When I found Julia, I was in complete despair. College application deadlines were around the corner, and my daughter hadn't even started the process. All of her UC prompts were just ideas at that point. Our first meeting with Julia was a long conversation, during which she helped extract a full list of extracurricular activities and developed ideas for the essays, personal statement, and Common App essay. Over the following weeks, I watched each essay come together and be finalized one by one. She created a list of schools and a structured calendar that kept my daughter on track. I'm happy to say this was the best investment we could have made. My daughter was accepted to UC Berkeley and several other colleges. The peace of mind I had knowing Julia was managing the college application process was priceless. She is knowledgeable and competent, and she brings so much compassion to her work. There were many times when I felt overwhelmed, and she was always able to calm me down. I only have one regret--not using her services for my oldest son during his college application journey. I am confident that Julia will continue to be a valuable part of my children's educational journeys, whether it's navigating college course enrollment, updating resumes and LinkedIn profiles, or applying to graduate school. read more

Joanne is the most amazing Career Counselor ever. She really helped me develop my skills and my resume to allow me to obtain my dream career. I researched so many other career counselors and I found her on Yelp. I even referred her to many different family and friends and she went above and beyond to help them as well. She was such a pleasure to work with. Her customer service, attention to detail, and professionalism were outstanding. 10/10 stars would recommend!! read more

I've been working with Julia Phelan over the summer and let me tell you, she's the best! I went to her for career advice after discovering her on Yelp and we've been working on fine-tuning my resume, improving my activity on LinkedIn and finding the right jobs I want to apply for. Julia is someone who really cares about her clients and her students. I love getting check-ups from her, even if it's just to see how I'm doing, because it shows how much she genuinely cares. We need more people like her! We get along in our sessions really well! I like to call it 'job therapy' because it involves a lot of self-reflection and inner work. She gives you a few homework materials to work on throughout the week, which I recommend leaning into! Our sessions made me realize what I really want to do, which is stay in the entertainment industry, because that's where I felt passionate and driven. She made me feel seen and appreciated, but she also gave me good constructive feedback to improve upon. I really value what she's done for me over the summer! If you're coming out of college or you're trying to make a career change, she's a great person to go to. Not only will she give you her time, but she'll also invest in you and those are the types of people we need right now! Thank you, Julia, for our time together! I appreciate you! read more

Our family was at a crossroads regarding next steps for my daughters college education. Joanne has been wonderful to work with. More importantly, my daughter is very comfortable with her. She is very knowledgeable, professional and has a very calming influence when you are feeling lost. She is the right advisor for your college needs. I am happy & grateful. read more

Joanne is an outstanding career counselor. As someone who is a non traditional student, I had always wanted to go back to school to earn my bachelor's degree. She provided high quality services and guidance. I was accepted into eight schools after transferring from community college. I am thankful for her help assisting me with my educational goals. read more

Five Stars Joanne is the sweetest and most knowledgeable person. I needed help to revamp myself in varied ways. She worked with me to redo my LinkedIn, resume and cover letter. She also helped me narrow some fields that I would not only enjoy but should aim for as a new career. She remained in contact and was always a call or text away. She also help me prepare for an upcoming interview and I landed not one but two jobs offers. I highly recommend for anyone needing help to choose a new career, revamp your resume/social media and interview prep. read more

Thirty-two years after dropping out of college, I decided that it was finally time to complete my bachelor's degree and contacted Beyond Admissions. Joanne and I had our first Zoom call on June 2, and she immediately displayed a winning combination of energy, empathy and insight. Her wise counsel helped me focus my outreach efforts and execute them with exponentially greater efficiency than I could have achieved on my own - only 43 days after that first meeting, I was accepted into George Washington University. Whether you are applying to colleges while still in high school or pursuing your education later in life, Joanne and Beyond Admissions will provide the guidance and hands-on support to help you go the distance. She has both my gratitude and my unconditional recommendation! read more

BeyondAdmissions - Accepted!!! - College Counseling Near Me

Joanne was responsive, attentive, and supportive while helping me apply to graduate school. If I had a question or needed assistance, I could always count on her to get back to me promptly. She prioritized clients' due dates, which I appreciate so much because she never missed a deadline. I highly recommend using Joanne for help during the admissions process if you need a little assistance - she will guide you in the right way to guarantee you choose the right program and school for you. Joanne has become more than my grad school admissions counselor; she has become a friend who I can say I trust and respect dearly. Thank you, Joanne, for helping make my dream come true of attending grad school!!! I couldn't have done it without you. read more

Joanne and her team are amazing. The insight and encouragement I received from Joanne to help me get my dream job is indescribable and unlike any other. Joanne has a way to make you feel welcome, worthy and confident in your skills. The magic she worked with the content I provided to create my cover letter and resume is epic. I would recommend them to any person who is seeking to make themselves stand apart to future employer/business interests. read more

Joanne's cover letter suggestions helped me INSTANTLY get a call for a job that's a perfect fit! Her tips for optimizing my LinkedIn, resume and portfolio-building were genius, top-notch, and easy to apply. If you're in any kind of job or career transition, you're in excellent hands with Joanne. She can guide you to excel at the game because she has all of the insider knowledge about what recruiters and hiring managers want today, and how to give it to them. read more

I came to Joanne because I felt lost. I came to L.A. to pursue acting, however, my videography job didn't make much and it was taking too time-consuming. Her Grass-Wheat-Trees analogy made me realize I needed a side career that would eventually be more flexible and passive. After consulting with her, I decided to pursue real estate. I was hesitant at first -- I had ZERO experience in real estate, however, she believed I could do it. Joanne freshened up my resume and highlighted my transferable skills. A month later, I got two solid job offers. Eventually, I landed a job at a good Keller Williams office. The pandemic has put Hollywood on hold, but when the timing is right, I can't wait to start working on my craft again. read more

I needed help finding a career that I would love, excell, and have room to grow. Joanne worked with me to find my passion and helped write a resume that was eye catching and was able to highlight my strenths. She was able to help find a job that was a perfect fit for me. I couldn't be more happy and satisfied with Beyond Admissions. If you are stuck and feel stagnant and unhappy at your current job or you just need help finding your right path, I highly recommend reaching out to Beyond Admissions. I would give more stars to Joanne and what her company does if I was able to. Thank you Joanne for all that you have done for me. read more

I used Beyond Admissions for career coaching. I had worked in museums for a decade and was switching a to a career in academia. I had never designed curriculum, let alone on the level of a college professor, and I needed guidance. Working with Beyond Admissions got me to recognize how transferable my skills were, without feeling like I was exaggerating my abilities. I did get a job in academia, and now I'm teaching two separate disciplines at two different colleges trying to get a tenure position next. I moved 3 or 4 steps in my career in the amount of time it takes people to move 1 step. I would strongly recommend Beyond Admissions for anyone looking to do a mid-career switch, especially inside the world of college employment, either as faculty or as staff. They understand the academic system inside and out and can help you navigate it successfully. read more

Joanne helped me move through my doubts and uncertainty surrounding my next career move. Not only did she help me freshen up my application materials, but she gave me the confidence boost I needed to restart my job search. After meeting with her, I had a clear idea of the type of role I wanted to pursue next. Six months after our initial meeting (and several job interviews and offers later!), I accepted a role that I'm still very excited to be in. Thank you, Joanne! read more

I recommend Joanne as a career coach! After being coached by her, I am moving forward confidently as I apply for jobs and network. Please read my story: I am a freelance writer in the Greater Los Angeles Area. As I applied to jobs and contracts for a good deal of time, I was unsure why I was not getting responses from potential employers and collaborators. Perhaps I would be great to interview, but so were 20 other people ahead of me. Perhaps I wasn't portraying my work and myself effectively and was going under recruiters' radars. As I told Joanne, I felt I was putting all my efforts into a void. Maybe the efforts were great, maybe they needed a good deal of improvement: but with no feedback (which potential employers/collaborators are not even meant to give at that stage), how could I know? I commissioned Joanne looking for guidance in this area, and I got exactly what I was looking for! Joanne walked me through processes and strategies to: * Visualize career paths; * Cognitively restructure; * Create and reach goals; * Network in and outside of COVID-19; as well as * Revamping my cover letters and LinkedIn profile, making them persuasive, relevant, and increasing the likelihood of being picked up in a recruiter search. Joanne directed me to free online tools to facilitate my writing in my work as well as my application process. She is informative, friendly, and generous. read more

My review may sound funny or dramatic to some who are reading it prior to working with Joanne. Well, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for Joanne. The way Joanne showed up for us was above and beyond my expectations. I am an immigrant with no experience of the college admissions process in the USA. My oldest child applied to colleges all on his own. Up on receiving the acceptance letters, he was uncertain which direction to go in the midst of a pandemic. I decided to reach out to Joanne to consult my son and assist with the decision process. Joanne took the time to listen to him, it was clear that she was experienced and an expert with the process. More so, Joanne demonstrated a genuine understanding and compassion to the emotional side of the process. Fast forward, my son ended up in a totally different direction and is currently a reservist with the DOD intelligence. In 2021, he applied to schools again, all on his own. Needless to say 2022-2023 school year is an extremely competitive college applications year. Sadly, my son did not get accepted to his school of choice. Once again, I reached out to Joanne to update her and consult her. Joanne knew my son for a short time, but she is sharp and insightful which makes her great at her work. Joanne encouraged him to appeal ( which she doesn't always do). But more so, out of the kindness of her heart, she volunteered to assist with the appeal process. All as a token of support to our troops. Although we have yet to receive a decision on the appeal, the fact that Joanne was kind enough to invest over 3 hours out of her personal time on a Sunday morning, speaks volumes. This act of kindness literally brought me to tears. It's a clear representation of the beautiful person that she is. There are not enough words to convey how grateful we are. Thank you, Joanne, from the bottom of our hearts! read more

I have worked with Joanne for over 3 years. If my success in academia/college was a house, Joanne has been a foundational pillar in that house. I have been truly overwhelmed with the pressure of deciding which school to attend, I have needed to initate a transfer from one university to the next, and needed help making my applications the best they can be. During all these times, Joanne has been there for me. She's helped me through some of the toughest times and is always a call away. With all Joanne has assisted me with, she has also got to know me as a person and vice versa. Joanne makes such a huge effort to get to know her clients and goes ABOVE AND BEYOND to help them. It's so much easier to work with Joanne because she makes an effort to know her clients at a personal level, so long as they are comfortable with that. I would rate Joanne a 10/5 if possible but I'll do my best and settle for a 5 star review. Recently, I have made a well thought out switch from a career in business to a career in medicine. I needed all the help I could get applying to pre medical post baccalaureate programs and Joanne was a guiding force throughout the process. In summation: There is no limit to what Joanne can help you with. SHE'S AWESOME. read more

I honestly can't recommend Beyond Admissions highly enough. At a critical juncture in my life in which I wasn't sure which direction to go in, Beyond Admissions was able to listen to my concerns and give me impartial, concise, actionable advice that ended up changing my life for the better. But sometimes just getting good advice isn't enough. I knew what I had to do, but I didn't follow through. Beyond Admissions checked back with me, motivated me, and walked me through the process of applying (and getting admitted!) to grad school. Through their inspirational efforts I was able to see that the challenge was more difficult in my mind than it was in reality. If you find yourself at such a precipice in your own life, and could really use some hands on guidance, look no further than Beyond Admissions. We are lucky to have them. read more

A mid life career direction shift had me feeling overwhelmed and stuck. Joanne helped me sort through my options and get some clarity about what truly feels like the right path for me. Without her I'd likely still be swimming aimlessly in possibilities and self doubt. Joanne knows her stuff and offers an immediately applicable set of skills to help her client's focus, reflect and turn ideas into action. It mattered to me that she doesn't have a cookie cutter approach. I felt she was really listening to me, getting to know me---my specific strengths, my values, helping me identify the unique contribution I can make to my field. Making big changes isn't always fun or pleasant. It helps to have someone by your side who is not only excellent at what she does but also hysterically funny, disarmingly real and genuinely caring. read more

The best career coach! I am a mid-level professional who was looking to change my career. I reached out to Joanne @ BeyondAdmissions because I really needed guidance on where I wanted to take my life next. She not only bullet-proofed my resume and helped me draft numerous cover letters for different industries but was also instrumental in putting me in touch with the right contacts! Whatever stage of life you are in, if you are struggling with how to move forward, I highly recommend Joanne. I think it's especially hard for mid-career professionals to find knowledgeable resources because we tend to think we're the only ones who understand our field and tend to have a bit of ego about it. But reaching out to a knowledgeable, insightful third party who can help you put your ego aside and explore your real potential and options is invaluable. Joanne was great! She really listened and helped me figure out my next steps. read more

Joanne and her team helped my son through the complex, time consuming and time sensitive college application process with ease and minimal drama and I couldn't recommend her more. She brings a wonderful mix of expertise in higher education, an ability to connect with teenagers, and the stamina to drill down through the minutae of applications while calmly keeping things in a wider perspective. She was focused, diligent and structured when my son needed her to be, but also so kind and patient - a true cheerleader and mentor throughout the process. My son received many acceptances and is so excited to attend college this fall! Thank you Beyond Admissions! read more

Joanne truly is a master of her craft. I have circled back to her to help me level up and she sure has given me the confidence and belief in myself that I can reach whatever career goals I have. She really instills a sense of professionalism in me just by her leading by example. Joanne truly is the mentor I have always wanted in life. Please don't hesitate to reach out. She really goes above and beyond for her clients. She is so available by phone, text, or email. I came back to her to also update my resume which she happily did. Her prices are very reasonable and is literally worth every penny. Thank you Joanne!!! 10/10 stars WOULD STILL RECOMMEND!! read more

A few weeks before the deadline for UC transfer applications, I became extremely overwhelmed, not knowing where to start. I began looking for professional help out of desperation, and I found BeyondAdmissions through Yelp. Words cannot describe enough how grateful I am to have found BeyondAdmissions and Joanne. Right from the beginning, Joanne instantly made me feel calmer about tackling the daunting task of applying to schools as a transfer student. I knew very little about the process of applying, let alone all the tips and tricks to give me a better chance of getting into the schools I wanted. With Joanne's encouragement, support, and hard work, I was able to complete my applications on time and, most importantly, feel confident with my work. Joanne is very knowledgeable, compassionate, and remarkable at her work. She listened attentively to my concerns and guided me perfectly through the application process. Working with Beyond Admissions and Joanne felt like a blessing, and I highly recommend her to anyone needing extra guidance. read more

BeyondAdmissions is amazing for the all guidance they provide to students who may be feeling lost and stressed during the application process. Joanne is truly exceptional! Her kindness, compassion, and expertise made the daunting UC application process manageable for me. The value of Joanne's service was definitely worth it. She is not only an amazing person, but she is absolutely amazing at what she does. As a first-time transfer student applicant, I felt very lost and overwhelmed. After trying to figure out everything myself and many meltdowns, I decided I needed some professional guidance and at least a couple of meetings just to figure out what I needed to do. From our very first 20-minute meeting, she already provided insightful tips and tricks to help me when writing my personal essay, which I hadn't even considered before. Throughout the entire process of applications, Joanne remained incredibly supportive and attentive, always ready to assist wherever needed. Joanne's guidance was invaluable. Looking back, I'm certain that I wouldn't have been able to navigate the application process and submit my best work without her assistance. Joanne was truly my savior during this challenging time, and I'm immensely grateful for all her help and guidance. read more

I found Joanne and Beyond Admissions when looking for a job coach for our son on Yelp. Five Stars***** After a single phone call with Joanne, I knew we had found the missing piece needed to guide our son. After graduating college and taking a year off, our son was ready to find his passion and start on the " What comes next."  Joanne helped him discover what was possible and helped him with the personal and professional steps needed to get there.  From resume building, social media presence, job search and applications, interview skills, she has helped him find direction, self confidence and a career. Joanne works on overdrive to make sure her clients search for opportunity and find success. read more

I absolutely love this service. I have such a varied employment background and Joanne at Beyond Admissions was able to make sense of it all and see common threads and possibilities for what I could do next. I had not looked for a job in well over a decade and Joanne was there to help me with many tips and tools for searching for and applying to jobs that have really worked. She also has made my resume look better than it ever has - I feel really confident about apply for new jobs and am able to better articulate what I can bring to the table. I just cannot say enough good things about Joanne. I would highly recommend her services for anyone in search of employment whether it be a career change or just starting off in the working world. Thank you Joanne! read more

Joanne is an absolute gift. I cannot say enough good things about her and her work, but here are just a few things that come to my mind: compassionate, nonjudgemental, informed, effective, sharp, encouraging, genuinely caring, funny(!), etc. I came to Joanne as an adult transfer student looking to switch fields and finish my bachelor's degree. She has helped me research programs, communicate with administration and faculty, draft personal statements, resumes and cover letters... YOU NAME IT! Not only does she get stuff done, she always manages to impart some new organizational or writing technique along the way. With her personal academic and career background, you know she has the chops to back it up. I have struggled my whole life with ADHD and learning differences. I can become overwhelmed and insecure in my ability to succeed, esp. academically. Working with Joanne, I feel understood and empowered. I have found her to be responsive, flexible and the fact that she is a joy to be around is just the icing on top. I would recommend her to any and everyone. read more

After I graduated from seminary this past summer, I started applying to numerous church jobs and was making no progress. All of the rejections started to take a toll on me and I began to question my calling. Thankfully, my eldest brother recommended me to Joanne. She graciously edited my resume and cover letter while providing me with great counsel. After meeting with Joanne, I've been receiving better feedback from the churches that I'm applying to. I'm more hopeful and optimistic that I will fulfill my calling. I highly recommend scheduling a meeting with Joanne if you are in the process of searching for a job. She will answer any questions you may have and encourage you to push through during this difficult process. read more

The team at Beyond Admissions is absolutely amazing! They go above and beyond to make you feel supported and heard. Joanne helped me find my voice and feel confident about my graduate applications. I highly recommend using Beyond Admissions for any undergraduate or graduate coaching. After helping me get into 3 of the 4 graduate programs I applied to, I will be going to my top choice at Georgetown University in the fall! I am so grateful to Joanne and the Beyond team for their continuous support. Thank you for believing in me! read more

When you think about what qualities a great mentor would have - caring, knowledgeable, supportive, consistent and ever-present in your life, Joanne Valli-Meredith exemplifies all those qualities and much more. I have known Joanne for about 4 years now since I first had her as my professor for a Community Health Sciences course. I have stayed in contact with her since and that has been one of the best decisions I have made. Joanne is one of the mentors I've had where it does not feel like a one-sided relationship, where the mentee would have to do all the legwork to maintain the mentee-mentor relationship. In fact, she regularly follows up with me about whatever problem we're tackling at the moment. In contrast, working with Joanne is a team effort, in that we contribute equally. I have never felt that Joanne did not have the time for me, even though she apparently has a lot of mentees I did not know about! She goes above and beyond expectations and has an uncanny ability to understand where you're coming from and make you feel her approach with you is special and individualized. Joanne continues to believe in me, even when I don't believe in myself. Right now I am planning to apply to medical schools and I am sure Joanne will continue to be an integral part of the process. read more

Joanne has helped me and brought me to a place in my career that I never thought was possible. She is so attentive and caring while also pushing me to be the most tenacious person I can be. I am forever grateful for her guidance and patience!!! Joanne is seriously the best!!! read more

After relocating to LA I found myself basically adrift in a sea of opportunities but unable to find the rudder to direct myself. Thanks to Joanne, I'm now on the path to union membership and hopefully a lifetime in a career I love. read more

Joanne is the best. Not exaggerating at all. Not only did she help me figure out which college was best for me and my situation but she also checks in every now and then. She is a great listener and understands what the situation is. Joanne also treats you like a friend. I'm so glad that I know her in general and of course she helped me find my path with which college was right for me. read more

To be frank, the two other college counselors I met with outside of school were harsh and disinterested in me personally. When I met Joanne, I could see it was going to be completely different. She was incredibly knowledgeable without being arrogant and super supportive while still honest. I genuinely do not think, with all of my capabilities, I would have submitted as many applications as successfully as I had without her. She worked extra hours just to get me where I needed to be because she actually cared; not about money but about my personal success and happiness. Look no further, this is the best college counselor you'll ever find. read more

Just coming back to say that I am so incredibly grateful for Joanne's guidance. She encouraged me to apply to USC, I got in, and am about to graduate next month! She has helped me most recently with selecting a graduate program and I feel confident in my decision. Through her own experience and her variety of contacts and resources, she is able to give the most insightful, informative, and helpful advice catered to one's specific educational/career path. I don't know where I would be without her! read more

Joanne is the best! I am an older student and thought grad school was way outside my grasp. Joanne has not only helped me navigate through the admission process, she has given me the tools and resources to be more successful than I ever thought possible. I truly cannot overstate how grateful I am for seeking Joanne's help through Beyond Admissions!! read more

I graduated a couple years ago and recently decided to apply for a Masters in geographic information science. Joanne was familiar with the field and we got started right away, which was awesome because I had a really condensed timeline to get it done. She helped me make my CV so much stronger, with better organization, format, and phrasing. Over our zoom meeting she helped me tap in to many skills I had forgotten about or not had enough confidence in. Joanne also went above and beyond in helping me meet my deadline, making edits and answering questions after work hours. She even worked with me on the cost because of the difficult circumstances surrounding COVID. Much appreciated! read more

Joanne is an amazing educator and mentor. I met her years ago while I was a student in one of her Community Health Science courses. I faced several issues in college and took a 3 year hiatus. I was very discouraged from my college experience. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have continued pursuing my bachelors degree. She is the kind of coach who takes pride in not only what they do but also seeing her students succeed. She is someone who encourages you to do the hard work. I am now back at UCLA to finish my degree. If you want someone who will always give you the push, the truth, and great advice that leads to success work with her! She is one of a kind. :) read more

Finding career advise is hard to find, but with Joanne at Beyond Admissions, the process is very motivating. Joanne has true knowledge in the field and will guide you to explore out of the box opportunities. Her life coaching skills are thorough and she is attentive to your specific career needs. I highly recommend face to face sessions with her that will push you to reach both short & long term goals. Thank you Joanne for your personable approach and sharing professional expertise. read more

Joanne is amazing. She has helped me so much. She is extremely personable, intelligent, and flexible. She has helped me to see my individual skills that make me different from others. She works tirelessly to help me form a professional resume and cover letter. She helps me apply to jobs, and find jobs that I will actually enjoy! She also uses her contacts to help me find opportunities. She has helped me sooo much and i really enjoy meeting with her. She has improved my confidence and made me feel MUCH more comfortable about my future. She is also extremely friendly, outgoing and caring! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ! read more