Meet J.D. Wyczalek (why-Zall-Ick) | College Admission, College Scholarship and College Planning Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with J.D. Wyczalek (why-Zall-Ick) and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi J.D., what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was working at a local Scottsdale high school in the IT department. I had several students who were my T.A.s. The word got out that J.D. is pretty cool and I became their surrogate counselor. I have always been an entrepreneur. I went to a franchising and coaching conference and discovered “College Planning and Counseling” which is what I was doing but at an independent level.

What should our readers know about your business?
At AZCollegePlanning.com, we help families solve the college admissions and financial aid puzzle, saving tens of thousands of dollars and avoiding costly mistakes. What sets us apart is our strategic, data-backed approach. We don’t just help students get into college, we help them launch into the right colleges with the most aid, graduate in 4 years, and skyrocket into successful careers.

We’ve been doing this for over 17 years, guiding thousands of families through the admissions maze. Our comprehensive system combines career assessments, GPA and test score analysis, financial positioning, and insider strategies colleges don’t advertise, like how to build “demonstrated interest” and how to avoid being overlooked by admissions offices.
It wasn’t easy getting here. I was working at a local Scottsdale Arizona high school in the IT department. I had several students who were my T.A.s. The word got out that J.D. is pretty cool and I became their surrogate counselor. I have always been an entrepreneur. I went to a franchising and coaching conference and discovered “College Planning and Counseling” which is what I was doing but at an independent level.

Just like when we learned to walk when we were toddlers. We fell down a lot. But, we also got back up again and again and again and again. Business is the same, get back up again. Early on, we saw how the system punishes even well-prepared families, especially higher-income households stuck in the financial aid “donut hole.” We overcame these challenges by building a proven system that protects families from overpaying and positions students as ideal applicants.

We’re proud to be a trusted resource for Arizona families, but our impact goes beyond the state, nationally. The biggest lesson we’ve learned? College is not about luck. It’s about strategy. And the earlier you start, the more money you save.
If there’s one thing we want families to know: college is big business. But with the right planning, your student can be the customer colleges compete for, not the one footing the full bill. Learn more about our process at AZCollegePlanning.com.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The very first stop on our week-long Arizona adventure? AZCollegePlanning.com, of course! I’d give my friend a behind-the-scenes tour of my office on Scottsdale Road—just north of the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, where families gain clarity, strategy, and confidence about college admissions and financial aid. It’s where the real magic happens, helping students find the right college fit and the funding to match.

From there, we’d head down to Tempe to soak in the energy of a Sun Devil football game or a Broadway-caliber performance at ASU Gammage. It’s the perfect chance to experience a major Arizona campus in action.

For something more off-the-beaten-path, I’d take them to Deer Valley Petroglyph Preserve, a stunning and often overlooked treasure hosted by ASU. It’s a great reminder that education and exploration go hand in hand.

Midweek, we’d hit the road to Flagstaff to visit Northern Arizona University (NAU). On the way, we’d stop at Montezuma Castle National Monument—a breathtaking cliff dwelling that brings Arizona history to life. In Flagstaff, we’d cheer on the Lumberjacks and take in the fresh mountain air while touring the NAU campus.

Then we’d turn south and head to Tucson for a tour of the University of Arizona. After catching a Wildcats game, we’d visit the Steward Observatory, where we could literally look to the stars, perfect inspiration for students dreaming big about their futures.

Throughout the week, we’d squeeze in some of my favorite local spots to eat and unwind, from Scottsdale’s Old Town dining scene to authentic Mexican food in Tucson. But no matter where we go, every stop would connect back to what I do at AZCollegePlanning.com: helping families understand that college is not just about prestige or proximity, it’s about fit, funding, and future success.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my success to my wife Jennifer and to the Great Creator, God. In addition, I would like to thank my many mentors, Ron Caruthers, Dan Campana, Brian Safdari Clay Clark, Doug Murray, and Michael Levine. These people came into my life a pivotal times. Their inspiration and examples are why certain people climb to such extraordinary heights in business and life.

Website: https://AZCollegePlanning.com

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