Expert Guidance for the College and Independent School Admissions Process
Customized tutoring and test preparation to strengthen skills, boost confidence, and improve academic performance
WHAT WE DO
We provide thoughtful, individualized guidance at every stage of the admissions journey. With decades of experience in school counseling, we help students identify schools that are the right academic, social, and personal fit.
We believe that admissions is not about getting in everywhere; it is about getting in where you belong.
We offer expert academic tutoring and test preparation for elementary and secondary school students, with a focus on strengthening core skills and reinforcing classroom learning.
We emphasize clear explanations, effective study strategies, and age-appropriate test-taking skills that help students succeed both in school and on standardized assessments.
We are pleased to work with students and families in person or remotely, depending on individual circumstances and needs.
Our Services
ADMISSIONS
College list development with expert guidance through the Common Application, the Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS), and the University of California application process
Essay coaching and comprehensive application writing support
NCAA Eligibility Center assistance for prospective Division I and II student-athletes, along with advising on post-graduate year options and alternative educational pathways
Guidance and advocacy for students requiring academic accommodations
Secondary school list development with support through the Standard Application Online (SAO)
SCHOOL TOURS
Concierge-style private college and secondary-school tours managing all logistics—travel, lodging, campus tours, and enriching cultural experiences—for students and their families.
TUTORING
SSAT, SAT, ACT, TOEFL, and DUOLINGO test prep
Expert one-on-one tutoring for all academic subjects and all ages
Homework help, time management strategies, and assignment organization
Reading intervention and literacy development
Writing support and essay coaching
Remediation for learning gaps
English language development for international students
Our Experience
With over half a century of combined experience in admissions counseling, The Harris & Mead brings deep institutional knowledge and practical insight to every student and family. We understand how admissions offices think, how schools evaluate candidates, and how to position students authentically and effectively.
Our team brings decades of classroom teaching experience across all grade levels in independent day and boarding schools. We understand how students learn at every stage and are committed to meeting learners where they are, providing thoughtful, personalized support that builds skills, confidence, and a lasting foundation for academic success.
Slade Mead
Slade Mead has eighteen years of experience in college counseling and served as Director of College Placement at Trinity-Pawling School. He has guided hundreds of students through the admissions process, supported more than 1,000 college essays, and worked with applicants to over 300 colleges and universities. Slade has advised students with diverse academic interests, athletic goals, and learning profiles.
Outside the classroom, he has been civically active, having served on two school boards, as a member of the Arizona State Senate, and currently as a town justice.
Slade holds a degree from Yale College and a J.D. from the University of Connecticut.
Ned Harris
Ned Harris built his professional career at the Gilman School in Baltimore where, for nearly three decades, he taught History and American Studies, served as a college counselor, and was Director of Studies. With extensive experience in the fields of teaching and learning, Ned has worked closely with thousands of students of all ages and abilities, helping them recognize their academic potential and guiding them through the secondary and college admissions processes with patience and assurance.
He has deep roots in northern New England where he enjoys the rich variety of seasons.
Ned holds a degree from Yale College and PhD from the University of Texas.
Schedule a Free Consultation
We welcome the opportunity to learn more about your student and discuss how Harris ☥ Mead Group can support your family through the admissions process.
