College Counseling at Wardlaw + Hartridge

The College Counseling Program at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School mirrors the mission of the school to prepare students for the next step in a world of global interconnection. The Office provides opportunities for students and families to learn more about all aspects of the college admission process. The emphasis of the program is on guiding each student through a process of learning and discovery that will culminate in admission to the colleges that best match the student's interest and strengths, and will offer them the appropriate academic and personal challenges following graduation. Our goal is to ensure that our graduates have the skills and knowledge to navigate the college process effectively so that they can make the best selection for their undergraduate experience.

Through programs for parents of freshmen through seniors, families are exposed to the realities of the ever-shifting college landscape. Formal college counseling begins in the junior year with classes, taught by the College Counselors, in which the focus is on mentoring students as they assess their strengths and aspirations. The course for juniors includes topics such as making the most of the college visit, essay writing, and completing a college application. Through individual meetings with juniors and their parents, the College Counselors help students to create an appropriate list of colleges to investigate. While we believe that students need to play the lead role in the process, we provide support and encourage parents to work closely with us in preparing their children as they navigate this exciting and defining step in their passage to adulthood. As members of the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and dedicated counselors, we uphold W+H’s greatest core value of integrity by adhering to The Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission and encouraging our students and families to do the same.

In the Fall, the College Counselors meet with seniors in a weekly class that focuses on the details of the application process. More than 100 college admissions officers visit Wardlaw+Hartridge in the opening months of school, providing information and contact for seniors and juniors. The visits also provide the College Counselors with an opportunity to build strong relationships with college admissions offices - an integral part of our ability to give full support to our seniors’ applications.

The W+H College Counseling team, and especially Ms. Birnhak, was an incredible source of guidance and support during the entire college application process. Whether it was through helping me make a balanced, well-thought-out college list, reviewing my essays, recommending certain classes to take during my senior year or providing emotional support when things didn’t go as planned, the college counseling team has always been a shoulder to lean on.

Arya Gaur '26

Throughout the entire process, the college counseling team was there to help me through every step. I am extremely grateful for my counselor, Ms. Honan, and the rest of the office. At W+H, the college counselors take the time to get to know you so that they can personally help you find the perfect school. They dedicate over a full year to setting you up for success and guiding you through applications.

Charlotte Szczubelek '26