Navigating the College Selection Process

By College Counseling Director Lauren Colpitts
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.

Back

Read More

  • Visit Visit
    Schedule a tour.
    You'll see first-hand what makes Hutchison special.
  • Apply Apply
    Ready?
    Start by filling out our online application.
  • Inquire Inquire
    Want to learn more?
    We'd love to tell you all about the Hutchison advantage.

Hutchison School

1740 Ridgeway Road
Memphis, Tennessee 38119
Phone: (901) 761-2220

Resources

Connect

Hutchison is the leading private girls school in Memphis for ages 2 years old through twelfth grade.