Our Story

Elizabeth Walter and Debra Thro have been friends for more than 20 years. As they began the college admissions process with their own families, they saw firsthand how expensive, confusing, and time-consuming it can be. Worse, the path is littered with unreliable information, and the financial pitfalls can be enormous—there had to be a better way.

Tenacious researchers and committed optimists, they share a deep belief in the power of informed decision-making. Together, they created College Admissions HQ, a website offering free, accessible college admissions resources that empower students and parents to make smart choices that positively impact their futures. The website features timely articles and free resources that unpack and fully explain some of the most confusing but important elements of the college admissions process.

As college costs have soared over the past decade and the collective U.S. student loan debt has surpassed $1.7 trillion, they wrote Pay Less for College: The Must-Have Guide to Affording Your Degree to equip families with the knowledge and strategies needed to avoid the college debt burden that has plagued so many families. Now in its fourth edition, this uniquely practical, comprehensive guide continues to guide parents and students through the complexities of college financing with clarity, practicality, and purpose.

Elizabeth Walter holds a PhD in Experimental Pathology from Case Western Reserve University, and Debra Thro holds a BA in Communications and Social Science from the University of South Florida. Both are American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Certified College Admissions Specialists and members of Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC).

At College Admissions HQ, we help you chart your own path and achieve the best college admissions results for YOU—academically, socially, and financially.