About MaryMichael Neushul
My interest in college admissions began while I was an undergraduate at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where I worked in the Admissions Office and led campus tours for prospective students. After graduating, I attended the University of San Diego School of Law and earned my Juris Doctor. I spent several years practicing law at a large firm in Riverside, California, before stepping away from my legal career to raise my two daughters.I returned to the world of admissions when my oldest daughter began the college search process during high school. Experiencing the process as a parent reinforced just how confusing and stressful college admissions can feel for families. That experience shaped my approach to counseling and solidified my desire to help families navigate the process with clarity, confidence, and perspective.
I completed UCLA’s College Counseling Program with Distinction and interned at One College Avenue, where I gained extensive experience assisting high school seniors throughout the application process. I later opened my own boutique college counseling practice so that I could work closely with a small number of students in each grade level. This individualized approach allows me to truly get to know each student and support them not only academically, but also as they grow and mature throughout high school.
I have visited more than 110 colleges and universities and regularly meet with admissions officers and attend national conferences to stay current on trends and changes in the admissions landscape. What I enjoy most, however, is working directly with students. High school is a period of tremendous growth, and I love helping students slow down, reflect, and gain a clearer understanding of who they are and what they are looking for in a college experience. That reflection not only leads to stronger applications and essays, but also to greater confidence.I also believe strongly in supporting families as a whole. By taking the admissions process off a parent’s plate, I help reduce stress at home and allow families to focus on what truly matters during their final years living together.
I live in Newport Beach, California, with my husband and Labradoodle, Bruno. My oldest daughter is a graduate of Duke University, and my younger daughter graduated from UC Berkeley. Both live and work in New York City. I frequently speak to local parent and community groups about the admissions process. I am a professional member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association and the Higher Education Consultants Association, and I earned the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners designation in January 2023. I am one of only four college counselors in Newport Beach and one of forty-four in California to hold this distinction.
