Interested in Educational Advising Services?

Laurel & Oak was founded in 2026 by Melissa Kane Essman, a strategic admissions and enrollment expert with the goal of helping families navigate the admissions and school search process as thoughtfully and student-centered as possible, providing expert educational advising tailored to your student.

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As both an experienced enrollment leader and a parent, Melissa understands that choosing a school is about far more than completing applications or meeting deadlines. It's about finding a community where a child will feel known, challenged, and supported. Her professional expertise, combined with her personal appreciation for the hopes and questions families bring to the process, allows her to provide guidance that is both strategic and deeply empathetic.