Matias Claure - Amazing work. Judd knew from day one exactly what to do and when to do it. I wouldn't have gotten into the schools I did without his help.

Danae Nunez - Had a great experience working with Mr. Shapiro for my college application. As a first gen going to college in a new country I had no idea how the process worked or what was required. He guided me through the process with patience and answered all of my questions and concerns. His advice took my submissions to another level, helping me not only get into the schools I was looking for but also helped me get a scholarship from my top choice. Would recommend him to any student looking for help on college apps.

Santiago Felix-Padilla - Working with Judd was awesome, I am so grateful to have had his help in my college applications! He helped me a lot with essay brainstorming, writing, and editing, and I couldn’t have gotten into Stanford without him! 5 stars!

Gianfranco Militello - I wanted to start off by saying that I am so thankful to have had Mr. Shapiro as my college counselor through my college application process. Having Mr. Shapiro as my college counselor was not only a massive help in finding the colleges that best fit my interests, reviewing my essays, and giving me advice, but he also helped me stay calm and collected through this stressful period of time. Because of the invaluable help and guidance that I received from the College Bound team, I was admitted into most of the colleges I applied for, and I ended up committing to UNC Chapel Hill as an out-of-state student. I highly recommend this team to all students who are going through the college application process.

Michael Aronovitz - My family had a great experience working with Judd as our daughter's college advisor, and we would highly recommend him to families going through the admissions process. Judd brought extensive experience and practical guidance that made what can be a stressful process much more manageable. He helped us build a balanced and realistic school list, clearly explaining reach schools versus strong fits and helping us stay focused on reasonable options. He was also very helpful in shaping testing strategy, including SAT vs. ACT decisions. Starting Sophomore year, Judd provided valuable guidance on high school course selection and time management for extracurricular activities, both of which are critical to building a strong college resume. He was also very effective with essay brainstorming and editing, helping our daughter develop authentic ideas while keeping her voice intact. Overall, his step-by-step approach made the entire process clearer and less overwhelming for both our daughter and our family. Our daughter was accepted to several great schools, including the University of Michigan, the University of Florida, and the University of Georgia, and will be attending Michigan this fall. We're very grateful for Judd's guidance and highly recommend him to other families.

Stefano Marconi - I cannot recommend Clearing College Counseling highly enough. From the very beginning, Judd guided me through every step of the college application process with an incredible level of care, insight, and attention to detail that I honestly could not find even at my prep school.

He began by simply getting to know me, my background, and my goals. We then evaluated my high school course selection, performance on standardized tests, and every possible aspect of my education up to that point. Every conversation helped me to understand more clearly the type of school that would be best suited to me.

Soon thereafter he began helping me identify the right schools to apply to, offering a thoughtful and personalized analysis based on my goals, personality, and what I was looking for in a college experience. Instead of giving generic advice, he took the time to truly understand who I was and what I wanted, and built a strategy around that.

One of the most valuable parts of the process was the support I received with my essays. He carefully reviewed each one and provided clear, targeted feedback that helped me strengthen my writing while still keeping my voice authentic. His coaching made a huge difference in how I presented myself to admissions committees.

The results exceeded my expectations. I received a 100% scholarship to my top choice, the University of Florida, along with admission offers from several outstanding schools, including Boston University, Northeastern University, the University of Michigan, the University of Miami, and the University of North Carolina.

What really sets Clearing  apart, though, is that the support didn’t stop once I got accepted. After I began college, he continued to provide guidance on how to adjust to college life, make the most of the opportunities available, and think about what comes next.

If your goal is not only to get into a great school but also to succeed once you get there, I truly cannot recommend a better counseling service.