STRATEGY FOR 9TH-11TH GRADERSYour student has more runway than most.
The question is what to do with it.
The students who stand out in the application process didn't get there just by writing better essays. They got there because someone helped them build something worth writing about — starting years before the deadline.
There are two versions of how this ends.
There's a version of this process where your student arrives at senior year with a clear academic story, a signature achievement that sets them apart, and a college list built around who they actually are.
And there's a version where senior year becomes a scramble — patching together activities, writing essays about experiences that don't quite connect, and hoping the application adds up to something compelling.
The difference between those two outcomes isn't talent or grades. It's whether someone helped your family think strategically — and early enough to actually shape the story.
What we do in 9th-11th grade
01
Academic Roadmap
Most students drift through freshman and sophomore year without a plan. We map out a clear four-year academic trajectory — course selection, GPA strategy, and the positioning decisions that shape every application your student eventually submits.
02
Extracurricular Enhancement
A long list of activities doesn't impress anyone. We help your student identify, prioritize, and deepen the commitments that build a coherent, compelling profile — and let go of the ones that don't serve them.
03
The Big Achievement™
Most students don't know what they're truly capable of until someone helps them find out. We work with your student to uncover and execute one meaningful, authentic accomplishment that becomes the centerpiece of their application — and something they're genuinely proud of long after decisions come in.
COLLEGEBOUND EXCLUSIVE
“It has been a huge relief knowing that my son is handling the college process with clear goals and someone who is knowledgeable and kind to guide him.”
We've been working with Matt since last year and were immediately impressed by his kindness, deep knowledge, and his ability to quickly build a strong rapport with my son, who is naturally introverted. Matt's guidance has been both strategic and practical. We explored a number of great summer opportunities and nailed down two advanced math programs that were a perfect fit. Matt meets with my son regularly to help him map out his academics and extracurriculars, ensuring he's building a strong, authentic profile. We also really appreciate that Matt keeps us parents in the loop — always organized, always timely.
— PARENT OF A CURRENT 11TH GRADER
Results
Our students have earned admission to some of the most selective universities in the country — not by accident, but by design.
Through strategic college list building, one student earned over $1,000,000 in scholarships — with every school chosen specifically to maximize her outcome. The strategy behind your list matters as much as the application itself.
Strategy built on a career of making things stand out.
I spent three years at Goodby Silverstein & Partners and nearly seven years at Google — building campaigns, positioning products, and learning how to make genuinely good work stand out. I've brought those same instincts to college admissions consulting since 2022, now entering my fifth cycle.
But the reason I do this is simpler than the resume. I didn't have a guide when I was navigating this process. Most students don't. I want to be the person I wish I'd had — someone with the experience to give real direction and the genuine investment to see a student through it.
CollegeBound isn't essay editing. It's the kind of guidance that shapes what there is to write about in the first place.
EDUCATIONUC Berkeley, B.S. Engineering
AGENCYGoodby Silverstein & Partners
RECOGNITIONCannes Lions — multiple honors
CORPORATEGoogle, Senior Marketer
ADMISSIONS CYCLESFive cycles since 2022
ABOUT MATTThe best time to start was freshman year.
The second best time is now.
Book a free 45-minute strategy session with Matt. You'll leave with a clear picture of where your student stands and what it will actually take to get them where they want to go.
BOOK A STRATEGY SESSIONNo commitment. No pressure. Just an honest conversation.