In its second year at GA, the College Advisory Board, led by Director of College Counseling Jodi Robinson, participated in a two-day program on GA’s campus that included meetings with Head of School Rich Schellhas 1760 and Head of Upper School Dave Samson, a campus tour, and a presentation of signature and academic programs by faculty leaders, while also interacting with seniors through a student panel. They also attended classes and met with the college counseling team before sharing with faculty the latest admission trends and the recent impact on their campuses with changes in funding and policies, among other topics.

“We are incredibly grateful to the college admission officers who took precious time to partner with our College Counseling Office, guide our community and share their insights during the February crunch time,” said Robinson. “They expertly led our Junior Case Studies Program, connected with GA through student and faculty sessions, and attended classes. There were many takeaways, specifically, our community learned more about the importance of submitting authentic, quality applications and the holistic review process. We learned so much and enjoyed their visit and work at GA!”

The board also served as hosts of the annual case study event where the Class of 2027 was divided into small groups and discussed three fake applications to a pretend college. The college reps provided anonymous leadership in helping families choose which student would be admitted, which would be waitlisted, and which would be denied. Lots of conversation, for and against, commenced among each of the group sessions before the entire class moved to the Honickman Auditorium to hear the full verdicts. It was at this time that the board introduced themselves and many presented their groups’ decisions.

Thank you to the following college representatives for giving their time for our event: Chrissy Findlay, Associate Dean of Admissions, Athletics and Transfer Students, Bucknell University (PA), Mark Butt, Director of Admission, Emory University (GA), Terry Gilbert, Associate Director of Admissions, Purdue University (IN), T. Peaches Valdes, Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, Wellesley College, (MA), Ana del Puerto, Sr. Associate Director of Admissions, University of Pennsylvania (PA), Alison Berryman, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Tufts University (MA), Gwynne (Oonie) Lynch, Admissions Representative, University of South Carolina (SC), Melissa Falk, Dean of Admission, University of Richmond (VA), Olufemi (Femi) Ogundele, Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of Enrollment Management & Undergraduate Admissions, University of California Berkeley (CA), and (Unable to attend) Cornell LeSane, Vice President for Enrollment Management, College of Holy Cross (MA).

The visit gave college admission leaders a deeper understanding of GA and strengthened the College Counseling team’s ability to present both our students and GA effectively to colleges.