Sarah Aikenhead
College admissions consultant in Sacramento, California
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | Sacramento, California, United States |
| Credentials | IECA Professional member |
| Practice | Aikenhead Painter College Consulting |
Sarah Aikenhead is an independent educational consultant in Sacramento, California. She helps college-bound students and their parents through the admissions process. Her practice, Aikenhead Painter College Consulting, also operates as AP College Consulting. The team visits over 30 schools a year and keeps a library of college program details. Services cover course planning, college lists, essays, applications, interviews, tours, and financial aid. She is a member of IECA.
What Sarah helps with
Sarah works with students and families on the college search and application process. Her goal is to cut down stress and match each student with schools that fit their interests.
- Choosing high school courses to build a strong academic path
- Building a college list that fits a student's interests
- Completing the Common Application, UC and Cal State applications
- Brainstorming and editing college essays and UC personal insight questions
- Preparing for college tours and interviews
- Planning a path from community college to a UC, state or private school
- Filling out the FAFSA and CSS forms and finding scholarships
- Comparing financial aid award letters
Who Sarah works with
Sarah works with college-bound students of all backgrounds and their parents. Some students need full support and others need help with only a few steps. She also helps community college students who plan to transfer to a UC, state or private school.
How Sarah works
The practice starts by talking with the student about both college and career interests. The team then researches schools with the student to build a solid list. Students get clear timetables for applications, essays, interviews and school tours. Checklists show which tasks are coming up, which are done, and who needs to act. Essays go through several rounds of feedback before submission. Parents and students stay in the loop throughout. Help is offered one on one or in small group workshops.
Background and qualifications
Sarah Aikenhead is an independent educational consultant based in Sacramento, California. She is a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association. She runs Aikenhead Painter College Consulting, also called AP College Consulting, with a team. The team visits over 30 colleges each year and uses those visits to build a knowledge library of college programs, strengths and opportunities. They also use web tools that show information from counselors nationwide who have visited those schools.
Sarah Aikenhead pricing
Programs and services
- Hourly consulting
- Package rates
- Individual application guidance
- Small group application workshops
- Initial consultation
Sarah Aikenhead reviews
The CoachVouch take
The team visits over 30 colleges a year and uses web tools that go beyond Naviance to build personal college lists.
Best for California students and parents who want help with UC and Common Application essays, applications and financial aid.
Common questions
How much does Sarah Aikenhead charge?
Coaching with Sarah runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Sarah from this page for an exact quote.
What does Sarah Aikenhead help with?
Sarah Aikenhead helps with choosing high school courses to build a strong academic path, building a college list that fits a student's interests, completing the Common Application, UC and Cal State applications and brainstorming and editing college essays and UC personal insight questions.
Is Sarah Aikenhead certified?
Sarah Aikenhead lists: IECA Professional member.
Does Sarah help with financial aid?
Yes. The practice helps families complete the FAFSA and CSS, find scholarships, and compare financial aid award letters.
Can Sarah help with community college transfers?
Yes. The practice helps students plan a path from community college to a UC, state or private school.
How do I contact Sarah Aikenhead?
Send Sarah a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.