The 6 independent college counselors serving Los Angeles are Evelyn Jerome-Alexander, Dr. Genevieve Morgan, Joanne Valli-Meredith, Liz Marx, Merika McHugh, and Pam Ohriner. The table compares them at a glance, and each profile below adds who the counselor is best for and who should look elsewhere.
Independent college counselors in Los Angeles: compared
| Counselor | Focus |
|---|---|
| Evelyn Jerome-Alexander | College counseling, career counseling, transfer counseling |
| Dr. Genevieve Morgan | UC and CSU applications |
| Joanne Valli-Meredith | College prep coaching, higher ed coaching, career coaching |
| Liz Marx | Not listed |
| Merika McHugh | General education counseling, college financing, application essay craft and review, career and aptitude assessment |
| Pam Ohriner | International applicants, transfer students, resumes, waitlists and deferrals |
Counselor profiles
Evelyn Jerome-Alexander, Magellan College Counseling
Verified: I confirmed this listing with the counselor.
- Best for: Families who want a local counselor matched from a multi-counselor LA team, plus career counseling and a free admissions clinic
- Not the right fit if: You want one named counselor with a solo practice; this is a team
- Focus: College counseling; career counseling; transfer counseling
- Services: College counseling; career counseling; College BOOST; free college admissions clinic; College Knowledge workshops
- Credentials: Page shows HECA, IECA, WACAC logos; individual memberships not stated
Visit Magellan College Counseling's website
Dr. Genevieve Morgan, Dr. Morgan College Counseling
- Best for: Families applying to UC and CSU who want a high-touch, parent-and-student approach
- Focus: UC and CSU applications
- Services: Transcript and extracurricular review; best-fit school lists (academic, social, financial); essays and supplements; financial aid help; interview practice; offer review; packages and a la carte
- Starts at: Freshman and sophomore planning offered
- Credentials: BA, MA, PhD from UCLA; UCLA college counseling certificate; listed in HECA directory
Visit Dr. Morgan College Counseling's website
Joanne Valli-Meredith, BeyondAdmissions
- Best for: Students and career changers who want ongoing, affordable virtual coaching, including college, transfer and graduate paths
- Not the right fit if: You want an in-person counselor; coaching is virtual
- Focus: College prep coaching; higher ed coaching; career coaching
- Services: One-on-one virtual coaching; workshops
- Starts at: High school through graduate and professional school
- Pricing: Contact for rate; fees partly allocated to help students facing financial barriers
Visit BeyondAdmissions's website
Liz Marx, Liz Marx College Counseling
- Credentials: UCLA college counseling certificate; WACAC Member; IECA Member
Visit Liz Marx College Counseling's website
Merika McHugh, Mindful Admissions
- Best for: South Bay families (Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach) who want a credentialed school counselor for essays, financing and career fit
- Focus: General education counseling; college financing; application essay craft and review; career and aptitude assessment
- Services: Packages and hourly; 5 to 10 campus tours per year
- Credentials: MA School Counseling and PPS credential, Loyola Marymount University; college counseling certificate, UCLA
Visit Mindful Admissions's website
Pam Ohriner, Helping Hand College Guidance
- Best for: Westside, Valley, South Bay and OC families, plus transfer, international and graduate applicants
- Focus: International applicants; transfer students; resumes; waitlists and deferrals
- Services: Application review; essay brainstorming and feedback; financial aid forms; college list; scholarship search; mock interviews; admissions strategy; college tours; tutoring referrals
- Starts at: High school seniors; transfer, international and graduate applicants
- Credentials: Listed in HECA directory; member of NACAC, WACAC, OACAC (per TeenLife listing)