COLLEGE COUNSELOR • COLUMBIA CORGE & NATIONWIDE
The right college exists for your student.
Let’s find it together.
Jessica Barker, M.Ed. guides high school students through every step of the college application process with personalized support, clear structure, and calm expertise. Especially for students who think, learn, and navigate the world differently.
CREDENTIALS
M.Ed. • 10+ years in education • Former high school teacher
WHO I WORK WITH
9th - 12th graders • Including those with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and other learning differences
LOCATION
In-person in the Columbia Gorge • Virtual nationwide
SERVICES
Two clear paths • From freshman year through application submission
THE CHALLENGE FAMILIES FACE
There are over 4,000 colleges in the United States. Figuring out where to apply, how to tell your student's story, and how to stay on top of deadlines, essays, and financial aid (all while keeping up with grades, extracurriculars, and life!) is genuinely hard.
For families navigating this with a student who has ADHD, dyslexia, or other learning differences, it can feel nearly impossible. The standard advice often doesn't account for how your student actually works.
That's where I come in. I bring structure, a clear process, and deep knowledge of what colleges actually want so you can focus on your student, not the spreadsheet.
The college process is overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be.
“Every student is unique. My job is to make sure their application proves it.”
Two clear paths though the college application process
HOW I CAN HELP
FRESHMAN TO SENIOR YEAR
The Milestone Path
For motivated, independent students who benefit from expert guidance and thoughtful oversight. We'll work through college list building, essay development, application strategy, and deadline management. Meeting more or less monthly to keep everything on track.
FRESHMAN TO COLLEGE
The Full Support Path
For high-potential students who thrive with additional structure, accountability, and hands-on guidance. Includes executive function coaching woven into every session. We're not just managing the application, we're building the skills to succeed at college.
A REAL SPECIALIZATION
Supporting students who learn differently
Many college consultants treat every student the same. I don't. I have deep experience working with students whose brains work in ways that the standard college prep advice was never designed for.
If your student has ADHD, dyslexia, autism, or another learning difference, I know how to meet them where they are. They will learn to present their strengths to colleges in a way that is genuinely theirs.
Accommodations & disclosure guidance
Whether and how to disclose a learning difference to colleges is a real decision. I help families think through it with clarity.
Structure built into every session
For students who struggle with planning and follow-through, I design sessions that build skills, not just complete tasks.
Essays that tell the real story
Learning differences often produce students with extraordinary perspective and resilience. I help surface that on the page.
Finding the right campus fit
Not every college is equally supportive. I know which schools have strong disability services and which to approach with caution.
Ten years in education. Now helping student find their way to the right one.
As a former high school teacher, I was drawn to academic consulting as a way to empower youth to decide their future. Unfortunately finding your best fit college and applying to it has become a lengthy and convoluted process. Too much of college prep is designed around students who are already confident navigators. I built my practice around everyone else.
I work with students who are thoughtful, capable, and sometimes exhausted by systems that weren't designed for them. My job is to help them find colleges that will see what I see and to get their application there in one piece!
I'm based in the Columbia Gorge, work with families locally in Hood River and The Dalles, and serve students across the country virtually.
MEET JESS
Jessica Barker, M.Ed.
College counselor • Neurodiversity specialist
What it’s like to work with Jess
FROM FAMILIES I’VE WORKED WITH
“I really appreciate your communication and openness. It is so helpful that you are breaking down the steps into manageable chunks. This process can be overwhelming. I've also appreciated that you are tailoring this process to my student’s individual needs. You seem to be realistic about his options and situation.”
— Parent, Hood River“For me, it was most helpful just knowing I was meeting with you to discuss college applications regularly. I can get easily overwhelmed and procrastinate my tasks, so having structure during college applications was so helpful and kept me on track. Meeting with you and communicating regularly kept me accountable and made me get things done.”
— Student, The Dalles High School“Jess streamlined every part of the process and helped with finding a reasonable college for what I wanted/needed.”
— Student, The Dalles High SchoolReady to get started?
The first step is a free, 30-minute call.
No pressure, no commitment.
We'll talk about where your student is, what they're hoping for, and whether working together makes sense.