JOB TITLE:         Director of College Counseling REPORTS TO:                       Head of Upper School OBJECTIVE

The Director of College Counseling is responsible for all aspects of the college placement program at the Episcopal School of Acadiana. A primary objective for the individual is to continually grow the program and enhance the services offered the families of the school while ensuring the program remains true to the mission of ESA and adheres to NACAC’s Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission.

The College Counseling program’s priority is supporting each student in finding the colleges that are the best fit for the individual student’s talents and aspirations. It is the Director of College Counseling’s responsibility to engage each student as an individual in the process and assist him in making wise, well-informed decisions about his future. Though it is the student’s responsibility to “do the work,” the Director of College Counseling needs to teach the student to identify goals and interests, where to find and how to use resources, how to manage time and anxieties about the process, and to be sure all materials are submitted in a timely manner.

The Director of College Counseling is a member of the Upper School administrative team and reports directly to the Head of the Upper School. The Director of College Counseling is expected to be a highly visible member of the faculty, possess strong public speaking and writing skills, be able to convey the mission of the school and the value of an independent school education, explain how the College Counseling program supports the philosophy and objective of the Episcopal School of Acadiana, and demonstrate a commitment to “the whole school.”

DUTIES

Office:

• Oversee the daily operation of the College Counseling office
• Maintain an attractive, informative, and up-to-date College Counseling center

College Counseling Program:

• Counsel students grades 9 -12 (and their parents) in regard to the entire college selection, application, admission procedures, and in understanding application requirements and organizing materials
• Plan and coordinate programs that enhance the school’s constituents on college counseling issues
• Meet regularly with seniors and senior parents, both formally and informally, to help them assemble a college list best suited to the students’ strengths and interests
• Facilitate the filing of each application for admission and scholarships – this includes completing secondary school reports, mid-year reports, compiling teacher evaluation forms and narratives, and any other additional information necessary. Offers guidance to seniors on the composition of necessary writing.
• Handle admission office requests regarding students and applications in a timely fashion
• Write individual evaluations for each member of the senior class on behalf of the school
• Respectfully advocate for students with colleges to which they have applied
• Assist student athletes with understanding eligibility and recruitment rules and filing appropriate paperwork with the NCAA Clearinghouse
• Teach Senior Seminar, a weekly meeting with seniors designed to help seniors with the mechanics of completing a college application and discuss transition issues
• Meet with junior families to discuss the college counseling process, review grades and standardized test scores, and present an initial individualized list of colleges that are appropriate for the student to consider
• Plan and chaperones annual college tour for 9th - 11th grade students
• Facilitate parent-student communications
• Inform students and families of test prep opportunities and serve as a liaison between the prep company, the school, and families
• Advise students regarding summer enrichment opportunities
• Plan campus visits from college admission officers and host in person or virtually
• Work with the Head of Upper School and the Academic Dean to identify potential candidates for nomination-based scholarships and special programs. Assist the nominees complete and submit their application for these recognitions.
• Continually assess college counseling program and plans and develops enhancements to improve the program
• Stay abreast of developments and trends in the college admissions field

Data/Resources:

• Revise and update the school profile, the College Counseling Handbook, and annual letters to students and parents
• Review junior and senior transcripts to check accuracy of GPA and other information
• Maintain accurate and historical records regarding standardized test performance, college applications submitted, college admission decisions, financial aid awarded, scholarships won, academic performance, college matriculation and any other pertinent data to the college process
• Maintain Scoir database: college contacts, student information/parent information, standardized test scores, college counseling questionnaire