Helping families plan for college since 2018
Knowing what colleges you like is only the beginning.
CollegeHound puts your student’s college plans in one shared Binder. Scout uses that information to show your family what needs attention next.
Free Binder · No credit card · Upgrade for unlimited Scout
Jordan is a sample senior. Your Binder shows your student.
The free workspace
One shared Binder. Both of you see it.
Colleges, scores, essays, activities, scholarships, and deadlines in one place, instead of email threads and three Google Docs.
Free CollegeHound. Everything your family needs to get organized.
You are not doing anything wrong. It is just hard to help when your student feels overwhelmed, you feel anxious, and nobody has a clear picture of what is actually done.
Without CollegeHound
- Test scores in an email somewhere
- A college list that hasn't been updated since March
- Essay drafts in three different Google Docs
- Parent trying not to nag
- Student shutting down because the process feels too big
- No shared plan for what needs attention next
With CollegeHound
- One shared workspace. Both of you see it.
- Colleges, scores, essays, activities, scholarships, and deadlines in one place.
- Scout helps your family see what is done, what is missing, and what to focus on next.
- So the conversation can move from “Did you do this?” to “Let's look at it together.”
Every family needs to answer four questions.
Most tools answer the first one. Start with the free CollegeHound. Add Scout when you want help with all four.
Where should we apply?
Scout recommends schools based on your student's actual GPA, scores, interests, and preferences, and says which are reaches, targets, and safeties, with reasoning.
What makes this application stronger?
Scout reviews your student's activities, awards, classes, and essay ideas and shows where the application can say more. It helps find the story. It does not write the essay.
What needs to happen next?
Scout looks at your student's list, deadlines, recommenders, and what is already done, then says what deserves attention this week.
Can we afford it?
Track scholarships, understand financial aid, and compare costs. Scout helps you find money you might be missing.
CollegeHound Plus · Scout
Ask a broad question. Scout turns it into a plan.
Scout reads your student's Binder, so the answer is about your kid, not a generic senior. It helps them plan and brainstorm; it does not write the essay.
Here's what Jordan should tackle this month, in order:
- Lock the list and the earliest deadline. UNC Early Action is October 15, 43 days out. It drives everything else.
- Ask recommenders this week. Three contacts are in the Binder. Teachers get flooded by late September.
- Start the Common App essay. Most of the list uses it. Pick a prompt and get a rough draft down.
Real Scout response, edited for length. Jordan has six colleges, a 3.7 GPA and a 1230 SAT in the Binder. Scout's answer changes when the student does.
General AI starts with a blank box. Scout starts with your student.
Personalized college fit
Scout looks at your student's actual profile and tells you which schools are reaches, targets, and safeties. With reasoning, not just labels.
College research that goes deep
Campus feel, dorms, food, activities, social scene, jobs after graduation. One student gave Scout a 6 out of 5 for campus descriptions. Not a typo.
“What should we do next?”
Scout looks at where your student is in the process and tells you what to focus on this week. Not a generic checklist. Actual next steps for your family.
Essay help that is not cheating
Scout helps your student find their story, brainstorm angles, and match it to this year's prompts. It does not write the essay for them. That is actually the point.
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Read: how Scout planned this real road trip
We are driving to Alabama. What colleges should we visit for Computer Science?
Read how Scout planned this real road trip -
Read: how to build a list that fits your student
My student wants to study CS. Is their college list balanced?
How to build a list that fits your student -
Read: the catch-up plan, week by week to November 1
It's September of senior year. What is actually due first?
The catch-up plan, week by week to November 1
Built with students
Tested by the students it's built for.
This past summer, six student interns used CollegeHound for their own real college planning. Each of them earned an award for the thing they did best.
“The college journey can feel overwhelming for kids with learning challenges but CollegeHound makes it manageable.”
“This is an incredible tool. It finally gives structure to everything students do before applying to college.”
“I thought the AI would give generic answers, but it actually read my exact stats. It noticed the gap between my unweighted and weighted GPA and told me how to use my specific extracurriculars.”
“It was more like a companion working with you instead of something you just ask for quick answers.”
- DalianaAhead of the Curve Award
- EliPerspective Award
- LeoField Test Award
- RohanGround Truth Award
- StutiPrecision Award
- VivekSharp Eye Award
Scout works for your family. Not for colleges, advertisers, or investors.
Private by design
CollegeHound does not require your student’s last name and does not ask for birthdates or Social Security numbers. The profile stores a last initial.
Current when it matters
Scout can search for current information when deadlines, programs, scholarships, or costs may have changed.
Not sold, not used for advertising
We do not sell student personal information or use your student’s profile or Binder contents for advertising.
Free to start
What it costs and why.
ChatGPT starts with a blank box. Parent groups don't know your kid. An advisor helps shape the strategy. CollegeHound helps your family carry it out, and it starts free.
- GPA, classes, activities, awards
- College list, test scores, essays
- Deadlines, contacts, and to-dos
- Parent and student views
- Limited Scout conversations
- Everything in free CollegeHound
- Unlimited Scout
- Personalized college fit and next steps
- Deep college research and visit planning
- Essay brainstorming and scholarship guidance
- Sign up with your email, your student's grade, and their high school.
- Follow the guided checklist. No blank screen.
- Ask Scout when you want guidance.
Questions we get a lot.
Is CollegeHound really free?
Yes. The Binder, including colleges, scores, activities, essays, deadlines, contacts, and to-dos, is free for as long as you use it. It includes parent and student views. No credit card.
What does Plus add?
Unlimited Scout: personalized college fit, next steps for the week, deep college research, essay brainstorming, scholarship guidance, and visit planning, all based on your student's Binder. $15/mo or $150/yr, cancel anytime.
Is Scout writing the application or essay?
No. Scout does not write essays or submit applications. It helps students find their story, brainstorm angles, and think through information already in their Binder. Scout can also draft or shorten a short application field, such as a 150-character Common App activity description. That help is on by default, and anyone who manages your workspace can turn it off. Your student reviews every suggestion and decides what to use.
Can my student and I use CollegeHound together?
Yes. One family workspace, two views. You can start organizing before your student joins; when they are ready, they see the same plan.
Does CollegeHound replace a school counselor or private advisor?
No. Keep them. Your counselor or advisor shapes the strategy; CollegeHound helps your family carry it out between meetings and arrive prepared for the next one.
How is student information protected?
CollegeHound does not require your student’s last name and does not ask for birthdates or Social Security numbers. The student profile stores a last initial. We do not sell student personal information or use your student’s profile or Binder contents for advertising. No college pays to be recommended.
Start with the free CollegeHound.
Add Scout for $15/mo or $150/yr when you want help with what comes next. Cancel anytime.
Create a free accountGrades 9–12 · No credit card · I know this is a lot. I am living it too.