MaryPat St.Jean
Independent college admissions consultant for high school students and parents
| Hourly rate range | $70 to $130 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Also coaches | Career coach |
| Credentials | HECA member; MA in Counseling Psychology, Boston College Lynch School of Education |
| Practice | Compass College Advisors |
MaryPat St.Jean is an independent college admissions consultant who helps high school students and their parents with the college search and application process. She founded Compass College Advisors in 2012. Before that, she worked in admissions at Providence College and NYU, where she led the team for the Stern School of Business. She also worked as a high school guidance counselor and as a career counselor at MIT.
What MaryPat helps with
MaryPat helps students and parents manage the college search and applications. She works to cut the stress and time this process takes for busy families.
- Finding colleges that fit the student's academics, interests and finances
- Building and refining a college list
- Getting the most from college visits
- Planning standardized testing
- Writing and editing college essays
- Building an activities resume
- Preparing for college interviews
- Understanding financial aid deadlines and scholarships
Who MaryPat works with
MaryPat works with high school students and their parents or guardians. Families start at different points in the process. Some students have athletic or artistic interests, and some have learning differences. Some parents attend most meetings, and others prefer to stay hands-off.
How MaryPat works
Each student follows a plan built around their own needs, and the process varies by family. A sample plan runs nine sessions. It starts with goals and expectations, then moves to strengths and interests, a college list, and visit strategies. Later sessions cover essay brainstorming, an activities resume, and a mock interview. The last sessions review essay drafts, deadlines, financial aid, and admissions decisions. Services are offered to individuals and groups.
Background and qualifications
MaryPat founded Compass College Advisors in 2012 after a career helping students and families with college placement and career exploration. She worked in undergraduate admissions at Providence College and New York University. At NYU she worked with applicants to the Tisch School of the Arts and became Senior Assistant Director of Admissions, leading the team for the Stern School of Business. She later served as Director of Admissions at the Weston Jesuit School of Theology. She earned an MA in Counseling Psychology at the Boston College Lynch School of Education while providing career counseling at MIT. She then worked as a guidance counselor at Winchester High School.
MaryPat St.Jean pricing
Programs and services
- Individual college advising sessions
- Group advising
- 2026 College Essay Bootcamps, online, with Strategies for College
MaryPat St.Jean reviews
The CoachVouch take
She has read hundreds of essays as an admissions committee member and worked in admissions at NYU and Providence College.
Best for high school students and parents who want structured help with college selection, essays, and financial aid.
Common questions
How much does MaryPat St.Jean charge?
Coaching with MaryPat runs $70 to $130 an hour. Message MaryPat from this page for an exact quote.
What does MaryPat St.Jean help with?
MaryPat St.Jean helps with finding colleges that fit the student's academics, interests and finances, building and refining a college list, getting the most from college visits and planning standardized testing.
Is MaryPat St.Jean certified?
MaryPat St.Jean lists: HECA member; MA in Counseling Psychology, Boston College Lynch School of Education.
Does MaryPat help with college essays?
Yes. She brainstorms topics, gives guidance and edits student essays. She also offers online College Essay Bootcamps with Strategies for College.
Does MaryPat work with students who have learning differences or athletic and artistic interests?
Yes. She shapes each student's advising process around their skills and needs, including athletic or artistic interests and learning differences.
How do I contact MaryPat St.Jean?
Send MaryPat a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.