Job Title: Director of University Guidance

Reports to: Head of School

Role Summary:  EF Academy is a private international boarding high school in Thornwood, New York.  The Directory of University Guidance is responsible for leading and managing a team of three onsite counselors.  Our students primarily attend US universities and colleges, in addition to English-medium international universities.   The Director of University Guidance has in-depth knowledge of admissions criteria, assessment policies and networking amongst mid and top tier universities throughout the world. 

Director of University Guidance responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Responsibilities

• Manage the students in their college application process, providing strategies, support, and guidance to students and their families from throughout these students’ time at EF Academy and helping them to make the best individualized choice for college, including guidance about which schools are reasonably within reach and which are not.
• Create appropriate deadlines for students to submit college applications and recommendation requests.
• Meet with students individually and in groups to educate and guide them on how to navigate the college process, interpret admissions trends, and sift through individual college options.
• Counsel and assist students and families to identify resources for scholarships and financial aid for colleges and universities. Inform students of FAFSA deadlines and other financial aid timeframes.
• Throughout the school year, produce regular communications to all students.
• Provide student and parent updates throughout the year on college application and scholarship information and deadlines.
• Create and submit materials to colleges in support of college applicants, including transcripts and recommendations. This includes coordinating the faculty writing of requested recommendations for students applying to college.
• Train students in our college application software and application systems like GuidedPath and in using the Common Application.
• Facilitate visits between students and college representatives on campus.
• Build relationships and the visibility and credibility of EF Academy with college admissions offices.
• Track trends in admissions and college counseling fields. This includes maintaining membership in the National Association of College Admissions Counselors, attending conferences and continuing education offerings at this and similar organizations in the college counseling field, in consultation with the Head of School.
• Provide college scholarship resources; organize financial aid workshops.

• Maintain professional networking relationships with other Boarding Schools, independent schools, and public schools.
• Coordinate the calendars of all testing involving grades 9-12: PSAT, SAT, SAT Subject tests, and the ACT.
• Pursue professional development opportunities, including attending conferences and professional meetings to remain current with trends.
• Be involved in the school community at large. Participate in faculty/staff meetings to benefit the University Guidance program.
• Assume responsibility for other projects as assigned by the Head of School in partnership with Admissions.
• Ensure the school has accurate permanent records of students’ testing and academic work.
• Maintain accurate files on all students and their progression through high school and into the college application process.
• Provide current transcript information as requested by colleges.
• Collaborate with admissions and marketing departments to convey information for the interest of prospective parents. (SAT scores, college admissions, scholarship levels)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ Year’s Experience in college counseling or related field.
• Administrative ability to establish and refine the process, pay attention to detail, and track students through the process
• Experience working with international students
• Ability to explain EF Academy mission and vision in a compelling way
• Maturity and emotional stability
• Discretion and ability to keep sensitive information about applicants and families completely confidential.