Rya Carpenter, admissions consultant in California

Rya Carpenter

College admissions consultant for grades 9 to 12 in Santa Barbara County

Admissions ConsultantCalifornia, United States$130 to $300 an hour
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Hourly rate range$130 to $300 an hour
Focus areas
Works withStudents and Parents
Also coachesCareer coach
Based inCalifornia, United States
CredentialsMS in Counseling and Guidance; California Counseling Credential (PPS); HECA member
PracticeBalanced College Planning

Rya Carpenter is a college admissions consultant and the founder of Balanced College Planning in Santa Barbara County, California. She helps students in grades 9 to 12 and their parents plan for college. She has more than 25 years of school counseling and admission consulting experience. She worked as a school based counselor for over 20 years. She also scored more than 2,000 applications as an admissions reader.

What Rya helps with

Rya guides families from freshman year through college applications. She covers academic planning, college research, athletic recruiting and paying for college.

  • High school academic planning
  • Extracurricular planning
  • Career exploration
  • Building a college list
  • College applications and essay support
  • Athletic recruiting advising
  • NCAA eligibility
  • Financial aid planning

Who Rya works with

Rya works with students in grades 9 to 12 and their parents. This includes student athletes who want to play a sport in college. Families can start in ninth grade or join later, such as junior year, and she guides them through the process.

Background and qualifications

Rya holds a Master's Degree in Counseling and Guidance and a California Counseling Credential. She used that credential to work as a school based counselor for over 20 years. She has more than 25 years of school counseling and admission consulting experience. She has scored more than 2,000 applications as an admissions reader. She is a HECA member and belongs to 4 national associations. She owns and runs Balanced College Planning.

Rya Carpenter pricing

Hourly rate range
$130 to $300 an hour

Programs and services

  • College admissions consulting
  • Athletic recruiting advising
  • Financial aid planning
  • Free consultation booking
Have a question for Rya? Ask about availability, price or fit.Message Rya

Rya Carpenter reviews

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The CoachVouch take

Rya combines over 20 years as a school counselor with experience scoring more than 2,000 applications as an admissions reader.

Best for families who want help from ninth grade through applications, including student athletes seeking college recruiting.

Common questions

How much does Rya Carpenter charge?

Coaching with Rya runs $130 to $300 an hour. Message Rya from this page for an exact quote.

What does Rya Carpenter help with?

Rya Carpenter helps with high school academic planning, extracurricular planning, career exploration and building a college list.

Is Rya Carpenter certified?

Rya Carpenter lists: MS in Counseling and Guidance; California Counseling Credential (PPS); HECA member.

What grades does Balanced College Planning cover?

The firm guides students in grades 9 to 12, from start to finish.

How do I contact Rya Carpenter?

Send Rya a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.

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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.

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