Rya Carpenter
College admissions consultant for grades 9 to 12 in Santa Barbara County
| Hourly rate range | $130 to $300 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | College admissionsCollege essaysAthletic recruitingFinancial aid and scholarshipsCareer clarity and purposeNew grads and students |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Also coaches | Career coach |
| Based in | California, United States |
| Credentials | MS in Counseling and Guidance; California Counseling Credential (PPS); HECA member |
| Practice | Balanced 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
Programs and services
- College admissions consulting
- Athletic recruiting advising
- Financial aid planning
- Free consultation booking
Rya Carpenter reviews
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. Request an intro 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?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with Rya and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
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Rya Carpenter
Rya Carpenter is a college admissions consultant who helps students and their families plan for college. She has worked as a school counselor for over 20 years. For the last 11 years she has worked at a private high school, where she focuses almost entirely on college admissions. Her services cover college lists, financial aid, NCAA eligibility, essays and application reviews. She meets in person with families in Santa Barbara County.
Annette Mackaness
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.