
Nick Dawes
College admissions consultant for Bay Area high school students
| Hourly rate range | $130 to $300 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | California, United States |
| Credentials | MA; HECA member |
| Practice | Dawes Academic Consulting |
Nick Dawes is an independent college consultant who helps high school students and their parents plan for college. He runs Dawes Academic Consulting in the Bay Area. Nick has lectured at SFSU, worked in SAT and ACT prep for five years, and taught middle-school English at a private school for five years. He knows the South Bay academic scene well. He helps students find colleges that fit and tell their story in essays.
What Nick helps with
Nick helps high school students plan their path to college and build the skills to manage school on their own. He also helps families with test prep and essays.
- Finding colleges that fit a student's needs
- Writing college application essays
- Planning a coherent high school course path
- Improving performance in classes
- Raising SAT scores
- Preparing for the ACT
- Building time management and self-advocacy skills
- Deciding how many APs are enough
Who Nick works with
Nick works with high school students who plan to apply to college, and with their parents. He helps students who want to stand out in a competitive process. He also supports families who want a clear plan for classes, tests, and applications.
Background and qualifications
Nick Dawes holds an MA and is a member of HECA. He has spent his career in education. He has given lectures at SFSU and worked in SAT and ACT test prep for five years. He also taught middle-school English at a Bay Area private school for five years while supporting high schoolers on their way to college. He has worked as an educator and essay specialist for the past decade. He knows the academic landscape of the South Bay.
Nick Dawes pricing
Programs and services
- College advising
- SAT and ACT prep
- Tutoring
Nick Dawes reviews
The CoachVouch take
Nick combines college advising with years of classroom teaching and test prep experience in the South Bay.
Best for Bay Area families who want help with college choice, essays, and test prep for a high schooler.
Common questions
How much does Nick Dawes charge?
Coaching with Nick runs $130 to $300 an hour. Request an intro for an exact quote.
What does Nick Dawes help with?
Nick Dawes helps with finding colleges that fit a student's needs, writing college application essays, planning a coherent high school course path and improving performance in classes.
Is Nick Dawes certified?
Nick Dawes lists: MA; HECA member.
Does Nick Dawes help with test prep as well as admissions?
Yes. He offers SAT and ACT prep and tutoring along with college advising. He worked in test prep for five years.
How do I contact Nick Dawes?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with Nick and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
Similar coaches to compare
Tick "Compare" on any coach to add them to your intro request.

Alexandra Matthews
Alexandra Matthews is a college admissions counselor who runs College Odyssey in Mill Valley, California. She helps high school students find best-fit colleges and get in. She has worked as a life coach with teens for 20 years, focusing on anxiety and stress. She also taught writing at an Ivy League college and has interviewed applicants as an alumni interviewer for an Ivy League school. She works with clients across the country and abroad.

Amber Thompson
Amber Thompson is an independent educational consultant who helps students and parents with college admissions. She runs AT College Consulting in El Segundo, California, and works with families across the country. Her work covers finding colleges that fit a student's academic, social and financial needs. She also helps students with their essays. She meets with students on Zoom calls. She is a Professional member of IECA.

Austin Lee
Austin Lee is an independent college admissions consultant in Belmont, California. He helps high school students and their parents plan for college and work through the admissions process. Before consulting, he spent 17 years working in higher education at some of the most prestigious universities in the world. His work covers building a college list, essay support, and application help. He also offers advice for student athletes.

Barbra Rosenstein
Barbra Rosenstein is an independent college admissions consultant who helps students and parents with the college application process. She founded Clear College Choices in 2015. She helps students build a balanced college list, choose essay topics, and review essays and applications. She also works with College Dream Team, a community based organization that supports first generation, low-income students. Families in California use her services.
Browse related
Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.