
Lelaine Paik
College admissions consultant in Winnetka, Illinois
| Hourly rate range | $130 to $300 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | Winnetka, Illinois, United States |
| Credentials | IECA Professional member; BA, Northwestern University; JD, Northwestern University School of Law |
| Practice | The College Lane |
Lelaine Paik is an independent educational consultant who helps students and parents with college admissions. Lelaine founded The College Lane in Winnetka, Illinois. Before that, Lelaine was Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Northwestern University School of Law. Lelaine's team offers a full planning package, hourly help, transfer support, and talks for parent groups. Families work with Lelaine on essays, college lists, interviews, and application timelines.
What Lelaine helps with
Lelaine and the team help students plan and complete college applications. They also help students who want to move to a different college.
- Building an application strategy and timeline
- Checking that a college list is balanced
- Judging whether a college is a good fit
- Brainstorming and editing college essays
- Refining a student resume
- Preparing for college interviews
- Applying to transfer to a new college
- Learning what colleges look for in applicants
Who Lelaine works with
The College Lane works with high school students and their parents on college applications. Some families want full guidance, and others want a little help with one task. The team also works with students already in college who want to transfer because their school is not the right fit.
How Lelaine works
The College Lane offers four services. The Comprehensive Plan gives step-by-step guidance from application strategy and timeline through college fit, interview prep, and requirements. The Hourly Plan lets families pick the help they need, such as list review, essay editing, resume work, or interview practice. The transfer service guides students through new applications. The team also gives presentations to parent groups, sports clubs, and other organizations.
Background and qualifications
Lelaine Paik founded The College Lane and works as an educational consultant. Lelaine was Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Northwestern University School of Law. Lelaine holds a BA from Northwestern University and a JD from Northwestern University School of Law. Lelaine is a Professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. Lelaine's work is based in Winnetka, Illinois.
Lelaine Paik pricing
Programs and services
- Comprehensive Plan
- Hourly Plan
- Transfer application guidance
- Presentations for parent groups and organizations
- Free chat to get started
Lelaine Paik reviews
The CoachVouch take
Lelaine ran admissions and financial aid at Northwestern University School of Law before starting a consulting practice.
Best for families who want help with college essays, college lists, and applications, in full or by the hour.
Common questions
How much does Lelaine Paik charge?
Coaching with Lelaine runs $130 to $300 an hour. Message Lelaine from this page for an exact quote.
What does Lelaine Paik help with?
Lelaine Paik helps with building an application strategy and timeline, checking that a college list is balanced, judging whether a college is a good fit and brainstorming and editing college essays.
Is Lelaine Paik certified?
Lelaine Paik lists: IECA Professional member; BA, Northwestern University; JD, Northwestern University School of Law.
Does The College Lane help students who want to transfer?
Yes. The team guides students already in college through the transfer application process when their current school is not the right fit.
Can families get help with just one part of the application?
Yes. The Hourly Plan lets families choose support like list review, essay editing, resume work, or interview prep.
How do I contact Lelaine Paik?
Send Lelaine a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
Similar coaches to compare
Tick "Compare" to message several coaches at once.

Joan Franklin
Joan Franklin is a college admissions consultant with College Docs in Chicago. She helps high school students and their parents with the college search, applications, essays, and choosing a college. Joan is a clinical psychologist with a Psy.D. She has counseled students in high schools and private practice for over twenty-five years. She works with partner Vicki Boudin, and the two keep a personal approach instead of a large corporate one.

Karl Lenss
Karl Lenss is an independent educational consultant who helps students and parents with college and transfer admissions. He is Director of College Counseling at Academic Angle in Skokie, Illinois. He is a Certified Educational Planner and one of only ten AICEP board-certified professionals in Illinois. He works with students from grades 9 to 12 on school lists, essays, and the full application process. He also guides transfer students.

Lisa Temkin
Lisa Temkin is an independent educational consultant who helps students and parents with college admissions. Her practice, Global Educational Consultants, is in Highland Park, Illinois. She works most with high school sophomores and juniors. She also helps college transfer students and college students applying to graduate programs. She has extensive experience with fine arts applicants, including audition and portfolio submissions. She builds a college list for each student and sets deadlines.

Tina Boyer
Tina Boyer is an independent college consultant who coaches students on their application essays. She helps high school seniors, transfer applicants, underclassmen, and graduate and fellowship candidates. Her team has worked with hundreds of students on thousands of essays. They coach rather than edit, and hold one-on-one conversations that help students find their own voice. She also trains counselors who want to get better at coaching essays.
Browse related
Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.