Marilyn van Loben Sels
College admissions consultant serving students and families in the Sacramento area
| Hourly rate range | $150 to $225 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students and Parents |
| Based in | Clarksburg, California, United States |
| Credentials | IECA Professional member; Teaching credential, UC Davis Intern Program; Certificate in College Counseling, UCLA (with distinction) |
| Practice | CollegeGPS |
Marilyn van Loben Sels is an independent educational consultant who runs CollegeGPS. She helps students and their parents through the college admissions process. She works with families in the Sacramento area from Clarksburg, California. She holds a teaching credential and a UCLA college counseling certificate earned with distinction. She has taught and volunteered in Sacramento schools. Her aim is to match each student with a college where they can succeed in school and socially.
What Marilyn helps with
Marilyn guides students from planning high school coursework through comparing financial aid offers and accepting a college. She helps them find a college that fits.
- Planning high school coursework for college
- Building a college list
- Choosing which tests to take (PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP) and when
- Preparing for college visits and interviews
- Brainstorming and writing application essays
- Asking for letters of recommendation
- Applying for scholarships and filling out the FAFSA
- Exploring majors and careers
Who Marilyn works with
Marilyn works with high school students and their parents. Families are in the Sacramento area.
How Marilyn works
The Road to Success Program is the comprehensive package. Student and consultant meet each month, or more often when needed. The package includes books, articles, and an organizing system. Students also build a timeline and organize their college information, so they stay on top of tests and deadlines.
Background and qualifications
Marilyn van Loben Sels graduated from Stanford University. She earned her teaching credential through the UC Davis Intern Program. She then graduated with distinction from the UCLA Certificate Program in College Counseling. She has a long history in education, including teaching and volunteering in Sacramento schools. She is an IECA Professional member and works as an independent educational consultant through CollegeGPS.
Marilyn van Loben Sels pricing
Programs and services
- Road to Success Program (comprehensive package)
- Monthly meetings between student and consultant
Marilyn van Loben Sels reviews
The CoachVouch take
Marilyn combines a teaching credential and years in Sacramento schools with a UCLA college counseling certificate.
Best for Sacramento area students and parents who want step by step help from course planning through choosing a college.
Common questions
How much does Marilyn van Loben Sels charge?
Coaching with Marilyn runs $150 to $225 an hour. Message Marilyn from this page for an exact quote.
What does Marilyn van Loben Sels help with?
Marilyn van Loben Sels helps with planning high school coursework for college, building a college list, choosing which tests to take (PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP) and when and preparing for college visits and interviews.
Is Marilyn van Loben Sels certified?
Marilyn van Loben Sels lists: IECA Professional member; Teaching credential, UC Davis Intern Program; Certificate in College Counseling, UCLA (with distinction).
What does the Road to Success Program include?
Student and consultant meet monthly or as needed. The package includes books, articles, and an organizing system.
Does Marilyn help with financial aid?
Yes. She helps students apply for scholarships and fill out the FAFSA. She also guides them in evaluating their financial aid package.
How do I contact Marilyn van Loben Sels?
Send Marilyn a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
Similar coaches to compare
Tick "Compare" to message several coaches at once.
Abby Friedman
Abby Friedman is an independent educational consultant in Berkeley, California. She helps students and parents plan for college and apply. She is a Certified Educational Planner and a lifelong educator. Her work covers US colleges and also programs in the EU, UK and Canada. She pays close attention to fit, including academic, social and financial fit. She holds a master's in education and a UC Berkeley certificate in college admissions and career planning.
Alexandra Matthews
Alexandra Matthews is a college admissions counselor who runs College Odyssey in Mill Valley, California. She helps high school students find best-fit colleges and get in. She has worked as a life coach with teens for 20 years, focusing on anxiety and stress. She also taught writing at an Ivy League college and has interviewed applicants as an alumni interviewer for an Ivy League school. She works with clients across the country and abroad.
Alison Parker
Alison Parker runs Parker College Planning, a college admissions consulting practice for high school students and their parents in California. She works one-on-one with students from freshman year through senior year. Her Twelve Steps to Success program covers self analysis, college readiness, and college search. She helps with course planning, test schedules, college lists, essays, visits, interviews, scholarships, and financial aid. She offers individual and distance counseling.
Allison Henderson
Allison Henderson is an independent college counselor who helps students and parents with the college admissions process. She runs A+ College Consultants in the San Diego area of California. She has counseled over 1,000 clients across the country and abroad. Her work covers college search, applications, essays, deadlines, and merit-based aid. She also writes a blog with data-driven advice on admissions. She holds a college counseling certificate from UC San Diego.
Browse related
Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.