College Counselor

Description

Position Summary

School seeks a compassionate, detail-oriented, and student-focused College Counselor to join our College Counseling Office. This individual will support high school students throughout the college exploration, application, and decision-making process. The role requires a collaborative professional with experience in college counseling or college admissions, a deep understanding of the college landscape, and a strong commitment to student-centered guidance.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling to students in all aspects of the college application process, including self-assessment, researching colleges, essay writing, and interview preparation.
• Maintain regular communication with students and families to ensure clarity, timeliness, and encouragement throughout the college admission cycle.
• Review and provide feedback on student applications and essays.
• Compose detailed and personalized letters of recommendation for seniors.
• Collaborate with the College Counseling team to plan and deliver grade-level programming, parent meetings, and college workshops.
• Liaise with college admission representatives during school visits and virtual sessions.
• Utilize college counseling software (e.g., Scoir, Common Application) to track applications and manage student data.
• Stay current with trends in college admissions and financial aid.
• Support students navigating the athletic recruitment process, including understanding NCAA eligibility requirements, coordinating with coaches, and advising on how athletic interest intersects with the college list-building process.
• Guide students in building balanced, well-researched college lists that reflect both academic fit and personal goals, including school size, culture, geography, and intended area of study.
• Advise students and families on financial aid processes, including FAFSA, CSS Profile, merit aid strategy, and interpreting financial aid award letters.
• Support students in developing their personal narrative and extracurricular positioning beginning in 9th and 10th grade, not solely during the senior application cycle.
• Attend relevant internal meetings and contribute positively to the school’s broader academic and community life.

Qualifications

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree in education, counseling, or a related field preferred
• Minimum of three years of experience in college counseling or college admissions
• Excellent writing, speaking, and interpersonal skills
• Familiarity with the college admission process and a wide variety of colleges and universities
• Demonstrated ability to work closely and effectively with high school students and families
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Experience working in an independent school setting is a plus