Smarter Guidance,
Stronger Results.
We guide Greater Boston students through the full admissions journey — self-discovery, school selection, essays, and applications — one-on-one, at their pace, from freshman year through decision day.
Your path forward is clearer than you think.
We meet students where they actually are.
College admissions isn't one-size-fits-all. We take the time to genuinely know each student — their goals, strengths, personality, and dreams — before mapping out a path forward.
Our admissions coaches are thorough, experienced, and invested in long-term student success. We help families navigate a complex process while building the strategic skills and self-awareness students carry well beyond their application year.
Whether your student is a junior just beginning to think about colleges, or a senior in the thick of applications, we start exactly where they are.
Every session is built around our own in-house curriculum, the Get Prepped for Admissions binder — the framework our coaches use to guide students from self-exploration through their final decision.
Full-process admissions guidance
Essays are just one piece. We support students across every component of the process — as comprehensively or as targeted as your student needs.
Self-Exploration Assessments
Before students can tell their story, they need to know it — values, interests, and strengths work that becomes the foundation for everything that follows.
Best-Fit College Identification
We help build a balanced, realistic, inspiring college list — matching academic goals, campus culture, size, location, and financial considerations.
College List Strategy
We refine the list with an expert eye on reach, target, and likely schools — a strategy, not just a spreadsheet.
College Essay Coaching
From brainstorm to final draft, we help students craft personal statements and supplements that are authentic, specific, and genuinely memorable.
Application Guidance
We walk students through the Common App, activity lists, and school-specific requirements — nothing missed, everything shines.
Resume Consultation
We help build a compelling activity resume that clearly communicates involvement, leadership, and impact.
High School Strategic Planning
For students starting early — course selection, extracurriculars, and milestones that strengthen an application over time.
College Visit Planning
What to look for, what to ask, and how to use each visit to sharpen the college list.
Ongoing Support
Waitlist strategy, deferral responses, financial aid guidance, and decision-making support through every twist of the process.
From first conversation to final decision
Every student starts in a different place. Here's how we move forward together — step by step, always at your student's pace.
We Get to Know Your Student
A discovery session helps us understand where your student is, what they're hoping for, and what kind of guidance will serve them best.
We Build a Personalized Roadmap
A customized timeline covering self-exploration, college research, application deadlines, and essay milestones — specific to your student.
We Work Through It Together
Sessions are one-on-one, focused, and productive. Your student stays in control of their own story.
We Refine Until It's Right
Essays, activity lists, short answers — we iterate until every piece reflects the student authentically and compellingly.
We Stay With You Through Decisions
Acceptances, deferrals, waitlists — we help your student respond strategically and choose a school they're genuinely excited about.
Students Leave With More Than a Decision
The self-knowledge, planning skills, and confidence built here follow students into college and beyond.
Progress
Report℠
You'll always know exactly where things stand.
After every session, parents receive a Prepped Progress Report℠ — a clear, structured summary of what was covered, how the student performed, and what's coming next. It's how we keep you informed at every step of your child's admissions journey — clear, consistent communication, so you're never left wondering.
Guidance that goes the distance
Truly One-to-One
No group sessions, no handoffs. Your student works with one dedicated coach who knows their story inside and out.
Student-Centered, Not Formula-Driven
We don't plug students into a template — every program reflects their individual timeline, learning style, and goals.
Skills That Last Beyond Admissions
The self-awareness, planning, and communication skills students build here follow them into college and life.
Greater Boston Roots Since 1999
Deep familiarity with New England schools, independent school applicants, and the communities we've served for over 25 years.
In-Person or Online
Sessions at any of our four MetroWest offices, in your home, or online — whatever fits your family's schedule.
Our Own In-House Curriculum
Every student works through the Get Prepped for Admissions binder — our proprietary framework for self-exploration, essays, and applications.
Part of the Prepped and Polished Family
Backed by the same team trusted for test prep and executive function coaching across Greater Boston.
What parents & students say
Prepped and Polished helped our son focus on the college application process, not only identifying promising schools but also thinking about how he will present himself. Our coach established an instant rapport and was able to maintain interest and focus, which we would have had a hard time doing without his assistance. As of mid-February, results are positive: of eight early applications submitted, we have three acceptances — one from the "reach" category. We highly recommend his college counseling services.
My Prepped for Admissions coach was not only excellent but also a great role model. She always read through my essays thoroughly, gave thoughtful revisions, and made suggestions for ways I could improve. When we met to go over these suggestions, she exhibited clear thinking and superb editing skills, along with patience and care in listening to my ideas and goals as we went along.
Your admissions coaching for our child was absolutely critical to his completing the year. You have the perfect temperament and tone for dealing with a 17-year-old, disinterested teen. Thanks Prepped and Polished for all your help, patience, and positive reinforcement.
Built from Personal Experience
Alexis Avila founded Prepped and Polished in 1999 after experiencing firsthand the impact of dedicated, one-to-one mentorship during his own education. Frequently quoted by U.S. News & World Report, Alexis built P&P around a single belief: every student deserves individualized attention from an educator who is passionate about their success.
Alexis holds a Master's degree in Counseling from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is a certified K-12 guidance counselor in both Massachusetts and Wisconsin — bringing a licensed counselor's perspective to every family's admissions journey.
That philosophy is the foundation of Prepped for Admissions — one-on-one guidance built around our own Get Prepped for Admissions curriculum, written by our team and used in every session.
"We envisioned an independent educational service run entirely by educators whose passion for education acts as the primary driving force."
50 Most Influential People of Color in Greater Boston
Founder & CEO Alexis Avila has been recognized among the most influential leaders of color in the Greater Boston community — a reflection of P&P's commitment to every student it serves.
Start Your Journey
Additional questions? Fill out the form below, email us, or call 781.753.9951.