About College Bound Mentor

Our Philosophy

College Bound Mentor was founded in 2005 to help position students for the
right college and demystify the college application process. We believe that
every student has a compelling story and unique way to contribute to their
community, and our goal is to help them uncover their strengths and
develop a personal plan for success.

Our Team-Based Approach

All of our mentors share knowledge and experience to benefit our clients.
Our mentors meet regularly to discuss college visits, trends in the industry,
and client needs. This team-based approach allows us to leverage our
knowledge to bring all our clients the best possible service and information.
We also work closely with our essay specialists to make sure that each client’s
story and voice comes through in his/her application.

Our Location

While our headquarters are located in Westfield, New Jersey, we work with
students all over the country and internationally. We also have a location in
Birmingham, MI and Los Angeles, CA

Meet Our Mentors

  • Lisa Bleich CEO/Founder

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    Lisa Bleich is founder and president of College Bound Mentor, LLC and the author of Surviving the College Application Process: Case Studies to Help You Find Your Unique Angle for Success. She mentors students from all over the world on the college application process, helping them uncover their strengths and develop a personal plan for success. Lisa holds a BA in European cultural studies and French from Brandeis University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. She is a Professional Member of IECA, HECA, and NJACAC. She lives in New Jersey with her husband and three daughters. All of whom have successfully survived the college application process!

  • Abby Power Mentor

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    Abby Power heads up our Minneapolis, MN office. An experienced Management Consultant, Organizational Change Consultant and Marketing Professional, Abby has extensive experience recruiting, interviewing, hiring and training recent undergraduate and graduate students. She applies her background to help our College Bound students identify their strengths and put their best foot forward in the application process. Abby is a former alumni interviewer for The University of Michigan Office of Undergraduate Admissions. She holds a B.A. in Economics and French from the University of Michigan and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Abby is passionate about her work with our students and is pursuing a certificate in College Counseling from UCLA while serving as an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA).

  • Stefanie Forman Mentor

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    Stefanie Forman has extensive experience teaching middle and high school English at both a charter school and at an esteemed college-preparatory school in New York City. Additionally, she was a varsity tennis coach and wrote numerous letters of recommendation for her team members.  Stefanie helped spearhead an advisory program at her most recent school, recognizing that emotional intelligence is as crucial for students’ success as academic excellence.  Prior to finding her passion for education, she had a two-year stint in the public relations world where she helped companies communicate their stories to the public. She is excited to join College Bound Mentor so she can continue to help students embrace their passion and curiosity while finding a new home for them to thrive. Stefanie holds a BA in English and a minor in Writing from Washington University in St. Louis and an MA in Teaching of English from Teachers College at Columbia University. She recently moved back to her hometown, Westfield, NJ, with her husband and daughter. She is an Associate Member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA).

  • Alex Leventhal Mentor

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    Alex Leventhal is based in Los Angeles and has been an industry leader in MBA admissions consulting for over 15 years. He works with MBA and college applicants from all over the world and is regularly quoted in the Wall Street JournalUS News & World Report, and Poets & Quants. Alex holds a BA in Philosophy from Haverford College and an MBA from the Harvard Business School. He is a member of HECA and has been an alumni interviewer for the Office of Admissions at Haverford College. Prior to becoming an admissions counselor, Alex held various executive positions at Fortune 100 companies and technology start-ups.

    Alex is a former collegiate varsity soccer player and a 4-handicap golfer. His competitive spirit is engaged for each of his clients. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and 2 sons. He loves helping applicants become strong essay writers and interviewers.

Hear From Our Students & Their Parents

  • Lisa, I wanted to thank you for all your guidance and fantastic interview and application help. The CBM team was also outstanding. I'm ridiculously excited for what's to come. Thanks for helping make this dream come true!

    Brandeis Student
  • Hi Lisa! I just wanted to thank you so much for your help. I appreciate it more than you know. I went to visit yesterday, and I feel that Colgate is truly the perfect place for me. I really couldn’t have done it without you. Sending my best!

    Colgate Student
  • Lisa, I found out today that I got into Scranton too with a 16,000 dollar scholarship annually. Three for three now.

    University of Scranton Student
  • Your observations of Nikki’s strengths and recommendations on potential good fits for her were spot on. The relationship you built with her was of great comfort to us. I’m especially thankful to you for your prompt email responses to our doubts and guidance on course selections. Your brainstorming sessions on the common app essay to come up with a touching story is one of the key reasons for success. The essay reviews and guidance were excellent. We are grateful for your guidance and will be thankful to you forever.

    Duke Parent
  • We are so grateful that Eric got into Brandeis. We appreciate very much your expertise and constant support. You are always patient and prompt.

    Brandeis Parent
  • Hi Lisa—Just got into Penn! Just thought I would share my news! Thanks for all your help!

    University of Pennsylvania Student
  • I received my acceptance to Penn! Thank you for all your help!

    University of Pennsylvania Student
  • I just got into Syracuse, thanks again for everything. You're the best!

    Syracuse Student
  • He is thrilled and while he is still waiting to hear back from the remaining colleges -- RIT will likely be his choice. So while the process is not yet complete, We want to sincerely thank you for all the superb coaching you have given us. It is truly appreciated!

    RIT Parent
  • I just wanted to let you know that I got into BC. Thank you so much for your help. I really appreciate everything you've done for me.

    Boston College Student
  • I can't express the transformation Tuvana has gone through during the college app process. When she met you as a sophomore, she was a girl who was doing everything because her mom was pushing her. Today, I see a mature young woman who's taking charge of her own future. This is all because of you and the way you led her to be her best self. She now believes in herself and has high expectations for her future. I don't know how we would have survived this daunting process without you. Thanks a million for all of this. I just wanted to let you know how appreciative we all are of your hard work for the success of our children.

    Emerson Parent
  • Hi Lisa, I'm in total shock but I am so so so excited! I didn’t think I would get in so I waited to check the applicant portal until midnight. I’m so thrilled and I love BU so much! My mom is so happy! Thank you so much in this process and encouraging me to apply ED and see what happens!

    Boston University Student
  • Dear CBM, please, receive our appreciation for the fantastic support that Ester received from you! She is so happy to be accepted at Barnard and so we are too. Beside the help to write her essays, we could see how your spontaneous support and enthusiasm was a very good help when she lacked confidence in herself. Sometimes you need others to believe more in you than yourself. Thank you so much for this as well!

    Barnard Parent
  • When I first met Abby in December of my senior year, I had just been rejected from what I thought was my dream school. To my surprise, Abby spent our first meeting just getting to know me: how I think, what my “criteria” were, what I’m interested in, and how I was coping with the stresses of the college process. She figured out the best way to individualize the college process to my wants and needs. Abby gave me the tangible tips and tools to make my college application stand out, the knowledge to make the right decision, and the confidence that no matter where I ended up, I would be great. And she was right! I love Wash U and Abby made it possible. I am eternally grateful for all that Abby has done for me and my family.

    Washington University Student
  • I had an absolutely incredible experience with Abby Power and College Bound Mentor. It kept me on track during my college process, but the guidance, help, and support I received both before and after applying to schools was so amazing. I'm now attending my dream university and could not be happier!

    Emory Student
  • Our daughter got accepted into Hamilton! We are so happy and thrilled for her! Thank you so so much for all your help and support! It was such a huge help to have you on our side helping us navigate through this college application maze!

    Hamilton Parent
  • You are the best money I ever spent 🙂

    American University Parent
  • Thank you CBM for helping me reach my goal. You were the force behind my dreams!

    Muhlenberg Student
  • Great first meeting. Very informative. I look forward to going through this process with her and her team.

    Junior Parent
  • Our meeting with CBM was wonderful! The CBM team was prepared, informative, wonderful listeners and a pleasure to work with!

    High School Junior
  • I can’t thank you enough for all of your help and guidance with my daughter's Personal Statement! She is SO happy with how it turned out! I’m truly grateful to you for helping her to express herself and show her commitment to her education as well as her true desire to help others.

    Parent of High School Junior
  • Just realized that we never took the time to thank you for all the work you've done with our daughter over the past couple of years. The support you've given her has been invaluable. We are obviously happy for her and proud of her achievements, but I must say that having someone besides her parents to keep her on track and advise her has been the best part of it. It definitely preserved our relationship with her during those precious last years having her at home. We'll definitely be in touch very soon as her brother will be a Sophomore in the Fall, and we'd like to start the process then as we did for our daughter.

    Columbia/Sciences Po. Parent
  • After this spring break and visiting Wisconsin, I have decided to become a Badger! Thank you for the help through the admissions process!

    University of Wisconsin Student
  • The entire college process is daunting even for the best student, but from the get go Lisa and her team helped my daughter manage the stress by not merely helping her consistently meet internal deadlines and complete necessary tasks, but also by really getting to know her. With Lisa’s talent, skill set and dedication coupled with Debbie’s brilliance at editing and devotion to her clients, my daughter put forth her best application. Lisa and Debbie knew precisely how to teach my daughter to tell her story in the most compelling manner. There is no doubt, my daughter was accepted early decision to her dream school because of them! Opening up that acceptance email and watching my daughter’s face as she realized her dream was a priceless moment for my husband and me. Kudos and much thanks to College Bound Mentor!

    UPenn Parent
  • I have decided to go to University of Delaware!! I’m so excited, thank you for all of the help!

    University of Delaware Student
  • I wanted to let you know that I got accepted into Newhouse. Thank you so much for giving your time to my common app, supplemental essays, and resume. I look forward to attending the university. Your work with me really goes a long way, and I am so grateful.

    Syracuse Student
  • I am very pleased to inform you that I was accepted in Occidental's class of 2023! The hardest part is now over. Truly, you have made what could have been a turbulent process into a smooth course of action, and my family and I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for us.

    Occidental Student
  • Just wanted to let you know that I got into UVA two days ago! Thank you so much for all the work that you’ve done and everything you two have helped me with. I’m still waiting on the rest of my decisions, but I’d be very happy going to UVA.

    UVA Student
  • It is a week later and we are head to toe in Wake gear. Thank you for shepherding us through this daunting process. As you know we are thrilled with the results. For all of us, you made the process seem manageable and hopeful.

    Wake Forest Parents
  • Thank you so much for all the help. I am very excited for Richmond thanks to your and Jennifer’s hard work. I am so grateful you were recommended to me.

    University of Richmond Student
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