COLLEGE COUNSELING
EUREKA knows that there are other steps in the college
admission process beyond the SAT* and ACT*. Here is a list of
independent college counselors that we have worked with and recommend highly.
The sole purpose of an independent college counselor is to get your child into
the best school with the best fit. They are a great resource for all your
college questions.
VENTURA COUNTY
Pat Croner
The College Match
31907 Benchley Ct.
Westlake Village, CA 91361
(818) 889-7712
pcroner@earthlink.net
Counselor at Agoura High School for 17 years
Independent Counseling since 1991
Former board member of Thousand Oaks/Westlake Chamber of Commerce, and member of WACAC*, NACAC*, and HECA*
Sonja Montiel
College Confidence
(805) 407-7023
Admissions Counselor for UC Santa Barbara from 1999-2002
Serving on the Executive Board, Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC*), 2004-2007
Serving as Chair for the National Ventura College Fair hosted through NACAC*, 2004-2006
Offices in Ventura and Westlake Village
Audrey Kahane
22849 Valerio St.
West Hills, CA 91307
(818) 704-7545
audreykahane@earthlink.net
Writes a college admissions column for The Acorn
Holds Masters and Bachelors Degrees from Ivy League university
Craig Heller
Founder/President, College Essay Solutions
(818) 340-1276
craig@CollegeEssaySolutions.com
Four time Emmy award winning writer
Author of From Metal to Mozart: The Rock and Roll guide to Classical Music
Personalized feedback and editing from CES President, Craig Heller
Editorial comments might include suggestions for expanding/clarifying essay concepts, improving organization/sentence structure/sentence variety/word choice, avoiding clichés, starting strong/ending with a flourish, personalized writing instruction, and more
Susi Weissman
Susi Weissman & Associates
(818) 879-1112
susi@weissman4college.com
Susi provides highly personalized guidance through the process of college preparedness and admissions. Sample services: academic planning, organization, strategies, college choices, applications, essays, scholarships, financial aid and NCAA eligibility
Service area: primarily, but not limited to, Ventura County and the San Fernando Valley
College & Career Advisor at Calabasas High School 2001-2009
Independent Counselor 2005 to present
UCLA - BA Cum Laude, Dean’s List and Paralegal Certification
UCSD - College Counseling Certification
Extensive ongoing professional development, visits to 150 colleges in 4 countries, professional affiliations - WACAC*, HECA*
OJAI
Judith Oberlander
(805) 844-4018
oberlanderjudy@hotmail.com
26 years College Counselor at Ojai Valley School
MA English Literature/ Educational Administration & Policy Studies
Member NACAC*, WACAC*, HECA*
Co-Chair Ventura/Tri-County National College Fair
Experience in all areas of the college admission process
THE VALLEY
Marilyn C. Morrison
Morrison Educational Consulting
5703 Murietta Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91401
(818) 781-3476
moredcon@sbcglobal.net
In home consultation
Specialty: Gifted students, visual artists
Member: NACAC*, WACAC*, HECA*
Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA
Jeannie Borin, M.Ed.
College Connections
3551 Caribeth Drive
Encino, CA 91436
(866) 348-3393
www.college-connections.com
California Life Credentialed Educator, Masters Degree and 20 years in teaching, counseling and administrative work
Ten years private admission counseling
UCLA College Counseling Certification Program
Member WACAC*, NACAC*, HECA*, IECA*
Terrie Baumann and Terri Stern
College Prospects
(310) 476-4642 - West LA phone
(818) 705-5790 - Valley phone
10 years experience
Members: WACAC*, HECA*
Do pro bono work in LA public high schools
Specialty: Visual performance artists, athletes, learning disabled students
LOS ANGELES
Kristina Schwartz
(310) 838-5634
Kristina@universitybound.org
28 years in college administration
College Board member for 22 years
Member WACAC*, NACAC*
Specialty: Learning disabled, visual/performing arts, athletes
Allison Schenk
Kendall & Schenk Educational Consultants
(310) 274-6262
allisonschenk@yahoo.com
Worked at Marlborough School in college counseling office, and worked in U. of Michigan admissions office
MBA in Finance, Columbia School of Business
Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA
Worked in investment banking industry in LA and NY
Specialty: Visual and performing arts students, athletes, and LD students
Gail Meyer
1) Spoleto Drive
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
(310) 459-5453
www.gailmeyer.org
2) 2999 Overland Avenue Ste 217
Los Angeles, CA 90064
(310) 459-5453
MSW - Smith College
Former Instructor at Simmons College School of Education
Licensed Clinical Social worker
AICEP - Certified Educational Planner
Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA
Member WACAC*, NACAC*, IECA*, IECA*
Volunteer College Counselor at Palisades Charter High School College Counseling Office
Alexandra Dumas Rhodes, M.A.
Educational Consultant
(310) 428-9543
alexandra92@stanfordalumni.org
B.A. & M.A. degrees from Stanford
Volunteer alumna for the Stanford University Office of Admissions
Member IECA*, HECA*, WACAC*
Has worked with hundreds of students over the past decade guiding them (and their families) through the college application process
Baillie Gerstein
Admission Accomplished
2107 Greenfield Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 962-0037
baillie@admissionaccomplished.net
www.admissionaccomplished.net
UCLA College Counseling Certification Program
Licensed HS English Teacher - 15 years (New York)
LAUSD - Program Evaluation and Research - 5 years
Senior Coordinator-SOURCE-Student Outreach for College Enrollment (a pilot program designed to help disadvantaged, Los Angeles high school students apply to college and for financial aid)
Member WACAC*, HECA*
Specialty: Theater/Musical Theater--Comprehensive preparation, including monologue, song selection, audition skills and direction.
Kathryn Favaro CA College Prep
(424) 259-1078
www.CACollegePrep.com
Supports students and parents through the entire college prep and application process
Academic advising, college search, essays, applications, financial aid & scholarships
Personalized service and one on one attention
Certified College Admissions Counselor through UCLA
ORANGE COUNTY
Lisa McLaughlin
Edvantage College Consulting
95 Enterprise, Suite #320
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(949) 429-5454
www.EdvantageConsulting.com
Comprehensive college counseling for middle school through high school students
Team of college counselors with extensive college admission experience
Active members of WACAC*, NACAC*, and IECA*
Frequent presenters for Orange County School Districts
Barry Resnick, EdD, MFT
(714) 323-3371
resnick50@gmail.com
Dedicated to serving high school students (and their families) make realistic and valuable choices.
Professor of Counseling at the college level for 30 years
Doctorate in Higher Education
Licensed California Marriage & Family Therapist (#32488)
Featured speaker at college nights throughout the West Coast
Proficiency in NCAA compliance issues related to athletic recruiting and eligibility
Responsive to both parents and students throughout the entire admissions process
Judy Hellmich
Hellmich & Associates
29741 Orange Oak
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
(949) 495-4100
jbhadvise@cox.net
Credentialed and Masters Degree Counselor
Assists students through the entire college placement process
Services include: testing for personality identification and college major leading to careers
Member WACAC*, NACAC*, HECA*
Coleen Bryan
College Materials
(949) 347-6800
www.collegematerials.com
One-on-one college admissions consulting
Early Admissions Counselor for UC Berkeley and UCSB
Member WACAC*, HECA*
Participated in UCLA College Counseling Program
Helen Hewitt
265 S. Randolph Avenue, #140
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 529-8981
careerprep@sbcglobal.net
SAN DIEGO
Peggy Wallace
Making Conversation
(760) 803-2641
peggy@makingconversation.com
Making Conversation help teens communicate effectively with confidence and ease to:
Improve their college and job interviews
Discover positive networking, and
Be their best self with adults and others
Barbara McDowell
3917 Alder Ave
Carlsbad, CA 92008
(760) 729-5286
barbara@barbaramcdowell.com
www.barbaramcdowell.com
M.A. in Guidance and Counseling
Director of Counseling/Guidance, College and Career Counselor
Santa Fe Christian Schools, Solana Beach CA, 7 years
Private practice, 10 Years
Jill Porter
(858) 454-5528
porters@electriciti.com
Jim Lundgren and Sohail Taqui
College Funding Solutions
(858) 566-9236
jimlundgren@collegefundingsolutions.org
www.collegefundingsolutions.org
Helps parents of high school students through the maze of regulations and
paperwork required to maximize Financial Assistance and minimize the impact of
college costs on the family's budget and resources.
Member of the National Institute of Certified College Planners and the
California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
Susan Monken, M.A.
College Untangled
Solana Beach, California
(858) 344-0401
smonken@gmail.com
www.CollegeUntangled.com
UCSD College Counseling Certificate Program
California Life Credentialed Educator, Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Reading Language Arts Specialist Credential
Member WACAC*
As your personal college counselor I will:
Develop a customized, structured plan for you
Create a management plan for the varying deadlines and requirements
Advise in drafting and critiquing essays and applications
Provided recommendations on schools that may be your fit
Shannon Brady
Brady College Counseling
12625 High Bluff Dr., Suite #202
San Diego, CA 92130
(760) 448-6326
shannon@bradycollegecounseling.com
www.bradycollegecounseling.com
Member of NACAC*, NEA (National Education Association), and IECA*
Amanda Hirko, M.Ed.
Hirko Consulting
San Diego, CA 92122
(858) 437-3879
amanda@hirkoconsulting.com
www.hirkoconsulting.com
Comprehensive college admissions counseling for students and their families, grades 7-12
Specialty: Background in advanced writing/ essay development
M.A. in English and Education, The University of Michigan
Certificate in College Counseling, UCSD
Member: WACAC* and HECA*
NORTH BAY
Dawn Anderson
(415) 453-2098
danderson@waypointeducation.com
Choose the right school, the first time!
UC Berkeley Certificate in College Admissions and Career Planning
Member: NACAC*, WACAC*, HECA*
Over 12 years of admissions and counseling experience
Former officer to the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Specializing in study abroad, leadership skill development and collegiate athletics
Lynda Berkley
912 Lootens Place, 2nd floor
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 258-0808 - Phone
(415) 258-0869 - Fax
collegeadvising@aol.com
Independent college and career counselor with 20 years experience
Certificate in College Advising Services, U.C. Berkeley
Member HECA* and WACAC*
Consultant to public high school in developing college and career program
B.S. Secondary English Education
Specialty: include a career inventory for all students
Laurie Favaro, M.S.
45 Main Drive
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 459-7526
lauriefavaro@comcast.net
www.lauriefavaro.com
Personalized college admission counseling for students and their families,
including high school academic planning, extracurriculars, assessing abilities
and interests to create a college list, SAT/ACT testing schedule, applications,
essays, and interviews
Master's Degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Career/Life Planning
Certificate in College Admissions and Career Planning, UC Berkeley
Member: NACAC*, WACAC*, and HECA*
EAST BAY
Elizabeth White
College Admission Consultant
1421 Grove St
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 814.8820
ewhite823@earthlink.net
Director of Piedmont High School College & Career Center for 17 years
Independent College Counselor since 2000
UC Berkeley Certificate in College Admissions Counseling
Member of NACAC*, WACAC*, HECA* and NCEC*
Regional Representative for HECA and served on HECA Board
Presenter for United Health
Services include all aspects of the college selection process with students and families and provide testing for career interest and learning styles.
SOUTH BAY
Marci Reichelstein
Compass To College
555 Coronado Avenue
Stanford, CA 94305
(650) 823-3547
marci@compasstocollege.org
www.compasstocollege.org
Admissions teams at Stanford University, Northwestern University and University of Virginia
Certification in College Admissions Counseling, UCLA
MBA, Northwestern University
BA Psychology, with Distinction, University of Virginia
Member of *WACAC
NCAA RECRUITING
David Stoeckel
The College Recruiting Group
24881 Alicia Parkway, Suite E - PMB 202
Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(949) 830-5735
david@PlayCollegeSports.com
www.PlayCollegeSports.com
Hold college recruiting information nights for parents and students
Produce high quality videos for athletes to use in the recruiting process
Company has been in business 13 years
Specialty: athletes
Tom Chandler
Ivy Recruiting, Inc.
Palos Verdes Estates, CA
(310) 375-5689
tchandler@ivyrecruiting.com
www.IvyRecruiting.com
Specializing in helping athletes to be recruited at elite academic schools
Free phone consultation available covering the recruiting process
All Ivy Recruiting athletes have been recruited regardless of sport
Stop pushing. Let a coach pull your son or daughter in.
