Trusted Support for Students and Their Parents
Chris and Martin are by your side through the college search, helping students find clarity and confidence while giving parents the comfort of knowing they’re supported.
Making the College Process Personal, Insightful, and Stress-Free
In working to build authentic relationships, Chris and Martin aim to make the college search and application process fun and enlightening for students, while instilling knowledge and confidence in their parents.
Six Decades of Leadership and Experience
Christopher Watson
Christopher Watson has 30 years of experience as a senior administrator in highly selective undergraduate admissions at Northwestern University, Princeton University, and Boston University. Holding the positions of vice president, dean and director at Northwestern and Princeton, his responsibilities included establishing admission policy and overseeing the selection process to create first-year and transfer classes. Over the course of his career, he traveled throughout the United States and to 30 countries recruiting students and speaking on a variety of admission related topics. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College (A.B.) and Boston University (Ed.M.).
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As an expert in the changing landscape of college admissions, Chris understands evolving enrollment trends and what universities value, what they seek from applicants, and how they build incoming communities. In addition, he understands how athletics, the performing arts, music, and other specialty talents can affect the admissions process. He has extensive knowledge on the variety of the high schools and grading scales throughout the U.S., and a background evaluating international credentials including the GCSE and A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, the French Baccalaureate, and other national curricula. Having met thousands of families, he understands the admission process can seem complicated and intimidating. Empathy, discretion, and tact are hallmarks of his professional career.
Martin Bonilla
Martin Bonilla is a nationally-recognized leader in college admissions with over 30 years of experience counseling thousands of students and families at three prominent high schools across the U.S.: The College Preparatory School in California, Ransom Everglades School in Florida, and St. Marks School in Texas. Martin is a graduate of The Wharton School at Penn.
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Previously, Martin was the Senior Director of Admission at Penn, where he chaired the Admission Selection Committee, recruited international students and multicultural students, and served as chair of recruitment for student-athletes for all varsity sports. Martin is a resident faculty member (one of two college counselors) for the Harvard Summer Institute on College Admission, an annual program organized jointly by Harvard University and The College Board. Martin has served as the Co-Chair for the University of Chicago Counselor Advisory Board (2017-2023), and has previously been on the advisory boards for UC-Berkeley, University of Toronto, Northwestern University, University of Michigan, and Villanova University.
Martin’s specialties include devising strategies for selecting a college in a highly competitive climate, understanding early decision/action programs, dissecting college rankings, building dynamic college counseling programs, and working effectively with the diversity of individuals in our communities. In partnering with thousands of families navigating secondary and higher education in the U.S., Martin serves the needs and goals of each individual, ensuring students feel empowered and excited throughout their educational journeys.
How We Support Students
Guiding students and parents in the journey towards college; offering support and counsel on the entire application process; and providing personal, one-on-one support to better understand the student’s interests and goals. This includes:
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Crafting a Strategic College/University List
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Guidance on Courses and Activities
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Test Prep Strategies in a Test-Optional Era
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Building Strong Recommendations
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Mastering Interviews and College Connections
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Leveraging Extracurriculars and Special Talents
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Distinctive and Impactful Essays
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Maximizing College Visits and Tours
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Defining Roles and Expectations for Families
What We Hear From Families
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Working with Chris and Martin made the college application process so much less overwhelming. They broke everything down clearly, helped me stay organized, and always had thoughtful advice—whether it was brainstorming essays or choosing where to apply. But what really stood out was how fun and encouraging they were through it all. Instead of stressing out, I actually looked forward to our meetings!
Student - Paris, France
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ -
What set Chris and Martin apart was their deep, first-hand understanding of how college admissions really work. Because of their experience in leadership roles, they brought clarity and strategy to a process that often feels opaque and overwhelming. Their guidance was always thoughtful, grounded, and incredibly reassuring. We felt confident every step of the way—and our child did too.
Parent - San Francisco, CA
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ -
As an international family, we were totally unfamiliar with the U.S. college process, but Chris and Martin made everything so much clearer. Their experience and guidance were incredibly reassuring.
Parent – Zurich, Switzerland
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Chris and Martin made the college process way less stressful—I felt supported every step of the way and more confident about everything!
Student – Taipei, Taiwan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
