Paul Nicholas
College admissions counselor serving students and parents in Los Angeles
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Also coaches | Career coach |
| Based in | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Credentials | UCLA Extension College Counseling certificate; HECA member; National College Testing Association (NCTA) member; Regional alumni interviewer for Sarah Lawrence College |
| Practice | Alma Mater Educational Services |
Paul Nicholas is an independent college admissions counselor in the Los Angeles area. He helps students and their parents plan for college, from choosing schools to accepting an offer. He finished UCLA Extension's college counseling certificate program with distinction and founded Alma Mater Educational Services. He also runs an exam proctoring service and is a member of the National College Testing Association. He is studying educational technology at Teachers College, Columbia University.
What Paul helps with
Paul guides families through each step of the college admissions process. He also helps with scholarships, financial aid and choosing between offers.
- Choosing high school courses, including AP and International Baccalaureate options
- Deciding which standardized tests to take and when
- Building a college list with safety, match and reach schools
- Planning college visits
- Writing application essays and preparing for alumni interviews
- Finding scholarships and improving scholarship essays
- Completing the FAFSA and CSS Profile
- Handling waitlists and comparing offer packages
Who Paul works with
Paul works with high school students who are getting ready for college, and with their parents. He also pays attention to the needs of each child, including special needs and financial circumstances. Alma Mater also serves K-12, college and graduate students with tutoring and proctoring.
How Paul works
Paul starts with a review of the student's courses, activities, community service, summer experience and work. He gives advice on testing and shares a recommended reading list to build vocabulary. He then helps build a college list and an application timeline covering essays, resumes, websites and alumni interviews. After offers arrive, he helps plan admitted student visits and negotiate offer packages.
Background and qualifications
Paul founded Alma Mater Educational Services. He finished UCLA Extension's College Counseling certificate program with distinction. The program includes seven graduate-level courses and an intensive practicum. He graduated from Sarah Lawrence College and serves as a regional alumni interviewer in Los Angeles. He is now working on a master's degree in Design & Development of Educational Technology at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is an elected Student Senator there and a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the honor society in education.
Paul Nicholas pricing
Programs and services
- College counseling
- Scholarship and financial aid guidance
- Exam proctoring
- Tutoring
- Free newsletter, The College Mechanic
Paul Nicholas reviews
The CoachVouch take
Paul combines college admissions counseling with an exam proctoring service approved for students of over 1000 colleges and universities.
Best for Los Angeles area families who want help with every step of college admissions, from course planning to comparing offers.
Common questions
How much does Paul Nicholas charge?
Coaching with Paul runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Paul from this page for an exact quote.
What does Paul Nicholas help with?
Paul Nicholas helps with choosing high school courses, including AP and International Baccalaureate options, deciding which standardized tests to take and when, building a college list with safety, match and reach schools and planning college visits.
Is Paul Nicholas certified?
Paul Nicholas lists: UCLA Extension College Counseling certificate; HECA member; National College Testing Association (NCTA) member; Regional alumni interviewer for Sarah Lawrence College.
Does Paul Nicholas help with scholarships and financial aid?
Yes. He helps families find fitting scholarships, improve scholarship essays, and complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
Where does Alma Mater hold exam proctoring?
Students meet at a conveniently located library in the Los Angeles area.
How do I contact Paul Nicholas?
Send Paul a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.