Senior College Admissions Counselor

PathIvy; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

PathIvy, a Seattle-area college admissions counseling organization, is seeking an experienced admissions counselor to guide high school students through the college application process. You will develop customized roadmaps, review applications, and prepare students for interviews, essays, and scholarships.

In this role, you will mentor grades 8–12, lead workshops and webinars, and maintain close communication with students and families, helping them set realistic goals and navigate selective

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from a highly selective U.S. college or university.
• Experience in the admissions office of a highly selective university.
• Counseling experience guiding students through applications for public and private institutions.
• Confident in leading marketing presentations, student workshops, and informational sessions.
• Passionate about mentoring students (grades 8-12), providing guidance through academic, extracurricular, and personal development challenges.
• Skilled in managing multiple student and parent relationships, ensuring personalized support and strategic planning for each student.
• Adept at counseling families through high-pressure admissions situations.

Responsibilities

• Develop personalized college preparation roadmaps and application strategies, guiding students in course selection, extracurricular planning, essay topic development, and school list creation.
• Review college applications, providing written and live feedback to enhance students’ submissions.
• Conduct mock college admissions interviews, offering constructive feedback on students’ strengths and areas for improvement.
• Lead engaging student webinars and presentations on college admissions topics.
• Hold regular meetings with students and parents to assess academic progress and extracurricular involvement.
• Oversee students’ academic, standardized testing, and extracurricular plans, ensuring alignment with their college aspirations.
• Mentor students through independent projects, such as launching non-profits, starting small businesses, or organizing community initiatives.
• Maintain clear, consistent communication with students and parents to provide ongoing support and guidance.
• Collaborate with students to brainstorm, draft, and refine essays for college applications, scholarships, and summer programs.

Skills

Mentoring students

Public speaking

Counseling skills

Relationship management

Essay guidance

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher from a highly selective U.S. liberal arts college or national university

Job description

PathIvy is a results-driven college admissions counseling organization based in the Seattle area, dedicated to empowering students on their path to academic success. Our mission is to foster personal growth, discipline, and intellectual curiosity while helping students maximize their academic potential and gain admission to their top-choice universities. We are committed to cultivating a passion for learning and setting high academic standards, ensuring that every student has the tools and guidance needed to achieve their full potential.

Responsibilities:

• Leverage expertise to develop personalized college preparation roadmaps and application strategies, guiding students in course selection, extracurricular planning, essay topic development, and school list creation.
• Review college applications, providing both written and live feedback to enhance students’ submissions.
• Conduct mock college admissions interviews, offering constructive feedback on students’ strengths and areas for improvement.
• Lead engaging student webinars and presentations on college admissions topics.
• Hold regular meetings with students and parents to assess academic progress and extracurricular involvement.
• Oversee students’ academic, standardized testing, and extracurricular plans, ensuring alignment with their college aspirations.
• Mentor students through independent projects, such as launching non-profits, starting small businesses, or organizing community initiatives.
• Maintain clear, consistent communication with students and parents to provide ongoing support and guidance.
• Collaborate with students to brainstorm, draft, and refine essays for college applications, scholarships, and summer programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher from a highly selective U.S. liberal arts college or national university.
• Experience working in the admissions office of a highly selective university.
• Prior college admissions and counseling experience with a strong track record of guiding students through the application process for both public and private institutions.
• Confident in leading marketing presentations, student workshops, and informational sessions.
• Passionate about mentoring and coaching students (grades 8-12), providing guidance through academic, extracurricular, and personal development challenges.
• Skilled in managing multiple student and parent relationships, ensuring personalized support and strategic planning for each student.
• Adept at counseling families through high-pressure situations, setting clear expectations, and providing reassurance throughout the admissions journey.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduated from or worked in the admissions office of a top 25 university as ranked by U.S. News & World Report.

Performance Milestones & Success Roadmap

First 60 Days:

• Develop a strong understanding of the organization’s counseling approach, resources, and student support systems.
• Begin working with a caseload of students, assessing their academic backgrounds, extracurricular activities, and college goals.
• Conduct initial meetings with students and parents to establish rapport and set expectations for the college admissions process.
• Review and provide feedback on students’ college applications, essays, and extracurricular plans.
• Lead or co-lead at least one student workshop or webinar.
• Observe and participate in mock college admissions interviews to understand the evaluation process.

First 6 Months:

• Independently manage a full caseload of students, providing comprehensive college counseling and strategic admissions guidance.
• Successfully coach students through key application milestones, including finalizing school lists, crafting compelling essays, and submitting applications.
• Conduct multiple mock interviews and provide detailed feedback to improve student performance.
• Strengthen relationships with students and families by maintaining consistent communication and providing tailored support.
• Lead several workshops, webinars, or presentations to educate students and parents about college admissions strategies.
• Effectively navigate high-pressure situations with students and families, managing expectations throughout the admissions process.

First 12 Months:

• Have a track record of students gaining admission to best-fit colleges, including highly selective institutions.
• Establish a reputation as a trusted, go-to counselor within the organization, with strong student and parent satisfaction.
• Demonstrate expertise in managing complex student cases, including those involving unique academic or extracurricular profiles.
• Develop and implement innovative counseling strategies to enhance student outcomes.
• Contribute to the organization’s thought leadership through content creation, speaking engagements, or program development.
• Mentor new counselors and assist in refining best practices for the team.