Nicole Smith
College admissions advisor for students and parents in Clinton, New Jersey
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $240 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Also coaches | Career coach |
| Based in | Clinton, New Jersey, United States |
| Sessions | Online and in person |
| Credentials | M.Ed.; CEP; IECA Professional member |
| Practice | Next Step Advising, LLC |
Nicole Smith is a college advisor and the owner of Next Step Advising in Clinton, New Jersey. She helps students and parents with the whole admissions process, from the college search to applications, essays, testing, financial aid and scholarships. She has over 27 years in education, including work at Rutgers, Drexel and the College Board headquarters. She started her firm in 2016 and uses her counseling background to guide students.
What Nicole helps with
Nicole guides students through college admissions from start to finish. She also helps them link majors to future careers.
- Building a college list and planning the search
- Completing college applications
- Writing college essays
- Preparing for testing
- Navigating financial aid
- Finding scholarships
- Choosing a major
- Connecting majors to careers
Who Nicole works with
Nicole works with high school students and their parents. Her comprehensive plan is meant for students in their sophomore or junior years. Her team also supports student-athletes and service academy applicants.
Background and qualifications
Nicole Smith holds an M.Ed. and the CEP credential. She has over 27 years of experience in education. She has worked at Rutgers University, Drexel University, New Jersey Blue Ribbon high schools and the College Board headquarters. She started Next Step Advising, LLC in 2016 and is an IECA Professional member. She draws on her counseling background to help students keep options open while they form ideas about their future.
Nicole Smith pricing
Programs and services
- Comprehensive plan for sophomores and juniors
- Workshops
- Online sessions by Zoom
- In-person meetings in Clinton, New Jersey
Nicole Smith reviews
The CoachVouch take
Nicole has worked inside the College Board headquarters and at Rutgers and Drexel, and she uses a school counseling background in her advising.
Best for families who want help with the full college process starting in sophomore or junior year.
Common questions
How much does Nicole Smith charge?
Coaching with Nicole runs $150 to $240 an hour. Request an intro for an exact quote.
What does Nicole Smith help with?
Nicole Smith helps with building a college list and planning the search, completing college applications, writing college essays and preparing for testing.
Does Nicole Smith coach online?
Nicole is based in Clinton, New Jersey, United States. Sessions are online and in person.
Is Nicole Smith certified?
Nicole Smith lists: M.Ed.; CEP; IECA Professional member.
Does Next Step Advising work with student-athletes?
Yes. Advisor Nick Linfante focuses on prospective student-athletes and has coached hockey, rugby and golf at Delbarton. He has also worked with many service academy applicants.
Can students meet with Nicole online?
Yes. Next Step Advising meets in person in Clinton, New Jersey, and on Zoom for students worldwide.
How do I contact Nicole Smith?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with Nicole and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.