Get matched with an admissions counselor, free

Our matching form is designed for families who want guidance but are not sure where to begin. Some students are just starting high school. Others are building a college list, preparing applications, or comparing final choices. Wherever you are in the process, we can help you find independent college-admissions counselors, or IECs, whose services may be a good fit.

You do not need to know every detail before you start. A few clear answers help us narrow the options and introduce counselors who work with students like yours.

• Student grade level or graduation year
• General goals, such as college planning, application support, transfer guidance, or graduate school planning
• Preferred language for communication
• Your timeline, such as starting soon or planning ahead
• Budget range for counseling services
• Any preferences, such as experience with artists, athletes, first-generation families, or international backgrounds

We ask only for practical information that helps us make a thoughtful match. For example, we may ask about your student's interests, the kind of support you want, and whether you prefer virtual or in-person meetings when available.

We do not need highly sensitive details to begin. BrightPath Admissions is not a college, not an admissions office, and not a counseling firm. We are a free matching service that shares educational information and helps families connect with IECs.

We will never ask for:

• Social Security numbers
• Bank or credit card account numbers
• Immigration status
• Detailed school records, such as transcripts
• Exact grades, Grade Point Average, or GPA, test scores, or class rank just to get matched

If you are new to the US college process, that is okay. You do not need to understand every acronym yet. Counselors can explain steps like the Common App, which is the Common Application used by many colleges, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, the CSS Profile, which some colleges use to award nonfederal financial aid, and application plans such as Early Action, or EA, and Early Decision, or ED.

Many families feel pressure around college admissions, especially if they are navigating the system in a new language or for the first time. Our goal is to make the first step easier, not harder.

BrightPath works with families across the United States, including immigrant and non-native-English-speaking families. We try to match you with counselors who can communicate clearly and understand your priorities. Some families want a broad overview. Others want regular coaching and accountability. Some need help building a realistic timeline. The right fit depends on your student and your family's needs.

Counselors do not make admissions decisions, and no one can guarantee admission, scholarships, or a certain result. What a good counselor can do is offer structure, advice, and personalized coaching as your student does the work.

Students should always complete their own applications and write their own essays. A counselor may guide brainstorming, planning, and revision strategy, but the student's work must stay the student's work. You can learn more about typical support on services.

After you submit the form, we review your information and identify counselors who appear to match what you are looking for. We may contact you if something is unclear or if a small detail would help us improve the match.

If we find likely fits, we will share counselor options with you. From there, you choose what happens next.

1. Review the counselor matches we send.
2. Decide whether you want to speak with any of them.
3. Ask questions about services, communication style, and pricing.
4. Choose a counselor only if the fit feels right.

There is no pressure to select someone. Matching is free for families. Participating counselors pay a flat fee to be included in our network.

By submitting the form, you agree that BrightPath Admissions may use the information you provide to contact you about your match and share it with selected counselors for that purpose. We encourage families to share only what is needed to get started.

Once you submit your information, the next step is simple. We review your request, look for counselors who fit your needs, and send you options if available. Some families move quickly. Others take time to compare approaches and ask questions.

You are always in control of the decision. Our role is to help you start with clearer options, not to push you into a service.

If you are still learning about the process before getting matched, you may also want to explore our guides for plain-language information about planning, applications, and financial aid.