Senior year is here.

Every decision your student makes in the next few months is permanent.

The essays, the list, the strategy — this isn't a process you want to figure out as you go. Matt has helped students earn admission to Yale, Caltech, Columbia, and dozens of other competitive schools. Here's how he works.

Most students approach the college application as a writing assignment. It isn't.

It's the culmination of four years of work, distilled into a set of documents that have to answer one question in the mind of an admissions officer: why this student, over everyone else?

Getting that answer right requires more than polished prose. It requires a strategy — a clear narrative thread that connects your student's academics, activities, and ambitions into something coherent and compelling.

That's what Matt builds with every senior he works with.

What we do in 12th grade

01

College List Strategy

The schools on your list determine the outcome as much as the application itself. We curate a list that's honest about selectivity, aligned with your student's profile, and structured to maximize their options — reaches, targets, and likelies that actually make sense.

02

Essay Consulting

Every essay — personal statement, activity descriptions, supplementals — goes through a rigorous strategic and editorial process. We help your student find the story only they can tell, then coach them through every draft until it's something they're proud to submit.

Your student's voice stays intact. Always.

Read our AI Stance.

03

Application Management

Deadlines, requirements, school-specific strategies — Matt tracks every moving piece so nothing falls through the cracks during the most high-stakes few months of your student's academic life.

04

Interview Preparation

Drawing from years of professional experience at leading global companies, Matt coaches students on how to present themselves with confidence and authenticity — making a lasting impression when it counts most.

What students say

  • Quinn (Caltech)

    “Alisha is very patient and supportive! She is genuinely invested in helping me to achieve my best as she guided me through helping me with brainstorming, refining ideas, and revising the writing itself. I appreciated her effort throughout the process and her encouragement all along! Without her, I wouldn’t have gotten into top colleges!”

  • Chloe (UC Berkeley)

    “If there was only one thing you should keep doing, it’d be getting to know your students like you did with me. You finding out about me and my personality, activities, etc. sometimes made me feel like you know me better than I know myself (LOL) because you came up with really good ideas and things to mention in my essays + your comments on my drafts made me think deeper about what I can change/add to my essays to make them better.”

  • Hanchen (USC)

    “I really appreciate the guidance that reflects my own experience and guides me to write things in a more compelling way; moreover, I appreciate that you actively provide detailed and constructive feedback to help refine my essays while keeping my authentic voice intact. It made a huge difference in making my application feel like a true reflection of me.”

  • Olivia (parent of Hanchen)

    (Note: Oona’s native language is not English)

    “You have no idea how much this means to me, during last 5 years I keep doubt that did I made right decision for my son which let him came to US and study in New York public school. His teachers haven’t been so supportive, also school stressed me all time, especially this application process. But saw the offer from USC , I finally freed me from the thought cage and feel not guilty anymore!

    If he use my way , we would had a lot of fight, and he wouldn’t learned so much, and I wouldn’t see he has the ability to solve problems. I’m a mom have so much insecurities and also want everything under control.

    I think you gave everything you can do for support us! Especially the finance aid stuff, I don’t know any other will do this for me if I just randomly find anyone online. you just came from nowhere , helped me like the genie of Aladdin's lamp😂!”

  • James (NYU)

    “My brainstorming sessions with Matt were the most enjoyable of all. I shared my most genuine thoughts and stories that I have never told anybody before. This process not only reflected my true self in the essays, but made the writing process much quicker and efficient.”

  • Ray (Northeastern)

    “During my time working with Alisha, I was able to improve my application work drastically. She helped me to stayed organized from start to finish, with everything planned out, which helped me to stay on track with all my work. Then going from my sketchy drafts to the polished final product, Alisha was able to help me express myself in a way I didn’t think I could. She guided me with brilliant suggestions and unique writing techniques that brought my work to a new level. I really enjoyed working with Alisha, and her contributions to my application succession is no doubt significant.”

  • Amanda (Columbia)

    “Big shoutout to Alisha! Seriously, she broke down how to actually write a personal statement, making it way less intimidating than I thought. I also appreciated her flexibility with my crazy schedule. Couldn’t have survived this application journey without your support. Thank you so much!”

  • Eric L. (USC)

    “At first I was so overwhelmed with the amount of essays I had to write for the 20+ colleges on my list, so I found the organization tools especially helpful as they allowed me to have a focused direction for writing. I couldn’t have started the essays as easily I did without your guidance.”

  • Eric (Boston University)

    One thing that helped me a lot was being able to talk about ideas and add them to the document. Everything was already organized, and each meeting completed smaller tasks, making it a lot more manageable. Being able to open up and discuss potential topics is so much easier than just sitting there brainstorming. Looking back, I can’t really find any flaws in the process, except for my procrastinating a whole bunch toward the end. I received more than enough support in constructing my essay, and Matt also offered unique perspectives on how I viewed certain things, which is valuable not just for essay writing but also in life. I really enjoyed each meeting and even looked forward to them, which is crazy to say, since I always had the worst experience with sit-down Zoom lessons. The service is great, and I wouldn't change much about it. The plan is thought through, and the schedule is thoroughly prepared, and Matt is just a Goated guy in general.

Results

A selection of schools where CollegeBound students have earned admission — many of them punching above their weight.

Many of these students were admitted to schools where their profile alone wouldn't have been enough. The right strategy behind an application changes the outcome.

About Matt

Every senior gets Matt. Not a junior associate. Not a rotating team.

Matt Chiang is a former advertising creative and Google marketing and innovation manager with Cannes Lions recognition and a track record of helping students earn admission to some of the most selective universities in the country.

He works with a small number of seniors each year — by design. Depth of attention is the whole model.

BACKGROUND

Google — Marketing & Engineering

RECOGNITION

Cannes Lions Award Winner

MODEL

Small caseload, high-touch, every student gets Matt directly

GUARANTEE

We stand behind every student we work with. Our guarantee reflects that commitment — ask Matt about it directly.

Let's talk
before the window closes.

Book a free 45-minute strategy session with Matt. You'll leave with an honest picture of where your student's application stands right now — and exactly what it will take to make it competitive.

BOOK A STRATEGY SESSION

No commitment. No sales pressure. Just clarity.

Matt works with a limited number of seniors each year.