Meilin Obinata: Senior College Admissions Counselor

Hello there! I’m Meilin Obinata, a Senior College Admissions Counselor at Insight Education!

I thrive on guiding students through the exciting journey of self-discovery, whether they’re navigating the realms of open-source software or exploring the wonders of photography. Based in the vibrant Bay Area, my roots trace back to the foggy hills of Aptos High School and the inspiring landscapes of UC Santa Cruz, where I earned my B.A. in Mathematics. Later, I ventured to The Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota, fueled by a full-tuition scholarship, and emerged with a Law Degree (Juris Doctor – J.D. Degree).

Before delving into the world of education, my professional journey led me through diverse experiences in technology, business incubation, government, and non-profits. Collaborating with scientists, artists, lawyers, teachers, activists, engineers, and entrepreneurs across various sectors has uniquely equipped me to envision the limitless possibilities that lie ahead for my students.

As a College Admissions Counselor since 2012, I have cultivated an in-depth understanding of local and international schools, including familiar Bay Area schools like Monta Vista High School, Lynbrook High School, Cupertino High School, Saratoga High School, Gunn High School, Palo Alto High School, Mission San Jose High School, and many more. Whether orchestrating application sessions with the allure of pizza, brainstorming essay ideas on a whiteboard, or guiding families through college lists, I’ve honed effective methods to simplify destress the college application process and am eager to share them with your family.

I firmly believe that education is a dynamic and creative pursuit, a lifelong journey of growth and discovery. My approach involves active listening, creating a nurturing space for students to explore new ideas, and helping them discern what truly matters in defining their identity.

The success stories of my students speak volumes, with acceptances into prestigious undergraduate and graduate programs across the nation and internationally. From UCLA and UC Berkeley to Brown University and the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, my students have left an indelible mark on countless university campuses.

For those of you brave and thorough souls, here is a more thorough list: Columbia University, Cornell University Engineering, Carnegie Mellon College of Computer Science, Boston University Combined Medical Program (BS/MD) which has since been suspended, University of Michigan, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Purdue University, UC Berkeley Global Management Program at the Haas School of Business, NYU Stern School of Business, University of Chicago (undergraduate and MBA), Johns Hopkins University, University of Southern California (USC), USC Marshall School of Business (undergraduate and MBA), University of Texas at Austin, University of Washington, Seattle – Honors Program, Washington University at Saint Louis, The University of California (all nine undergraduate campuses) and California State University campuses, University of Arizona, Arizona State University (ASU), University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Santa Clara University (SCU), Pitzer College, Case Western University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Hampshire College, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Savannah College of Art and Design, Colgate University, Pennsylvania State University (PSU), Michigan State University (MSU), Rutgers University, The State University of New York (SUNY), and Evergreen State University.

My students have also been accepted into selective summer internships and programs of which I have listed a few here: SIMR (Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program) at Stanford University, UC COSMOS, Iowa Young Writers’ Studio, The Kenyon Review Young Writers Workshop, Sewanee Young Writers’ Conference, The University of Chicago Research in the Biological Sciences.

I look forward to collaborating with your family, offering insights, and making the educational roadmap smoother for your child. Let’s embark on this exciting adventure together!