This is a busy time of year in the Hutchison college counseling office. As we prepare and send recommendation letters, transcripts, and work with girls as the application deadlines quickly approach, it is important to reflect on the relationships we build with each girl. Because of our one-on-one college counseling, we are able to vividly describe each girl in our letters of recommendation. Yet, our work does not start a few weeks before an application deadline; it starts years before. In fact, our relationship with each girl begins during her freshman year. This is the Hutchison difference.
Because we assist with upper school course advising in addition to college counseling, we have a full picture of a Hutchison girl’s experience. We know how much she loved AP US History, even though it was the hardest course she took. We know her Hutchison Leads internship revealed her passion for biomedical engineering. We know how her Hutchison Serves project inspired her to become a servant leader in the community. Because of the relationships we forge with each girl, we are able to highlight her uniqueness and tell her story in a way that stands out.
The college process is stressful, and we will never tell you otherwise. Because all of our college counselors have previously worked in college admissions, we are able to bring that perspective to our conversations with our girls. We know what works, and more importantly, what does not work. To alleviate some of the stress about essays, we lead a workshop to brainstorm ideas with the seniors in August before school starts. Additionally, during the first semester we meet in small groups with the seniors once in every six-day rotation. They have dedicated time at school to work on their applications or essays with one of the college counselors ready to help. We host workshops about using the online college application tool (Naviance), building a strong resume, and making the most of college campus visits. Last month we hosted our largest college fair to date with 44 colleges joining us.
We are a resource not only for the girls, but also for Hutchison parents. Our door is always open to our families who have questions about the college admissions process.
ABOUT LAUREN COLPITTS
Lauren Colpitts is our college counseling director. She joined Hutchison in 2013 as a college counselor. Prior to Hutchison, Ms. Colpitts served as the associate director of admission at Ohio Wesleyan University for seven years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Government from Ohio Wesleyan University.
Anywhere She Can Imagine
Check out this video of collegiate alumnae sharing how Hutchison prepared them for success in college and beyond.
Little Hive teachers Ms. Hollingsworth and Ms. Aguilar followed our youngest girls’ interest in the weather to expand their scientific knowledge and various skills, from creativity to storytelling to fine motor skills.
For her senior myExperience project, Haley Floyd ’25 combined her love of animals with a deep concern for the mental health of young women. Haley launched Pause for Paws, an initiative that brought therapy dogs to campus to offer comfort and connection. She received a 10<20 Youth Impact Award from “Memphis Parent” magazine for her work.
In these student-led R.E.A.L. discussions, our fourth graders sharpen their conversation skills while learning to support their ideas with evidence and think critically.
Through years of theatre, dance, music, and leadership in the arts, Chloe Simpson ’25 found confidence, community, and her voice. From the stage to the classroom, she embraced every opportunity to grow as a performer, student, and civic thinker.
Maggie’s interest in environmental science and forestry has grown through hands-on learning, inspiring mentors, and community involvement. After 15 years at Hutchison, she’s ready to turn her curiosity and love for learning into real-world impact.
Hutchison Now highlights graduates early in their careers who embody how a Hutchison education can lead anywhere you can imagine. We spoke with Mallory Mullis '18, Manager of Leadership Programs at the Dallas Regional Chamber.
Hutchison world language students participated in the 2025 U of M Language Fair, sponsored by The University of Memphis Department of World Languages and Literatures. Demonstrating their knowledge of Spanish and Chinese, Hutchison had nine upper school girls win awards at the fair.
Yes, egg prices are high, according to our fifth graders’ research! Their Mean Monday activity tracking grocery store prices was highlighted on WREG News Channel 3.
Carpe diem! Demonstrating their enthusiasm for Latin and Roman culture, Hutchison had several students win awards at the Tennessee Junior Classical League Convention.
Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test—these are the five steps of design thinking that our lower school girls live by in the Design Lab with academic technology specialist Jennifer Stover.