ABOUT US
Introduction
CollegeBound Academic Services is an educational consulting firm that offers a variety of services in order to expand every student’s educational opportunities. CollegeBound is unique because of its holistic approach to educational consulting and strives to inform and support students and families in an effort to ensure lasting success and happiness.
CollegeBound offers packages and services for high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors as well as college and community college transfer students, and adults seeking admission to graduate school. CollegeBound provides its clients with all of the opportunities and tools necessary to get ahead in the competitive world of higher education.
Each package includes planning and pursuit of the following:
– Academic course schedule
– Extracurricular activities
– Community involvements
– Interview preparation
– Honors and awards (academic and/or athletic)
– Interesting summer experiences
– Employment and/or internships
– Hobbies and interests
In addition to the time spent in personal consultations, CollegeBound conducts hours of research, contacts college admissions counselors and representatives to guarantee the most up-to-date information and strategies are being employed, spends time preparing and revising college lists, application essays, resumes, and other paperwork, answers questions and addresses issues that arise from phone and email communication.
Standardized tests are a very important part of every applicant’s admissions profile. In most cases, these test scores count for half of an applicant’s academic profile. This is why CollegeBound offers the most comprehensive and effective test preparation program in Orange County with an average SAT score improvement of 250+ points.
About Dr. Iris
Iris P. Berkley, Ph.D
Educational Consultant, UCLA Certified College Counselor Nationally Certified Premier SAT/ACT Instructor
Dr. Iris Berkley received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of California, Irvine, a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA, and M.A. and Ph.D Degrees in Education at the University of California, Riverside, where she was awarded a full-ride Graduate Division Fellowship by the Graduate School of Education. From 2001-2006, Dr. Iris worked for The Princeton Review as a Premier Tutor (billed out at the company’s highest rate) and college admission specialist. Dr. Iris also worked for College Board as a SAT, GRE, and MCAT essay grader. Dr. Iris has had extensive experience reading admissions essays and personal statements as well as conducting doctoral level research on the admissions process. She is also the author of several published pieces, including the book, Who am I? A Discourse Analysis of the College Admission Essay, and the paper, Bakhtinian Theory, Narratives, and the SAT Essay.
Dr. Iris has worked with families doing educational and college planning while simultaneously working with college officials, high school administrators, college admissions counselors, and financial advisors at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney. It has given Dr. Iris the unique opportunity to see college counseling from many perspectives, ensuring that CollegeBound clients have the tools and strategies necessary to attain successful results.
Tara Chapman
Associate College Counselor and SAT/ACT Instructor
Tara is a graduate of CSU Fullerton where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies (Cum Laude) and was a member of the Liberal Studies Honors Society. Tara has worked in education with students who have various learning disabilities and brings a great deal of experience and knowledge to the CollegeBound team.
Braden Berkley
Director of Operations/Community Outreach
Braden is a graduate of UC Irvine where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Ecology with an emphasis in strategic planning. Braden was a successful commercial real estate broker for over a decade and is an expert in marketing, planning, and client relations. His strong business acumen lends a unique perspective and is a valuable part of the CollegeBound team.
