Cooper College Counseling stands out for its comprehensive insight into both sides of the college admissions process.

Founder Alana Cooper brings a rare combination of experience as a former high school counselor with a Master’s degree in School Counseling and as a higher education professional in Undergraduate Admissions and Financial Aid at Loyola Marymount University (LMU). She also serves as an Outside Reader for UC Santa Barbara, having reviewed thousands of undergraduate applications. This unique 360-degree perspective allows her to offer guidance that is both strategic and deeply personal. Few independent counselors have worked on both sides of the admissions table—an advantage that sets her services apart.

An independent college counselor provides personalized support for students from 9th through 12th grade, covering academic planning, extracurricular development, and the full college application process. At Cooper College Counseling, students receive help building balanced college lists, preparing for campus visits, managing deadlines, and creating strong application materials like essays and resumes. Services also include test strategy, interview preparation, financial aid guidance, and support in making final decisions. The goal is to make the process less overwhelming and more empowering—ensuring students feel confident, organized, and excited about their futures.

Ideally, families should begin working with a college counselor at the end of 8th grade, when students are selecting 9th grade courses. Cooper College Counseling emphasizes the "counseling" aspect of college counseling—providing guidance throughout the high school journey, not just during application season. Starting early allows Alana Cooper to build strong relationships with students, help them explore interests, and support their personal growth. However, whether a student starts in 9th grade or later, Cooper College Counseling offers valuable support at any stage.

Not at all. Cooper College Counseling works with students of all academic levels, interests, and aspirations. The focus is always on finding the right fit—academically, socially, financially, and personally. Alana has supported student-athletes navigating the recruitment process, as well as students exploring alternatives to traditional 4-year colleges. Her role is to serve as a trusted guide, advocate, and advisor, no matter what path a student chooses.

Yes. Each year, students receive personalized guidance in course selection to ensure they're meeting graduation requirements and building a strong academic foundation aligned with college and career goals. Alana helps families understand the differences between College Prep, Honors, AP, IB, Dual Enrollment, and Community College courses, striking a balance between rigor and manageability.

Absolutely. Cooper College Counseling helps students identify meaningful activities that align with their interests and values—whether through clubs, sports, service, leadership, or creative pursuits. Alana encourages students to pursue depth over breadth, emphasizing authentic involvement and personal growth over box-checking.

Yes. Students receive access to a shared tracking platform that documents volunteer hours, leadership roles, awards, and certifications. This platform is accessible to both students and parents, and students are taught how to log their accomplishments consistently throughout high school. Keeping a detailed record simplifies the application process and allows students to clearly express the impact of their efforts.