Meet Melissa!

Melissa Royal, College Counselor

Over the course of more than 17 years working in college counseling, academic advising, and student support services, Melissa has assisted thousands of students on their path to higher education. She pairs that expertise with experience on the admissions side of the desk, having served as an application reader at institutions such as UCLA, USC, and UC San Diego, in addition to taking on admissions roles at University of Washington and Cal State Fullerton. A true expert on the topic of college admissions and student support, she has been invited to speak at several local and international professional conferences.

Melissa is driven by her passion for helping students of varying backgrounds, goals, and abilities find their path to the transformative power of higher education. Her genuine enthusiasm and history on both sides of the desk—as both a counselor and an admissions reader—give her students a college counselor who is equal parts admissions expert, coach, advisor, and cheerleader. Families can sense Melissa’s enthusiasm almost immediately, as she brings a much-needed sense of calm, familiarity, and positivity to her work—fundamentally changing how families experience this special period in a student’s life.  

Outside of counseling students, Melissa is a fitness buff who spends significant time at her local gym and on her Peloton bike. Never one to embrace imbalance, Melissa also enjoys frequenting local Dim Sum restaurants with her two daughters (that’s what all the workouts are for, after all).  

Education & Experience

Hawaii Pacific University, B.S.
University of Washington, M.Ed.
Former Admissions Reader, UCLA, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, USC (5 years)
Director of College Counseling, Alverno Heights Academy (4 years)
Director of College Guidance, YULA Girls High School (2 years)
Program Director – Transfer Student Center, UCLA (2 years)

Professional Organization Memberships

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) 
Western Association for College Admissions Counseling (WACAC) 
Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS)