Melissa has worked in education for more than twenty years, spending time in K-12 education, undergraduate admissions and independent counseling. She spent most of her career supporting students as a classroom teacher, internship coordinator and college admissions coach. She has extensive experience developing school-wide career and college readiness curriculum and supporting students in creating balanced college lists, brainstorming essay topics and managing the application timeline.
After working in a school setting for over fifteen years, Melissa recently spent the past five years working in undergraduate admissions at a highly selective public research university renowned for its engineering, computing and other STEM programs. This gave her incredible insight into the world of admissions and the holistic review process from the perspective of a top-tier institution. She has read thousands of essays and applications and understands the various factors that impact the admissions process.
Although she enjoyed her work in admissions, she missed working directly with students and is excited to join the Galin team. As a college counselor, she helps students and families understand the various aspects of college fit and aspires to make the application process less stressful. Her goal is for students to approach the college search process as a journey that leads to growth and self-discovery.
When not working with students, Melissa can be found at the softball field or tennis courts cheering on her two teenagers. She enjoys spending time with family, summer road trips and the beautiful weather in sunny San Diego.
University of Notre Dame, BA, Psychology
University of San Diego, MAT, Social Studies Education
University of Maryland College Park, PhD, Curriculum and Instruction
University of California Los Angeles, Certificate in College Counseling
