Testimonials

We can heartily recommend Mary as a coach and mentor through the whole college application process.  We found her to be extremely knowledgeable, and a great guide through the range of college options that would be needed.  She helped us winnow down an unmanageable list to something coherent and balanced, all well-suited to our son's particular needs and expectations. She created a clear and thorough spreadsheet for us, detailing all the schools, what would be needed for each, everything we needed in an easy and clear format—super helpful and appreciated. She was an insightful and patient sounding board during the essay writing process, helped him when he was stuck, and she was extremely patient, yet persistent, when he would procrastinate. She kept us all on track with the deadlines, communicated easily, promptly and clearly, and always made sure our son’s needs were kept front of mind. Having her support was invaluable throughout, took so much pressure off of us, and helped our son feel he had an ally and a knowledgeable partner.  

We had an extremely positive result—our son got into his dream school! It was a happy and satisfying experience all around, and he can now look back on this process feeling a great deal of pride and success, setting himself up so well for his next chapter.  

Please feel free to reach out for any more information (Mary has my contact info).  

Or just say ‘yes’ to Mary, you’ll be glad you did!

Jon, parent of Judah, Cornell ’28

I just wanted to update you on everything that's been happening. Yesterday I got into NYU Early Decision 2, so I am officially committed! I also got a big scholarship to Fordham and I was so, so happy. I ended up doing so well and I just want to thank you. The process was a million times easier and less stressful with your help, and I genuinely don't think I would've gotten a single supplement done without you, haha. Truly grateful for everything!!

Sofia, NYU CAS

I still remember my first meeting with Mary; I came with an incomplete college list and an extremely rough draft of my essay. She gave me so much good advice on the college application process, along with feedback on the essay. I left the meeting feeling exponentially more prepared than when I walked in. Throughout the application process, I could always count on Mary to edit and proofread my supplements—even on very short notice. With Mary’s help, I was admitted to many of my top schools and had great options. I’ll be attending Tufts University next year and I’m incredibly happy! Thank you, Mary!

Violet

Mary: It was an absolute pleasure to work with you. I know your work with Gaby moved the needle and gave her an edge. USC’s screenwriting program is insanely competitive. All of my industry colleagues are so impressed that she got in. Thanks again!

Li and Cynthia

When people ask how the college process went for my son, I respond, "it was tough, but not a nightmare." I attribute this to working with Mary Murray. She has a calm demeanor, does detailed research, and kept him on track for the personal narrative and supplement essays. Plus, her rates are reasonable! Mary helped him (and us) create a balanced list of schools in the Safety/Target/Reach categories and the outcome was solid. He received mostly acceptances, two options with Merit Scholarships and is attending a top school in his field of interest.

Parent to a Rising First Year Student, Syracuse University/Newhouse School of Communications, Class of '26

Dear Mary, I submitted my ED application! I just wanted to thank you for all your help so far. It has been an absolute game changer. Thank you again!

Ruby, Carleton College

In addition to helping Ruby hone her list and develop her essays, etc., you really provided a strong sail and kept her on course through the past few months. Your guidance definitely pulled together her overall application. It also provided all of us with a good deal of calm and comfort—which was greatly appreciated!

Steve

Mary is an amazing and adept college coach. I was pleasantly surprised by how approachable and understandable she made the process for both us and our daughter. Her process was individualized and not cookie cutter – it was truly based on an understanding of our daughter's aptitude and interests, and helped us all keep our eye on the prize. Navigating the college application process is not easy but Mary is great! She is an invaluable asset!

Marci

Mary helped me throughout the college application process, from assisting me in creating a balanced college list, to helping me establish a timeline and goals to stay on track, giving me the insider scoop on different schools, and offering me great advice on my essays. What could have been a daunting process became completely manageable. I’m really grateful for all the help she gave me.

Violet, McGill University

Mary Murray was an absolute pleasure to work with. She helped me think about what I wanted to get out of the college experience, and also guided my family through narrowing down the list of schools. I was able to power through tons of supplemental essays as well as my main Common App essay thanks to Mary, and I would've had a much more difficult time without her assistance. The college process is a stressful one, and I’m glad I was able to work with Mary to get the help I needed!

Tristyn, Honors Program, Temple University

Mary Murray is the best college adviser I had, hands down. She was easy to work with, and gave me clear advice and instructions to improve my personal statement and other essays for scholarships. Although I had my personal statement looked over by a lot of people, I never felt more assured of confidently presenting my college essay to schools than when Mary checked it and helped me edit. She also helped me move faster on essays and applications so I could focus on other things I needed to do, like balancing school work and developing a portfolio for college. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have received an acceptance letter and a large scholarship from my dream school!

Carlos, Film and Television with a concentration in Animation, NYU Tisch

We worked with Mary Murray of MM College Coaching when going through the College Application process in 2016/7. Her depth of knowledge and understanding of the entire process was really helpful. She took the time to get to know and understand our daughter's capabilities as well as her desires in a school. As someone who went to college in Europe, I found her assistance on everything from college visits, to the admissions process, to financial aid, extremely helpful. With Mary's help the stress went away, and we even had some fun. Best of all, my daughter got into her first choice school!

Linda, parent of Maggie at Johns Hopkins University

I highly recommend Mary Murray to anyone trying to navigate the college application process. She is extremely knowledgeable, thorough and smart. She guided me through the labyrinth of the college application process with her expert advice and insight, making the process far more manageable and much less stressful for me, and consequently, for my overworked teen. She’s fantastic!

Adrienne, parent of a Kenyon student

Mary helped me guide my son through the college application process. The first thing I realized is that applying to college is so much more complicated now than when I attended. Also, as an engineering student, my son's interests were very different to mine. Mary mapped out the entire process for us, she helped us hone in on the type and location of school, and was able to direct us to a variety of good info from academics to best value. Her informed and pragmatic approach was just the help we needed!

André, parent to a mechanical engineering student at University of Rochester

The advice of a knowledgeable person who understands the process of applying to colleges in today’s competitive world is invaluable. Mary Murray, our advisor, was clearly an expert in the process. She reduced our stress and time spent at home debating the appropriateness of my son's college list and the essay strategy. She was generous with her time and expertise, providing us with specific, practical suggestions about the college admission maze. I highly recommend Mary Murray’s college prep services. Any question you may have about the college application and preparation process will be answered. She has so much information to share! Thank you, Mary!

Dana, parent of a civil engineering student at Northeastern

I want to offer my wholehearted endorsement of Mary. She provided me with the information and answers I needed to support my daughter through high school, tutoring, testing, and applying to college. It is not easy finding someone as skilled as Mary regarding this process. With two younger children, and going to school myself, my time was limited, and stress was high. Mary is the go-to person for any question about college applications, and she knows the ins-and-outs of this process like the back of her hand. She is talented beyond words, and also very patient with me, as I fumbled through this. Her graceful presence and knowledge, combined with her wisdom, insight, and kindness, was life-changing for our family. I can't imagine what I would have done without her guidance.

Angie, parent of Zella at Temple University

I highly recommend Mary Murray as a College Advisor. She effectively encouraged me and helped me present myself in the best light possible throughout the entirety of my application. I started working with Mary in October of my senior year so I was in a serious time-crunch (I also highly recommend starting much earlier!), but she helped navigate the entire process, removing a lot of the stress. She was very active in helping brainstorm new essay topics to highlight my skills and interests, and also helped me to narrow down my list and structure an approach to have the best chance at schools in the safety, reach, and match categories. I am now in the happy position of being able to choose between a number of really good colleges for my major.

Ryan, Computer Systems undergrad