We spent decades inside university enrollment offices watching which families arrived prepared — and which arrived wishing they had started sooner.
Year after year, we saw the same pattern. The families who arrived at junior year already understanding how admissions works, how financial aid is structured, and what their student genuinely wanted — those families made different decisions. Calmer decisions. More strategic decisions.
The families who arrived without that foundation — and most families did, because no one had offered them guidance earlier — found themselves reacting instead of choosing.
We built SUM TOTAL because we believe the counseling industry should serve families earlier, include parents in the process, and give every family the information and preparation to navigate what's ahead — together.
College planning is one of the first major transitions families navigate together. It involves aspirations, expectations, financial realities, and the future your child is beginning to imagine.
By starting early and including parents in the process, families gain the clarity and shared understanding needed to approach the college journey thoughtfully — rather than reactively. We don't rush childhood. We give families time, perspective, and the opportunity to make decisions from a place of knowledge rather than uncertainty.
Each year we meet families during the later stages of the college process who share a similar reflection: "We wish we had started this conversation sooner."
"We didn't realize how many decisions started before junior year."Parent
"Understanding the financial side earlier would have changed how we approached the search."Parent
Our counselors didn't study admissions from the outside — they led it.
Our founders didn't study admissions from the outside — they led it. A former Vice President of Enrollment and a former Director of Enrollment, with combined decades of experience in admissions and financial aid. Both have served as presidents of major regional college counseling organizations.
Our counselors bring experience across public universities, private colleges, and specialized programs — graduate and undergraduate. We know how different institutions think, what they value, and how they make decisions.
Our team includes expertise in NCAA recruitment, arts and conservatory programs, and other distinctive academic tracks. Whatever your student's path, we have someone who knows it.
Our model intentionally includes parents and the entire family, ensuring decisions about opportunities, expectations, and financial realities are made with clarity and shared understanding. This is what makes us different.
"Families often tell us their biggest relief is having a knowledgeable guide who understands both the admissions process and the family dynamics behind it."
Co-Founder / Lead Counselor
Former VP of Enrollment | 30+ Years Admissions & Financial Aid Experience
Read Full Bio →Co-Founder / Lead Counselor
Academic Strategy Expert | 20+ Years High School Counseling and Admissions Experience
Read Full Bio →Growing our team.
We are selective about who joins — every counselor brings deep, direct experience in admissions.
Schedule a 20-minute introductory conversation to learn more about our team and whether SUM TOTAL is the right fit for your family.
Schedule an Intro Conversation →