About WiseGuide
BA Spanish, m. English
Loyola Marymount University
MA Education
Loyola Marymount University
California Teaching Credential
Simpson University
College Counseling Certificate
UCLA
About Us
Welcome! I am Laura Walker, founder of WiseGuide College Consulting. I firmly believe that each individual student is created uniquely for a purpose in this life and that there is no one-size-fits-all path, university, or career. It takes time, intentionality, patience, and a good dose of wisdom to write a personalized next chapter. At WiseGuide, we offer the space, time, and guidance to explore a student’s interests, values, skills, and personality, to discover possible paths to college and careers that suit them, and then to enable them to embark on a successful journey towards their future.
I am an educator at heart. I have taught and coached hundreds of students and athletes from kindergarten through twelfth grade. I was born and raised in the small, close-knit town of Cottonwood, just south of Redding, California. Between my teacher/coach/pastor dad, my always present and supportive mom, and the village that raised me and helped raise my children, I have learned well the deep and enduring value of relationships. It is hands-down the very best part of working in education. As a college consultant, my hope is to know you and your family, to learn what motivates and inspires you, and to guide you, step by step, to an institution that will be all the things you hope for as you pursue your dreams.
As a Division I college athlete and graduate of a top-ranked university in Los Angeles, I have both personal experience and up-to-date training in all aspects of the college search and application process–from developing criteria for a college search and understanding financial aid, to making the final decision and transitioning to college life. Alongside knowledge and experience, you will be nurtured, guided, and encouraged every step of the way. I’m always cheering you on!
My Story
In 2021, when I began the college search and application journey with my firstborn, I came face-to-face with a glaring lack of personalized support and guidance through the process. Our high school counselors were overloaded with 300+ student caseloads, and there simply wasn’t a go-to consultant anywhere in the area to seek out for help. Researching schools, creating criteria lists, developing comparison spreadsheets, and searching for scholarships became a tedious and time-consuming endeavor I embraced alongside my full-time job as a teacher.
I was determined to help my son find a school that would fit him–one not where he would just survive higher academia on his path to a career, but one where he would thrive academically, socially, athletically, and spiritually–a place that would be home away from home. Did I mention he was also pursuing playing baseball in college? Add the laborious tasks of communicating with coaches, evaluating baseball programs, promoting his skills, and continually updating his player profile, stats, videos, and accomplishments, it felt like I was working two full-time jobs in the effort to find his best-fit school.
Little did I know then that his path to his dream school would also become my path to a career shift to college consulting. I had enjoyed the challenge, the digging in and discovering, and I knew there was a need for someone with knowledge and information to guide college-interested students and their families. Within months of my son’s departure to college, I was enrolled in UCLA’s College Counseling program. Two years later, I’m fully credentialed with loads of new professional colleagues and equipped with tools to guide and support students as they pursue the next step in their educational journey.
Let's Chat
Need more details about what to expect from a college consultant? Give us a call and let’s talk about what working with WiseGuide College Consulting looks like for your family.