Matt Gray
College and graduate school admissions consultant in Glencoe, Illinois
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | Glencoe, Illinois, United States |
| Credentials | J.D., University of Michigan Law School; B.A. in American Studies, Cornell University; IECA member; NACAC member; HECA member |
| Practice | Academic Counseling Group, LLC |
Matt Gray is an independent educational consultant who helps students and families choose and apply to colleges, private secondary schools and graduate programs. He manages Academic Counseling Group in Glencoe, Illinois, which has served families since 1978. Before this work, he spent eight years as a commercial litigator at Greenberg Traurig. He has focused on college and graduate school counseling since 2013. The firm is paid only by clients, never by schools.
What Matt helps with
Matt helps students and parents find schools that fit the student's strengths, needs, interests and budget. He also guides them through the application process.
- Choosing a college that fits strengths, needs and finances
- Finding a private secondary or boarding school
- Picking graduate programs that match goals
- Applications, essays, resumes and recommendation letters for graduate school
- Choosing a school from a list of college acceptances
- Students whose emotional or psychological difficulties affect schooling
Who Matt works with
Clients are students and their parents who need help choosing a secondary school, college or graduate school. Some are referred by public or private schools, former clients or other professionals. The firm also works with adolescents whose emotional or psychological difficulties are getting in the way of their education.
How Matt works
Work starts with an in-depth interview with the student and family to clarify needs and priorities. The team reviews past records, including transcripts and achievement and aptitude testing. A counseling interview with the student narrows the options. When needed, the team advises testing and refers families to tutors, psychologists and other professionals. After schools are chosen, staff help with applications and can speak directly with admissions offices. Support continues through the final choice among acceptances. Consultations are by appointment only.
Background and qualifications
Matt Gray manages Academic Counseling Group, which was organized in 1978. He has specialized in college and graduate school counseling since 2013. Before that, he spent eight years as a commercial litigator at the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP. He counseled Cornell applicants through the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network and advised the university's admissions office on candidates. He earned a B.A. in American Studies from Cornell in 2001 and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 2004. He belongs to NACAC, IECA and HECA.
Matt Gray pricing
Programs and services
- Full-service college counseling
- Private and boarding school placement
- Graduate school application guidance
- Consultations by appointment
Matt Gray reviews
The CoachVouch take
A former commercial litigator who now runs a counseling firm that has served families since 1978 and takes no fees from schools.
Best for families who want one consultant to guide school choice from secondary school through graduate programs.
Common questions
How much does Matt Gray charge?
Coaching with Matt runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Matt from this page for an exact quote.
What does Matt Gray help with?
Matt Gray helps with choosing a college that fits strengths, needs and finances, finding a private secondary or boarding school, picking graduate programs that match goals and applications, essays, resumes and recommendation letters for graduate school.
Is Matt Gray certified?
Matt Gray lists: J.D., University of Michigan Law School; B.A. in American Studies, Cornell University; IECA member; NACAC member; HECA member.
Does Matt Gray take fees from schools?
No. The firm is paid directly by clients, which keeps its advice independent of any school.
Does Academic Counseling Group help with graduate school applications?
Yes. The team helps students choose programs and guides them on applications, essays, resumes and recommendation letters.
How do I contact Matt Gray?
Send Matt a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
Similar coaches to compare
Tick "Compare" to message several coaches at once.
AdmissionSight
AdmissionSight is an admissions consulting firm that helps students and parents apply to Ivy League and other top universities. The team covers college, transfer, graduate and MBA applications. Founder Eric Eng has over 15 years of experience and graduated from Princeton. He works one-on-one with only 15 students per year. Senior consultants include graduates of Harvard, Stanford and Carnegie Mellon. Services also include essay editing, extracurricular planning and test tutoring.
Chris Hathaway
Chris Hathaway is the founder and lead advisor of Dimension Admissions in Costa Mesa, California. She helps students and parents with prep school, undergraduate and graduate school admissions. She is a Yale educated teacher and consultant, and an essay specialist who focuses on personal narrative. Her firm uses a 4-D approach built on determination, direction, discovery and distinction. She is a professional member of the IECA. 93% of her clients arrive by word of mouth.
Christine Chapman-Fierz
Christine Chapman-Fierz is an independent educational consultant who helps students and parents with private school, college and graduate school admissions. She runs Chapman Education from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. She has worked in admissions since 1991 and has coached over 5,000 students. She once served as the first Director of International Students at a Boston-area independent school. She also runs Next Act Consulting, which helps parents plan their next career step after their kids leave for college.
College Essay Advisors
College Essay Advisors is a New York team that coaches students on admissions essays. Advisors work one-on-one with applicants to plan, edit and refine their essays. The team has advised for more than 10 years and covers undergraduate, graduate, medical, business, law, international and private school applications. They also publish a book, a podcast, video tutorials and prompt guides for the Common App, supplements and UC essays.
Browse related
Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.