Trusted by Southern California families for over 25 years.
Private College Counselor
for Grades 8–12
Strategic Academic, Activity, and Admissions Planning
At Growing Minds, we help students build strong academic, extracurricular, and leadership profiles while making informed decisions every step of the way.
Academic Planning
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Activity Strategy
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College Readiness
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Ongoing Support
Comparison of National Acceptance Rates vs. GM 2024-2025 Student Rates
*Out of state admission rates
Private College Counselor
for Grades 8–12
Strategic Academic, Activity, and Admissions Planning
At Growing Minds, we help students build strong academic, extracurricular, and leadership profiles while making informed decisions every step of the way.
Private College Counselor
for Grades 8–12
Strategic Academic, Activity, and Admissions Planning
At Growing Minds, we help students build strong academic, extracurricular, and leadership profiles while making informed decisions every step of the way.
GM Students are Up to 12.7x More Likely to be Accepted!
Growing Minds: Proven Success in University Admissions
Comparison of National Acceptance Rates vs. GM 2024-2025 Student Rates
Your Dedicated Private College Counselor For Every Step
Your Dedicated Private College Counselor For Every Step
At Growing Minds, we mentor students and families through every milestone of the high school journey with personalized consulting and comprehensive strategic planning. Our proactive approach helps students build a standout academic profile, reduce high school anxiety, and make competitive decisions that unlock elite admissions opportunities.
Key Highlights
- Personalized strategies from 8th–12th grade, tailored to each student’s goals and interests
- One-on-one planning covering academics, activities, summers, testing, and leadership growth
- Thoughtful college exploration focused on fit, values, and aspirations, not just numbers
- Ongoing timeline management and check-ins to reduce stress and keep plans on track
- Clear, supportive strategies that turn big questions into a well-defined path forward
☑ Trusted by 12,500+ students across Los Angeles for 25+ years.
☑ Trusted by 12,500+ students across Los Angeles for 25+ years.
Expert High School Consultations & Tailored Application Strategy
Expert College Counseling & Personalized Application Strategy
At Growing Minds, we guide students through every stage of the college application process with clarity, strategy, and personalized attention. From conceptualizing essays to preparing transcripts, we help students showcase their unique strengths and tell a compelling story that stands out to admissions committees. Our goal is to reduce stress, keep the process organized, and ensure each student presents their strongest, most authentic application.
- Personalized college list strategy tailored to each student’s goals and strengths
- Expert essay coaching for brainstorming, drafting, and refinement
- One-on-one guidance throughout every stage of the admissions process
- Structured planning to stay organized, focused, and ahead of deadlines
- Comprehensive application review for stronger overall presentation
☑ Backed by 55,000+ essays coached and a 98% acceptance rate.
☑ Backed by 55,000+ essays coached and a 98% acceptance rate.
Local Guidance. Real Relationships.
Conveniently located in Los Angeles, Growing Minds offers both face-to-face consultations and Zoom meetings. Get expert admissions guidance in the setting that’s most comfortable for you.
- In-Person At Our Woodland HIlls Office
- Or Over Zoom
- 30-minute call
- Review your student's goals
- Get clear next steps
ABOUT GROWING MINDS
25 years. One mission - Your student's success.
Growing Minds was founded with a single focus: helping students and families navigate the college admissions process with clarity and confidence. From our Woodland Hills office, our team of experienced counselors has guided more than 12,500 students across Southern California — building a track record that speaks for itself.
What began as a founder-led practice has grown into a structured team built on decades of experience. Through our Collective Insight Model, every student benefits from multiple counselor perspectives — bringing a depth of thinking that no single advisor can match.
Real Student Success Stories
Hear directly from students and families who worked with Growing Minds throughout the college application process.
Our son has been working with Growing Minds for three years. Through their thoughtful insight, tailored approach, and unwavering dedication, they have significantly altered his academic trajectory. He has not only begun excelling in his coursework, but has also gained confidence that colors his world even beyond the classroom. We are forever grateful to Growing Minds for transforming our son’s life.
Joshua S.
Parent
The Growing Minds team were our guiding light in navigating a very difficult process. Their unwavering support and exceptional knowledge gave us a clear path to a successful college admission story. I do truly believe without their help it would have been stressful and overwhelming. They understood my son’s needs and continued providing us with much-needed direction. Their tutoring services were amazing as well. I can not recommend Growing Minds enough… I’m already on the path with our younger son!
Rachel G.
Parent
To say our son was anxious about getting into a good college doesn’t really describe his stressed-out mindset. After we walked out of our first meeting with Growing Minds, he turned to me with a big smile and said: “Looks like I am going to college”. He applied to 15 schools and got into 12 of them. All 12 offered him merit scholarships and he was not a straight A student.
Susan S.
Parent
Frequently Asked Questions
What grades do you work with for high school counseling?
We work with students starting in 8th grade through 12th grade, helping them prepare for a smooth transition into high school and plan each year with purpose and clarity.
How is your approach different from a typical college counselor at school?
Our approach is highly personalized, strategic, and designed to evolve with each student over time. We meet with students consistently on a one-on-one basis, allowing us to provide ongoing guidance, adjust plans as needed, and stay closely aligned with their progress. Through this level of dedicated time and attention, we’re able to take a more in-depth and creative approach—developing a thoughtful plan that includes academic direction, extracurricular growth, testing strategy, and long-term fit, all tailored to each student’s individual goals and strengths.
When should we start the college planning process?
There’s no single “right” time to begin. Starting in 8th or 9th grade allows for a longer runway and more intentional planning, but we work very effectively with students who join us in 10th or 11th grade as well. No matter when families come to us, we meet students where they are and create a clear, focused plan moving forward.
Do you help with standardized tests like the SAT or ACT?
Yes. We help students determine how standardized testing fits into their overall college plan, including timing, preparation strategy, and score use. Test preparation is a core part of our approach, and students receive structured support through our on-staff instructors and digital platform to help them perform at their best.
What if my student’s goals change over time?
Flexibility is built into our approach. We regularly revisit plans and adjust timelines to reflect evolving interests, academic strengths, and aspirations.
Do you assist with extracurriculars, summer programs, and leadership development?
Absolutely. We help students identify and pursue opportunities that strengthen their profile and reflect their authentic interests and passions.
How do you help with building a college list?
We work with students and families to create a personalized college list that balances academic fit, campus community, and long-term goals. Our process helps students thrive in college while laying the foundation for future plans, including graduate school or career paths.
Do you assist with college applications and essays?
Yes. We provide comprehensive support through every step of the college application process. This includes strategic guidance on major selection, dedicated coaching for essays, personalized application management with a specialist, recommendation planning, and deadline oversight. Essentially, we provide everything a student needs to craft a thoughtful, authentic application and submit it with confidence.
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College Strategy Session
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