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Founded in 2004, EDvantage College Consulting, Inc., was one of the first educational consulting firms in Orange County, CA. 

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Lisa McLaughlin, M.Ed., Founder and CEO, created EDvantage due to her belief that all families deserve to feel empowered and confident as they navigate the often overwhelming path to higher education.

 

 Professionally, Lisa’s career in admissions counseling began 25+ years ago as a middle school college-readiness tutor serving low-income youth while a student at UC Santa Barbara. After graduating with a B.A. in English, Lisa returned to UCSB for a Master’s Degree in Education and English teaching credential. Her five years of specific English teaching experience at both the middle and high school levels honed her ability to teach students strategies for writing college admissions and scholarship essays. She went on to become the lead coordinator of a college readiness program for students in grades 6-12 where she planned and led various college tours, assisted students with college applications and admissions essays, prepared students for the rigors of advanced high school courses, met with college admissions representatives, led national staff development all over the United States and develoed relationships with directors of admissions at higher educational institutions throughout the country. She ended her public education tenure as an assistant principal. 

 

Lisa left the public education sector to launch EDvantage where she provides thousands of families with a comfortable environment in which educational goals are broadened and students are motivated to achieve their highest academic and emotional potentials. 

For almost 15 years, EDvantage has empowered students and parents to take control of their own college admissions process. Encouraging self-advocacy, bringing a wealth of college admissions knowledge to critical planning conversations, and providing families with the highest level of personalization and expertise has been the firm's mission.

 

EDvantage also serves schools and districts by supporting college and career goals and initiatives. She works closely with all stakeholders to evaluate current practices and build sustainable college counseling programs that serve all students.

Lisa was one of the founding Orange County professional members of IECA. She was also one of seven IECA members selected to be on IECA's College Committee. In 2010, Lisa was appointed a position by Roger Rossier to USC's School Counseling Advisory Board. She also supervised counseling interns from Chapman University's School Counseling program.

 

Her dedication to providing the most comprehensive and up to date services for her clients compels her passion to continuously develop relationships with college admissions reps., high school counselors, and colleagues throughout the nation.