College Counseling launches new admissions panel, case study program
Get an inside look at the latest way USN’s College Counseling Office is helping students and families prepare for the college admissions process and life beyond Edgehill.
By Sierra Smith, Communications Specialist
This admissions panel and case study program is a new addition to High School’s robust college counseling programming. Throughout High School, counselors guide students to prepare for the college admissions process largely by challenging themselves to learn as much as they can through academics and through extracurricular interests instead of what they believe will be impressive to colleges. Students’ work with the College Counseling Office begins with minimal, yet impactful touchpoints in ninth and 10th grades and intensifies during the second semester of the junior year as students begin to meet regularly with their assigned counselor and participate in workshops.
Back
The Auditorium filled as the Class of 2023 filed into seats with the attention of more than 100 students fixed as seven representatives from college admissions offices took the mic.
As the microphone was passed around, University of Tennessee Director of First-Year Recruitment Clayton Alexander, Vanderbilt University Assistant Director of Admissions Ben Bousquet, University of Chicago Deputy Director of Admissions Zachary Evans, Syracuse University Director of Admissions Peter Hagan, Spelman College Director of Admissions Chelsea Holley, Bowdoin College Senior Vice President and Dean of Admissions & Student Aid Claudia Marroquin, and Case Western Reserve University Director of Undergraduate Admission Chrystal Russell introduced themselves, answered questions, and offered general insight into the college admissions process. The evening prior, parents and guardians of juniors benefitted from a similar conversation.
Following the general forum with the seven admissions representatives, the junior class dove deeper into understanding the admissions process during breakout sessions. In small groups alongside one of the seven admissions representatives, students studied and evaluated four fictional college applications from a group of diverse applicants. Together students made and supported their decisions on which applicants should be accepted, waitlisted, and declined.
“The purpose of the case study exercise was to provide students with insight into how admissions offices evaluate an applicant,” said Assistant Director of College Counseling Carly Stafford. “I hope it helps our students feel more prepared and more confident as they complete applications in the fall.”
This admissions panel and case study program is a new addition to High School’s robust college counseling programming. Throughout High School, counselors guide students to prepare for the college admissions process largely by challenging themselves to learn as much as they can through academics and through extracurricular interests instead of what they believe will be impressive to colleges. Students’ work with the College Counseling Office begins with minimal, yet impactful touchpoints in ninth and 10th grades and intensifies during the second semester of the junior year as students begin to meet regularly with their assigned counselor and participate in workshops.
More USN News
List of 3 news stories.
-
Summer 2025 reading lists available for grades 5-12
The English Department and Hassenfeld librarians share summer reading lists for rising grades 5-12 and AP courses. View their suggestions at usn.org/reading. Lower School reading lists will be published before the last day of school.Read More -
Science Olympiad team competes at state competition
15 members of the USN Science Olympiad Team traveled to the University of Tennessee-Knoxville for the state competition and returned to USN with several medals for their stellar performance.Read More -
MS students shine at Austin Peay math competition
A team of USN Middle Schoolers excelled at the second annual Austin Peay State University math competition.Read More
Contact
Edgehill Campus
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
2000 Edgehill Ave.
Nashville, TN 37212
Phone: 615-321-8000
Fax: 615-321-0889
Email: info@usn.org
River Campus
1200 County Hospital Road
Nashville, TN 37218
USN Mission:
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.
University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.