Message from Director of College Counseling, Elisabeth Mooney
Guiding students and families through the increasingly complex process of college admissions is a challenge. There is a great deal to be taken into consideration, but my primary goal is to help students find the best match for their individual needs and goals. Although many bemoan how competitive it is to get into college, I encourage students and their families to think out of the box, stretch their comfort zones and dream. In the US there are over 3500 accredited colleges and universities, yet the conversation tends to focus on less than 100 of those. There are also many opportunties overseas, and given the increasing emphasis on globalization, our students would do well to consider possibilities in countries where our students are welcome.
Ultimately, it is not I who makes the decision and gets the students into college; it is the students. I help them through the search and application process; I build relationships with colleges and universities across the country and overseas; I offer advice and lend an ear when it is needed. In the end, however, it is the student who chooses the course of where and how they will continue their education. Those who do the research, take the time to seriously consider the direction they are heading, and are honest about what is possible are rewarded with choices for their efforts.
I am fortunate that I work in a school where I can get to know all the students and my relationships begin as early as freshman year. I also have the added benefit of interacting with the students as an advisor and a teacher which enables me to get to know the students in the classroom. Consistent with the Portledge philosophy of encouraging life-long learning and our ultimate goal of truly preparing our students to excel in college and beyond, I believe high school is a time of personal and academic exploration. I encourage students to use this time to develop their intellectual curiosity, try new things and embrace the world beyond our beautiful campus. If you ever have questions or are interested in learning more about what we do in the college counseling office, feel free to call me at 516-750-3215 or email me at emooney@portledge.org