For many families, the college process feels overwhelming.
Between admissions decisions, financial aid forms, scholarship opportunities, and deadlines, it can be difficult to know where to begin or how to make the right decisions along the way.
Families often tell us they feel like they are trying to figure out the process on their own.
At Crystal Clear College Planning, we help families navigate college admissions and financial aid with a thoughtful, organized approach so they can make confident decisions about their student’s future.
When families have the right guidance and a clear plan, the process becomes far less overwhelming and far more empowering.
College planning is one of the largest financial and life decisions a family will make.
Yet many families enter the process without clear guidance or a full understanding of how admissions decisions and financial aid really work.
We guide families step by step through the process so that decisions are made with intention rather than guesswork.
Our goal is not simply helping students get into college.
It is helping families make informed decisions about where a student will thrive academically, personally, and financially.
I didn’t grow up believing college was part of my path.
I grew up in a small one-stoplight town as the daughter of a disabled logger and a mother who spent time in prison. Neither of my parents attended college, and there was no roadmap for what came after high school.
College was something other people did.
The only reason I found my way there was because of my best friend. We enrolled in Running Start together, and that opportunity changed the trajectory of my life.
Even then, I navigated the process largely on my own.
I didn’t understand the admissions system.
I didn’t understand financial aid.
And I didn’t know what questions families were supposed to ask.
Looking back, I often wonder how different that experience might have been if someone had helped guide my family through those decisions.
That experience shaped everything that came next.
Today, we’ve built the kind of support system I wish my family had access to — one that helps students and parents understand the college planning process and make informed decisions about the future.
Because every student deserves someone in their corner.
At Crystal Clear College Planning, our work is guided by a shared set of principles that shape how we serve families and students. These values influence how we communicate, how we make decisions, and how we continually improve the guidance and support we provide.
We commit to ongoing learning and professional development so families benefit from the most current strategies, insights, and best practices in college admissions and financial aid.
We believe clarity and honesty build trust. Our team prioritizes straightforward, empathetic communication so families always understand the process, the options available, and the decisions ahead.
We take ownership of our work, pursue solutions proactively, and uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethics in everything we do.
By working together and leveraging each person’s strengths, we deliver exceptional service and thoughtful guidance to support families throughout the college planning process.
TRIBE was created to make expert college planning guidance accessible to more families.
Through TRIBE, families receive a structured roadmap that walks them through the entire college planning process — from early exploration through final college decisions.
The program provides tools, guidance, and expert support so families can stay organized, understand their options, and move forward with confidence.
TRIBE is ideal for families who want:
• clear guidance through the college process
• expert strategy without high private consulting costs
• a structured plan that reduces stress and confusion
Explore TRIBE | The College Game Plan™️
Some families prefer a more personalized and hands-on level of support.
Our Concierge services provide individualized college planning and admissions strategy tailored to each student’s goals, interests, and circumstances.
For families who want the most comprehensive support available, Concierge+ provides deeper strategic guidance and a more extensive level of involvement throughout the process.
Crystal Tate graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance.
As someone who was entirely responsible for selecting a college to attend and then personally paying for her own education, Crystal acutely understands the challenges facing students today.
Crystal spent her first two years out of college working for Harsin Wealth Management, where she created financial plans and conducted performance analytics for a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Financial Planner. During her time there, she also became an in-house resource for all issues involving college planning.
Crystal eventually left Harsin Wealth Management to start Crystal Clear College Planning, so she could devote herself full-time to her passion: helping families and students plan and prepare for college. Over the years, her work has expanded beyond college admissions to include coaching college students as they navigate academic and career decisions. She now specializes in helping students explore their unique ability, guiding them toward clarity in their strengths, passions, and future paths.
She is associated with a nationwide network of college planners who for years have used strategies that help students attend schools particularly suited to them while simultaneously helping families maximize financial aid and scholarships. Crystal also served on the board of the National College Advocacy Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students, families, and other advisers on the issues surrounding college planning.
When Cori started in the college planning industry over 15 years ago, her children had yet to start elementary school. Now with her youngest just starting college, she knows exactly how overwhelming and stressful it all can be for parents. Her knowledge and expertise provide the calm within the storm.
Cori has worked in financial services since 2000, and is associated with a nationwide network of college planners who for years have used proven strategies to help students find and select colleges that fit, maximize financial aid and scholarships, and financially plan with parents to make college affordable.
Cori holds the Certified College Adviser designation and is a member of the National College Advocacy Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students, families, and other advisers on the issues surrounding college admissions and financial aid.
With over 15 years of experience as a college planner and 25 years in education and coaching, Danielle supports students through one of the most important transitions of their lives, going beyond applications and admissions.
At her core, she is a life coach for teens and young adults—helping them build the skills, confidence, and resilience they need to thrive in college and beyond.
Danielle specializes in executive function, time management, social development, campus connection, and emotional regulation. Her approach is both practical and deeply personal, equipping students with real-world strategies while supporting their growth as independent, capable individuals.
Danielle hold a master’s degree, teaching credentials and a professional coaching certification, which allows her to blend educational expertise with a holistic, student-centered coaching style.
Outside of her work, Danielle is a proud mom of twin girls and loves traveling and experiencing live music whenever she can.
Judith Weston earned her PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Pennsylvania in 2025, specializing in French and Italian literature, early printed books, and medieval manuscripts.
She also holds an MA with Distinction from the University of Oxford, a master’s degree from the École Pratique des Hautes Études in Paris, and a BA from Emory University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa. A Fulbright recipient, she conducted doctoral research in France and has taught courses in medieval literature, French language, and digital humanities while contributing to major library research projects.
Alongside her academic career, Judith has worked as an admissions consultant, helping students secure places at top graduate programs and competitive scholarships in the US and UK. Her mentoring began as an ESL and writing tutor, supporting international students in crafting clear, compelling application essays. She is known for combining rigorous standards with warmth and empathy, helping students present sophisticated yet authentic narratives. Outside her work, she enjoys traveling, exploring museums and antique markets, and spending time with her small but fearless dog, Callie — preferably with a croissant in hand.
Alaiza holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education and brings more than five years of experience working across university admissions, enrollment advising, and public service environments.
As a first-generation college graduate, she understands firsthand the challenges many students face when navigating educational pathways and is committed to helping families approach the process with greater understanding and confidence.
She currently works as a Graduate Admissions Advisor at the University of Southern California, where she supports prospective students through admissions requirements, program selection, and enrollment planning.
Her professional background also includes advising students through university partnership programs and supporting individuals and families in accessing community resources through public sector roles. These experiences have strengthened her ability to guide students through complex systems, ask thoughtful questions, and provide practical next steps that move students forward.
Alaiza has worked with a wide range of students, helping them explore academic options, prepare for application milestones, and evaluate postsecondary choices. Her approach emphasizes clear communication, organization, and steady support, ensuring students remain engaged in the process without feeling overwhelmed.
Families value Alaiza’s approachable nature, responsiveness, and dedication to student progress. She prioritizes creating a supportive partnership where students feel comfortable asking questions, building confidence, and taking ownership of their goals as they prepare for life after high school.
Ruka has a PhD in Organizational Leadership, a master’s degree in Higher Education, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology, along with over five years of experience in college counseling and student advising.
She has supported hundreds of high school students through the admissions process, helping them identify best-fit universities, build strong applications, and make confident post-secondary decisions.
Drawing on her background in student development, academic advising, leadership, and career exploration, Ruka helps students align their academic strengths, personal interests, and long-term goals.
Student and families appreciate Ruka’s clear guidance, thoughtful approach, and ability to simplify complex admissions processes while keeping students focused, motivated, and prepared for success.
Dary has worked over 14 years as a college counselor at an independent high school. He also worked for two years as an admission officer at Centre College. Dary holds an MA in English Literature from the University of Alabama, and a BA in English from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky.
For fifteen years, Dary was in the classroom as a 12th grade English teacher, covering a wide variety of topics in AP Literature, and special topics electives on Monsters and Film Adaptation, as well as a course called Liner Notes that used albums from different musical genres as texts.
He is a member of the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC), the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS), and the Kentucky Association for College Admission Counseling (KYACAC).
He used to coach tennis and cross country, but got old and fat (his words), so now just enjoys watching. His favorite bands are Wilco and Bon Iver, and his favorite television shows are Arrested Development and The Wire.
A Message From Dary: Click Here
Brayden Sunseri graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in English – Creative Writing, and has worked as a TA, a tutor, and a coach throughout his academic career. After completing the college process himself, and visiting lots of other schools with his siblings, he has jumped into the world of educational consulting.
He is a member of professional organizations such as the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC), and the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). He completed the IECA Summer Training Institute in 2023.
Brayden has worked as a college counselor for four years, during which time he helped a wide variety of students find affordable college options with an emphasis on social and academic fit.
As an enthusiastic young counselor, Brayden provides a student-focused process that reduces stress for the family, keeps students organized, and maximizes the value of the application.
Personally, he loves playing games, reading great stories, laughing with his friends, and a warm cup of tea.
Typically the answer to this is no. There is a small percentage of financial advisers or CPAs trained in the late-stage college funding niche.
For instance, a physician who is a general practitioner would not think of trying to perform heart surgery on a patient. That procedure would be referred to a specialist. It is similar in our specialty. Most financial advisers and CPAs are unfamiliar with this type of planning.
We receive regular referrals from other financial advisers and CPAs who appreciate our specialization and client services in college funding planning. They believe our services add a lot of value to the services they are providing to their clients.
Working with a college planning specialist can make you aware of planning tips and strategies most people don’t even know exist. Utilizing a combination of these little-known strategies can tremendously benefit your family and your pocketbook.
The services that we provide are set up to relieve you from the stress and anxiety that is typically associated with the thought of paying for college. It is extremely valuable to have an adviser working on your behalf throughout this process.
College is the second highest expenditure for many families, next to the purchase of their home.
Have you ever purchased real estate without seeking the advice of a professional? Of course you didn’t! Paying for college shouldn’t be any different. There is crucial information you need to know about the college funding process before you begin.
Colleges will deny that they “negotiate” with parents, but the fact is that if the school wants the child, they may sweeten their initial aid offer during the “appeals process.” Your odds are improved if the school really wants the student because of a special skill, talent or scholastic achievement.
Oftentimes there are “special circumstances” that the family is experiencing that should be presented directly to the financial aid director or officer at the college. In effect, you are asking the college to use “professional judgment” based on this information to reconsider its initial offer. “Special circumstances” may be another reason for the financial aid award to be “negotiated” through the appeals process. How he or she views your specific situation and what action is taken is at the discretion of the individual financial aid director.
