About

Who We Are

Gail Grand, MS, Director

Gail Grand has spent her entire professional life as an educator and writer. Mrs. Grand holds professional certification in Biology and General Science, in Gifted Education, and in School Guidance & Counseling. She is the author of two educational guidebooks for teenagers, the publisher of a nationally used newsletter for independent educational consultants, and a highly respected independent educational consultant.


After years of teaching secondary science and gifted education, Gail earned a master’s degree in school guidance & counseling and embarked upon a second career specializing in college counseling. After 15 years as Director of College Counseling at the Hebrew Academy of Greater Miami, she relocated to California and served as a college counselor at Chaminade College Preparatory School. Long an advocate of out-of-school experiences, Gail shared her accumulated knowledge in Student Science Opportunities and in Free (and Almost Free) Adventures for Teenagers (both published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.)


As a college advisor with both a school-based and independent practice, Gail saw the need for timely and unbiased college guidance information to be presented to students and parents as they made their way through the maze that is the college selection, application, and financial aid process. Her newsletter, The College Advisor, and the highly acclaimed parent workshop series, College Unraveled, were developed to meet these needs.


Gail is a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), as well as a member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC), and the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA). She subscribes to their Principles of Good Practice.  Each year, Gail visits 20-30 college campuses, attends National Conferences and takes part in and presents numerous professional development programs.  She is a graduate of the Harvard Summer Institute on College Admissions and the Santa Clara Institute on College Counseling.

Hilary Lefitz, MSW, College Counseling

Being an independent college advisor is more than a “job,” it’s my passion! No matter the budget, goal, GPA, or geographic preference, I believe there is a college for everyone. Getting to know each student, exploring their innate gifts, learning style, and personality are all keys to creating a college application plan that’s geared towards acceptance success.


I began my career as a therapist, helping families navigate challenging transitions. With over 25 years of experience working with young people, I know how to get to the heart of the matter and hold frank, honest conversations. I create a safe place for young adults to discover their superpowers and try on ideas before making firm decisions.


By injecting fun and humor into a time-sensitive process, students relax and enjoy achieving milestones while staying focused on next-step actions. I help each student assume the level of responsibility he or she is ready for without allowing anything to fall through the cracks.


There may be times when the demands of everyday life or the pressures to make the “right” decision creates too much tension for teens. I recognize the warning signs and take steps to alleviate stress. I also make sure each student has the support and resources needed before, during, and after they transition to college.


I earned a master’s degree in Social Work from USC, an undergraduate degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University, and a College Counseling Certification from UCLA. Before becoming a college advisor, I served as a nonprofit executive overseeing critical support services to grieving families.  


Because I’m dedicated to lifelong learning and maintaining the highest standards in education, training, ethics, and experience, I am an associate member of the Independent Consultants Association (IECA), where I have been fully vetted as an industry expert who remains updated and deeply engaged in her field. 


Each year I tour colleges and universities to share information and connect with thought leaders within the college admissions industry. I apply a wealth of real-world experience that I’ve gained over the years working with diverse groups of wonderful students and their families, helping to make college dreams come true.  

Why Us – There are a lot of options when choosing an educational consultant to guide your family.  We encourage you to consider these suggestions from Jeff Schiffman, Director of Admissions at Tulane University.


“Ensure that they are members of the National Association for College Admission Counseling or a regional affiliate. Whenever you hire someone to do a service for you (like a contractor or dentist) you always want to make sure they are accredited and certified. Same goes with hiring an independent counselor. Being a part of NACAC means they'll abide by the Statement of Principles of Good Practices. I do not recommend working with a counselor who is not a NACAC member.


Ensure that they are affiliated with IECA or HECA. These are two incredible organizations comprised of all higher education consultation and independent education counselors. They share great ideas, best practices and are a great professional networking group.


Make sure your application remains authentically you.  If you remember nothing else from this blog, remember this tip. We expect your application to sound like a high school student has written it. We want to hear your authentic voice. The voice of a 17-year-old guy sounds a lot different than the voice of a 45-year-old woman. Independent counselors can help formulate your college list, provide knowledge about best practices in applying and proofreading your essays, but if your voice starts to fade from your application, well...we can tell.”


Consultants at The College Advisor are guided by your teen and family’s desires. We serve in a supporting role, gently guiding the process, offering options and opportunities that are realistic for each student.  Our Director has been a member of NACAC, IECA and HECA for over 15 years, has visited over 500 college and university campuses, and has supported over a thousand students through the process in both high school and independent settings.  Our essay consultant has guided over a thousand students through the college essay process, helping them to find their voice and best tell their unique story.
“I can't think of a more qualified person to recommend to any parent of a prospective college student. Gail is a credible expert who guides with confidence and kindness. She is a pro in every sense of the word."  

Brother Tom Fahy, Principal, Chaminade College Preparatory School
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