Questions families ask,
answered plainly.
Everything below has come up in actual first conversations — about the process, the timing, who the practice serves, and how it works. If something here doesn't address your situation, the thirty-minute consultation will.
I. Process & Timeline
What does the process look like from start to finish?
It starts with a free thirty-minute introductory call to understand your student's situation — grade level, current course load, goals, and any concerns. From there, we agree on a scope and start building a plan together.
For students worked with long-term (starting in 9th or 10th grade), the engagement covers four phases: academic planning, self-discovery and activity strategy, college list building using the matching engine, and the application itself — essays, supplements, and interview prep.
For students who come later (11th or 12th grade), the work focuses on what matters most given the time available.
What happens after I send a message?
I reply within one to two business days to schedule a free introductory call. The call is thirty minutes, completely informal, and there's no commitment involved — it's just a conversation to see whether the practice is a good fit for what your family needs.
When is the right time to start?
The earlier the better — but it's never too late. Starting in 9th or 10th grade gives the most room to shape a student's high-school trajectory: course selection, activity strategy, positioning for target schools. The decisions made in 9th grade have real consequences by 12th.
That said, I regularly work with 11th and 12th graders who are focused on the application itself. The scope is just different — more targeted, faster-paced.
How often do we meet, and how?
Meeting frequency depends on the phase of work and the student's needs. During active periods — essay season, for example — sessions are more frequent. During planning phases they're lighter. All sessions are conducted online over video call, which works well across time zones.
Between sessions, students have access to the portal to track progress, view deadlines, and message me directly.
Will I always work directly with Haech?
Yes, always. The roster is deliberately small precisely so every student works directly with me — not an assistant, not a junior consultant. The quality of the relationship is the whole point.
II. Who It's For
What grade levels do you work with?
9th through 12th grade, primarily. I also support students already in college who want help with transfer applications or graduate school planning.
Do you work with IB students, AP students, or both?
Both. I've taught IB and AP Math, Biology, and Chemistry for years and know how US admissions offices evaluate IB and AP coursework. Whether your student is at an IB school, an AP school, or a mixed curriculum, I understand the landscape.
Do you work with students outside Korea?
Yes. All sessions are online, and I work with students and families in multiple countries. My background — spanning India, Poland, Korea, and the US — means I understand the international student experience from the inside.
III. The Student Portal
What is the student portal?
Every student gets a private portal where everything related to consulting work lives in one place: the college list with reach/match/likely breakdown, four-year course plan, activity tracker, deadline calendar, service request history, and a direct message thread with me.
It keeps the work organized and gives students — and parents, where appropriate — visibility into where things stand at any time.
IV. Pricing
How much does consulting cost?
Pricing depends on scope — grade level, length of engagement, which services are included. I'll outline a clear package recommendation during the introductory call based on your student's specific situation.
Reach out for a free consultation and we'll walk through the options.
Still have questions?
Every family's situation is different. Send a message and I'll answer directly — usually within one to two business days.