About Crystal Clear College Planning
Your child has worked hard to earn the opportunity to attend college—and now it's time to make the smartest decision for both their future and your finances.
We start with what matters most—your student's goals—and then create a clear, strategic plan to make their dream schools affordable for your family.
Meet Our Team
Crystal Tate
CEO
Crystal holds a Bachelor's degree in Finance from Western Washington University and founded Crystal Clear College Planning with a passion for helping families navigate the college admissions and financing process. She specializes in helping students explore their strengths and passions to find the right-fit colleges. Crystal has served on the board of the National College Advocacy Group and is committed to making college affordable and accessible for every family she works with.
Cori Murphy
Forms Filing Coach
With over 15 years of experience in college planning, Cori is a Certified College Adviser and a member of the National College Advocacy Group. She is an expert in navigating the complex world of financial aid forms, including the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Cori excels at translating complex college planning matters into clear, actionable steps that families can understand and implement with confidence.
Karen Lynn Maher
Essay Coach
Karen brings over 20 years of experience in writing coaching and holds a Bachelor's degree in English and Creative Writing from Seattle University. She is an expert in guiding students through the personal essay writing process for college admissions, helping them craft authentic, compelling narratives that showcase their unique voices and experiences. Karen's approach empowers students to tell their stories with confidence and clarity.
What Our Families Say
"Crystal helped me organize myself and get on top of college applications which saved me time and stress."
"Crystal Clear College Planning helped us identify the right-fit school for our daughter, resulting in additional institutional grants and protection of our inheritance investments. We couldn't be happier with the outcome."
Our Professional Credentials
Hi there! I'm Crystal, your college planning assistant. Have questions about financial aid, admissions, or our services? Click below to talk with me!
Crystal is temporarily unavailable.
Call us at (360) 580-5106 or book a consultation online.