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Guiding Your Child's Unique Journey to College Success
At ESM Prep College MatchPoint, we understand that your child's journey to college is not only a crucial milestone for them but also a significant one for you as a parent.
Since 2008, we've helped families navigate the often overwhelming admissions process, ensuring students thrive in environments where they can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Our focus is not just on college acceptance but on making sure students are fully prepared to succeed once they get there.
With your child's future success in mind
We offer tailored support that fits seamlessly into busy family schedules. From SAT and ACT test prep to tutoring in high school, AP, and IB courses, we make sure your student is well-prepared for the academic challenges ahead. For students with demanding schedules, gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) learners, and those with ADHD or learning differences, our executive functioning coaching helps them build essential skills in time management, organization, and self-advocacy—tools critical for success both now and in the future.
Our dedicated team of college coaches, test prep tutors, academic tutors, and essay editors work one-on-one with your student, creating a personalized approach that aligns with their unique strengths and goals. We strive to make the process smooth and effective, giving you peace of mind that your student is on track and fully supported at every stage, from building a strong academic profile to crafting standout applications that reflect their true potential.
“Applying for college today is a whole different beast than it was when I was in school. It not only requires discipline but also real, school-by-school intelligence. CMP put us in a position to ride alongside our student and enjoy the process rather than having to be a grouchy project manager. It's the best money you will spend towards sending your kids to college - full stop.”
— JASON SUGAWA
Customized College Guidance for Success
We know that navigating the college admissions landscape can seem daunting. However, each student's journey holds incredible potential, and we are committed to unlocking it. With a deep understanding of the uniqueness of each student, we offer personalized, nurturing guidance that is tailored to fit your child's individual needs and aspirations. We're here every step of the way to ensure a supportive and enriching experience that helps your child thrive in the college of their choice.
List of Services
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Holistic AssessmentsList Item 1
We start by getting to know your child through in-depth assessments of their academic performance and extracurricular activities. This isn't just about grades and achievements—it's about understanding their strengths and where they can grow. With these insights, we craft a tailored plan that enhances their prospects and aligns perfectly with their college goals.
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Career and Major ExplorationList Item 2
Finding the right path can be exciting and a bit daunting. We help your child explore various career paths and academic majors through thoughtful discussions and assessments. By connecting their interests with potential careers, we guide them toward fields where they can thrive and feel passionate, enriching both their education and future career prospects.
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Detailed College ResearchList Item 3
Choosing the right college is more than just academic fit—it's about finding a second home that meets their social and emotional needs too. We delve into the specifics of each potential college, from campus culture to support services, ensuring we find the best match that will allow them to flourish.
“We will always be grateful for the dedication, patience, and encouragement you provided to both of our children. You helped them communicate who they are and gave them the confidence to reach!"
— Greg C.
Activity Planning Keyed To Your Student
List of Services
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Guided Self-DiscoveryList Item 1
Choosing the right activities is key to a well-rounded application. We guide your child through selecting extracurriculars that not only interest them but also align with their college aspirations. This process encourages them to pursue passions that demonstrate commitment and leadership.
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Sustained InvolvementList Item 2
Rather than spreading themselves too thin, we advise your child to invest deeply in a few meaningful activities. This focused involvement is essential for demonstrating their dedication and passion, traits that are highly valued by colleges.
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Impactful EngagementList Item 3
We ensure that your child's activities aren't just checkmarks on an application—they're opportunities for personal growth and leadership. Whether it's through community service or school clubs, we help them make an impact that lasts.
“MatchPoint is support for the entire family. As an expert in the field of a quickly evolving process, MatchPoint was the sentinel structure we had in place for college admissions. Although they provide a space for all those involved in the process (including the high school), they center their support and communication with the child. My relationship is better with my child and our experience was wonderful. Let me say that again, our college application process was wonderful! "
— Jessica Weaver
Strategic Application Support
List of Services
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Application CraftingList Item 1
Preparing college applications can be stressful. We're here to make it seamless and effective, offering detailed guidance on creating standout resumes and navigating application portals. Our strategic support ensures every part of the application is polished, reflecting your child's true potential.
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Essay Writing CoachingList Item 2
Each student has a unique story, and we're here to help them tell it. Through personalized coaching, we help your child articulate their experiences and aspirations in essays that resonate with authenticity and depth. This not only helps their applications stand out but also builds their confidence as young communicators.
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Interview PreparationList Item 3
Confidence can make all the difference. We prepare your child for college interviews, focusing on enhancing their self-presentation skills. This preparation ensures they can confidently express themselves, making a genuine impression that resonates with interviewers.
Empowering Students for College Success
At College MatchPoint, we understand that college admissions involve much more than just numbers. While acceptance rates, strong grades, and impressive test scores are important, our primary focus is on helping each student find a college where they can truly thrive. We're committed to discovering the perfect environment for every student to fully realize and harness their unique potential. Our supportive approach ensures that every aspect of the admissions process is geared towards matching students with a college where they can excel and grow.
The University of Texas at Austin
Texas A&M University
University of Colorado-Boulder
Texas Christian University
University of Southern California
Trinity University
New York University
University of California-Los Angeles
Vanderbilt University
Harvard University
University of Georgia
Auburn University
University of Virginia
University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Stanford University
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Northeastern University
University of Denver
Washington University in St. Louis
Rice University
While we're proud of students' acceptances to prestigious institutions, our true measure of success is finding the best-fit school for each individual student—a place where they'll thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Click here to see a
full list of schools.
Meet our Coaches
Lisa Bain Carlton, M. Ed.
"Working with Lisa was the best decision we made for our child's college journey, especially in helping them gain admission to a highly competitive college. She took the time to deeply understand our child’s so personal. We were so impressed that we decided to work with her for our three other children, and we recommend Lisa to all of our friends!"
Bob Carlton
"Bob was the perfect guide for our child's college journey. His deep knowledge of STEM and business, combined with his ability to connect with our child on a personal level, helped uncover career paths and college options we hadn't even considered. Bob’s personalized approach made the entire process stress-free and gave us confidence that our child was on the right track to a successful future."
Allyson Randall, M.S.
"After working with another consultant for our older child, we can confidently say that Allyson Randall is the gold standard. She didn’t just focus on academics—she took the time to truly understand our younger child’s personality, passions, and goals, making her guidance feel incredibly personalized. Allyson’s warmth and expertise transformed what could have been a stressful process into something smooth and even enjoyable. With her constant support, our child felt confident and excited about their future, and we are so grateful to have had her by our side."
Amanda Edelhart
"Amanda was an absolute game-changer for our child's college journey. Her personalized approach, attention to detail, and deep knowledge of the admissions process made everything feel manageable and stress-free. We couldn’t have asked for a better partner, and thanks to Amanda, our child is headed to the perfect school—she’s the first person we recommend to all our friends!"
Dr. Nicole Cook
“Working with Nicole was an incredible experience for our family. The college admissions process felt overwhelming at first, but her expert guidance made everything so much clearer and manageable. She helped our daughter craft standout applications while keeping us calm and focused throughout the process. In the end, our daughter was accepted to her dream school, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Nicole’s support and genuine care made all the difference.” Parent, Class of 2024
Julie Richie, M.F.A
" Julie was there every step of the way, offering guidance and support even when we faced challenges, and her ability to truly understand and nurture our child's creative strengths made all the difference. We can’t imagine our children being where they are now without Julie’s incredible guidance—she made the process personal, stress-free, and empowering. Her support gave each child the confidence to own their college applications, and we are beyond grateful for everything she did."
Jennifer Lund
"Jennifer's background as a scientist really shined through in the way she methodically researched and presented college options that were a perfect fit for our child's unique strengths and interests, many of which we hadn’t even considered. Jennifer’s data-driven approach, combined with her genuine curiosity and personal investment in our child’s success, made the entire process feel seamless and stress-free—we truly couldn’t have done it without her."
Meredith Hendrix, M. A.
"Meredith didn’t just guide our child through the college process—she transformed it. Her organization and calming presence made the entire experience feel manageable and stress-free, but what really stood out was how she helped our child find their voice and own their journey. Thanks to Meredith’s incredible attention to detail and personal investment, our child is heading to a college we never dreamed possible, and we couldn’t be more grateful."
Dilara Cirit, M. A.
"Dilara was an absolute rock for our family throughout the college process. She not only made sure our child felt supported every step of the way but tailored everything to their unique interests and personality—something we hadn’t experienced before. Thanks to Dilara’s amazing problem-solving skills and constant check-ins, our child took full ownership of the process, and we couldn’t be prouder of where they’ve ended up!"
Emily C. Smith, M.A.
"Emily was an absolute lifesaver during our child's college application process. She took the time to really understand what made our child unique and helped them reflect that in every part of their application and college choice. Thanks to Emily’s personalized support and constant encouragement, our child felt confident and excited, and we felt completely reassured knowing Emily was guiding them every step of the way."
Check out our related blogs
The college admissions landscape often feels like it's built for students with sky-high GPAs and perfect test scores, but the truth is, there are fantastic schools out there for students with a "C" average. These institutions provide strong academics, robust student support, and opportunities for career preparation while offering a welcoming environment for students who may not have a 4.0 GPA. Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite hidden gem universities—both public and private—that offer impressive academic programs, strong student resources, and an environment where students can truly thrive.
As families explore highly selective colleges where total costs often exceed $80,000 a year, financial aid packages determine whether such prestigious degrees become accessible or remain pipe dreams. Unlike public universities offering substantial merit scholarships, elite private colleges provide almost exclusively need-based aid. However, with few exceptions, these schools promise to meet 100% of demonstrated financial need. Here’s what families should understand.
Business continues to be an extremely popular college major, especially in Texas, which hosts some of the fastest-growing metro economies in the country. However, flagship state programs like the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M have seen soaring numbers of applicants making admissions more competitive. Many motivated high schoolers interested in studying business in Texas, whether that involves supply chain, marketing, finance, or entrepreneurship, may not realize there are other more accessible in-state options beyond UT and A&M that still deliver high-quality education and robust alumni networks.
Many students thrive when they are doing rather than sitting and listening. Whether through projects, internships, work, or research, active learning helps students closely connect with what they're doing, often cementing knowledge and skills.
College sports wouldn't be the same without the larger-than-life characters prowling the sidelines and pumping up the crowds. From uncommon animals to mythical creatures, these beloved mascots have become iconic symbols of school spirit and tradition. Let's take a look at some of the most memorable characters in collegiate athletics.
Male enrollment at four-year colleges has been dropping for years now, especially at liberal arts colleges. As a result, there are some colleges where males have an edge in applying . While schools with technology and STEM-focused programs continue to attract more male students, most colleges now have student bodies with gender ratios that skew female.
For animal-loving students who dread leaving their four-legged best friend behind when they go off to college, there are a few welcoming campuses featuring pet-friendly policies where your dog can not only live with you but seamlessly integrate into student life.
Although the thermometer might say it’s winter, summer will be here before you know it. If your teen is interested in a specialty summer program in areas like STEM, business, healthcare, or even the military, it's time to start researching options. Many of these focused programs have early application deadlines that fall during January and February. Below are just a few that require early applications.
Summer planning looks different at every stage of high school. Freshman year is a time for exploration and trying new activities, while junior year is all about leadership, impact, and aligning experiences with college and career goals. From discovering new passions to drafting college essays, each step helps students build a compelling story for admissions. Ready to help your student make the most of their summers? Check out this mini- guide for actionable, grade-specific advice to unlock their full potential!
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