College admissions & scholarships · Gretna & New Orleans

Into the right college, with the scholarships to pay for it.

Christen Hebert Arafeh earned over $900,000 in scholarships herself. Now she helps New Orleans families build a college list, write the essays and win the money, without the overwhelm.

Book a free consultationFree ACT Readiness Check
★★★★★5.0 on Google · 14 reviews · As seen on NOLA NOW and Biz New Orleans
Christen Hebert Arafeh in her Gretna office
$2.7M+in scholarships won
475+students helped
PrincetonStanfordTulaneLSULoyola New OrleansXavier of LouisianaOle MissFordhamSewaneeArkansasRITCentre CollegeUL LafayetteUL MonroeLouisiana TechNicholls StateUNOHoly Cross
By the numbers

Six years of Greater New Orleans students.

475+students helped
1,390+essays edited
1,550+applications submitted
$2.7M+in scholarships won
Case study · Ursuline Academy

Estella started sophomore year. She finished with $1.1 million in offers.

Offers from seven universities, a STAMPS Scholarship at Ole Miss, and more than 40 essays written along the way. Read Estella’s story →

$1,130,644

in scholarship offers

35ACT
40+essays
23outside scholarships applied to
10thgrade start
From families

In their own words.

Real recommendations from parents and students on Christen’s Facebook page.

$450,000 in scholarships
Abigail was awarded a total of $450,000 Scholarship Dollars from 4 major Universities in Louisiana!Nancy & Bryan R., parents
Princeton
I am pleased to say my daughter not only received a scholarship from an outside source, she was accepted and will attend Princeton in the fall!Cindy H., parent
The first meeting
We walked into our first meeting with you feeling frustrated & overwhelmed and walked out feeling motivated with a game plan!Stephanie J., parent
The resume
She took everything I gave her and organized it into an eye catching, easy to read, and interesting snapshot of who my son is.Cheryl M., parent
Affordable
You don’t have to be rich to afford college consulting services!Nichole & Don, parents
Every step
She’s Awesome and will guide you every step of the way.Chandra L., parent
Student
She helped me understand more about college and helped me make a decision on what I want to go to college for!Alaina F., student
Student
She makes the difficult task of applying for college, scholarships, and all that comes with preparing for your future so much easierAlexis H., student
Three ways to work with Christen

One-on-one, in a class, or in a room full of parents.

Christen meeting with a student and parent

1:1 college & scholarship plan

College list, essays, resume, applications and a scholarship strategy, from sophomore year to the final decision.

Small-group ACT prep class

ACT prep intensives

Four-day, small-group classes in Gretna before each ACT date. Plus the two-week summer camp with an essay bootcamp.

Christen presenting a scholarship seminar at the University of Holy Cross

Parent workshops & seminars

Scholarship, resume and admission-essay workshops for parents and schools, like her annual seminar at the University of Holy Cross.

Free · 40 minutes · instant results

How ready is your student for the ACT?

Take Christen’s free ACT Readiness Check, timed like the real test and built for the 2025 enhanced ACT.

  • An estimated score for English, Math, Reading and Science
  • The three skills that will raise the score fastest
  • A full parent report, and a plan from Christen
Take the free ACT checkSee all free tools
2-minute quiz

ACT or SAT? Find the right test

Six questions about timing, math, reading and data. Know which test fits before you start prepping.

Take the quiz → 3-minute check

College & Scholarship Readiness Score

Ten questions Christen asks every family. Get a score out of 100 and your 3 biggest gaps.

Get my score →
5.0 on Google · 14 reviews

What parents say on Google.

★★★★★
Absolutely the best experience working with Christen and worth every penny! She is very knowledgeable and made the college application process exciting and stress free. Christen is very professional and organized. Her guidance made all the difference for us and our son.
Annie P.Google review
★★★★★
Christen has now helped TWO of my kids work through college and scholarship applications. She has helped with resumes, found scholarships, proofread essays, and consulted on how to communicate with the colleges on scholarship offers. This has resulted in both of my college kids earning scholarships that fully cover their tuition and fees!
Cheryl M.Google review
★★★★★
Her dedication to details and making sure every question was answered and no stone was left unturned was impeccable.
Zusel N.Google review
★★★★★
She walked me through step by step we made a draft together and edited it together, it’s always great having someone to walk you through something and have an extra set of eyes! She is amazing!!
Madison M.Google review

Read more reviews · See them on Google

Services

Ways to work together.

Start here

College Strategy Session

$249

A personalized 60-minute session with a clear action plan.

Application season

Application Accelerator

$2,500

Full application support for up to 8 colleges.

Most complete

Comprehensive College + Scholarship

$5,000

Admissions, scholarships and financial aid through Decision Day.

5 families per class

Private College Concierge

$10,000

Christen’s highest-touch support from junior year on.

Compare and enrollNot sure? Book a free consultation
Trusted by schools

“A testament to the success of her guidance.”

“Our first senior class earned scholarships averaging $172,000 per graduate which we believe is a testament to the success of her guidance.”
Laura MartinHigh School Principal, Arden Cahill Academy
“Christen’s expertise and guidance were invaluable in bringing prospective students to our campus.”
Christopher RholdonVP for Strategic Initiatives, University of Holy Cross
“She was enthusiastic and very motivating!”
Cyndi Mitchell, M.Ed, NCC, LPCKenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy
NOLA NOWFOX 8Biz New Orleans$tuff About Money
Free guides for Louisiana families

Start with the answers.

GuideFrom Sophomore Strategy to $1.1 Million in ScholarshipsGuideLocal Louisiana ScholarshipsGuideFree Tuition in the SouthGuideThe 2025–26 FAFSA: A Step-by-Step Guide for ParentsGuideBig Fish, Small Pond: How College Size Impacts ScholarshipsGuideWhy You Should Use a Net Price Calculator
Local

Right here on the West Bank.

Christen’s office is at 519 Huey P Long Ave in Gretna. She meets families from across Jefferson and Orleans Parish in person, and online anywhere.

  • Gretna
  • Metairie
  • Kenner
  • Harvey
  • Marrero
  • Belle Chasse
  • Uptown New Orleans
  • Lakeview
  • Mandeville
  • Jefferson Parish
Gretna riverfront with the Crescent City Connection
Questions parents ask

Good to know.

Where are you located?

Our office is at 519 Huey P Long Ave in Gretna, on the West Bank. Christen works with families across Greater New Orleans and Jefferson Parish in person, and with students further away online.

Do you help with scholarships, or only admissions?

Both. Scholarships are Christen’s specialty: she earned over $900,000 in scholarships herself, and her students include Estella, who earned $1,130,644 in scholarship offers. Every plan includes a scholarship strategy, including TOPS and local Louisiana awards.

When should we start?

Sophomore year is ideal. Estella started then. Juniors and seniors can still make real progress with a College Strategy Session or Application Accelerator.

What does it cost?

A College Strategy Session is $249. Application Accelerator is $2,500, Comprehensive College + Scholarship is $5,000, and Private College Concierge is $10,000, or 12 monthly payments of $1,000. Families considering ongoing support can book a free enrollment call first.

Do you write essays for students?

No. Christen helps students brainstorm, gives feedback and helps them revise. Every essay is the student’s own.

How do the ACT classes work?

Small-group, four-day intensives in our Gretna office, timed right before an ACT test date and covering English, Math, Reading and Science. Monthly-support families get ACT workshops included.

Free consultation

Let’s talk about your student.

Tell Christen where your student is, and she’ll reach out with a clear next step for admissions, scholarships or the next ACT.

Or text Christen: (504) 884-0960
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Free · 30 minutes

How it works

  1. Answer a few quick questionsAbout 60 seconds, so Christen can prepare.
  2. Pick a timeVideo, phone or her Gretna office.
  3. Leave with a planPlus a free scholarship list for your student.
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