, Wisconsin
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Also coaches | Life coach |
| Based in | Shorewood, Wisconsin, United States |
| Credentials | Professional Member, Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA); Member, National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC); Certificate in College Admissions Counseling, UCLA Extension; Graduate of IECA Summer Training Institute; Doctorate, University of Michigan |
| Practice | Sacbe College Counseling |
Laura Villamil is an independent college admissions consultant who runs Sacbe College Counseling in Shorewood, Wisconsin. She helps high school students and their parents plan for college, from early goal setting to the move into freshman year. She spent over 15 years in higher education, including 8 years as a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She was an archaeologist before she started consulting. She works with students in the Milwaukee area and in other states.
What Laura helps with
Laura guides students through each stage of getting into college. She also helps them find schools that fit who they are.
- Early college planning and goal setting
- Building good study habits in high school
- Choosing extracurricular and summer activities
- Exploring majors and career interests
- Building a college list and choosing a school
- Writing application essays and preparing for interviews
- Understanding college costs and financial aid
- Adjusting to the first year of college
Who Laura works with
Laura works with high school students and their parents. Some start early in high school. Others begin in the summer or early fall of senior year. Her students live in the greater Milwaukee area and in other states.
How Laura works
Laura offers a full service package for students who start before senior year. It follows a 6-step process. The steps are goal setting and study skills, assessments to find best fit, college search, applications and financial aid, the final decision, and the move to college. She also offers a shorter version for students who begin in senior year. Her college planning curriculum lays out the steps. Each student gets one-on-one guidance.
Background and qualifications
Laura has over 15 years in higher education as a professor, researcher, and advisor to undergraduate and graduate students. She worked at two large public research universities and a small private liberal arts college. She was a professor at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for 8 years before she became an independent consultant. She earned her bachelor's degree at UC Berkeley and her master's and doctorate at the University of Michigan. She completed a College Admissions Counseling certificate at UCLA Extension and IECA's Summer Training Institute.
Laura Villamil pricing
Programs and services
- Full service counseling package
- Abridged package for senior year starters
- One-on-one guidance
- College planning curriculum
- Workshops
- Free initial consultation
Laura Villamil reviews
The CoachVouch take
A former professor and archaeologist who brings 15 years of university experience to college counseling.
Best for families who want a former university professor to guide a student from early planning through the first year of college.
Common questions
How much does Laura Villamil charge?
Coaching with Laura runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Laura from this page for an exact quote.
What does Laura Villamil help with?
Laura Villamil helps with early college planning and goal setting, building good study habits in high school, choosing extracurricular and summer activities and exploring majors and career interests.
Is Laura Villamil certified?
Laura Villamil lists: Professional Member, Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA); Member, National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC); Certificate in College Admissions Counseling, UCLA Extension; Graduate of IECA Summer Training Institute; Doctorate, University of Michigan.
Does Laura Villamil work with students outside Wisconsin?
Yes. She works with students in the greater Milwaukee area and with students in other states.
Can a senior start working with Laura?
Yes. She offers a shorter package for students who begin in the summer or early fall of senior year.
How do I contact Laura Villamil?
Send Laura a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
Similar coaches to compare
Tick "Compare" to message several coaches at once.
Abby Bittler
Abby Bittler is a college admissions consultant who helps students plan for college and move into it successfully. She works with students in regular education and with students who learn differently, including those with ADHD or dyslexia. She started as an independent educational consultant in 2014. Before that she was a teacher, tutor and academic coach. She focuses on colleges in the Southeast, including public and private schools with moderately selective admissions.
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.
Abby McKinnon
Abby McKinnon is an independent college admissions coach in SE Portland, Oregon. She runs Garden Shed College Coaching and helps students and their parents find a college that fits. She takes on a small group of students each year. Her work draws on more than 20 years with kids and families. She is a HECA member.
Browse related
Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.