Focusing on Fit & Fulfillment

By Andy Ramirez, Director of College Counseling

It’s hard to believe that just three years ago, the GCDS Upper School senior class consisted of only 12 pioneering students and families who, intrigued by a unique and innovative academic model, placed their trust in the Country Day experience and our college counseling vision. Prior to the opening of the high school, we assured families that colleges and universities understood our high aspirations, both in terms of our academic standards as well as the personal qualities GCDS wished to cultivate in our graduates.

As we reflect on these last few years, we are proud that we’ve helped students present themselves as individuals who value the acquisition of knowledge as facilitated by our dynamic and rigorous academic program, and who accept the responsibility of employing their education in service of our greater society. Whether a student has been at GCDS since nursery school or joined partway through the high school experience, our students are able to discover themselves and their interests and passions. Since our opening, we’ve regularly received feedback from our colleagues on the college side that while they appreciate GCDS’s opportunities for academic achievement, they are equally impressed by our sustained emphasis on values such as respect, integrity, and compassion, to name a few.

During the college counseling process, which formally begins during junior year, we empower our students to ask deep, meaningful questions about fit and fulfillment as they research schools and build their college lists. We strive to meet each student where they are in their process, understanding that no two students are the same.

The senior class of 2022 was our largest cohort yet, and each of our 43 graduates approached their college processes with intentionality. We met frequently with each of these students, beginning in junior year with individual and family meetings to kick off the process and with “big picture” presentations during Seminar about the college landscape and pieces of the application process.

By the time the students began their senior year, they frequented the College Counseling Office, eager to get feedback on their college essays or ask questions about Early Decision. As is customary in all aspects of GCDS life, we in the college office employed a student-centered approach to get to the heart of what motivated each senior academically, allowing them to take stock of their strengths and areas for growth in the classroom. We asked pointed questions such as “What academic elements of your Country Day experience would you like to preserve in college?” and “Why were you able to connect with a particular faculty member?” We saw these seniors nearly every day in Seminar and were able to get to know each student individually, which allowed us to help them add colleges to round out their lists. When appropriate, we helped students and their families navigate the constantly evolving financial aid landscape.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure that by the spring of senior year, each student feels confident in and excited about their college options. Our 2022 matriculation list represents a wide variety of schools, with vast differences in size, geography, school culture, and academic focus. These institutions have bought into our academic model and embrace our vision of a successful GCDS graduate. More importantly, our matriculation list is a testament to who our students become by the time they graduate: joyful learners, community builders, and young people with a strong sense of self and a deep desire to make an impact on the world.

The Team

Like all aspects of the GCDS Upper School, our college counseling office has also evolved considerably during these last three academic cycles.

Part of the founding design team of the GCDS Upper School, ANDY RAMIREZ has worked in both college counseling offices and undergraduate admissions offices, including at Princeton, Bowdoin, Princeton Day School, and The Dalton School, where he was Director of College Counseling. A college athlete himself, Andy has had significant experience guiding prospective student athletes through the recruitment process. As a Seminar teacher, Andy guides students through the college process with expertise, care, and insight.

Last summer, COURTNEY KIPP, Ed.D., joined the college counseling team. Courtney has already brought invaluable admission experience from her time working in the Boston College, Providence College, and most recently, Northeastern University admissions offices. GCDS families have benefitted immensely from her student-first approach and extensive higher education expertise.

Last month, ABBY WEISS joined the GCDS community after completing her master’s at the Harvard School of Education. With a fully enrolled senior class of 120 students, we are excited to bring Abby’s experience as a former admissions officer/assistant dean at Oberlin College, Case Western Reserve University, and most recently, Stanford University into the fold.

KATE DEMMERLE supports our team as College Counseling Assistant. From scheduling meetings to handling document processing and uploading credentials to applications, Kate is the backbone of the College Counseling Office.