College Admissions Counselor

Empowerly

145d

About The Position

College Admissions Counselors guide high school students through the college admissions process. The role includes creating academic and extracurricular road maps, providing structure and feedback for college applications, and helping students discover their interests and begin early career development. Many students are based in the San Francisco Bay Area and apply to top 50 colleges, including UC and Ivy League schools; areas of particular interest include pre-med and BS/MD programs and computer science. Counselors support students through academic and extracurricular planning, standardized testing, college selection, application preparation, admissions strategies, and financial aid and scholarship resources. They prepare for and document sessions, communicate with students and parents, attend monthly team meetings, use Empowerly resources, and monitor Empowerly email and Slack communications. The role may also support transfer, undergraduate, postgraduate, and international students. Typical weekly hours are part-time equivalent, with availability needed in afternoons after 3:00 p.m. and/or on weekends.

Requirements

Graduate from a top 50 national university.
Experience as a college counselor for high school students, with a track record of acceptances to a top 50 national university.
Consistent availability in the afternoons after 3:00 p.m. and/or on weekends to meet with students.
Passion for education and talent for teaching, essay writing, and essay editing.
Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
Ability to plan around and meet deadlines.
Dedication to client service.
Ability to commit to students for multi-year packages.

Nice To Haves

Years of experience as a College Admissions Counselor.
Former admissions officer at a top 50 college.
Graduation from a top 50 college and a STEM background, preferably in computer science, engineering, and/or medicine.
Advanced degree such as an MD, PhD, MBA, JD, or master's degree.
Experience as an independent college counselor, including NACAC, WACAC, or IECA experience.

Responsibilities

Keep up to date with current college admission changes.
Be available to support 20–25 students, with flexibility based on schedule and bandwidth.
Advise students on extracurricular activities that expand their interests and may provide leadership opportunities.
Help students develop meaningful summer plans, including applying to internships and exploring competitions, research opportunities, and community service.
Create standardized testing plans, including score-improvement strategies and guidance on which tests are appropriate.
Help create college lists, categorize colleges as reach, target, or safety, and provide tips for college visits.
Guide students through the application process, including personal statements, activities, resumes, recommendation letters, essay review and edits, research when necessary, and final application-material reviews before submission.
Develop strategies for early action, early decision, regular decision, waitlists, and college choice.
Discuss financial aid guidance and resources, as well as merit scholarship resources.
Prepare for sessions in advance, arrive on time, log sessions promptly, stay in touch with students, maintain healthy relationships with parents, and include parents in communications.
Support transfer, undergraduate, postgraduate, and international students.
Attend monthly team meetings.
Use resources available within Empowerly to provide advice to students.
Monitor Empowerly email and Slack accounts for current company communications.