Shipley excels at treating each student as an individual, helping them identify and embrace what makes them unique. Our college counseling program mirrors this philosophy by making a concerted effort to truly know each student. We pride ourselves on building strong relationships—whether it’s recognizing when a student is having a bad day, knowing their favorite candy, or remembering the names of their pets. These personal connections allow us to support students through what can be a stressful process while also helping them recognize and articulate their strengths. A college counselor-to-student ratio certainly helps with this personalized approach.

Many students struggle to identify what sets them apart in a sea of college applicants. Our role is to help them uncover and highlight those qualities, ensuring they feel confident presenting themselves to colleges in an authentic and compelling way.

Several key trends are currently shaping the college admissions landscape. Here are two significant ones:

Increased Number of Applications – Colleges are receiving more applications than ever, making admission more competitive and creating additional pressure for both students and admissions officers. To navigate this, we encourage students to be thoughtful and strategic about their college lists. While we have recommended that students submit a slightly higher number of applications, we emphasize quality over quantity. A scattershot approach does not increase chances of admission—careful research and targeted applications do.

Changes in Standardized Testing Policies – The pandemic accelerated the shift toward test-optional admissions, which, in turn, led to increased application numbers. Some colleges have since reinstated testing requirements, while others remain test-optional or test-free. As colleges continue to refine their policies, we ensure that our students remain adaptable, prepared, and positioned for success across a variety of admissions scenarios.

Our college counseling program begins early, with a visit to 9th-grade SEED classes. The goal is to introduce students to the college counseling office and help them understand what they do—and don’t—need to worry about at this stage. We want students to focus on the bigger picture: who they want to become and how they can get there, rather than feeling pressured to map out their entire future.

By 10th grade, students are assigned a dedicated college counselor, ensuring they have a consistent point person throughout the process. While all three counselors work closely with every student, having a primary advisor helps build trust and familiarity.

During the second half of 11th grade, we run weekly College Counseling Seminars, where students receive hands-on guidance in completing key components of the process. In these sessions, students: work on the Common Application, learn how to research colleges effectively, draft and refine their college essays, complete the Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR), and identify teachers for letters of recommendation.

These classes continue into senior year, ensuring that students receive ongoing support. Small class sizes of 15 or fewer allow us to check in regularly and adjust our approach based on students’ needs.

Beyond structured meetings, we recognize that stress can come from an overwhelming flood of information and opinions. We help students and families cut through the noise, offering clear, personalized guidance that allows them to make informed decisions with confidence. We also work closely with parents—whether that means explaining processes to ease their concerns or helping them support their child’s independence in this journey.

We start getting to know students long before they officially enter the college counseling process. Whether we see them performing on the field or stage, chatting in the lunchroom, or simply stopping by for candy in our office, these informal interactions help us build a deep understanding of each student’s strengths, passions, and personality. By the time they begin formal college counseling meetings, we are well-equipped to guide them toward schools that truly fit them—not just academically, but socially and personally.

We also actively advocate for our students when speaking with college admissions representatives. Shipley students have incredible stories to tell, and we take every opportunity to highlight their achievements, strengths, and the richness of their experiences.

One common misconception we work to dispel is the idea that students should only apply to colleges where other Shipley students have previously been accepted. While we have strong relationships with many colleges, we also welcome the opportunity to introduce Shipley students to new institutions. If a student is interested in a school where we haven’t had recent applicants, we are more than happy to reach out and share what makes our students exceptional.

Additionally, our combined 40+ years of admissions and counseling experience provide us with a vast professional network. This allows us to guide students toward opportunities that align with their unique interests, even if they fall outside the traditional college path.