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Not Sure Where to Start with Summer Planning?
Let’s Figure It Out Together.
A complimentary 30-minute coaching call with our senior college expert Bob Carlton to help you motivate your teen, uncover their goals, and align their summer with what colleges are looking for.
What You’ll Learn During This Session
We know how much you want your teen to succeed—to find their path and step into college confident about their future. But figuring out the next steps can feel overwhelming, especially if:
- You’re not sure what colleges are really looking for (beyond good grades and test scores).
- Your student doesn’t have clear goals (or maybe they just haven’t told you yet).
- Motivating and guiding them feels like an uphill climb.
These are tough questions, but they’re exactly the kind of challenges we’ve been helping parents navigate for years at ESM Prep | College MatchPoint.
In this complimentary 30-minute coaching call, we will:
1. Take a closer look at what your student has accomplished so far and where they might need more focus.
2. Talk through your teen’s goals—or help you uncover them if they’re not clear yet
3. Share expert advice
on how to align your teen’s summer activities with what colleges are looking for.
Trusted by Families Like Yours
Our college coach helped our son create a summer plan that was both inspiring and meaningful. The combination of volunteering and an independent project boosted his confidence and highlighted his leadership and initiative on his college application. It was exciting to see him take ownership of his activities and grow from the experience. The coach’s guidance made the process smooth and stress-free, turning the summer into a time of real growth and purpose.
Julie Watson, Parent
Our daughter was able to feel comfortable with you, trust you, respect you. Your team listened to her and drew her out. All this encouraged her to follow your guidance and suggestions—even better, she opened up to you. Your gentle email nudges kept her on track. As the process progressed, there was a cumulative effect: Our daughter felt more confident and more excited, which prompted her to keep on top of things well. The whole process not only got her to a great school choice, it really provided growth. You guys are amazing—I wish every child could go through your process. Yay!
Susan Battle, Parent
Their college coaches are so passionate about their clients! They take all of the stress off of the parents so the college search process can be exciting. They have a staff of professionals that are just as passionate. They also don’t stop until they find the right match. They treat every client like they are their own child.
Kelly Topfer, Parent
What Sets Us Apart?
At ESM Prep | College MatchPoint, we’ve spent over 16 years coaching students and families through this process. Every student is different, and every parent just wants to do what’s best for their child.
This session is about giving you:
Clarity on what colleges are actually looking for.
Direction on where your teen should focus their energy.
Confidence to guide them through a meaningful and productive summer—without the stress.
Get Started Today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during the session?
You’ll meet with an experienced college advisor for 30 minutes via Zoom to discuss your student’s strengths, challenges, and summer opportunities.
Do I need to prepare anything in advance?
There’s no formal preparation needed. However, it helps to be ready to share details about your student’s activities, interests, current goals, mindset, and any specific questions you’d like to explore during the session.
Can my teen join the session?
This is a coaching session designed specifically for parents. It’s meant to set you up with insights and tools to continue the conversation at home with your student, helping them move forward with clarity and confidence.
Let’s create a summer plan tailored to your teen’s strengths, goals, and future success.
You might be interested in...
The summer before 9th grade is the perfect time for students to start exploring their interests and taking their extracurricular pursuits to the next level. By thoughtfully planning summer activities that balance exploration, productivity, and downtime, you can help your child transition confidently into high school. Encourage them to try new things, take on challenges, and enjoy the adventure of personal growth. With the right mix of support and independence, your teen will be ready to start 9th grade with excitement and confidence.
Most high school students have no idea what career path or college major they might pursue. However, many colleges ask students to indicate their major on their application and some (like state flagships such as the University of Texas at Austin) actually evaluate their application based on their fit to that major. That means that students need to explore potential careers and majors in high school to be able to demonstrate their fit to major on their resume.
The summer before high school is the perfect time for students to continue exploring their interests (or trying new things) and taking their extracurricular pursuits to the next level. As you plan out your rising freshman’s upcoming summer break, you might want to consider specialized summer programs, which can help students learn new skills, gain independence, make new friends, and try out areas of interest they may not have the time to do during the school year.
As students start thinking about summer planning, they might want to see if a summer class would help them achieve a specific goal.
Looking to make your summer unforgettable while boosting your college applications? Competitive summer programs offer the chance to explore your passions, build new skills, and connect with like-minded peers in prestigious academic settings. Whether it’s cutting-edge STEM research, advanced math, or engaging humanities discussions, these programs help you grow academically, socially, and personally. While highly selective, with acceptance rates as low as 3%, thoughtful preparation can help you secure a spot in these transformative experiences.
Summer is no longer just a break from school—it’s a launchpad for growth and discovery. From internships and creative projects to community initiatives, summer activities give teenagers the chance to explore passions, build leadership skills, and create meaningful impact. These experiences not only help students thrive in high school but also strengthen their college applications by showcasing their initiative and character. The best part? It’s about more than impressing admissions—it’s about helping teens uncover who they are and where they want to go.
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