A clear plan for one of the biggest decisions your family will make.

Get clarity on what your student should be doing right now.

Book Your Strategy Session
Close-up portrait of Zada with shoulder-length dark brown hair, wearing a beige turtleneck sweater, smiling softly, with makeup and earrings, against a white background.

Zada Clausen, M.ED., PPS

Educational Counselor & Admissions Strategist

I have a Master’s in Educational Counseling from USC and am a California-certified school counselor, trained to support students in academics, college planning, and overall development. I bring over a decade of experience advising students and families across the full journey, from early high school planning to college admissions, transfers, and post-graduate decisions.

  • College is a $120,000 to $300,000 investment. Families deserve to feel clear and confident in the choices they’re making.

    As a first-generation college graduate, I’ve seen both sides of this process. I know how much the right guidance can shape a student’s path and what it costs when it’s missing.

  • Strong applications are built over time. Colleges look at what your student has done, what they’ve learned, and how they’ve grown.

    Without a clear strategy, students often spread themselves too thin. I don’t add more to your student’s plate. I bring clarity and focus, making what they’re already doing more intentional, consistent, and impactful. We focus on what will truly strengthen their profile and make their efforts matter.

    I help you make the right decisions with the time you have left.

    If you start early, we build it right from the beginning.

    If you’re further along, we make every move count.

    If you’re in senior year, we focus on the strongest possible outcome.

Enrollment

Enrollment is intentionally limited each season so every student gets focused, one-on-one guidance and a clear plan. Most families come in feeling unsure of what matters, what to prioritize, and how to make the right decisions.

Outcomes for:

    • No more chasing deadlines or constant reminders at home

    • Clear, strategic “best fit” college lists instead of guesswork or pressure

    • A real sense of direction in what they want to study and why

    • Essays that are clear, thoughtful, and reflective of who they are

    • Steady focus during high-pressure moments

    • Confidence in interviews and how they present themselves

    • Less stress and second-guessing.

    • Clear guidance on what actually matters.

    • Confidence that your child is making the right moves.

    • Support without constant pressure at home.

Educational counselor and student in an office, counselor seated at a desk with dual monitors and student standing and leaning on the desk, engaged in conversation.

Book a complementary

45 min Strategy Session

You’ll walk away with a clear sense of direction and next steps you can act on immediately.

Book a Strategy Session

Real Families. Real Results.

  • A student with long brown hair wearing a gray top, looking at the camera against a plain gray background.

    “A Clear Plan, Real Growth, and College Confidence”

    RUBY

    HS SENIOR, CLASS '26

    "She helped me build confidence, create a summer plan, and push myself with challenging courses. Zada gave me a 16-week SAT study plan, helped me find STEM camps, and encouraged me to take more advanced courses. She mapped out my college visits and is guiding every essay I write. I feel way more confident about senior year — and about college."

    Starting point:

    Motivated student but unsure how to build direction, plan her time, and challenge herself in the right ways.

    What we focused on:

    - Created a structured SAT study plan

    - Built a clear and intentional summer plan (STEM camps and experiences)

    - Guided course selection toward more rigorous classes

    - Provided ongoing support across college visits and essay development

    Result:

    - Stronger academic rigor and preparation

    - More confidence in her direction and decisions

    - Clear momentum going into senior year

  • Graduating student in black cap and gown, adorned with colorful honor cords, medals, and a Mexican blanket stole, standing outdoors on green grass with trees in the background.

    “Made My Transfer Journey Clear and Doable”

    DAVID

    B.S. CSUN, CLASS '25

    "As a transfer student, I felt overwhelmed. Zada’s student portfolio system kept everything organized and on track — deadlines, decisions, all of it. I always knew what came next."

    Starting point:

    Felt overwhelmed navigating the transfer process and unsure how to stay organized across deadlines and decisions.

    What we focused on:

    - Built a clear structure for tracking deadlines and requirements

    - Organized application materials and priorities

    - Provided ongoing guidance to keep everything on track

    Result:

    - Stayed organized and on schedule throughout the process

    - Reduced stress and uncertainty

    - Gained clarity on what to do next at every step

  • A student in a graduation cap and gown, decorated with leis, stands beside a man in a graduation gown giving a thumbs up. They are inside a trophy display case.

    “Tailored Support for My Neurodivergent Needs”

    SOPHIA

    B.A. SUU CLASS ‘24

    "The personalized guidance I received made the application process manageable and exciting. The guidance was personalized for my screenwriting goals and how I learn best. My only regret is not hiring Zada earlier."

    Starting point:

    Unclear how to approach the application process in a way that reflected her creative interests and learning style.

    What we focused on:

    - Built a personalized approach aligned with her screenwriting goals

    - Adapted the process to how she learns and works best

    - Provided ongoing guidance to keep the process manageable and focused

    Result:

    - A more engaging and manageable application experience

    - Stronger alignment between her interests and applications

    - Increased confidence throughout the process

  • Student graduation gown and cap celebrating at outdoor graduation ceremony, holding a diploma and a yellow flower, with friends and family.

    “Worth Every Penny”

    CHLOE

    HS SENIOR, CLASS '25 / PLNU CLASS ‘29

    "Zada helped me go deeper into the admissions process than school counseling ever did. Every step was explained, my questions were answered, and having her support took so much stress off my shoulders, just knowing that I had help at my side whenever I began to feel overwhelmed.”

    Starting point:

    Felt overwhelmed by the admissions process and wasn’t getting enough clarity or support from school counseling.

    What we focused on:

    - Provided step-by-step guidance through each stage of the process

    - Answered questions in real time and clarified what actually mattered

    - Created structure so she always knew what to do next

    Result:

    - Reduced stress and uncertainty throughout the process

    - Greater confidence in decisions and next steps

    - Felt supported and guided from start to finish