About Us

CollegeGPS guides, prepares and supports students and their families as they navigate the college admissions process. Our primary goal is to help students find the right fit—the college where they will be successful academically and socially and where they will grow and develop into young adults prepared for life and work in the 21st Century.  There are over 3,000 colleges in the United States—CollegeGPS will help you find your best match.

About Marilyn

Marilyn van Löben Sels graduated from Stanford University, earned her teaching credential through UC Davis’ Intern Program and graduated with distinction from UCLA’s Certificate Program in College Counseling. 

She has a long involvement in education, teaching and volunteering in Sacramento schools and the community. At McClatchy High School, Marilyn served on the CKM Band Boosters Board for ten years and organized many fundraising projects to support students’ activities. For twelve years, she volunteered in the counseling office and organized and was a regular speaker at college nights. As president of HISP Council, Marilyn created the annual Cultural Events Workshop.  

She is the recipient of the PTA Honorary Service Award at Sutterville Elementary and Parent of the Year Awards at California Middle School and McClatchy. Her four children are graduates of Pac-12 universities. She has over 15 years of experience advising students about college admissions and how to present themselves to maximize their choices, and her students have been accepted to all of the UC campuses, several CSUs, Stanford, Duke, Yale, UOP, University of Oregon, Williamette, Scripps, Columbia, Pomona and more.

Marilyn is a member of WACAC (Western Association of College Admissions Counselors) and HECA (Higher Education Consultants Association). In all of her work, Marilyn strives for excellence and strictly adheres to HECA’s core values: sound advice, integrity, respect and confidentiality and to NACAC’s Statement of Principles of Good Practice. She attends conferences and workshops regularly to keep updated on all aspects of the college admissions process.