Your Questions, Answered

The college and school placement process is overwhelming — and deeply emotional. An independent educational consultant brings insider knowledge, personalized strategy, and a calm presence to one of the most important decisions your family will make. We know how admissions decisions are actually made, we know the schools and programs personally, and we create a tailored approach built entirely around your student — not a template. We save you time, energy, and costly mistakes.

School counselors serve hundreds of students simultaneously and have limited time for individualized planning. As an independent consultant, we work with a small number of families at a time — giving each student deep, personalized attention. We also have insider knowledge of how admissions decisions are made, relationships with admissions teams across the country, and the ability to advocate for your student in ways a school counselor simply cannot.

Every family's needs are different, so pricing is tailored to the level of support that makes sense for your student. We'll send you a full pricing sheet when you inquire. Payment plans are available, and we accept cash, check, wire transfer, debit, and credit card. Any additional costs (such as travel to visit schools with your family) are always communicated upfront — no surprises.

We offer college planning and application strategy, boarding school placement (traditional and therapeutic), K–12 school placement, gap year consulting, neurodiversity and learning differences support, student coaching, and educational planning for globally mobile and military families. Custom packages are always available — just ask.

Every student is unique — and our process starts there. We build a holistic picture of your student: their goals, strengths, learning style, challenges, and the kind of environment where they truly thrive. From there we craft a strategy that considers the whole person — not just their GPA or test scores. We get to know your family like family. That's not a tagline. It's how we work.

Each student/client is unique and different. We all are! We are here to see the beauty in each client's profile. Our approach is to get a holistic picture of the student and work with them to identify their needs, challenges as well as strengths and capacities and tailor the approach and submit to the most appropriate school or program. This can be an overwhelming process at times. We are here to make this an full spectrum experience that is exciting and engaging. We get to know you like family! 

Absolutely — and it's some of our most meaningful work. We support students with ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, executive functioning challenges, anxiety, and a wide range of learning differences and neurodivergent profiles. We specialize in finding schools and colleges with genuine (not just compliant) support structures, and we advocate for students whose records don't always reflect their full potential. A diagnosis doesn't define your student — it's one part of the picture we work with.

Yes. We have successfully guided students with autism spectrum disorder into colleges and programs where they don't just survive — they thrive. We understand what genuine campus support looks like and we know which institutions are truly equipped to serve these students well.

Yes!

This is our favorite myth to bust. Boarding school is one of the most transformative educational experiences available — for students who are thriving and want more challenge, students who want a fresh environment, students who are elite athletes or performers, and yes, sometimes students who need a more structured or therapeutic setting. The range of boarding school options is extraordinary. Our job is to help you find the one that fits.

We always want to help! E-mail us to see what we can put together.

100% yes! There is an additional fee for the travel.

We can't guarantee acceptance at traditional schools — and any consultant who says they can isn't being honest with you. What we can guarantee is that we will give your student the strongest possible case, target schools where they are a genuine fit, and advocate for them at every stage. For therapeutic boarding school and wilderness programs, we will confirm a program will accept your student before we ever put it on the table.

That's okay — and it's actually where we start. We love talking to students about their hesitations. Most students who are resistant at first come around once they understand what boarding school actually looks like today. But if it's genuinely not the right path, we'll tell you that too.

Trust your instincts. If something feels different about how your child learns, processes, or engages — knowledge is power. Testing gives us a clearer picture to work with and often opens doors to accommodations and support your student didn't know they could access.

We would love to travel to meet with you all. Please e-mail Bowdre to set up a call.

Yes to both. Midyear placement is more common than most families realize, and we have experience navigating urgent situations with care and efficiency.

Absolutely. We love visiting schools with families — it changes everything to see a campus together and debrief in real time. Travel visits are available for an additional fee, communicated clearly before we go.

Yes. We have worked with families in the Caribbean, Europe, and beyond. International placements may include an additional fee, which we'll always discuss upfront.

Absolutely! There are a number of fantastic boarding schools abroad. 

Yes — we serve families across the Southeast and nationwide. Our clients come from more than 10 states including North Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, Florida, and beyond. Virtual consultations are available for families everywhere.

We attend conferences, workshops, and school visits consistently throughout the year to stay current on admissions trends, new programs, and best practices. We are members of IECA (Independent Educational Consultants Association) — a professional standard that matters when you're choosing who to trust with your student's future.

Bowdre Consulting operates under Be Joyful Company, our parent organization. Same team, same commitment — just the name behind the scenes.