nearpeerCounselor log in

Launches November 18th · Join now

College advice from people who just did it.

Get help with your essays, your school list, SAT and ACT prep, summer programs, AP classes, and competitions like AMC.

Nearpeer is where high school students find college students to help with college applications, essays, tutoring, and more. Finding your counselor is free.

Join as a studentBecome a counselor

For high school and transfer students

Get advice from people who just did it

Meet a college student at your dream school who's already been where you're going. Browsing and matching are free. You only pay your counselor's rate, with no fees to Nearpeer.

Join the waitlist. Nearpeer opens November 18th.

Join the student waitlist

For counselors

Become a founding counselor

Set your own hourly rate. Get paid for every session, automatically. No chasing students for payment. Finish your profile by November 15th to be listed on launch day.

Become a founding counselor

How it works for students

Three steps to the right counselor

  1. Step 1: Tell us your goals

    Your grade, the schools you're aiming for, and what you want help with.

  2. Step 2: Browse counselors who've been there

    College students who got into the schools you want, filtered by what matters to you.

  3. Step 3: Work together, and pay only for the time you use

    Message and meet on Nearpeer. After each session, you approve the time.

What you can get help with

Four ways a counselor can help

  • General College Counseling

    Building your school list, planning activities, and staying on track through the process.

  • Essay Help

    Brainstorming, structuring, and revising your college essays.

  • Program Applications

    Applying to summer programs, research opportunities, and competitions.

  • Tutoring

    SAT and ACT prep, AP and school subjects, competitions like AMC, debate, and more.

Find your kind of counselor

Pick your goals and see who fits

Showing example profiles in the default order.

  • Example profile

    Arush Parekh

    Stanford University · ’26

    • Immigrant family
    General college counselingProgram applications

    I started a robotics nonprofit that teaches middle schoolers to code. Ask me about engineering programs and research.

    $65/hour
    Pay only for the time you use
  • Example profile

    Neve Tatiki

    Harvard University · ’25

    • First-generation college student
    Essay helpGeneral college counseling

    First in my family to go to college, now pre-med. I'll help you tell your story in your essays.

    $80/hour
    Pay only for the time you use
  • Example profile

    Maya Okafor

    Yale University · ’26

    Essay helpProgram applications

    Debate captain and student playwright. I'll help you find your voice, on the page and in the round.

    $55/hour
    Pay only for the time you use
  • Example profile

    Daniel Reyes

    UC Berkeley · ’25

    • Transferred
    • Low-income background
    General college counselingEssay help

    I transferred from community college, so I know the transfer essays, credit questions, and deadlines firsthand.

    $30/hour
    Pay only for the time you use
  • Example profile

    Emily Chen

    MIT · ’27

    TutoringProgram applications

    Math competitions all through high school. SAT prep, AMC practice, and research program applications.

    $45/hour
    Pay only for the time you use
  • Example profile

    Liam O'Brien

    Princeton University · ’26

    • Rural or small town
    General college counselingTutoring

    I ran a small business back in my rural hometown. School lists, business programs, and ACT prep.

    $90/hour
    Pay only for the time you use

Example profiles. Real counselors join before launch.

A few years ahead

Learn from someone who just walked the same path.

Slide to your grade to see what to focus on, and how a counselor can help.

9th grade
10th grade
11th grade
12th grade
Transfer
CollegeYour counselor, a few years ahead.
You

10th grade

What to focus on

  • Going deeper in a few activities
  • Taking on more responsibility
  • Finding summer programs

How a counselor can help

  • Program applications
  • A plan for PSAT and SAT/ACT
  • Growing a project

For counselors

Become a founding counselor

Set your own rate. Get paid for every session, automatically.

Get paid fairly for helping students.

You'd earn $120 a week.

About $520 a month.

  1. Step 1: Build your profile

    Your school, your high school record, the help you offer, and your hourly rate.

  2. Step 2: Students find you

    Students who want what you've done reach out. You choose who to work with.

  3. Step 3: Log sessions and get paid automatically

    Log the time after each session. Payment arrives on its own.

How payment works

Counselor logged a session

45 min, essay brainstorm

Student reviews it

Paid

Become a founding counselor

Finish your profile by November 15th to be listed on launch day.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is Nearpeer free for students?

Yes. Browsing and matching are free. You only pay for time with your counselor.

Who are the counselors?

Current college students and recent graduates who signed up with their college email.

How does payment work?

After each session, your counselor logs the time, you get an email, and your saved card is charged for exactly that time. If anything looks wrong, you can dispute it.

How do you keep students safe?

Messages and payments stay on Nearpeer, contact details are never shared, and every counselor agrees to a privacy and conduct agreement.

When does Nearpeer launch?

November 18th.

Your path, a few years ahead.

Become a founding counselorJoin the student waitlist