The Director of College Counseling is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive, individualized college counseling program serving The Dunham School's approximately 280 Upper School students. With the collaboration of the co-director, the Director supervises and carries out a program of group presentations and intensive individual counseling that extends throughout all phases of the college search process. Informed by biblical principles and mindful of the unique qualities and talents of the individual student, the aim of each college search is to assist the student in choosing the college that will best serve his or her intellectual and personal interests and goals. Each year, The Dunham School graduates matriculate at an impressive and diverse array of some of the nation's most distinguished colleges and universities. This is a 12-month position and the Director reports to the Head of School and is a member of the Head’s leadership team. Candidates seeking the position of Director of College Counseling should have five years of experience in the admissions/counseling field. A master’s degree is preferred. Candidates must have excellent communication skills, including strong writing and public speaking ability and must be well-organized, efficient, and energetic. Familiarity with Naviance and with the Common Application is highly desirable. 

Specific duties of the Director of College Counseling include: 

• Overseeing the administration of the PSAT to all sophomores and juniors; 
• Providing broad support for Upper School faculty advisors, students, and families on questions related to four-year planning and annual course requests. 
• Providing direct support to students and families within their caseload on the appropriate selection of Upper School courses. 
• Guiding families seeking resources for standardized test preparation, including individual tutoring and prep courses offered at The Dunham School; 
• Providing presentations to parents/guardians and students at each grade level about college admissions and the college search process; 
• Assisting students and parents/guardians in developing an appropriate list of prospective colleges in the junior year; 
• Formulating a suitable schedule of standardized tests for each student in the junior and senior year; 
• Coordinating the submission of applications to the College Board and ACT for accommodations on standardized tests with assistance from the Coordinator of Educational and Psychological Services/Director of Wellness (SSD Coordinator); 
• Providing information and guidance to families about college scholarships and financial aid programs; 
• Conducting planning meetings for the rising 7th grade class as they begin to select their academic course of study.
• Developing and maintaining cordial and collegial relationships with college admissions directors and representatives;
• Hosting visits to The Dunham School by some 40-50 college representatives each fall;
• Representing The Dunham School and its students effectively at local, regional, and national conferences and workshops; 
• Counseling students and parents/guardians in the formulation of a final list of colleges and an appropriate application strategy in the fall of senior year; 
• Writing the official School Letter of Recommendation for approximately half the senior class; 
• With the co-Director, developing and maintaining an efficient, technologically sophisticated system for the organization and submission of all school documents to college admissions offices; 
• Maintaining frequent communication with students and parents/guardians through email, phone calls, parent coffees, and personal conferences throughout the college application process; 
• Assisting seniors in the development and polishing of college admissions essays and the completion of college applications; 
• Conducting the senior college announcement event in the spring semester.
• Coordinating the ordering and administration of all AP exams to The Dunham School students (AP Coordinator). 
• Working with the Upper School Head to coordinate testing rooms and times for standardized tests administered in school; 
• Counseling students and parents/guardians in the final college selection; 
• The Director of College Counseling reports to the Head of School and is responsible for carrying out all college counseling tasks and programs, including the college counseling strategic plan.

About The Dunham School

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