You Need a College Admissions Counselor Who Gets TikTok and FAFSA
Expert college admissions support from a counselor who gets the system and your student.
To the student reading this…
Wondering how the heck you’re supposed to apply to a dozen schools, write multiple essays, and somehow still keep up with AP classes and volleyball practice:
I see you. And I know it’s a lot.
That’s why I created Your College Matchmaker: to help make this process less overwhelming, more strategic, and actually (it’s cringe, but I’ll say it anyway) kind of exciting!
This isn’t about being perfect or knowing everything. The real journey is about figuring out who you are, what matters to you, and how to tell your story to get you where you want to be.
You're not expected to do this alone! You’ve got me now.
If you lean into this process and do the work, we will find you a great college match!
To the parent reading this…
(Probably with one eye on the tuition calculator and the other eye swelling with tears as you’re preparing to send your baby off to college):
I see you, too.
You want to make the right choice for your teen, your family, and your peace of mind.
The college process today looks nothing like it did a few decades ago, and it’s easy to feel like you have no idea what’s going on.
But here’s the truth: you don’t need to have all the answers, either!
You need someone you trust to help guide the way—and that’s what I do as a college admissions counselor.
I will work with both of you as a team, because college isn’t just a big decision… it’s a big transition. And if we do this right, we do this once.
— Nicole Pilar, Professional College Counselor for High School and Transfer Students in The West Coast Area
“Nicole helped me recognize which schools I would actually love.”
“Nicole didn’t just want to help me get into my dream school, but she also wanted to build a relationship with me. She alleviated so much anxiety I had. She was a reliable friend who was able to keep me on track to ensure all supplements, essays and all necessary tasks were handled. Without Nicole, I wouldn’t have been able to reflect on what I actually wanted for my college experience. I actually left most meetings excited to write my essays and supplements.”
Olivia S., Class of 2022
Meet the Matchmaking Team
Nicole (she/her)
Founder of Your College Matchmaker and Expert College Admissions Counselor + Consultant
I’m Nicole Pilar, a hands-on a California-based college admissions counselor who's guided tons of students through the application process to colleges and universities around the world with clarity, humor, and the (not so) occasional Taylor Swift lyric.
I’ve spent the last decade in classrooms, counseling offices, and virtual essay sessions helping high schoolers and transfer students figure out where they want to go and how to get there.
Before starting Your College Matchmaker in 2023, I was a Pitzer College graduate, a Fulbright Scholar in Bulgaria, and a lead counselor at Collegewise.
I’ve successfully supported students through UC and Cal State applications, Common App essays, transfer timelines, and the classic “how do I even start this?” spiral.
My philosophy? When students know themselves, they make better decisions! That’s why I treat this like the ultimate research project/relationship-building process.
When I’m not editing essays or mapping out timelines, you can find me dancing salsa, hunting for new snacks at Costco, quoting folklore, or planning my next big travel adventure (passport always packed).
I’m the counselor students get excited to check in with and turn to when the going gets rough.
You’ve got big goals, rightfully so—I want to help make them happen!
Anya (she/her)
Essay Editor Extraordinaire + Brainstorming BFF
Anya is the behind-the-scenes magic in the essay process with more than four years of experience.
She helps students dig deeper, reflect transparently, and bring their stories to life on the page.
From first draft to the final polish before send-off, she offers thoughtful, strategic feedback that keeps students’ voices front and center.
Anya lives in Colorado with her husband and kids. When she’s not editing student essays, she’s probably on a hiking trail, cheering from the sidelines at a volleyball game, or planning her family’s next big travel adventure.
Instead of stressing about what to say in your college essay, let’s work together to make it something you’re proud to send and share!
Want to work with us?
Did We Just Become Besties?
Come on, I want to meet you!