College Counseling

We focus on providing personalized guidance and support to students as they navigate the complex college application process and explore their post-secondary options.

EXPLORE Academics

A Rite of Passage

The college process is a rite of passage and, like any other transition, it can sometimes feel daunting or overwhelming, but we encourage students to focus on the exciting possibilities that lay before them. While most of the logistics of applying to college begin in 11th or 12th grade, we believe that the process itself starts much earlier, as students determine who they are through academic, extracurricular, and personal exploration. 

The most successful college process has, at its core, honest reflection and consideration of how you learn, what you love to do, what your goals are, and what makes you curious. Equally important is a consideration of the campus environment, community, and culture as these will have a significant impact on your experience and success in college. The College Counseling team at Portledge is here to support students as they grow and uncover more of their strengths, interests, and preferences.

At Portledge each student begins to engage in the college process as soon as they are ready but no later than the spring of the 10th grade through both group activities and 1-1 meetings. Students primarily meet with their Dean as a resource in the 9th and 10th grades. The Director of College Counseling conducts an in-depth meeting with each 11th grader individually and then in conjunction with their parents or guardians. The College Counseling Team works collaboratively to create an individualized approach to supporting each student through the process.

We truly enjoy helping students find colleges that are the best personal fit and presenting their best selves through the application. Our team looks forward to working with every Portledge student and family and welcomes you to be in touch anytime.


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, we believe that Upper School is a time of personal and academic exploration.
The Portledge Experience

Portledge’s Four Year College Counseling Program:

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

  • 9th Grade: Focus on Planning and Decision Making

    • Ninth grade College Night focuses on how colleges evaluate, understanding choices and opportunities at Portledge School, understanding the standardized testing calendar, reviewing four year timeline.
    • Ninth graders may meet with their Upper School Dean at any time with questions regarding course schedules, extracurricular choices, summer plans, and to learn more about the college process in general
    • Ninth graders may opt into the PSAT and/or the preACT to gain standardized testing experience
  • 10th Grade: Focus on Exploring Options

    • Tenth grade college night features Admissions Officer speakers to learn about different types of schools and available options and encourages exploration.  
    • Tenth grade one day class trip college tour in the spring
    • Tenth graders may meet with their Upper School Dean at any time with questions regarding course schedules, extracurricular choices, summer plans, etc. but have their first formal College Counseling meeting in May of this year.
    • Tenth graders may opt into the PSAT or preACT
  • 11th Grade: Focus on Finding Fit

    The college application process officially kicks off in the late fall with individual meetings between each student, their Dean, and the Director of College Counseling, followed by a family meeting to formally begin the application process.
    College Night focuses on organization, managing the process, and understanding the year ahead: ways to apply, deadlines, testing, logistics, SCOIR online application management program.

    College Counseling individual and group meetings will cover the following topics:
    • Self-assessment
    • Building a College List
    • College Visits
    • College Interviews
    • Application Strategy and the Common Application
    • Essays and Extracurricular Activity Presentation
  • 12th Grade:  Focus on Applying

    • College Night in September discusses immediate to-dos and longer-term considerations for the year.
    • Individual student and family meetings are scheduled as needed to support students working through the process with a particular focus on application completion and essay writing.
  • College Athletics: Recruiting Timelines and Restrictions

    Men’s Basketball (Division I):
    • August 1 going into sophomore year: Unofficial visits to campus are permitted
    • June 15 after sophomore year: Private communication, emails, texts, and direct messages allowed
    • September 1 going into junior year: Coaches can initiate off-camps contact
    • April 1 through Sunday before the last Wednesday in June of junior year: Athletes can take official visits (up to 5 total)
    • July 1 going into senior year: Coaches can contact athletes off-campus (limited to contact periods).
    • September 1 of senior year: Athletes can take official visits (up to 5 total), coaches can initiate phone call with athlete once per week
    • There are no legislated restrictions on when coaches can extend verbal offers

    Women’s Basketball (Division I):
    • September 1 going into junior year: Coaches can send electronic communications (texts, emails, etc.)
    • March 1 of junior year: Off-campus contact allowed at the athlete's school or residence (not on game days)
    • April of junior year after the NCAA Women’s Final Four®: Official visits (up to 5 total) can begin
    • There are no legislated restrictions on when coaches can extend verbal offers

    Men’s Ice Hockey (Division I):
    • January 1 of sophomore year: Coaches can call and send private electronic correspondence. Recruits can take unofficial visits
    • August 1 going into junior year: Off-campus contact with recruits is permitted. Athletes can receive verbal scholarship offers and take official visits (up to 5 total)

    Women’s Ice Hockey (Division I):
    • June 15 after sophomore year: Coaches can extend verbal offers and contact athletes
    • August 1 going into junior year: Athletes can begin official visits (up to 5 total). Coaches can begin off-campus contact with recruits

    Baseball (Division I):
    • September 1 going into junior year: All forms of electronic correspondence allowed. Recruits can begin taking unofficial and official visits
    • July 1 following junior year: Off-campus contact with recruits is permitted

    Softball (Division I):
    • September 1 going into junior year: Coaches can make verbal scholarship offers and contact athletes. Athletes can begin taking official visits (up to 5 total). Coaches can begin off-campus contact with recruits at either their residence or school

    Lacrosse (Men’s and Women’s Division I):
    • September 1 going into junior year: Coaches can extend verbal scholarship offers and contact athletes. Athletes can begin unofficial and official visits. Coaches can begin off-campus contact with recruits at either their residence or school

    All Other Sports (Division I):
    •  June 15 after sophomore year: Coaches can extend verbal scholarship offers, call, and send electronic correspondence.
    •  August 1 going into junior year: Athletes can begin official visits and coaches can conduct off-campus contact.
    *Athletes can receive non-recruiting materials (questionnaires, brochures, non-athletic institutional materials, etc.) from schools at any time. Although coaches cannot communicate with or respond to athletes directly prior to June 15 after sophomore year (with the exception of Men’s Ice Hockey, as noted above), recruiting classes are actively being built before then. Athletes can have their coaches communicate with colleges at any time, and it is becoming increasingly advantageous to have an online profile, athletic resume with stats, and/or highlight reels accessible and ready to be sent.

    All Division II Sports:
    • July 15 after sophomore year: Coaches can send printed recruiting materials
    • June 15 after sophomore year: Coaches can call athletes, initiate off-campus contact with athletes and/or their parents, and begin taking official visits
    • Unofficial visits may occur at any time

    All Division III Sports:
    •  After sophomore year: Coaches can conduct off-campus contact with athletes and/or their parents.
    •  January 1 of junior year: Athletes can begin taking official visits.
    •  Unrestricted telephone calls and digital communications are allowed.

Contacts

List of 7 members.

  • Photo of Karen Crowley

    Karen Crowley 

    Portledge School
    Assistant Head of School / Director of College Counseling
    (516) 750-3215
  • Photo of Shoshana Krieger-Joven

    Shoshana Krieger-Joven 

    Portledge School
    Assistant Director of College Counseling
    (516) 750-3170
  • Photo of Traci Douglas

    Traci Douglas 

    Portledge School
    Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, US Dean of Student Leadership, Hiring Committee Chair,
    (516) 750-3239
  • Photo of Robert Liberto

    Robert Liberto 

    Portledge School
    US Dean of Student Leadership and Development
    (516) 750-3187
  • Photo of Eden White

    Eden White 

    Portledge School
    US Dean / US Club Coordinator
    (516) 750-3156
  • Photo of Janice Groden

    Janice Groden 

    Portledge School
    Teacher, College Counseling Writing Coordinator
    (516) 750-3147
  • Photo of Jane Zisa

    Jane Zisa 

    Portledge School
    College Counseling/Development Associate
    (516) 750-3210
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*NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
Portledge School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to, but is not limited to, educational policies, admission, financial aid, hiring and employment practices, use of school facilities, athletics, and other school-administered programs.
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