Beyond gunn College counseling
Don’t worry. we’ve got this. When you look back, you will agree that just about every aspect of your time at The Frederick Gunn School prepared you well for college — and for life beyond Gunn. Boarding school life is 24/7, so from the moment you step foot on our campus, you will be supported by our academic, co-curricular, and residential life programs while our four-year College Counseling program, outlined on the following pages, helps you to settle in, build your purpose, define your own journey, and get ready for what’s next. We develop an individual college strategy for each student that empowers them to take control of their journey. It starts with a rigorous and personalized academic program and strives to inspire a deep individual passion that will help you stand out in the college application process. Dedicated College Counselors provide individualized attention to students and families, helping you to navigate the complex and dynamic college admissions landscape. We’ll make sure you take the right tests at the right time, gather your letters of recommendation, compose great essays, and schedule your college visits. We’re here to help you, just as we’ve helped thousands of Gunn students and families through the college process before. We are here to help you succeed.
We know what it takes.
program highlights FRESHMAN PROGRAM
Our Freshman Program is a multifaceted approach to guiding students during their transition to high school. The program eases the step up to high school by strengthening study skills and establishing wellness disciplines. We will help you develop the tools and provide you with the support to be the strongest student you can be. MY GUNN PORTRAIT
Designed to organize a student’s portfolio of work — from the classroom, to character development work, to their Junior Speech — My Gunn Portrait helps each student to craft a unique narrative as they approach the college search process. This organizational tool empowers students to keep track of all their accomplishments, making it easy to assemble their story when the college application process arrives.
COLLEGE ESSAY WORKSHOPS
At the end of junior year and again at the start of senior year, students work in partnership with our English Department and College Counseling Office to craft a personal statement and supplemental essays. Classroom time will be allotted for this work towards the end of the junior year, allowing students to further refine their writings over the course of the summer with an expectation of completing this work at the beginning of senior year. COLLEGE SEMINAR
All students are enrolled in the College Seminar led by our College Counselors, beginning in the winter of junior year and continuing into senior year. This biweekly seminar, supplemented by a biweekly individual meeting, provides structure and guidance around the application process for seniors, ensuring that a proper focus is applied to the timely work required in the lead-up to submitting applications in the months ahead. >>>>>>>>>>>>
PARTNERING WITH THE CENTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND JUST DEMOCRACY Our College Counseling Office intentionally connects with
programs across the entirety of our campus, yet no example illustrates this more than the work done with our Citizenship and Just Democracy (CJD) curriculum. Through this four-year program, our College Counselors meet with 9th grade students soon after they arrive on campus to begin a conversation about how a Gunn transcript is presented to colleges, and to establish the foundation that will promote an intentional set of experiences at Gunn. Partnering with CJD is a continuous process that intentionally drives moments of self reflection, helps a student identify personal values that are put into action, and ultimately helps build a narrative that will set a student apart in the college application process.
FAMILY WEEKEND SEMINAR
All families have an opportunity to connect with our College Counseling Office during Family Weekend Seminars to learn about our approach to the college process. Hear from leading college admissions officers about the application process during the fall, and participate in our mock admissions committee during the spring, where you will have hands-on experiences reviewing transcripts, personal statements, supplemental essays, and letters of recommendation that are typical of a student’s application. Led by our College Counseling team, you will learn firsthand how college admissions teams review applications and start to understand the importance of always working to make your application stand out.
We’re with you every step of the way It is the dedicated role of the College Counseling Office to help our students and their families navigate the complex, dynamic, and ever-changing college admissions landscape, from standardized testing and preparing a list of schools to visiting college campuses, completing applications
12th
and writing essays.
11th 10th 9th
The college search process is a nuanced and individual one, however, there are certain steps that all students typically take along the way.
FOUR-YEAR PLAN >>>>>>>>>>>>
9th Grade: settling in
Unpack your room and take a deep breath. Start making lifelong friends.
9
Embrace our
Freshman Program.
Learn about tools and
support that allow you to be the strongest student
Commit to always
learning and pursuing
academic excellence.
you can be.
Comfort
Build your study habits.
Pursue
new interests.
Step out of your comfort zone.
Partner with your advisor to build
an appropriately
challenging academic schedule for your sophomore year.
1.0
10th Grade: building purpose
Commit to being the best version of yourself in the
classroom and across our campus. Your GPA and
campus involvement are key components of your college application
Consider taking the PSAT in October. It’s not sent
to colleges, yet offers a
glimpse into your strengths and challenges for future standardized tests
Ensure that your
academic schedule is
purposeful and aligned with your
personal narrative.
This will set you apart .
Stay involved in your co-curriculars.
Identify a few that mean the most to you and might be leadership
opportunities to pursue in your future.
Attend College Counseling
Research some colleges
events on campus to
and start exploring what
begin understanding the
type of schools might be
composition of a
the right fit for you.
college application.
0 11 11th Grade: own your journey Your college search
process formally begins with the assignment of a College Counselor
Juniors take the PSAT
in October and a practice
ACT in December. ACT and SAT tests are offered on
Join your family to hear from our
College Counseling team at Family Weekend
in the fall.
campus in the Winter and
Identify co-curricular
Students begin 1-1
Parents join 1-1 meetings
areas of interest and
meetings with College
with students and
pursue a few of them with
Counselors during the
counselors during
greater conviction than
Winter Term.
the Spring Term.
Attend college fairs
Select
Spring Terms.
in October.
ever before. college
College Counselors
present a list of colleges
for consideration during the winter and again in June.
and meet with any of the 100 college
representatives visiting our campus.
two teachers to write
recommendations for you.
12
12th Grade: ready for what’s next Participate biweekly in our College Seminar class,
where our team will guide you through the
application process.
Essay
Customize your
supplemental essays for each college —
another way we help you to stand out with your application.
Finalize a personal
Our College Essay
Workshop is here to help
you with all of your writing requirements.
Consider taking the ACT
or SAT again so that you
can Superscore your test if you plan to submit it
with your application.
statement that will allow you to stand out.
Showcase your interests
and passions in a concise and compelling manner.
Review your college
acceptances and make an enrollment deposit by May 1.
2
VISIT
colleges our counselors
“
We are with you every step of the way. This is what we tell our students. From the moment they set foot on campus, the College Counseling Office is committed to empowering students to take charge and actively participate in their Frederick Gunn School experience. From course selection to personal essays, our dedicated team executes a personalized counseling process for every student.
“
”
- Kate McMann ’05 Director of College Counseling
AMHERST
DARTMOUTH
NORTHWESTERN
BROWN
HAMILTON
UCHICAGO
BUCKNELL
JOHNS HOPKINS
SWARTHMORE
CARNEGIE MELLON LAFAYETTE
VASSAR
COLGATE
LEHIGH
VILLANOVA
COLUMBIA
MIDDLEBURY
YALE
CORNELL
NYU
. . . to name a few
100 +
COLLEGES THAT VISIT GUNN
The Frederick Gunn School played a pivotal role in my college process, and I most likely would not be where I am without them. My advisor kept me extremely organized in order to complete all of my requirements on time, and I had many, as I was doing college auditions along with college applications. I honestly could not have asked for a better experience with the College Counseling Office.
”
- Audrey Richards ’23 New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
ATHLETICS About 25% of our students pursue college athletics each year and each of our College Counselors are uniquely qualified to guide families through this process. The application process for an athlete can be different in important ways. Our College Counseling team and athletic coaches are here to help you weigh programmatic fit, eligibility assessments, communication strategies with college coaches, and other unique considerations that emerge in a student-athlete recruitment and application process. Our College Counselors and athletic coaches are here to help with: Gathering recommendations for Division I, II, or III programs that best align with the athletic and academic interests of a student Adhering to NCAA recruitment policies, rules, and timelines Navigating the NCAA Eligibility Center and ensuring that you are meeting course requirements Understanding athletic-recruiting rubrics in conferences such as the Ivy League and NESCAC Crafting strategies for communicating with coaches Developing highlight video strategies
Cialfo Each student will receive a CIALFO account in their junior year to assist students and families in managing the college application process. CIALFO is a web-based program that students and parents use in researching and planning for college. Students can check the status of college applications, review our recent history with individual colleges, learn when college admissions representatives are visiting campus, and research information about academic, athletic, and extracurricular programs at individual colleges.
Financial aid In support of helping students and families understand how to finance a college education, we have partnered with SMARTTRACK. The free platform provides resources that can help significantly lower out-of-pocket costs, maximize grants and scholarships, and help pay for college in a more tax-advantaged way. In partnership with the College Counseling Office, SMARTTRACK hosts two webinars throughout the academic year for our families.
Student outcomes FRED Repeat Freshman
Three-sport Varsity Captain
Guest appearance - Winter Musical Contributor to Music Program (bass)
Head Tour Guide, Head Prefect, Gray Party
CIVIC CHANGEMAKERS Created a civil discourse podcast where local political leaders were interviewed to help identify solutions to ease tense PROJECT: partisanship during COVID-19.
MARY Four-year Senior Boarding Student
Passion for disability advocacy
Field Hockey, Head Tour Guide, Gunn Scholar, Co-Founder of the First Aid Club
Independent Study: The impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on infectious disease
CIVIC CHANGEMAKERS Created a nonprofit organization to raise awareness and advocacy for people living with disabilities during COVID-19. PROJECT:
DANIEL Entered as a Sophomore
Utilized Center for Academic Excellence
Football, Model United Nations, Judaic Society, Gray Party
Keen interest in politics and social justice
CIVIC CHANGEMAKERS Pursued passion for politics and policy making by interning for a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. PROJECT:
ABIGAIL Four-year Senior Day Student
Fall Play, Winter Musical, Vocal Ensemble (four years)
Head Tour Guide
Organized and led weekly dance club that became a co-curricular program
CIVIC CHANGEMAKERS Volunteered at a local nursing home, providing music therapy for Alzheimer’s patients. PROJECT:
A • C C S C S S S L H C U P I I U I • S T I • O S
AMHERST COLLEGE• BARD COLLEGE • BABSON COLLEGE • BENTLEY UNIVERSITY • BOSTON COLLEGE • BOSTON UNIVERSIT • BOWDOIN COLLEGE • BRANDEIS UNIVERSITY • BROWN UNIVERSITY • BRYN MAWR COLLEGE • BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY • CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY • CLAREMONT MCKENNA COLLEGE • COLB COLLEGE • COLLEGE OF THE HOLY CROSS • COLLEGE OF WILLAM & MARY • COLORADO COLLEGE • COLUMBIA UNIVER SITY • CONNECTICUT COLLEGE • CORNELL UNIVERSITY • DARTMOUTH COLLEGE • DENISON UNIVERSITY • DICKINSO COLLEGE • DREXEL UNIVERSITY • ELON UNIVERSITY • EMERSON COLLEGE • EMORY UNIVERSITY • FAIRFIELD UNIVER SITY • FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY • FORDHAM UNIVERSITY • FRANKLIN AND MARSHALL COLLEGE • FURMAN UNIVER SITY • GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY • HAMILTON COLLEGE • HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY • HOBART AND WILLIA SMITH COLLEGES • ITHACA COLLEGE • JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY • JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY • KENYON CO LEGE • LAFAYETTE COLLEGE • LEHIGH UNIVERSITY • LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO • MACALESTER COLLEGE • MAN HATTANVILLE COLLEGE • MARIST COLLEGE • MIAMI UNIVERISTY OHIO • MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY • MIDDLEBUR COLLEGE • MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE • NEW YORK UNIVERSITY • NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY • NORTHWESTER UNIVERSITY • OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE • OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY • PENN STATE UNIVERSITY • PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PITZER COLLEGE • PROVIDENCE COLLEGE • PURDUE UNIVERSITY • RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE • ROCHESTE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY • RUTGERS UNIVERSITY • SKIDMORE COLLEGE • SMITH COLLEGE • SOUTHERN METHOD IST UNIVERSITY • ST LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY • SWARTHMORE COLLEGE • SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY • TEXAS CHRISTIA UNIVERSITY • THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF PARIS • THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL • TRIN ITY COLLEGE • TUFTS UNIVERSITY• TULANE UNIVERSITY • UNION COLLEGE • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BERKELE • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA BARBARA • UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ • UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO AT BOULDER • UNIVERS TY OF CONNECTICUT • UNIVERSITY OF DENVER • UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA • UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA • UNIVERSITY O ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN • UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI • UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN • UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANI • UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA • UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS • UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT • UNIVERSIT OF VIRGINIA • UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON • UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN • VASSAR COLLEGE • VILLANOVA UNIVER SITY • WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY • WILLIAMS COLLEGE • WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST LOUIS • YALE UNIVERSIT
Meet the team Kate McMann ’05 Director of College Counseling
A former DIII athlete, Kate played ice hockey and lacrosse at Hamilton College, where she majored in sociology and helped lead the women’s lacrosse team to a national championship in 2008. Since returning to Gunn in 2009, Kate has held roles in the Admissions and College Counseling offices, and has served as Director of College Counseling since 2021. In 2022, she introduced My Gunn Portrait, which integrates the school’s mission, Core Values, and citizenship curriculum, and helps guide students in their college search process. She is also a house parent, advisor, former field hockey and lacrosse coach, and in 2023 became Gunn’s first Head Coach for Girls Junior Varsity Ice Hockey. Emily Gorman Associate Director of College Counseling, Director of Standardzed Testing
Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Emmanuel College and an MBA from The Kogod School of Business at American University. Prior to joining Gunn as Associate Director of Admissions in 2018, she worked in the admissions offices of Emmanuel College, Syracuse University, and Georgetown University. She became Associate Director of College Counseling in 2021. She is also Head Coach for Girls Varsity Soccer, Assistant Coach for Girls Varsity Lacrosse, an advisor, and house parent. Tyler Sheikh Associate Director of College Counseling
Tyler joined The Frederick Gunn School in 2022 as Associate Director of College Counseling and Head Coach for Boys Varsity Soccer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Quinnipiac University, where he played for the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Team, and earned his master’s degree in education from the University of Connecticut. Prior to joining Gunn, Tyler was a faculty instructor and Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.
Ruthie Napoleone P’27 Administrative Assistant and Testing Coordinator
Ruthie is the Administrative Assistant and Testing Coordinator in College Counseling. Ruthie holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Marist College and received her master’s in school counseling from Central Connecticut State University. She oversees standardized testing administration (SAT, ACT, PSAT, AP, SSAT) for the school and works closely with the Director of College Counseling and Associate Head of School and in conjunction with the Registrar, the Executive Assistant to the Head of School, and Admissions Office. Prior to joining Gunn in 2023, she was the development manager for the American Mural Project in Winsted, Connecticut. Seth Low P’26 Associate Head of School
After growing up as a faculty child at Blair Academy in Blairstown, New Jersey, Seth graduated with a bachelor’s degree in geosciences from Williams College and a master’s in environmental studies from Wesleyan University. Prior to joining Gunn in 2004 as Director of College Counseling and Director of Co-Curriculars, Seth spent five years working as a geologist at an environmental engineering and consulting firm located outside of Boston. As Associate Head of School, Seth runs the day-to-day operation of the school, ensuring collaboration, integration, and alignment with the school’s mission and values. In addition, Seth teaches in the Center for Citizenship and Just Democracy, coaches JV Boys Lacrosse, and continues to help guide Gunn students through the college process each year.