How College Admissions Support Works: Real Results from Wagner Prep’s Hourly Advising Model
Posted on: July 7, 2025Wondering how much support your student might need for college admissions? Here’s what it actually looks like—and what families can expect when working with Wagner Prep.
If you're a parent wondering how much college advising really takes—or whether it's worth the investment—you’re in the right place.
At Wagner Prep, we offer college admissions support by the hour so students can get the help they need—no more, no less. Some families come to us with a specific request, like revising the Common App essay or preparing for interviews. Others work with us weekly to build college lists, stay on top of deadlines, and tackle a long list of supplemental essays.
In all cases, we tailor our support to match each student’s goals, strengths, and timeline.
We know that applying to college is stressful for students—and often just as overwhelming for parents. That’s why many of the families we work with describe our team as part buffer, part translator, and part guide. We help students stay focused and accountable while giving parents the freedom to cheer from the sidelines (instead of nagging from the kitchen table).
In this post, we’ll walk you through three real examples from the Class of 2025, showing exactly how much time each student spent working with us—and what they achieved along the way.
What Does College Advising Include?
Our college admission planning services are fully customized and available by the hour. Whether a student needs just a few sessions to finalize their personal statement or ongoing guidance through every step of the process, we’re here to help with:
College list building and admissions strategy
Essay coaching (brainstorming, drafting, editing)
Common App and supplemental support
Financial aid, scholarship, and deadline planning
Interview preparation and decision guidance
We also offer specialized support for students applying to competitive majors, art schools, service academies, or navigating accommodations.
Real College Admissions Results: What Families Can Expect
Every student’s path is different. Some come in with a strong list and just need essay feedback. Others are navigating a much bigger list, balancing school and sports, or figuring out their voice in the process.
Here are three real examples from the Class of 2025 that show what personalized advising can look like—and how much time it actually takes.
Student A: Full Application Support Over 6 Months
Total Hours: 26
Support Included:
Built a college list of 30+ schools, then narrowed through student-led research and fit
Developed, edited, and refined 15+ essays, including UC PIQs, Common App, and school-specific supplements (USC, Tulane, BU, UW-Seattle, etc.)
Provided weekly check-ins and strategic planning throughout the fall, despite a demanding school and sports schedule
Brainstormed and restructured multiple drafts to bring out the student’s voice and life story
Created a customized essay tracker and to-do system for managing multiple deadlines and drafts
Held one-on-one writing sessions to build stronger narrative structure and writing fluency
Outcome: Admitted to multiple top-tier public universities; chose UC San Diego for its strong academics and ideal campus environment
Best Fit For: Students applying to many competitive schools who need writing support, time management, and strategic guidance
Student B: Balanced, Steady Support Through Fall
Total Hours: 15
Support Included:
Early support researching and finalizing a 14-school list
Guided step-by-step completion of the Common App, activities list, and multiple supplemental essays
Provided live support for her first application submission and helped strategize Early Action deadlines
Taught the student how to self-edit and refine supplemental writing
Helped identify opportunities for merit aid and coordinated fee waiver strategies
Maintained steady weekly check-ins that made the process feel manageable and low-stress
Outcome: Accepted to multiple schools and chose University of Delaware, where she received a strong merit scholarship and financial aid package
Best Fit For: Students starting in August/September who want to stay organized and steadily move forward without overwhelm
Student C: Late Start, Highly Focused Sprint
Total Hours: 7
Support Included:
Edited and finalized essays for top schools, including Wake Forest and Lehigh
Built narrative clarity and specificity in a short time frame
Created and refined a letter of continued interest
Outcome: Applied Early Decision II to Lehigh; completed strong applications to Wake Forest and University of Miami
Best Fit For: Students applying in December/January who need a focused push to finish strong
Who We Are
Wagner Prep was founded on the belief that college advising should be personalized, empowering, and built on trust. Since 2015, we’ve supported hundreds of families with expert guidance and real care.
Mike Wagner, our founder and lead instructor, spent seven years as a high school history teacher before launching Wagner Prep. He saw firsthand how traditional systems often failed to support students’ full potential. At Wagner Prep, Mike leads a team committed to making the process clearer, more strategic, and more human. He still teaches and coaches students every day.
Mike and the entire Wagner Prep team are here to help your family turn uncertainty into action—one application, essay, and decision at a time.
How Many Hours Does College Counseling Take?
Most students fall into the 15–25 hour range for college advising. Some come in with a long list and a big vision. Others simply want to feel confident that they’re putting their best work forward. Wherever your student is starting from, we combine 1-on-1 sessions with asynchronous editing to match their needs and schedule.
Want to talk through your child’s timeline?
We’d be happy to recommend a personalized plan based on your goals. Give us a call or email us here to get started.