Meeting you where you are,

helping you get where you want to go

Now accepting new students for the classes of 2026, 2027 & 2028!

WHAT WE DO

  • College List Development

    We will review your academic records and begin curating a personalized list of potential colleges. Beyond academics, we also consider your collegiate values and long-term goals to ensure the best fit.

  • Deadline Management

    We provide structured support to help you stay organized and on track, ensuring all deadlines are met.

  • Comprehensive Essay Assistance

    Get expert guidance on your application essays from brainstorming compelling topics to refining your final draft with unlimited revisions and detailed feedback.

  • High School Course Planning

    Begin as early as freshman year to receive continuous mentorship through senior year, ensuring a strong foundation and a competitive edge.

  • Enrollment Assistance

    Fully customized program to meet your unique academic and personal goals, providing guidance tailored specifically to you.

  • Financial Aid Guidance

    Though we do not specialize in financial aid advising, we offer general guidance to help you grasp the fundamentals of FAFSA, scholarships, and need-based aid.

WHO WE ARE

Holly

Hi, I’m Holly, an Independent Educational Consultant based in Northern Virginia. After a decade in college admissions, I founded Holly Johnson, LLC to focus on what I love most—supporting students and families through the college planning process.

Whether you're exploring course options in high school, refining your college list, seeking essay guidance, or a parent looking for expert insight, I’m here to help. Over the past three years, I’ve grown as an entrepreneur with the support of an incredible team, including my best friend and Business Manager, Sarah Case.

I’m also grateful for the encouragement of my friends, family, and amazing clients—past and present. At home my husband Nan, a middle school special education teacher, and our three cats keep life interesting. I’d love to connect—reach out for a free consultation and let’s work together to achieve your college goals!

Sarah

Hey y’all! I’m Sarah Case, the Business Manager at Holly Johnson, LLC, and Holly’s best friend of 31+ years. I’m a mom to five amazing kids and married to my real-life hero—my husband, a Navy veteran and volunteer firefighter.

I’ve spent years as a stay-at-home mom, but my love for numbers and organization has always been front and center—what started as meal planning turned into full-blown spreadsheets comparing grocery prices and budgeting like a pro!

Along the way, I earned two associate degrees, certificates in Professional Development and Business Consulting, and have run small businesses for over a decade. I’m always learning, whether it’s through a great book or a trip to the library with my kids. I love bringing my skills to Holly Johnson, LLC, and I’m excited to be part of a team that helps families navigate the college admissions process!

WHAT PEOPLE HAVE TO SAY

  • “Holly is the most competent, informed and caring college consultant, and I would highly recommend her to anyone interested in hiring someone for this role! Holly never ceased to amaze me with the level of knowledge she has regarding the college process and each individual institution, and if I did happen to stump her with a question, she would always take the time to help me research the issue so that I had an answer in the timeframe required. The best part about Holly though was how much she cared about my daughter as an individual and a whole person throughout. She was so attentive and aware of how to best work through each part of the process with my daughter, always taking into consideration what else she had going on in life other than just choosing a college. Searching for the right college is always going to include some stressful moments, and it is not an exaggeration for me to say that I don’t know what we would have done without Holly. Her help is what enabled us to have a positive and informed experience in the end."

    Melissa T.

  • "We had the pleasure of working with Holly Johnson during our son’s college application process, and we couldn’t be more grateful for her expertise and support. Holly was instrumental in helping him craft a compelling essay and navigate the often-overwhelming application process. She has a remarkable ability to help students uncover and articulate their unique stories, guiding our son to create an essay that truly reflected his unique experiences and in his voice. Holly was also excellent at keeping him on track to finish all work and meet deadlines, ensuring everything was submitted on time without added stress. Her professionalism, encouragement, and thoughtful feedback made the entire process much smoother and more enjoyable for our son and us. Thanks to Holly’s guidance, our son felt confident in his applications, and we are thrilled with the results. Our son was accepted to his #1 (a reach school), #3 and #4 ranked schools. We highly recommend Holly to any family looking for someone who can combine organization, creativity, and a deep understanding of the college application process!"

    Brandon B

  • “Holly’s organization and detailed knowledge of arts applications was incredibly helpful in navigating the admissions process. She kept my daughter focused and organized, which set her up for success when it came time to audition. She landed her dream school!”

    Laura B.

Let’s work together