TWENTY YEARS OF FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
Providing personalized guidance grounded in twenty years of admission experience at highly selective schools to help families find the school where their child will thrive.
Every family's search is different
My perspective is one few advisors can offer. I've worked at coed day schools, boarding schools, and single-gender schools. This experience gives me a rare, firsthand understanding of how differently these cultures actually feel and the factors that lead to a transformative experience.
GUIDANCE FOR EVERY STAGE OF YOUR SEARCH
FULL SERVICE ADVISING
Comprehensive support from the very first conversation through your final school decision. I'm with your family at every step.
CUSTOMIZED ADVISING
For families who want support on a specific part of the journey. This hourly arrangement is built entirely around what you need.
MEET OUR FOUNDER
I am Matt McDonald, and have 20+ years in admission, plus time as a teacher, coach, and advisor. I've spent my career alongside students navigating exactly this moment. I've also lived it from every angle: as a student who moved through public, parochial, international, and single-gender schools, and as a father who's gone through the independent school process with my own two daughters.
I know this journey because I've walked it more than once.
KIND WORDS
“Your advice to our family when our youngest child was considering boarding school proved to be invaluable!
Sarah is thriving and we were so grateful for your guidance. Families who work with you in the future will be equally thankful!”
Parent of current college student
“I am delighted that you have launched this new venture as you are amazing (absolutely amazing) at what you do.
You are perhaps best poised to help families search for a school for their children. This is not just because of your extensive experience, it is because you genuinely care and want to ensure the school they apply to is the right fit for their child, not just a bumper sticker.”
Parent of former admitted student
“During high school, Mr. McDonald was my advisor and soccer coach but our relationship went far beyond either of those roles. He always made me feel like family, and he was someone I could go to for advice, support, or even a conversation when I needed it.
He meant so much to my high school experience that I wrote about our relationship for a speech-writing class and gave the speech in front of the whole school. I graduated in 2015, and we still keep in touch today, which I think says a lot about the relationships he forms with his students.
I can say without hesitation that I would not be where I am today without his guidance and the role he played in my life.”
Former student
