Comprehensive 1:1 Admissions Counseling

Get Curious • Get Organized • Get In

Open to students starting all years of high school.

SAT/ACT test prep services and sports recruitment/performance audition/art portfolio advising services can be added.

Why Choose College Bound Advising?

What sets CBA apart is our belief that this often-messy application experience can be framed by curiosity, rather than stress.

Students will learn so much about themselves as they progress along their path to college, and as a team with backgrounds in social work, education, teaching, and professional writing, we are in a unique position to help them. 

Not only will these abilities serve them well during the admissions process, but they will set them up for success in college and in life. 

We truly love teenagers and we embrace the opportunity to help them in this exciting phase of their life.  

Are you...

…then you should talk to us!

Here's how we can help:

college grad with cap raised
9th Grade

Freshmen get accustomed to a new school, meet new people, try new activities, and learn to advocate for themselves. We guide your student through their first year to set them up for success in their high school career. 

  • Plan high school curriculum
  • Develop extracurricular activities and summer opportunities 
  • Explore participation in Working Towards Change, College Bound Advising’s unique community service nonprofit division for teens.
10th Grade

Sophomores need to stay focused on high school, continue to explore new activities, and participate in courses and academic opportunities that excite and challenge them. We advise students as they lean into their interests and continue to discover what inspires them about learning. Standardized test preparation is layered into our guidance.

  • Plan high school curriculum
  • Develop extracurricular activities and summer opportunities 
  • Strategize and plan for SAT/ACT standardized test preparation
  • Explore participation in Working Towards Change, College Bound Advising’s unique community service nonprofit division for teens.
hands raised and watching sunset
11th Grade

We strongly encourage Juniors to stay focused on the present, peek into the future, and bring lessons forward from their past. The second half of high school is the time to reflect on lessons learned and consider how life has shaped you into who you are now and what you want to do next. This is where we really get curious and start exploring all the exciting opportunities ahead! Maintaining good grades, participating in activities (trying new ones or leaning into favorites), moving into leadership roles, adding in community service are all elements juniors need to incorporate. We give students tools and strategies to accomplish these, but we also make sure they are having fun and can just be teenagers.

  • Plan high school curriculum
  • Explore extracurricular activities and summer opportunities
  • Strategize and plan for SAT/ACT standardized test preparation
  • Explore participation in Working Towards Change, College Bound Advising’s unique community service nonprofit division for teens. 
  • Research “right fit” schools and what that means for them with College List Builder
  • Tell their story through essay writing support and guidance with Only 650 Words
  • Organize college tours that make sense for them
  • Understand the specifics and deadlines for each college
  • Complete the Common/Coalition App or school-specific applications
  • Navigate the financial aid/scholarship options
  • Engage with the athletic recruiting/audition/portfolio process
12th Grade

It’s not too late to get support in the summer or fall of a student’s senior year. We learn where your child is in the process and then develop an individualized plan to guide them forward.

  • Plan high school curriculum
  • Explore extracurricular activities and summer opportunities
  • Strategize and plan for SAT/ACT standardized test preparation
  • Explore participation in Working Towards Change, College Bound Advising’s unique community service nonprofit division for teens. 
  • Research “right fit” schools and what that means for them with College List Builder
  • Tell their story through essay writing support and guidance with Only 650 Words
  • Organize college tours that make sense for them
  • Understand the specifics and deadlines for each college
  • Complete the Common/Coalition App or school-specific applications
  • Navigate the financial aid/scholarship options
  • Engage with the athletic recruiting/audition/portfolio process
Learn How 1:1 Can Help Your Family

The average student-to-counselor ratio at public high schools is 415:1, and even counselors at independent schools can have upwards of 50 students on their dockets. Working with a private advisor during the college admissions process gives your child the individualized support they need and deserve.

It’s easy to become overwhelmed by all the dates, deadlines, and decisions to make. Hiring a third party can help to alleviate stress by streamlining the process and, in turn, minimizing conflicts. This improves the entire experience for the whole family. 

Happy Clients

She understands the whole process and is able to tailor her services as needed.

"Eydie Balsam is a great college coach and was invaluable to us during our daughter’s college application process. But she is so much more. Eydie personalizes her support based on the needs of her clients and makes each family feel like they are special and have her undivided attention. She understands the whole process and is able to tailor her services as needed.”
Hilary
Parent, Class of 2020 (Dover-Sherborn, MA)

We were very happy with the final result.

“During the application process, Eydie and her team were great at not only making sure the applications were complete and deadlines were being met, but for helping our daughter develop her personal essay as well. They spent time ensuring the final product reflected our daughter’s strength of character while at the same time making sure it was reflected in her own authentic voice! We were very happy with the final result.”
John
Parent, Class of 2021 (Newton, MA)