What we do:

Our individualized student-centered approach leads students to a college that provides the best academic and personal experience, all at a cost that makes financial sense. With over ten years of experience, we’re confident we will guide your student to their best match.

Our services

Full Service Educational Consulting

Our complete service includes personality and career assessments along with individual guidance on all topics relating to college or other post-secondary education options.

Senior Limited Package

Typically beginning later in a student's junior year, this service is intended for seniors who need limited assistance in evaluating their final college list and developing their applications and essays. This service is offered on a space-available basis.

Hourly Consulting As Needed

We can also assist with other post-secondary educational concerns that are of a more individual nature.

Consulting for Transitional Students

DEC also works with current college students who seek a change of institution or older high school graduates who may be resuming or beginning college coursework after a hiatus.

Why Us

We have 10+ years of experience
We work around your schedule
We provide individual timelines for achieving your goals
We find colleges within your budget
We host regular webinars on financial aid
We reduce stress and focus on students’ mental health through regular check-ins

Doherty Educational Consultants assists students from all ranges of academic strengths. No matter how good a student your daughter is, you want her to go to a school where she can receive the academics to support her dreams. By guiding your student to her “best match” school, we can help insure that she studies HER right major and avoids a costly fifth or sixth year of study. If we can help prevent just one additional semester of study, you will have more than paid for our services.
It’s easy to forget that there are actually 31 colleges within the University System of Georgia. Some schools clearly have a higher profile than others, but there are options all over the state that offer choices for virtually every Georgia student. From two- to four- year schools, full-time to evening programs, highly academic to chiefly vocational/technical institutions, Georgia has a wide variety of post-secondary schools to offer -- all at in-state tuition rates. We will also guide your student to consider any possible out-of-state schools that offer an affordable college education.
Unless price isn’t an issue, when considering out-of-state colleges it’s important to identify possible scholarships, institutional aid and other sources of tuition funding. Carol Doherty’s students from the Class of 2015 were offered $3.5 million in merit aid (exclusive of HOPE Scholarships) at 46 different schools. This accomplishment was due to our focus on schools who WANT your student and not just schools who will accept your student.
Our college consulting services include personal and career assessments to assist your student in determining possible career avenues and related courses of study. These are all critical to our steering your student toward schools that provide the academics he or she wants. If we can help avoid a later change of major that necessitates more time in school for your student, you will have saved another semester (or more) of tuition.
Most colleges require a FAFSA for your student to be eligible for any type of financial aid at that school. So, for example, even if you are in a higher income bracket, a FAFSA may be required for your student to be eligible for merit scholarships. Each school’s requirements vary and sometimes an institution requires a FAFSA as well as a school financial aid application. We make sure our families are aware of the financial aid process for the schools to which their students apply.

Common questions

About Us

Our goal is to take the stress out of the college search and application process.

Led by Carol Doherty, a Professional Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, Doherty Educational Consultants provides personalized support and guidance to students and their families on educational issues. DEC’s primary mission is to help clients identify their “best match” college —one that fits the student’s academic and social profile at a price the family budget can afford. While DEC is based in Atlanta and Athens, Georgia, we have the ability to work remotely and in fact currently work with students in seven other states across the country. Geography isn't an issue!

Our consultants assist with career and personality assessments and provide guidance on high school course selection and standardized testing options. Additionally, we evaluate the strength of extracurricular activities as they relate to each student's profile. As senior year approaches, we help students identify possible colleges, manage college visits and execute every step of the application process. Our focus is on lowering the stress levels for both students and their families while ensuring that the very best of each student is presented on his or her college application.

All DohertyEdu Consultants enthusiastically support the IECA Statement on Diversity and Inclusion

IECA believes in the pursuit of an inclusive, affordable educational system that provides equal access and equitable outcomes for all students and, ultimately, improves society for all. To this end, the Association and its members share a responsibility to develop and support a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community that is welcoming to all individuals, regardless of age, citizenship status, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, learning differences, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status.

Our Consultants

Carol Doherty grew up in Columbia, South Carolina and received a B.S. in Accounting from the University of South Carolina. A C.P.A., she began her career in New York as an auditor for Coopers & Lybrand and worked for a number of years in accounting positions in New York and Washington, D.C. One of her career highlights was working as CFO of Kissinger Associates, Inc., the geopolitical consulting firm of former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and as Dr. Kissinger’s personal accountant. Later relocating to Atlanta, Carol managed a Marietta-based tennis academy and discovered her passion for working with teenagers. Together with her experience helping her own children find their perfect colleges, Carol’s interest led to her founding a college consulting firm to help other students and families find their own paths. Her dedication to problem solving and organization, together with the personal relationship she develops with each client, makes Carol the ideal resource in helping navigate the college search process.

Lexy Doherty completed an undergraduate degree in geological sciences at the University of South Carolina and then went on to pursue a Master’s in economic geology. When it came time to think about career planning, though, Lexy realized she couldn’t be satisfied as a mine site geologist, so she changed course. Now, she is excited to help other students find their own paths beyond high school. Lexy’s goal as an educational consultant is to guide students through their education in a way that minimizes stress by focusing on mental health, maximizes joy by connecting education to future purpose, and prepares students to take advantage of future career opportunities (some that may not even exist yet!) by teaching self-empowerment and modeling a growth mentality. She is especially driven to facilitate equity in higher education and the job market by helping students from all backgrounds and income levels find their place in college.

Lissa Newman is from a military family, too, and was born in Germany but grew up in the Atlanta area. She earned a journalism degree from the University of Georgia, then worked for several years for the U.S. Senate in Washington, D.C. before moving back to Georgia. She was employed by Georgia Power Company in several legislative and corporate communications positions while earning her J.D. degree from Georgia State University. Lissa practiced law for a number of years before leaving the workplace when her children were born. She has worked with Carol Doherty for several years in a support capacity with research and administrative responsibilities.

We have helped 650+ students with acceptance into over 230 colleges.

Where will your path take you?

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