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Webinar

How to Build a Balanced College List in Today's Admissions Landscape

Join us and learn how to create a personalized college list that truly reflects your student’s goals, values, and aspirations. 
This event is ideal for families with teens in grades 10-11.

  Monday, May 11

 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET 

   Zoom

Did you know there are nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in the U.S.?

With so many options, it can be hard to know where to start, what to research, and which campuses to visit. Your teen’s best-fit school might not be the most obvious choice or even one you’ve heard of yet. That’s exactly where we can help.

Join Matt Doyle, a former admissions officer (who has helped students navigate acceptances to all eight Ivies), and Taylor Merkel, a Stanford graduate and experienced education expert. Together, they’ll show you a smarter way to build a college list that is ambitious, strategic, and truly aligned with your teen’s goals.

 

You'll learn how to:

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Identify what matters most when researching colleges (whether your teen knows their major or is still exploring)

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Spot schools that are a true fit for your student’s interests, values, and long-term goals

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Understand what admissions officers prioritize and how that should guide your teen’s application strategy 

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Build a balanced list of reach, target, and likely schools using a clear, step-by-step approach

🎁 Bonus: Register today, and you’ll get a free copy of our trusted College Visits Guide when you attend!

Register now

Fill out the form below and secure your spot in our event.

Meet The Speakers

Matt Doyle
Matt Doyle
Former Admissions Officer at Hamilton College

Matt Doyle brings experience from both sides of the admissions desk. A former Assistant Dean of Admissions at Hamilton College and former Associate Director of College Counseling at Kent Denver School, Matt has helped students gain admission to every Ivy League school, every UC campus, top flagship public universities, standout liberal arts colleges, and leading international universities.

Known for helping students build thoughtful college lists with plenty of great options, Matt combines deep admissions expertise with a student-centered approach. He is also one of a select few Collegewise counselors chosen to serve on the company’s Learning & Development team, where he helps train and mentor fellow counselors.

Taylor Merkel
Taylor Merkel
Stanford Graduate

Taylor is a Stanford-trained scientist with degrees in biology and biomedical engineering, and over five years of research experience in areas like brain aging and blood vessel mechanics. But her true passion lies in helping students unlock their potential. For more than a decade, she’s guided high schoolers and pre-med students to higher scores, stronger confidence, and greater self-belief—often transforming not just academic outcomes but entire outlooks.

Now a standout college counselor at Collegewise, Taylor blends analytical precision with deep empathy, especially when working with anxious or self-doubting students. She’s known for asking the right questions, identifying clear paths forward, and inspiring students to aim higher than they thought possible.

About Collegewise

 

For over 26 years, families have turned to Collegewise for clarity and trusted expertise, especially during times of change. As higher education evolves, we stay on top of every update so you don’t have to.

 

26+

Years of College
Admissions Experience.

98%

Of Students Admitted to a Top-choice School.

35,000+

Student Success Stories.

9/10

Families Recommend Collegewise.

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