About Melinda B. Kopp, MBA, CEP

Melinda B. Kopp - College SafariAs the founder of College Safari, LLC and an Independent Educational Consultant based in Orange County, California, Melinda works virtually with students throughout the United States. Her mission is to empower students and their parents to navigate the journey to college with confidence. Coached by Melinda, students travel through high school in a process of exploration, purposeful choices, and self-discovery. This is accomplished by anticipating each step, getting and staying organized, and following a structured plan. Melinda provides individualized comprehensive college planning including: high school course selection, extracurricular advice, personality, interest, and aptitudes assessments, college exploration and guided research, preparation for college visits and interviews, standardized testing information and planning, application and essay guidance and coaching, financial aid strategies, and how to make the final decision.

With a 30+ year background in business and education, Melinda has earned the distinction of Certified Educational Planner (CEP) awarded by the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners. AICEP’s goal is “to recognize those professionals who have achieved the highest level of competence and to raise the standards of the educational counseling profession.” Melinda also completed the Independent Educational Consultant Association’s Principles and Practices Summer Institute in Claremont, California, earned her certificate in College Counseling from UCLA Extension with Distinction, and is a Certified Practitioner of both the Myers Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory.

View College Acceptances and Colleges Visited

Melinda is a member of the following Professional Organizations:

  • American Institute of Certified Educational Consultants (AICEP)
  • Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)
  • Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA)
  • National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
  • Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC)
  • National Career Development Association (NCDA)
  • Learning Disabilities Association of America (LDA)
“I had the exciting yet complicated chance to sort through the offers of my three top colleges. You were so helpful in explaining the differences between the merit and need based offers and how much money would have to be repaid through loans and work-study versus outright gifts for each. Once I understood the financial side, it was much easier to go revisit these colleges and make my final decision. Thank you, Melinda. I don’t know how I would have gotten through this without you!”

– Student, Chapman University, Chancellor’s Merit Scholarship

College Safari LLC

Melinda B. Kopp, MBA, CEP
Melinda@CollegeSafari.com
Independent Educational Consultant
Certified Educational Planner
Advising students & families nationwide
Based in Orange County, CA

Current Students

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