DEDICATED HELP EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
Led by MeriEducation founder and head consultant Joan Nguyen, our 1-on-1 admissions consulting program not only serves to guide students through all of their college applications, but also create a step-by-step strategy detailing coursework, extra-curricular activities, and summer programs necessary for admission.

HIGH EFFICIENCY
We’ve developed a whole team of consultants, specialists, editors, and project managers that make your admissions process as efficient and effective as possible. All of us work towards helping you craft your ideal application. Many of our students get done with their essays before their Senior Year even starts!

FROM A TO Z
Our team provides a holistic and comprehensive approach that helps families navigate the very confusing applications process. From the initial evaluation to application submission, we keep you on track. Like our other programs, consulting packages are hyper-customized to fit your needs, schedule, and budget.

NOT JUST COLLEGE APPS
We have experience helping with admissions at all levels!
- Private Middle or High Schools
- College (Undergrad)
- Special Programs
- Summer Enrichment Programs
It was amazing. I credit her with both of my kids getting into college. She takes a personal interest in each kid and really helps them navigate this ever more complicated process. I would strongly recommend her to everyone. She is a wonderful guide through the whole process.
My college essays and applications would have been incredibly frustrating without her! Joan helped simplify the application process so it wasn’t so overwhelming and gave my essays an extra edge.
What a typical course looks like...
PROFESSIONAL EVALUATION
We get to know you, analyzing where you are at academically, your educational goals, your academic history, your abilities, your personality, and your passions.
THE BEST SCHOOL FOR YOU
Together, we define what schools are best for you - whether they're a reach or a safety, we put together a list of schools that best fit who you are.
STEP-BY-STRATEGY
An overall strategy is developed, detailing coursework, extracurricular activities, and summer programs necessary for admission.
PRESENTING THE BEST YOU
We help you craft an insightful college essay that showcases your academic and personal journey. In addition, we help you prepare for admission interviews and schedule campus tours.
DONE AND DONE
Making sure we dot our i's and cross our t's, we help obtain and complete all necessary application materials for the colleges & universities chosen.
BILLED BY THE MINUTE
Whether it’s an hour long session, a 30 minute editing session, or a 15 minute check in, we make sure to manage your time efficiently and effectively.
VIDEO SUPPLEMENT NEW!
Students looking to add an extra element to their college applications can get help telling their story through a video supplement.

MEET OUR CONSULTING TEAM

JOAN
HEAD CONSULTANTAs MeriEducation’s founder and head consultant, Joan has nearly a decade of experience as an independent educational consultant, helping hundreds of students get into the college of their dreams. Consistently providing that personal MeriEducation touch, Joan has fused her understanding of platinum service, structure, organization, and technology to make the applications process a success (and a breeze!) for student-applicants.

VERONICA
ASSOCIATE CONSULTANTVeronica graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Creative Writing. She’s studied under and worked closely with the poet laureate of California, the founder of the Los Angeles Review of Books, and numerous New York Times bestselling authors.While pursuing her degree, Veronica worked as an editor for her university’s interdisciplinary honors journal and traveled from open-mic to open-mic, honing her craft and performing her fiction with eager, direct sincerity. It’s this sense for honest and vulnerable prose that she now channels into helping college-applicants craft and edit their personal statements.

THERESE
SPECIALISTTherese brings to MeriEducation over 10 years of experience as a senior admissions officer for freshman, transfer, and graduate admissions. Currently the Associate Director of Admission at The Buckley School, one of Los Angeles’ oldest private schools, her background also includes several years as the Associate Director of Admissions for USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism and Admissions Counselor for UCLA’s School of Law. Therese brings behind-the-scenes knowledge, providing valuable insight to our students.

Stephanie
EditorLooking at Stephanie’s resume, her dedication to English is clear. She’s earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in English, tutored English for several years, and taught college-level courses. Fusing her strong educational and pedagogical backgrounds Stephanie brings that expertise to her students in MeriEducation.

Megan
EditorMegan graduated cum laude with a degree in Creative Writing. As a writer, she’s a jack-of-all-trades, focusing primarily on poetry and essays. She currently edits for an experimental publishing company - assisting with all facets of book production, from development to proofreading to distribution. Megan has a discerning eye for detail and is enthusiastic about crafting holistic, balanced, and exciting personal statements.

Emily
EditorA scholar of many disciplines, Emily helps students coalesce their experiences into the best possible representations of their talents and abilities, and simultaneously encourages the highest standard of literary excellence. A current nursing student, Emily integrates the demand for accuracy and perfection with personality, compassion, and investment in each student's success.

Kristin
Project ManagerCurrently the MeriNewport Director, Kristin knows what it takes to push her students towards their full potential. She’s always had a love for English, but got her Bachelor’s Degree in Biology just to challenge herself (why not?). Her insane organizational skills have been vital in keeping kids on track in both the Admissions Consulting and Academic Coaching programs.

Cherisse
Project ManagerAs the MeriRedlands Director, the bubbly Cherisse is also a master-organizer and an expert at improving score progression. With a double-major in Psychology and Sociology along with a minor in Education, Cherisse has a passion for figuring out what makes her students tick and keeps them accountable with strategically designed study plans. You can always find her sitting in her office, asking about your day!