We believe in providing you with the right resources.
You deserve the College Ready “All hands on deck!” approach to your college application.
At College Ready, we are a team of certified college admissions consultants driven to help your student succeed both in college and in life. We plan individually with students and their families to build the perfect college match as well as financial fit.
Our focus is your son or daughter and what he or she aspires to achieve. We are Certified College Counselors from UCSD, UCLA and come with years of experience helping students get into the perfect college or university. We enjoy working with students of all ages and stages. We have specialists who focus on the Ivy schools, and we have specialists who focus on getting B students into the best-fit college. Our goal is to help your student be the best they can be while graduating debt free!
Meet Your College Ready Team.
Shellee Howard
College Ready Founder and CEO
Shellee has traveled around the world helping students plan for their “perfect match” college. She knows what it takes to compete in the Ivy schools as well as finding the best fit for all students. Shellee believes that no two students are the same, and each student must have their own strategy and plan to be successful. Each student has a gift/talent and a passion that will set him or her apart from their competition. College Ready has clients all over the world, and each one is important. Her focus is to find the best academic, financial, and social fit college for each student to thrive at and graduate debt free!
Michelle Rodriguez
Certified College Consultant
Michelle Rodriguez is the COO and Executive Administrator for College Ready. If you want to know anything about our program, she is the one to contact. She graduated in Communications/Public Relations from California State University, Fullerton. She is a dedicated mother of three boys and has first hand experience with the college application process. She is passionate about helping students navigate their college strategy using her expertise in organization and accountability. Michelle is thrilled to be part of the College Ready team and looks forward to working with your family.
Mary Kate Hampton
Certified College Consultant
Mary Kate’s Masters degrees are in Writing, Literature, and Publishing, and English Education. After working for publishers in Boston and New York, Mrs. Hampton began a teaching career in New York City. Mary Kate moved back to the West Coast and started tutoring high school and college students. College essays soon became a favorite subject. As a mom of four, Mrs. Hampton settled in San Diego and started at College Ready. In addition to a passion for education, she’s a professional writer for media services, and a volunteer for Villanova University’s alumni recruitment network.
Debra Carlson Wood
Certified College Consultant
Debra Wood has her law degree (J.D.) from Washington University, B.A. in Political Science – International Relations. She has 25+ years experience in higher education. She received her law degree from Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. She became their first dean of students at the age of 28, and went on to serve as vice president and/or dean at several outstanding institutions. Her professional experience includes helping students identify their strengths and abilities and select colleges or universities, graduate schools, and conduct career searches.
Kristine Johnson
Certified College Consultant
Kristine graduated high school with a 4.2 GPA and attended Long Beach City College Honors program before being accepted into UCLA. In college, she worked as an actress, spent her junior year in Paris, and taught at a local private elementary school. After graduating, she worked as a French teacher and as an editor at an educational publishing company. She currently lives in Long Beach with her husband where she homeschooled her four boys. She looks forward to working with emerging students as they prepare for their future.
Kristi Torres
Marketing and Outreach Specialist
Kristi has a B.A. in Communications with a background in Marketing and Customer Service. She loves ascertaining the best way to engage with people which in turn will help your business grow! She resides in Houston, and when she is not working, she is with her husband and three young children. Her hobbies include running, reading, and getting outdoors. Her passion is to help get the word out about College Ready and the many programs designed to assist young people in selecting their best and preferred institute of higher learning.
Makena Ouiliette, BSN, RN
College Ready Mentor
Makena is a pediatric registered nurse. She attended The University of Alabama and received her RN at CBU. RN Pediatric Emergency at CHOC.
Dr. Ryan Ouiliette
College Ready Mentor
Dr. Ryan is an Orthopedic Surgery Resident at UCLA. He studied Pre-Med/Bio at Harvard and graduated from medical school at UCSD.
Brenda Akakki
Community Outreach Specialist
Brenda helps students find their passion and put it into action! She received her College degree in Uganda and specializes in helping teenagers be the best version of themselves. She is currently leading a passion project for College Ready students and offers opportunities for students to connect globally.
Yona Walya
Director of Community Service
Yona Walya is the Founder and Director of Green Hill Nursery and Primary School. He holds management roles in several non profits and he was appointed director of loving Uganda. He has multiple degrees in social work, social administration and a bachelor’s degree in Law. He currently heads the Isingo Initiative for Humanity. He is a proud father of two girls and one boy.
Keri Anderson
Community Outreach
Keri has a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Cal State Long Beach. She has worked in the staffing and recruitment industries for the past 19 years and truly enjoys placing people in their dream jobs! She helped her daughter through the College Admission process before she found College Ready and she doesn’t want you to make the same mistakes she made! Keri enjoys educating families on how to get into the best fit college and do it without going into debt.
Mark Allen
Scholar Athlete Specialist and Student Aid Index Advisor
Mark Allen played Water polo for University of California Santa Barbara and found his passion saving lives in the water. He enjoyed his first career as a Chief Lifeguard/Peace Officer. After retiring from being a Peace Officer he became a Certified Advisor helping families understand how they can pay for college. He is a father of two children currently in college (who will graduate debt free). He enjoys helping families navigate the Sports application process and understanding how to fund the financial gap between scholarships and loans.
Students From College Ready Families Have Been Accepted At These Fine Colleges.
Your Student Can Too, And Often With Big Scholarships And Grants!
Featured Testimonial: “…I knew we were in good hands. Thanks to Shellee, my daughter will graduate debt-free!”
“The college process is intimidating and scary, but after our first meeting with Shellee I knew that we were in good hands. She presented my daughter with schools that specifically meet her needs financially and academically. Beyond that, Shellee’s guidance has taken the pressure and angst out of the process. Her organization, knowledge and encouragement is priceless. Shellee walked me through the financial aid process which can be daunting. Her patience and sense of humor was very much appreciated. My only regret is we didn’t meet with College Ready sooner. My oldest son had no plan and will end up in $270,000 in debt. My daughter had a custom plan thanks to Shellee and she will graduate debt free. Do yourself a favor and call them today. This has been the best investment I have made for my daughter’s future hands down!!!!”
~Cindy H., Parent
These Satisfied Parents Know The Value Of A College Admission Consultant
★★★★★
“We were referred to College Ready by a friend and are delighted by the difference their services have made with our youngest child’s college search experience. We’d hesitated to spend the money but now regret we didn’t use them with our eldest child. They asked thorough questions and helped our daughter clarify what she was looking for in an academic program and campus environment.”
Jen S., Parent
★★★★★
“My parents went to college, but it was in another country so they could not help me. Shellee and Michelle were for me every step and took the stress out of not knowing. While my friends were angry at their parents for putting pressure on them, I was working on my own plan and rarely felt anxious. Knowing what to expect and allowing my parents to step back was a blessing to my family.”
Amar B., Student
★★★★★
“For all you junior and sophomore parents out there with kids wanting to go to college, I highly recommend working with a college counselor. To be honest, we were really on the fence about hiring one. We met with Shellee from College Ready with our son the first time. She spent almost 2 hours with us (free consultation), and we were blown away by her knowledge.”
Patty T., Parent
Book Your Free Discovery Call Today With A College Admissions Consultant
We Take Away The College Application Overwhelm And Get You Accepted By Your Target Colleges!
Our strategic plans for the College Application Process work! We are delighted to report that we've placed our students at over 166 colleges, often with big scholarships and grants. Credit, of course, always goes first to the hard-working students and their supportive families! We're proud to guide you through your college admission journey as part of your team.