Admissions Counselor

American University; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

American University, located in Washington, DC, invites applications for an Admissions Counselor in the Washington College of Law. The role focuses on processing JD applications, coordinating reviews, and maintaining applicant records.

You’ll interact with LSAC, respond to inquiries, and help plan recruitment events and information sessions. The position is full-time, in a hybrid setup, requiring strong communication, writing, and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• 1–3 years of relevant experience.
• 1–2 years of professional office experience.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Process applications for JD admissions and coordinate file review.
• Counsel applicants by phone, email, and in person.
• Coordinate recruitment events and travel arrangements.
• Liaise with LSAC and internal offices; communicate decisions.
• Support other admissions staff and maintain records.

Skills

Effective oral communication

Strong writing skills

Multitasking

Team collaboration

Customer service focus

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

1-3 years of relevant experience

1-2 years of professional office experience

Bachelor's degree or equivalent preferred

Tools

Ellucian/Datatel

Workday

Salesforce

Unite system

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Job description

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

Department

Washington College of Law

Time Type

Full time

Job Type

Regular

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Work Modality

Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)

Union

SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division. That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between American University and SEIU Local 500 - Provost & Enrollment Division.

Summary

Job Description: This position is responsible for coordinating all aspects of the processing of applicants for admissions to the J.D. program. The incumbent enters and codes law school applications, prepares applications for review by the Admissions Committee, and extracts information from the database. The Admissions Counselor communicates with the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) to confirm and request information, is the primary contact for all telephone and email communications, and responds to inquiries regarding admissions processes, deadlines, and applicant status. This position coordinates, registers, and maintains travel activities/invitations for recruitment events, represents the Washington College of Law at various forums and universities, including graduate programs and other recruitment functions. The incumbent conducts information sessions throughout the year for law school applicants and occasionally gives tours. May be called upon to review files. Each Admissions Counselor is responsible for one half of the applicant pool along with the other Admissions Counselors and the average number of email/phone contacts depend on the time of year. Application volume changes from year to year with a recent range of 5,000 - 6,000 applications.

Essential Functions

• Direct responsibility for application processing to ensure it is handled in a timely and consistent manner. Draft and proofread written communication and coordinate the file review and preparation for admissions committee meetings. Reconcile data from LSAC and Ellucian/Datatel, enter deposits and maintain current records on the incoming class. Report decisions to both internal and external agencies suggest daily work for part-time staff and coordinate closely with other full-time staff.
• Counsel applicants individually in person, virtually, and over the phone during the application process with regard to the following: admissions standards, LSAT scores, candidate credentials, the decision-making process, contacting applicants about questions raised by Admissions Committee. Conduct tours when students are not available and information sessions for groups of prospective students.
• Coordinate events: planning, scheduling, mailings, and liaison with internal and external departments as well as interacting with prospective students to assist with the yielding/recruiting effort.
• Coordinate verbal and written correspondence with schools and organizations hosting law forums during recruitment seasons.
• Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Serving Customers.
• Displaying Creativity.
• Prioritizing and Organizing.
• Supporting Coworkers.
• Acquiring and Analyzing Information.
• Supporting a Diverse and Inclusive Community.
• Acting Ethically and with Integrity.

Position Type/Expected Hours Of Work

• Full-time.
• 40 hours per week.

Salary Range

• $26.11 - $28.00 per hour.

Required Education And Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• 1 - 3 years of relevant experience.
• 1 - 2 years of professional office experience.

Preferred Education And Experience

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Experience with Ellucian/Datatel, Workday, Salesforce, and Unite system.

Travel Required

• Solo planning and traveling during Fall Recruiting Season (35% of time).

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Effective oral communication and strong writing skills.
• Experience with and proficiency in the use of database software applications and correspondence management systems.
• Ability to perform repetitive data entry tasks and answer frequent inquiries by phone and email.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team in a fast pace office environment, manage several tasks simultaneously, set priorities and accomplish tasks, research and resolve problems, and follow through on projects and assignments with minimal direction.
• Comfort and experience with computer technology, including proficiency in MS Office Software Applicants (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Other Duties

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [e-mail].

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.