MAPPING YOUR FUTURE
College Counseling at Severn School
“Ms. Margosian’s help throughout the college application process was indispensable. She was highly attentive and accessible. She helped our daughter navigate every aspect of the journey, from forming her college list, to writing and editing application essays, to deciding whether to apply early, and then waiting for admittance responses. The counselor was not only calm, reassuring and easy to talk to, but also extremely knowledgeable”
—Jessica (Popham) McDermott ‘97 AP’25 P’26 ‘31
COLLEGEPREP 101
Your Future Starts Here.
Our goal is to ensure that all Severn School students become informed and empowered applicants to the colleges that provide the academic and community setting best suited for their success.
The ever-changing college admission process can be difficult to navigate. That’s no secret. Nor is there any secret formula to help “win” this process. In fact, we feel strongly that the most successful approach is the one that positions the college search as a journey, not a contest. Where finding the right fit is not just a strategy but the reward for an honest exploration.
And that is exactly what Severn’s experienced College Counseling team does. Drawing from a combined 60 years of experience, this team’s primary focus is to help students become informed and empowered applicants. They will advocate for them, while also encouraging students to advocate for themselves.
Before our counselors were here working with high school students, they spent years working in college admissions. They know the landscape and stand ready to counsel and support their advisees every step of the way. That means everything from answering your specific questions about testing, essays, and specialty applications to partnering with families to curate a wellbalanced list of colleges to apply to, to keeping students on track around deadlines. Each student’s path will look different, and our team is here to help every family navigate the process and find the right match – for the people our students are today and who they aspire to be.
It is with all of this in mind that Severn created this guide. It is but a microcosm of what we have to offer, but provides a glimpse into the focus for each year, what colleges are looking for, the decisionmaking process, and why Severn offers everything college-bound students need to be successful. Let’s get started.
How Do Colleges Select Students?
Great first question. Colleges differ significantly in what they regard as important in an applicant. It’s not enough to be qualified; you must also be compelling and a good fit for that institution. Here’s a few factors that go into most admission decisions.
Academic Criteria
` Proven Academic Performance
` Curriculum
` Admissions Testing (SAT and ACT)
` Personal Statement / School-Specific Essays
` Recommendations
How Does Severn Support Students?
Another great question. The short answer is that Severn students benefit from individualized support, counseling, and advice from start to finish.
Severn’s College Counseling program is integrated into the student experience from year one. It’s not a siloed program but is instead an essential pillar of Severn’s learning community and includes regular touchpoints throughout a student’s full Upper School experience. It’s successful because the professional counselors that staff the College Counseling office take a highly personalized approach, skillfully guiding students through a thoughtful process that leads to the discovery of the best possible matches for their college experience.
Through seminars, workshops, family meetings, and other communications, counselors regularly engage with students, helping them prepare for the college search long before the process officially begins.
Non-Academic Criteria
` Your activities and interests
` Outside recommendations
` Personal interview
` Special talent
` Legacies
` Financial Considerations
100%
Severn students accepted to college each year.
60
Years of combined college counseling and college admission experience by our staff.
100+
College and University Representatives who visit Severn every year.
220+
Average number of Colleges that Severn students apply to annually in the US and around the globe.
“Every student and every family is unique, which is why our program is thoughtfully designed to meet individual needs with expertise and care. At its heart, our program empowers students to be confident and make decisions when navigating change and dealing with uncertainty.”
Katie McEnroe Director of College Counseling
8-10
Average number of schools Severn students apply to during the admission process.
20% Average percentage of students who apply for Early Decision each
What’s the Plan?
1 Freshmen Year Focus
Know–and Grow–Your Story
Without a strong sense of self, correctly identifying the right fit for college is a nearly impossible task. Finding the right college, then, often begins with an honest look in the mirror. Long before students concern themselves with essays, interview strategies, or standardized testing, they should consider who they are…and who they want to become.
This is the primary focus for Severn freshmen – to immerse themselves in school life, explore (and rule out) areas of interest, sharpen their academic skills, and both know and grow their personal story so that they are presenting their most authentic selves to colleges when the time comes.
College Counselor Engagement:
Counselors spend this first year learning about the freshman class. They will also weigh in on sophomore year course selection to ensure an appropriately challenging schedule. Freshman parents attend an evening event which outlines the college counseling curriculum.
2 Sophomore Year Focus Preparation
“If I had eight hours to cut down a tree, I’d spend six sharpening my axe.”
–Abraham Lincoln
So why did we highlight these words from our 16th president? Because sophomore year is all about preparation. There is great value in investing time sophomore year in gaining familiarity with the college admission process itself, as well as the tools and resources available to students. Severn offers a robust schedule of seminars, workshops and Q&As designed to provide important information to families as they prepare to engage in the application process more fully the following year.
Sophomores are also strongly encouraged to prep in other personal ways, including committing to the activities that they are most passionate about (admission counselors are looking for quality involvement over quantity), focusing on academics, and building out their own interest and career inventory. This is also the year to practice testing by taking the PSAT and PreACT.
College Counselor Engagement:
In addition to the seminars offered, college counselors work with sophomores on junior year course selection. Sophomores will also work with the counseling team to set up their Scoir (college counseling software platform) accounts. Counselors will engage with families as well, sharing information about how to prepare for the initial college visits that often begin the summer before junior year.
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3 Junior Year Focus
Narrowing the Search
In a student’s junior year, goals are set, and the search begins. Juniors are encouraged to meet with the 100+ college and university reps who come to Severn, schedule college visits, attend the AIMS College Fair, do virtual tours, and explore all options for learning more about the places that interest them. Every junior also participates in an essay writing workshop in the spring and by the end of the school year, they will have drafted and received feedback on their college essay.
Meet College Reps on Water Street
A stop on Teel Campus is a must for many college and university reps, making it easy for Severn juniors and seniors to meet and speak with admission counselors from their top schools. Dartmouth College, Lehigh University, Bucknell University, University of Georgia, Colby College, Vanderbilt University, Hampden-Sydney College, the University of Alabama and Washington College are just some of the 100+ institutions whose admissions staff stop in at Severn each year to meet prospective students.
College Counselor Engagement:
The counselor’s role is to help students identify their strengths and curate a balanced list of colleges that offers the appropriate level of rigor and development for the student and also fits the needs and parameters of the family. Every junior is assigned a college counselor to work with directly as the college search process begins in earnest. They will also share with students best practices for demonstrating interest, an important component of the application process. Counselors will schedule a family meeting, and assist students with requests for letters of recommendation senior year course selection, and setting up their Common Application.
4 Senior Year Focus
Ready. Set. Go!
Senior year is when all the research and preparation pay off. Students submit their applications, await the decisions from schools, and then – with the help of their counselor – choose their best-fit school based on academic, personal, and financial factors.
College Counselor Engagement:
Counselors are working side-by-side with their advisees on every part of the process, which includes reviewing their applications, helping with financial aid applications, finalizing college essays and personal statements, and practicing interviews. They consult with families on Early Decision applications and collaborate to finalize the list of schools each student applies to, ensuring that it’s balanced. They will also advise on where to send test scores, which is a nuanced and complex question in this new test-optional era. Finally, they have the important and joyful job of celebrating acceptance notices with their advisees.
It’s worth noting that the work of the College Counseling team doesn’t end with a decision. Senior year is also about helping students begin to prepare for the transition to college. Seniors are invited to participate in a panel discussion with visiting Severn alums who are college sophomores, who offer advice, tips and guidance on what to expect next fall.
“Our son Nicholas joined Severn in eleventh grade after a cross-country move and his counselor immediately integrated him into Severn’s well-designed process, even guiding him through steps that had been completed by his peers sophomore year. We were impressed by how quickly his counselor got to know Nicholas, identifying colleges that would be potential matches based on his academic interests and extracurricular activities. She was extremely responsive and professional.” –Christina Hanson
Specialty Applications
Many students aspire to be involved in specialized programs such as athletics or performing arts, and Severn’s college counselors are well-versed in the nuances of the application process for these avenues as well.
Service Academies
Over 100 Severn graduates have served as admirals or generals in the US Armed Forces, and over 1,000 alumni have attended a US service academy. Severn continues to support that rich legacy and any student who desires to serve their country. The College Counseling team has deep experience in supporting service academy applications and will be there to advise, encourage, and inform students through each step of the journey towards a service academy or ROTC appointment.
Prospective Athletes
For students interested in pursuing college athletics, Severn’s College Counseling team has a wealth of experience in guiding them through the process and getting them in the game. They have helped hundreds of graduates successfully navigate the recruitment process at Division I, II, and III institutions. Students can expect hands-on support with everything from the NCAA Eligibility Center to the admission pre-read and letter of intent. They work closely with student-athletes AND the college’s coaching and admission staff to help everyone find the right fit.
Aspiring Artists
Students who possess artistic talents and wish to pursue opportunities to continue developing those talents in college have a wide range of options. Whether a student is interested in visual or performing arts, Severn’s college counselors have extensive experience in supporting this type of specialty application and will also partner with faculty in the Arts Department to help students with portfolio or performance submissions, audition prep, and more.
I Got In! How Do I Decide?
While the application process itself is understandably the focus, there is another phase to consider – the final decision.
Students are generally accepted to multiple schools that check all their boxes. And when it comes to making that final choice, Severn’s College Counselors are here to help students choose the school that is the very best fit for them. Drawing from their vast experience and up-to-date knowledge of the college landscape, they are here to counsel students through the decision piece by considering the following factors:
Tips for Test-Driving a College:
` Learn about the college before visiting. Check out their website and read other materials or news stories.
01
02
Academics Does the school have my major, or degree programs? Are there opportunities for research, internships, or interdisciplinary studies?
Culture Will I find my people? Will I be happy? Could I picture myself here for the next four years of my life?
03
04
Finances Is it affordable? How much - if anydebt am I comfortable having after college? What are my true out-of-pocket costs going to be for each school?
` Evaluate the environment. Is it too big or too small? Do you like the nearby town or does it feel isolated? Consider how you would get around in rain or snow.
` Take the student-led campus tour. Take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions about campus life from a peer.
` Have lunch in the Student Center. Observe the student interactions and get a feel for whether or not the culture of the school is comfortable for you.
Activities Are there enough activities offered?
What clubs, organizations, intramural sports and other student life opportunities are available?
05
Future Goals What do I want to accomplish?
Am I going to train for a specific job, get a wideranging education, or pursue an advanced degree?
` After each visit, write down your impressions. After a while, the visions of different schools start to blur, so it’s important to document your thoughts. Keep a list of pros and cons for comparison.
` TIP: Spend at least one-half day on the college campus. This way you have time to see everything and form an accurate early impression.
Meet the College Counseling Team
We’ve been telling you all the impressive things they do, now we’d like to introduce them. The role of Severn’s college counselors is to guide and support students and their families every step of the way along this important journey. That means helping students not only understand the intricacies of the college admission process, but also themselves so that they can confidently identify what they most want out of their college experience.
Katie McEnroe
Director k.mcenroe@severnschool.com
So, How’s It Going?
The College Counseling team regularly checks in with new college students to find out how they’re handling the transition. Found out it’s going great for these two!
JACK WHITNEY
David Brunk
Associate Director d.brunk@severnschool.com
“My college search process was a little different because the recruiting window for lacrosse opens on September 1 of your junior year. It was important that I found a school that aligned with my goals and between my college counselor and my coaches, we worked together to build a list of options that felt right both academically and athletically. Throughout the process, we worked as a team. With everyone’s help, I eventually decided on the University of Vermont and I am super happy with my decision!”
Jack Read ‘24
University of Vermont
“I am incredibly grateful that the College Counseling team helped me find my dream school. Duke has been everything I hoped for and more. The courses are challenging, but Severn prepared me very well. I am especially appreciative of the guidance I got on what studies to pursue — environmental engineering is the perfect mesh of my interests and has opened up opportunities that I otherwise never would have found!”
Whitney
Grimes ‘24
Duke University
One Last Thing
“Having the template for students to start building their resume was invaluable. Everyone involved starts with a realistic approach to get to a match. Three of my children have now completed one or two years of college and all three say they are completely happy where they are and wouldn’t change anything if offered the chance! Having three thriving, adjusted, happy college students is a testament to the fact that the College Counseling team truly listened to what each said, maximized each child’s engagement, and helped them become introspective to seek out a few schools where they could feel comfortable. When it came to the final decision, each of my children felt that they were choosing the right place for them.
— Stephanie Jacobs, M.D., AP’23, ‘24, ‘25 P’29 —
College Counseling
201 Water Street, Severna Park, MD 21146
severnschool.com/academics/college-counseling
410.847.7700