Director of College Counseling

Altamont’s director of college counseling supports students and families through the college search and application process, keeping the community abreast of trends and issues in the field through travel to professional conferences and college campuses. The director of college counseling educates all Altamont constituents on the landscape of selective college admissions and implements programs that support students and families.

Altamont’s college counseling office has an open-door policy. Our main focus is on juniors and seniors, but we work with all Altamont families through grade-level and individual meetings.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Write counselor letters of recommendation for all rising seniors.
• Counsel, support, and mentor 11th and 12th grade students and their families through the college selection and application process.
• Send all college application materials (transcripts, letters of recommendation) via SCOIR.
• Maintain school profile.
• Educate the Altamont community about current trends, match, and fit in the college search and application process.
• Plan and hold annual grade-level meetings (8th-12th) with families and students.
• Coordinate the visits of 60-80 college admissions counselors to Altamont each fall.
• Coordinate two application workshops: one in May of students’ junior year and one the summer before students’ senior year.
• Plan and implement Altamont’s annual college trip.
• Coordinate a case study workshop, a financial planning workshop, and other educational programing throughout the school year.
• Meet individually with students and families as requested.
• Advise on course selection and its consequences in the college selection process.
• Speak on the phone with college representatives to discuss Altamont applicants for the ‘early’ round in December and for the ‘regular’ round in March.
• Help students and families identify scholarship opportunities; Encourage families to submit financial aid paperwork in a timely manner.
• Help families understand their financial aid packages in April.
• Present year-end report to the board of trustees.
• Communicate to colleges and universities of the high caliber of The Altamont School.
• Work with the Altamont administrators to develop a strong school-wide understanding of how changes to curriculum and extracurricular opportunities can impact college admission decisions.
• Member of Student Support Team and Academic Policies Committee.
• Actively participate in regional, state, and national professional organizations.
• Maintain yearly budget.
• Attend counselor fly-ins.

Qualifications

• Experience: 3-5 years in college counseling or college admissions offices.
• Bachelor's Degree.
• Fluent in use of MS Office applications.
• Excellent proofreading and writing skills.
• Ability to prioritize well and to work efficiently under pressure.
• Ability to handle confidential matters with discretion.
• A spirit of service, strong work ethic, excellent organizational skills, flexibility, ease and experience with computers, and a willingness to coordinate efforts with others are necessary qualifications in Altamont’s office of college counseling. Enthusiasm for working with both students and parents is also essential.