About Us
The college search and application journey can be an exciting, yet stressful time for students and families.
Lengthy applications, confusing test schedules, and challenging essays are major source of tension and anxiety. In the beginning, the process can feel long and complicated, becoming rushed and hectic as deadlines approach...then the wait begins. Before you know it, it’s decision time!
I created my college advising practice to provide a calm, organized environment where you can focus on your unique set of strengths, experiences, academic aspirations and expectations. My goals are to help you reduce stress and gain confidence by teaching you how to navigate the college admissions world and find the college that best fits your goals and interests.
I provide expert evaluation, analysis and guidance so that you can shine on college applications!
“Liz Murphy excels at helping students narrow their college search without adding undue stress on their lives. I’d highly recommend Liz to any student or parent feeling overwhelmed by the college search process.”
— Kate M., Montara
Background and Experience
Liz Murphy, CEP: Founder/Owner
As an independent college consultant and graduate of the UC Berkeley College Admissions and Career Planning program, I have successfully guided high school students on their college admission journeys for over ten years. I am a Certified Educational Planner, a distinction earned by only 37 college consultants in California and fewer than 300 worldwide - the highest level of competency awarded in the profession. I have been a parent leader in public and private education, worked in the public health field, and taught high school biology and chemistry in the Peace Corps in Kenya. I bring significant experience in academics, communication, research, and project management to my personalized college consulting practice. I am particularly interested in helping students pursue higher education in STEM and assisting students in applying to the University of California system and other West Coast colleges and universities.
I survived the college admission process with my own children, who graduated from Gonzaga University and UC Berkeley. Every year I tour dozens of colleges and universities throughout the United States; attend professional conferences, college fairs and workshops; and network with fellow professionals in the field. I keep up-to-date on changes and developments in the world of higher education in order to best inform and guide my students and families.
Education and Credentials
Certified Educational Planner, American Institute of Certified Educational Planners
Certificate in College Admissions and Career Planning, UC Berkeley, Berkeley CA
Master of Public Health, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley CA
Bachelor’s degree in Biology, University of the Pacific, Stockton CA
Professional memberships: Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) and Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC)
Guiding Principles
Individualized
Emphasize each student’s unique strengths, experiences, academic aspirations and expectations
Collaborative
Strive not to replace, but to complement families and school counselors
Student-Focused
Partner with students to make their own sound and informed choices. Guide, rather than direct
Giving Back
Provide pro-bono services to students with economic need.
Education-related nonprofits that we support:
Good Practices
All services are provided in accordance with the ethical standards and practices set by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA). We adhere to the values of education, access & equity, professionalism, collegiality, collaboration, trust, social responsibility, and confidentiality.
Sara Dexter
Executive Assistant
Sara helps students and families by providing administrative support, management, scheduling, and communications.
Sara was born and raised on the Coastside (what we call the northern California coast). Involvement in community, uplifting individuals, and connecting with others are principle aspects her life. She believes that any goal can be reached with compassion and diligence. Educational and career paths are different for everyone, and Sara’s mission is to help students find the road they’ve been dreaming to take.
Clara Murphy, M.Ed. , J.D.
College Coach and Operations Manager
Clara assists students with completing their college applications and essays. Clara is a Coastside native who attended Farallone View Elementary School, Cunha Middle School and St. Ignatius College Prep High School. She graduated with honors from UC Berkeley, majoring in Society and Environment and minoring in Urban Planning. Working with Teach for America, she completed her Master’s in Education from University of Missouri St. Louis, a teacher training program in Houston TX, and taught English at a public middle school in Kansas City MO. She recently earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law.
Clara brings a positive approach and sense of humor to working with students on their college applications and essays.
In her free time, Clara can be found walking on the beach and in the mountains with her miniature dachshund, Dash, baking sweets and savories, reading, and practicing yoga.
Caroline Alford
College Coach
Caroline assists students with completing their college applications and essays. She grew up in Pacific Palisades, CA and graduated from the University of Michigan with a major in International and Comparative Studies. After graduation, she was a Teach For America Corps Member in Kansas City, MO. She also worked as a Senior Political Analyst at Benenson Strategy Group. She currently teaches math at an independent school in Los Angeles. Caroline is also a current graduate student at Johns Hopkins University.
Caroline is passionate about helping students develop their voice and working with them to manage the college application process in a way that is less stressful and more exciting.
In her free time, you can find Caroline baking, riding horses, fostering dogs, and traveling the world.
Abby Cleary, M.Ed.
College Coach
Abby assists students with completing their college applications and essays. She grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a double major in History and Secondary Social Science Education. She has worked in the classroom ever since, teaching World Geography and AP World History at the high school level. She also completed her Master's in Curriculum & Instruction from Peru State College during her first two years of teaching.
Abby enjoys building relationships with students, learning what makes them unique, and helping students translate these individual strengths into success on college applications and essays.
In her free time, Abby enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with friends and family, and hanging out with her cocker spaniel, Arthur!
Spencer Creal, M.A.
College Coach
Spencer assists students with completing their college applications and essays. He is from Lincoln, Nebraska, where he earned a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He worked as a staff writer and editor for a local magazine before attending graduate school and receiving a master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. He currently teaches first-year writing for an intensive support program at UWM and also teaches youth tennis at a club in Milwaukee.
Spencer loves connecting with students on a personal level to help them discover and establish their own academic sensibilities. He recognizes that just as every student is unique, so, too, are the approaches needed to help them succeed inside and outside of school.
Ask Spencer any question about tennis and he'll probably know the answer. He also loves reading, writing, camping, and, when the Wisconsin winter doldrums set in, diving into an immersive video game.