Portledge in the Now.

Guided by Goals: The College Counseling Journey

Karen Crowley

At Portledge, the college process is a journey of self-discovery that begins with curiosity and conversation. While most logistics occur in 11th and 12th grade, our College Counseling team engages students as early as 9th grade, guiding them through academic, extracurricular, and personal exploration.

Olivia Palatnik’s path to Tulane reflects this philosophy: early engagement, self-reflection, and goal-setting supported by a personalized, four-year approach. We help students find their best fit by encouraging honest introspection and thoughtful strategy, ultimately empowering them to present their most authentic selves and embrace the exciting possibilities ahead.

I can still remember Olivia Palatnik’s eager smile at 9th grade orientation. As college counselors, we strive to meet every incoming 9th grader, making sure they know that they are welcome to come chat at any time. I saw Olivia frequently that year - in the hallways, the library, at lunch - watching her smile grow more confident over time, and I was thrilled to see her and her mom at our optional 9th grade college night that January.

Over her high school years, Olivia was fully engaged in our four-year college counseling program. She attended the college nights and college visit trip and had an initial college conversation with her Dean. During that conversation, she had some specific goals and questions, and so, at the recommendation of her Dean, she came to my office. 

“I really want to go to Tulane,” Olivia told me. “Do you think I can get in?” 

We discussed curricular choices, extracurricular activities, and summer plans within the context of her ambitious goals. Tulane had an acceptance rate of about 10%—a reach, but potentially not out of reach with the right strategy.

By November of junior year, Olivia was the first to schedule her 11th grade meeting. By then, she was sure of her goals, “I want to apply Early Decision to Tulane,” she declared. And from that point forward, we continued to collaboratively devise a strategy to reach her goal. We found a program in the Tulane summer offerings, Social Media as Socially Conscious Storytelling, that perfectly aligned with her intended major in Marketing. We aimed not only for her to excel in the course but to impress the professor enough to earn a standout recommendation letter.

That summer and fall, Olivia and I met regularly - at least ten times. We fine-tuned every part of her application strategy, paying particular attention to her Tulane supplement. Olivia was also able to make a positive impression on the Tulane admissions officer who came to Portledge’s campus in October to meet with our students. When Olivia pressed “submit” on her application to Tulane, she did so with confidence in her application and our strategy, buoyed by the knowledge that she had crafted a compelling, authentic application that reflected who she was.

While Olivia’s story reflects our close relationship, it is not unique. Our goal in the College Counseling office is to help each unique Portledge student take advantage of the full four year Portledge College Counseling program, work through a thorough and comprehensive, self-reflective, and personalized application process, and ultimately, be admitted to a college where they can maximize their individual potential and achieve their academic, professional, and personal goals.

I was overjoyed to receive Olivia’s “I GOT IN!” email when Tulane released her acceptance in December. Celebrating each student’s progress and success, no matter when or how it comes, is the reward that makes managing a stressful process each year more than worth every bit of effort, worry, and hope that accompanies it.
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