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Ranney College Guidance Counselors – On the Road to Development with ACCIS

Students at Ranney School are guided by dedicated and compassionate professionals who celebrate the unique nature of every child. Within Ranney’s College Guidance Office lies a group of wholly committed counselors who invest endless amounts of time and energy into year-round professional development programs that promise to better the future of each student.

Ranney’s College Guidance Department is a proud part of the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools (ACCIS) — an organization that supports the essential work of college counselors in independent schools who serve the young people in their care. While the ACCIS has hosted “summer institutes” for counselors from across the country since its origination in 2008, it developed smaller colloquiums to focus on themed discussions in 2010. After assisting in the coordination of a 2010 colloquium themed “The Viability of a Liberal Arts Education” at Colby College, the ACCIS asked that Ranney’s College Guidance Department plan one of two summer colloquiums offered between July 31 and August 3, 2011.

More than eager to complete the task, Director of College Guidance Myronee Simpson and Associate Director of College Guidance Adam Materasso planned a curriculum program and arranged guided tours to three separate colleges surrounding the colloquium’s hosting school, Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. With the colloquium’s theme being “21st Century College Admissions and College Counseling: What Does it Look like from Both Sides of the Desk,” discussions ranged from professional topics on the role of the 21st century college counselor to the impact of social media on the college admissions landscape.

During discussions and visits to such esteemed colleges and universities as Vassar, Marist and Fordham, 26 independent school attendees from as far West as California shared best practices with one another, discovered current issues and trends in education, and learned of new college acceptance evaluation techniques. For instance, higher educational institutions like Tufts University now place more of an emphasis on application essays in addition to test scores and good grades. According to Mr. Materasso, the College Guidance Office will continue working hard to assure that each student’s application and essay truly represents who they are as an individual. “Some of the best essays are on ordinary topics, but approach them from a unique angle,” he said.

If given another opportunity, Ms. Simpson says she would definitely host future colloquiums. Not only do they serve as a tool that familiarizes colleges and universities throughout the United States with the name “Ranney School,” but they reflect positively on the department’s professional development as well. Having spent four days acquiring ideas and tactics from other independent school counselors across the nation, Ms. Simpson and Mr. Materasso are ready to take on the challenges that await them this school year as they encourage juniors to embrace the college process, choose the “right fit” school and identify their passions.

Aside from scheduled college visits that will take place throughout the school year, students are also invited to attend a Colgate University Regional Information Session at 7:00 pm in RSPA Panther Hall on Monday, September 26, 2011. Ranney will also host a Johns Hopkins Regional Presentation for interested Upper School students on October 6, 2011, from 7:00-9:00 pm.
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.