We pride ourselves on empowering students to develop their passions, earn admission, and build the foundation for long-term success.
Our primary concern is our students' well being and their ability to pursue their passions and grow into healthy, happy, and financially independent adults. We teach students how to approach any application process strategically to achieve the desired outcome and how to write persuasively, not just because we want them to get into their dream college, but because we believe that earning admission is just the first step on a student's journey to success. The skills our students develop by working with us translate into success in the classroom and eventually the workplace.
We have enjoyed great success in guiding students to earn admission to many of their top choice colleges including the University of Pennsylvania, Cal Tech, the University of Chicago, Duke University, Columbia University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, and the University of Michigan.
Client Testimonials
I began the college admissions process late into my junior year. I felt confused, overwhelmed, and had no sense of direction when it came to where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do to get there. It took one session for Greg to help me find my path to college. Not only did Greg help me with the technical aspects of my application, he helped me find my voice and streamline my passions into tangible experiences that would eventually be presented to my dream schools.
Though a cliche, Greg made the admissions process fun and exciting. Rather than focus on one specific goal—to get accepted—and forget about creating a long-term plan for my career, he helped orient me towards a sustainable future. Whether it was creating a resume, finding my career interests by working in an array of different fields, or flourishing my talents by aiding me in writing a book at the age of 17, Greg gave me the tools to build an application that would allow me to pick my future college, not the other way around.
The best part about working with Greg, however, is that he makes the process stress free. Most college counselors that I had previously worked with bombard their students with laborious tasks and overused essay material in hopes of crafting an image of a student, rather than presenting the best version of the applicant. Greg, on the other hand, helped me find and do what I love which allowed me to complete the application with little stress and peace of mind.
The college admissions orthodoxy has convinced students that stress is necessary when competing to achieve admission to your dream school and that the process will inevitably leave them diminished, both mentally and physically. Greg has shattered those notions and has left me energized and well-equipped to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.
-Sam, UCLA
I worked with Greg Kaplan this past year as a senior in High School. My time with Greg was nothing but professional and extraordinary. Greg spent hours getting to know me both as a person and student, went out of his way to help me improve my ACT score (which jumped 7 points), and helped me complete 27 college applications. Greg helped me find what I was looking for when choosing a school to apply to and thoroughly worked with me to help narrow them down. Saying thank you is not nearly enough for all the hard work, determination, and confidence Greg had in me. I could not have had a better college process experience all because of him! I am attending Duke University in the fall, a school I did not even consider applying to if it had not been for Greg. Thank you for the impact and change you have made and invested into my future! I would recommend Greg Kaplan to anyone and everyone. He made this process stress free and so much easier! With Greg’s guidance I have been able to select an incredible university that I could not have done by myself.
-Liz, Duke
Exactly two weeks before the January 1st deadline and not even a quarter of the way done with my essays, I had the opportunity to meet with Greg in person to help utilize the advice from his book in the most personal way. In a matter of hours, Greg picked up on my exact style, interests, and personality, which shaped the theme of my application. With Greg, I completely revamped my Common Application Essay, completed about forty essays drawing on the crucial techniques he suggested, and even restructured my Common App activities list to highlight the consistent theme throughout my entire application. Greg’s biggest strength is tuning into his client’s individualized styles and themes, and encouraging them to draw everything back to that style and theme to create a strong and consistent idea of who the admissions officers are reading about. Greg encouraged me to dig deeper in how I presented myself and made sure that the admissions officers were getting to know me the best that they could. Greg gave me his undivided attention, pushed me to complete multiple essays a week, and pulled out my creativity when brainstorming essay ideas. There is no way I could have gotten through the application process if it weren’t for his advice, drive, and care. Greg’s attentiveness to me did not stop in January. He continued to catch up with me when I was receiving my college decisions and helped perfect my waitlist letters. He is always on top of it.
In addition, Greg is very well researched about colleges and worked with my precise interests to suggest colleges that I should apply to. In hindsight, Greg’s ability to find colleges that truly embodied my future goals while also being ones I had the potential to be accepted into is what I am most thankful for. I am proudly attending a school that Greg suggested I apply to just two weeks before the deadline. I think that may be the ultimate testament to how well Greg gets to know his clients and the direction they should go in.
-J.G., George Washington
Working with Greg this past year has been an absolutely amazing experience for my family and I. As you can imagine the college application process is extremely difficult to navigate; however, Greg’s expertise, expansive knowledge of colleges and dedication to making sure every aspect of the application was completed well and on time made the experience easier than I had ever imagined. Before beginning my college applications, Greg worked hard to ensure that he understood my interests and me so that my applications were reflective of who I am as a person. He not only taught me the skills for the application process, but he also taught me how to be a better writer and start thinking about my future and the steps I needed to start taking. His attention to every detail for all aspects of my applications, ability to personalize the process and tailor my school list to my interests and goals, and dedication to my success was unparalleled to the other college counselors I worked with prior to meeting Greg. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Greg. I truly believe that his guidance played a major role in easing my college application process and was evident in my college acceptances.
-Dylan, The University of Michigan
Last year I had the opportunity to work with Greg as he helped me quickly complete my college admissions process. Greg was able to get to know me very quickly, understand my concerns, and help me incorporate specific aspects into my college essays. With just knowing me for a few hours, we promptly began writing school specific essays and revamping my Common Application just weeks before every deadline. Greg was an essential part of my college admissions process as he truly understood what was important to me, what I planned on pursuing in the future, how to provide essential feedback and ideas for my essays, and because he was able to provide insight into an abundant list of colleges that he thought would be great fits for me. Greg is extremely hardworking, organized, optimistic, and understanding. Without Greg’s help I would not have applied to several schools that he rightfully suggested and I would not have been able to complete as many essays as I did in such a short period of time. Greg was sincerely a lifesaver for me in my college admissions process, and I guarantee that he will be for all of the students he works with in the future.
-S.G., UC Berkeley
I still remember the first conversation I had with Greg, he said that working with him is an endless friendship. With that being said I knew that I would enjoy working with him because that was an indication that this to Greg was more than just a "job". Being a college counselor is something that he does because he is passionate and enjoys doing. From the beginning, with his knowledge/ experience of the application process and with Greg making sure he understood who I was as a person and as a student, he helped me transform my experiences into developing an application that would stand out from the other applicants. Greg's undivided attention and support, not only reduced the stress but also made my law school application process more enjoyable! I definitely wish he was my college counselor in high school.
-Alex M, Trinity College
Greg’s strategy was focused and encouraging. It ultimately helped me get into my dream school, even though it was a long shot .
-Alex O, Cal Poly SLO
Mr. Kaplan gave me so much help in the application process. He encouraged me to believe in myself, and focused on using my special skills and talent to stand out from all the other applicants. He is definitely more like a great friend than a college counselor. I learned so many skills that I can use in the future by working and communicating with Mr. Kaplan. It was an unforgettable experience and I appreciate everything that he has done!
-Sofia S, Northeastern
We have enjoyed great success in guiding students to earn admission to many of their top choice colleges including the University of Pennsylvania, Cal Tech, the University of Chicago, Duke University, Columbia University, UC Berkeley, UCLA, USC, and the University of Michigan.
Client Testimonials
I began the college admissions process late into my junior year. I felt confused, overwhelmed, and had no sense of direction when it came to where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do to get there. It took one session for Greg to help me find my path to college. Not only did Greg help me with the technical aspects of my application, he helped me find my voice and streamline my passions into tangible experiences that would eventually be presented to my dream schools.
Though a cliche, Greg made the admissions process fun and exciting. Rather than focus on one specific goal—to get accepted—and forget about creating a long-term plan for my career, he helped orient me towards a sustainable future. Whether it was creating a resume, finding my career interests by working in an array of different fields, or flourishing my talents by aiding me in writing a book at the age of 17, Greg gave me the tools to build an application that would allow me to pick my future college, not the other way around.
The best part about working with Greg, however, is that he makes the process stress free. Most college counselors that I had previously worked with bombard their students with laborious tasks and overused essay material in hopes of crafting an image of a student, rather than presenting the best version of the applicant. Greg, on the other hand, helped me find and do what I love which allowed me to complete the application with little stress and peace of mind.
The college admissions orthodoxy has convinced students that stress is necessary when competing to achieve admission to your dream school and that the process will inevitably leave them diminished, both mentally and physically. Greg has shattered those notions and has left me energized and well-equipped to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.
-Sam, UCLA
I worked with Greg Kaplan this past year as a senior in High School. My time with Greg was nothing but professional and extraordinary. Greg spent hours getting to know me both as a person and student, went out of his way to help me improve my ACT score (which jumped 7 points), and helped me complete 27 college applications. Greg helped me find what I was looking for when choosing a school to apply to and thoroughly worked with me to help narrow them down. Saying thank you is not nearly enough for all the hard work, determination, and confidence Greg had in me. I could not have had a better college process experience all because of him! I am attending Duke University in the fall, a school I did not even consider applying to if it had not been for Greg. Thank you for the impact and change you have made and invested into my future! I would recommend Greg Kaplan to anyone and everyone. He made this process stress free and so much easier! With Greg’s guidance I have been able to select an incredible university that I could not have done by myself.
-Liz, Duke
Exactly two weeks before the January 1st deadline and not even a quarter of the way done with my essays, I had the opportunity to meet with Greg in person to help utilize the advice from his book in the most personal way. In a matter of hours, Greg picked up on my exact style, interests, and personality, which shaped the theme of my application. With Greg, I completely revamped my Common Application Essay, completed about forty essays drawing on the crucial techniques he suggested, and even restructured my Common App activities list to highlight the consistent theme throughout my entire application. Greg’s biggest strength is tuning into his client’s individualized styles and themes, and encouraging them to draw everything back to that style and theme to create a strong and consistent idea of who the admissions officers are reading about. Greg encouraged me to dig deeper in how I presented myself and made sure that the admissions officers were getting to know me the best that they could. Greg gave me his undivided attention, pushed me to complete multiple essays a week, and pulled out my creativity when brainstorming essay ideas. There is no way I could have gotten through the application process if it weren’t for his advice, drive, and care. Greg’s attentiveness to me did not stop in January. He continued to catch up with me when I was receiving my college decisions and helped perfect my waitlist letters. He is always on top of it.
In addition, Greg is very well researched about colleges and worked with my precise interests to suggest colleges that I should apply to. In hindsight, Greg’s ability to find colleges that truly embodied my future goals while also being ones I had the potential to be accepted into is what I am most thankful for. I am proudly attending a school that Greg suggested I apply to just two weeks before the deadline. I think that may be the ultimate testament to how well Greg gets to know his clients and the direction they should go in.
-J.G., George Washington
Working with Greg this past year has been an absolutely amazing experience for my family and I. As you can imagine the college application process is extremely difficult to navigate; however, Greg’s expertise, expansive knowledge of colleges and dedication to making sure every aspect of the application was completed well and on time made the experience easier than I had ever imagined. Before beginning my college applications, Greg worked hard to ensure that he understood my interests and me so that my applications were reflective of who I am as a person. He not only taught me the skills for the application process, but he also taught me how to be a better writer and start thinking about my future and the steps I needed to start taking. His attention to every detail for all aspects of my applications, ability to personalize the process and tailor my school list to my interests and goals, and dedication to my success was unparalleled to the other college counselors I worked with prior to meeting Greg. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with Greg. I truly believe that his guidance played a major role in easing my college application process and was evident in my college acceptances.
-Dylan, The University of Michigan
Last year I had the opportunity to work with Greg as he helped me quickly complete my college admissions process. Greg was able to get to know me very quickly, understand my concerns, and help me incorporate specific aspects into my college essays. With just knowing me for a few hours, we promptly began writing school specific essays and revamping my Common Application just weeks before every deadline. Greg was an essential part of my college admissions process as he truly understood what was important to me, what I planned on pursuing in the future, how to provide essential feedback and ideas for my essays, and because he was able to provide insight into an abundant list of colleges that he thought would be great fits for me. Greg is extremely hardworking, organized, optimistic, and understanding. Without Greg’s help I would not have applied to several schools that he rightfully suggested and I would not have been able to complete as many essays as I did in such a short period of time. Greg was sincerely a lifesaver for me in my college admissions process, and I guarantee that he will be for all of the students he works with in the future.
-S.G., UC Berkeley
I still remember the first conversation I had with Greg, he said that working with him is an endless friendship. With that being said I knew that I would enjoy working with him because that was an indication that this to Greg was more than just a "job". Being a college counselor is something that he does because he is passionate and enjoys doing. From the beginning, with his knowledge/ experience of the application process and with Greg making sure he understood who I was as a person and as a student, he helped me transform my experiences into developing an application that would stand out from the other applicants. Greg's undivided attention and support, not only reduced the stress but also made my law school application process more enjoyable! I definitely wish he was my college counselor in high school.
-Alex M, Trinity College
Greg’s strategy was focused and encouraging. It ultimately helped me get into my dream school, even though it was a long shot .
-Alex O, Cal Poly SLO
Mr. Kaplan gave me so much help in the application process. He encouraged me to believe in myself, and focused on using my special skills and talent to stand out from all the other applicants. He is definitely more like a great friend than a college counselor. I learned so many skills that I can use in the future by working and communicating with Mr. Kaplan. It was an unforgettable experience and I appreciate everything that he has done!
-Sofia S, Northeastern