All gender identities and sexual orientations are welcome here. 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
College planning that builds way
more than a college list.
We’re an Austin-born college consulting boutique that believes the college admissions process should help students discover who they are—not just where they’ll apply. By creating a space that encourages curiosity, honesty, and self-reflection, we help students build the confidence and clarity to choose colleges where they’ll truly belong. Then we provide all the tools and support they need to get there, with parent relationships and sense of humor still intact!
Our Story
A first-generation student, Shannon Bergeron was unprepared for the college planning process and ended up at the wrong school. She eventually found her place, but the experience stayed with her. Later, as a high school counselor, she watched many students fumble through college planning in a much more demanding admissions landscape.
She didn’t want students to keep making the same mistakes she’d seen time and again.
In 2016, Shannon founded Core College Consulting, inspired by the maxim that the best college journeys start with one simple idea: be real about who you are. Today, Shannon and her team help families navigate the rocky terrain of college admissions with care, knowledge, purpose, and concierge-style attentiveness.
Our Mission & Core Values
Our mission at Core College Consulting is to create a safe, supportive, and comfy space for our students to be curious, own their strengths, confront their fears, and celebrate their individuality. In this space, we’ll help students discover what really matters to them, identify the schools that offer the kind of college experience they want, and then guide them toward a decision they will feel good about and that holds up long after graduation.
Our core values for work… and life
Unapologetically Authentic
Dolly Parton said it best. “Find out who
you are and then do it on purpose." Authenticity is life’s secret sauce.
Learning Is Cool
Your brain is not an iPhone with limited storage capacity, so stay curious, be inquisitive, and remain open. There is always room to learn something new and to grow, so don’t be lame.
Have Fun And Be Silly
Yes, planning for college is serious business, but what’s more fun than checking off a task on your to do list? For real, having fun and being silly are the best stress antidotes.
All Are Invited
We believe that diversity makes the world go ‘round. Anyone who considers themself a “freak” or a “weirdo”, or feels “different” or “not normal”, you 1,000% belong here.
Be A Good Human
It’s okay for you to have a sucky day; just don’t be a sucky person. Kindness, empathy, integrity, humility, generosity… it’s easy to be one of the good eggs.
One Size Fits None
This isn’t some Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants situation. Our favorite thing is to learn what makes everyone unique and then help them turn it into a superpower.
Some things are worth getting right the first time. College admissions is one of them. We've seen it all, lived it all, and we're here to make sure your student lands exactly where they belong.
You could represent yourself in court. But should you?
Not ready for a consultation yet?
No worries —email us if you have questions.