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College Counseling in Colorado
College Counseling in Colorado
Colorado families trust Great College Advice for personalized college admissions guidance backed by decades of counseling experience and proven results.
Why Local Guidance Matters
Colorado families face a distinct set of pressures:
- Increased competition at CU Boulder, especially for selective colleges like the Leeds School of Business and the College of Engineering & Applied Science
- A growing population of high-achieving applicants
College Counseling Services in CO
✅ Common App & supplemental essay support
✅ College list building & fit assessment
✅ Application strategy & timeline planning
✅ High school course planning including AP vs. dual/concurrent enrollment options
✅ Standardized test prep strategy
✅ Financial aid / FAFSA guidance including maximizing merit aid opportunities
✅ College interview prep
✅ Support for gifted, high-achieving, and neurodivergent learners
✅ Guidance for Colorado students applying out of state or internationally
✅ Guidance for out of state and international students applying to Colorado schools
Meet Your Colorado-Based College Counselors
Pam Gentry — Denver Office
Pam brings more than 20 years of experience in K–12 education, including a decade teaching secondary mathematics and ten years as a gifted-education specialist. She builds highly personalized college lists tailored to each student’s academic profile, interests, and learning style, and supports both US students applying internationally and international students applying to US schools.
Schedule a consultation with Pam →
Sarah Myers — Boulder Office
With 20 years of experience as a professional school counselor, Sarah works with Colorado students and families using motivational interviewing and strengths-based coaching to help them find a genuine college fit.
Colorado High Schools We’ve Worked With
| Air Academy HS | Alexander Dawson School | Arapahoe HS |
| Bear Creek HS | Bishop Machbeuf HS | Boulder HS |
| Broomfield HS | Castle View HS | Cedar Ridge Academy |
| Centennial HS | Cherokee Trail HS | Cherry Creek HS |
| Cheyenne Mountain HS | Colorado Academy | Columbine HS |
| Conifer HS | Denver School for the Arts | Denver Academy |
| Denver East HS | D’Evelyn HS | Denver South HS |
| Denver Waldorf School | Elizabeth HS | Douglas County HS |
| Eaglecrest HS | Fossil Ridge HS | Evergreen HS |
| Fairview HS | Grand Junction HS | George Washington HS |
| Golden HS | Kent Denver School | Grandview HS |
| Highlands Ranch HS | Legend HS | Lakewood HS |
| Legacy HS | Longmont HS | Lewis Palmer HS |
| Littleton HS | Mullen HS | Monarch HS |
| Mountain Vista HS | Northfield HS | New Hope Academy |
| Niwot HS | Pine Creek HS | Palmer Ridge HS |
| Peak to Peak Charter School | Regis Jesuit HS | Prospect Ridge HS |
| Ralston Valley HS | Stargate Charter School | Rock Canyon HS |
| Smoky Hill HS | Thomas Jefferson HS | Summit County HS |
| The Vanguard School | Watershed School | Vail Mountain School |
| Valor Christian HS |
Note: This list reflects general GCA outreach across Colorado and is not tied to any specific counselor.
Ready to Get Started?
Schedule a consultation with our Colorado team to build a personalized plan for your student’s college journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best Colorado universities to apply to?
“Best” depends on the student’s goals, but Colorado’s most commonly targeted schools include University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), Colorado State University (CSU), Colorado School of Mines, the University of Denver (DU), and Colorado College. Our counselors help students look past name recognition to focus on programs, campus culture, and outcomes that are the best fit for that unique student. The right college list looks different for every student.
How is the college admissions process different in Colorado?
Colorado’s 32 public colleges and universities, plus several private institutions, participate in Colorado Free Application Days each October, waiving application fees for Colorado residents. Colorado public colleges are also currently test-optional for first-year applicants. Beyond that, in-state competitiveness for flagship options like CU Boulder has increased in recent years, especially for selective colleges like the Leeds School of Business and the College of Engineering & Applied Science, which is part of why families work with a counselor early.
Are Colorado colleges test-optional?
Yes. Colorado’s public colleges and universities currently allow first-year applicants to choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. Policies vary slightly by school and can change year to year, so we confirm current requirements for each college on a student’s list.
Should my student prioritize in-state or out-of-state schools?
It depends. In-state schools typically offer lower tuition and, in some cases, guaranteed credit for dual enrollment coursework. Out-of-state and private options may offer a stronger fit for a specific major or campus environment. We help families weigh these factors along with financial considerations.
Do we need to live in Denver or Boulder to work with a Colorado GCA counselor?
No. All counseling is delivered online, so families anywhere in Colorado (or beyond) can work with Pam, Sarah, or another GCA counselor. Being based in Denver and Boulder gives our counselors regional insight, but sessions happen virtually.