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Expert Guidance for the College and Independent School Admissions Process

Personalized, experienced counseling for families navigating college, boarding school, and private day school admissions.

What we do

At HarrisMeadGroup, we provide thoughtful, individualized guidance for students and families at every stage of the admissions journey. With decades of experience in college and independent school counseling, we help students identify schools that are the right academic, social, and personal fit — and guide families through the process with clarity, confidence, and integrity.

Admissions is not about getting in everywhere; it’s about getting in where you belong

Services

  • College list development and strategic planning

  • Common Application and University of California application support

  • Essay coaching and application writing guidance

  • Timeline management and application organization

  • Campus visit planning and interview preparation

  • Support for private day and boarding school admissions

  • SSAT and Standard Application Online (SAO) guidance

  • NCAA Eligibility Center assistance for prospective Division I and II athletes

  • Advising on post-graduate year options and alternative educational pathways

  • FAFSA and CSS Profile assistance

  • Tutoring for standardized tests (SSAT, SAT, ACT) and academic subjects

  • Guidance for students requiring academic accommodations (504 Plans, IEPs, and psychoeducational evaluations)

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Our Experience

With decades of combined experience in secondary and post-secondary education, HarrisMeadGroup brings deep institutional knowledge and practical insight to every family we work with. We understand how admissions offices think, how schools evaluate candidates, and how to position students authentically and effectively.

Slade Mead

Partner

Slade Mead brings nearly two decades of experience in college counseling and independent school education. He has served as Director of College Placement at Trinity-Pawling School for almost 20 years, guiding hundreds of students through the college admissions process. Slade has assisted in the drafting of over 1,000 college essays and supported applications to more than 300 colleges and universities. His work includes coordinating SAT, ACT, AP, and TOEFL testing and advising students with a wide range of academic interests, athletic goals, and learning profiles.

Partner

Ned Harris

Ned Harris spent over two decades at the Gilman School in Baltimore, where he worked closely with students and families navigating both independent school and college admissions. Known for his steady guidance and thoughtful approach, Ned brings extensive experience helping students identify schools that align with their academic strengths and personal values.

Schedule a Free Consultation

We welcome the opportunity to learn more about your student and discuss how HarrisMeadGroup can support your family through the admissions process.

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