Simple, accessible pricing
One price for the full cycle. All features included.
Students can work at their own pace — Standard covers the whole application cycle, wherever you're working, for less than an hour with a private counselor.
Standard · 2026–2027
$199/ cycle
One price for the whole 2026–2027 application cycle — work at your own pace, not a monthly subscription you have to remember to cancel.
Access ends July 31, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Or try free first — 10 messages, chat-only, no credit card
Everything included
- Guidance across Common App wherever you're working
- Writing assistance brainstorm, edit, advise
- 200 counselor messages included for the cycle
- 1 college supplemental included for specialized college help
- Full access for the application cycle
- Latest features & counseling models included
- Email support for students and parents
Currently works with Common App first-year applicants only — not transfer or Coalition applicants.
Add-ons
Scale as your list grows.
Buy what you need for the schools and conversations you still have left.
College Supplemental Pack
$49Specialized supplemental help for one more school, plus 50 counselor messages. Add as many as you need.
Extra Messages Pack
$19+50 counselor messages when you need more runway in the cycle.
Compare
How Sherpa stacks up to private counseling.
Private counseling can be excellent — and expensive or hard to get. Sherpa is counselor-style help beside Common App, priced for a full cycle instead of a retainer.
| Private counselor | Sherpa Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Often $200+/hr — thousands over a cycle | $199 for the full cycle |
| Where | Meetings, Zoom, or email | Right beside Common App |
| When | Scheduled appointments | Whenever you're in the form |
| Consistency | Quality can vary by counselor | Same guidance standard for everyone |
FAQs
Any questions?
Here are answers to common pricing questions. If you still need help, contact us at help@applysherpa.com.
What’s in Standard for $199?+
Standard includes 200 counselor messages, essay help with Google Docs link and import, and 1 college supplemental — all for the 2026–2027 application cycle. You can add more colleges or messages anytime if your list grows.
Is there a free trial?+
Yes. You get 10 counselor messages with chat-only access — no credit card required. Essay Docs and a college supplemental are part of Standard when you’re ready to go further.
Is $199 for the whole cycle?+
Yes. Standard is one price for the 2026–2027 application cycle, not a monthly subscription you have to remember to cancel. Work at your own pace from first draft through submission season.
When does my Standard access end?+
Standard access for the 2026–2027 cycle lasts through July 31, 2027 at 11:59 p.m. EST — so you have the full season to ask questions, revise essays, and finish schools on your list.
Can I add more colleges or messages?+
Yes. A College Supplemental Pack is $49 and includes 50 more counselor messages. An Extra Messages Pack is $19 for 50 additional messages when you need more runway.
What’s your refund policy?+
If you change your mind within one week of purchase and haven’t sent any counselor messages, you can request a refund by emailing help@applysherpa.com. Full details are in our Terms.
Who is Sherpa for?+
Common App first-year applicants. Transfer and Coalition applicants aren’t supported yet — we’re focused on getting the first-year Common App experience right first.
Is this a replacement for a human counselor?+
No. A great human counselor can still add judgment, advocacy, and long-term planning. Sherpa is affordable, always-on help beside Common App — for families who can’t access a five-figure retainer, or who want guidance alongside school counseling.
Ready for this cycle?
Start with Standard for the full cycle — or try free first with 10 messages and no credit card.