College counseling at GA provides two essential services to students - advising and counseling. As advisors, college counselors educate students about the college search and application processes. As counselors, college counselors develop relationships with their students, listen to their goals, aspirations and concerns, and encourage them to explore colleges that will help them to continue the process that they have begun at GA - of becoming their best selves.

Knowing when to advise (urging them to visit college campuses, reminding students about deadlines, or encouraging them to revise their essay one more time) and when to counsel (to listen and help students work through why they might be procrastinating completing applications) requires individuals not only knowledgeable about the ever-changing world of college admissions, but also well-versed in working with teenagers on the cusp of becoming adults. After years of having major life decisions made for them by their parents or guardians, teenagers encounter their first adult decisions when undertaking the college search. With years of experience working with young men and women, GA’s College Counseling team stands ready to help students negotiate all dimensions of this process successfully.

  profiles
 

Karen A. Mason is Director of College Counseling. Karen joined Germantown Academy in 2009 after serving as Director of College Guidance at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, PA, a national co-ed boarding school, for 13 years. Karen also taught English, served as a member of the administrative team at Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and wrote a monthly column for The Times Leader. She earned her BA in English from Wilkes, and her MA in English Literature from Penn State. At GA, she hosts an advisory as a member of Alcott House and is currently serving as President of the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling (PACAC). Karen has presented at conferences held by NACAC, PACAC, and the Middle States Mid-Atlantic Region of the College Board.

Contact Karen Mason
Phone: (267) 405-7268

Roger Eastlake '59 is Associate Director of College Counseling.  As a Germantown Academy alumnus he has not moved far from the campus in Fort Washington, literally. After finishing at GA in 1959, Roger graduated from Princeton in 1963, before heading back to the halls of GA in 1966 as the Director of Admission, a position he held until 1972 when he became the Director of College Guidance. During that time, Roger has assisted thousands of GA students through the college admission process, while also coaching junior teams in football, baseball and lacrosse and serving as an English teacher in the Middle and Upper Schools. Roger has also been an academic advisor for students for many years, as well as serving as President of both the Academy Club and the Alumni Society.  Roger was also on the faculty of PACAC's Summer Institute.

Contact Roger Eastlake
Phone: (267) 405-7262 

Tony Garvan 1760 is Associate Director of College Counseling. Tony graciously came out of retirement this year after teaching English and history for 30 years at GA, serving as Head of the Upper School for 13 years and advising students in the college process for 7 years.  In addition, Tony was the Varisty boys' and girls' cross country, winter track, and track coach. He re-joins the college counseling team and the English department.  He graduated with a BA from Yale University.   

Contact: Tony Garvan

Phone: (267) 405-7262

Susan Merrill is Assistant Director of College Counseling. Susan joined Germantown Academy in 2011 after serving as Director of College Counseling at Delaware Valley Friends School in Paoli, PA for seven years. Susan also taught science and assisted with college counseling in the gifted program at Spring Ford High School in Royersford, PA.  She earned her BA in Biology and Psychology from Franklin and Marshall College and her M.S.Ed from the University of Pennsylvania.  She is an academic advisor for Galloway House and a member of PACAC and NACAC.

Contact Susan Merrill 

Phone: (267) 405-7266

Dr. Peter Drewniany, a member of GA's English department since 1982, has been advising and counseling students through the college process for the past twenty years. After stating in his interview that he can only promise staying one year, Peter has become a staple at GA in more than one way. He is a two-time recipient of the William Schoff Chair for distinguished teaching in English and is currently the head of the English Department. He serves as a reader and table leader for the Advanced Placement Literature and Language programs. In recent years, Peter served as the Belfry Director, advisor to the school newspaper and coordinating the Shakespeare Competition. Peter earned his B.A. in English from Middlebury College, his M.A. from the University of Vermont and his Ph.D. from the University of Delaware, where he concentrated his work in Irish Literature.

Contact Peter Drewniany
Phone: (267) 405-7254 

One of the pioneers of Germantown Academy’s unique House System, Ted Haynie 1760 has served as an administrator in Fort Washington since 1982. He was the school’s athletic director for seven years and has served as a college counselor since 1988. Ted was the Dean of Boys in the Upper School for nine years, the Patriots’ boys’ varsity lacrosse coach for 22 years, and now serves as the Head of Galloway House. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Denison University and a Master’s degree from Wesleyan. Ted has attended The Blackberry River Retreat (a workshop focused on college counseling within independent schools) and the annual PACAC Conference. Ted has shepherded his own children through the college search, visiting numerous college campuses and becoming an expert on financial aid along the way!

Contact Ted Haynie
Phone: (267) 405-7254  

  

Ginny Allenson officially bears the title of the Assistant to the Director of College Counseling, but since 1992 when she began in this position, she has established herself as a tremendous resource for students and parents as they navigate the college process. She assists in scheduling college visits on the GA campus, compiling college application materials and formulating information for the school’s college guidance information program, Naviance. Ginny holds an Associate’s Degree from Wesley College.

Contact Ginny Allenson
Phone: (267) 405-7254