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From the Desk of College Guidance – A Ranney School College Guidance Series

Pull up a chair at the desk of Ranney’s College Guidance Office, as its new series, From the Desk of College Guidance, takes an in-depth look through the eyes of Ranney’s very own college counselors and out into the ever-changing world of college admissions. This informative series will include articles on such topics as the Ranney college guidance process, specialized schools, the value of community service and more.
Students Seeking to Follow Their Dreams at Specialty Schools
In addition to helping its seniors submit traditional four-year college applications, Ranney’s College Guidance Office is also equipped with the resources and insight necessary towards directing those looking to apply at various specialty schools.

Aside from seeking admission at four-year institutions such as NYU, Harvard and Duke, additional schools applied to this year included those that also specialize in equine studies, the arts and music. “While we see one or two seniors apply to art schools every year, Ranney's Class of 2012 contains students interested in applying to music conservatories as well,” said Director of College Guidance Myra Simpson.

As a Ranney School thespian, singer and elite musician who specializes in three instruments — the piano, harp and viola — senior Christa Dalmazio began her search for the “perfect fit” college early on in her Upper School career. “I discussed many options with my parents, my guidance counselor (Mr. Adam Materasso), my private voice teacher and my vocal coach to decide which specialty schools would enable me to grow as a musician,” said Christa who is hoping to pursue a vocal major, and later a graduate degree. In the end, Christa chose to apply at 11 music conservatories, many of which she is still awaiting a response.

Paying mind to the uniqueness of Christa’s college guidance process, Ms. Simpson and Mr. Materasso attended sessions on specialty school applications during the National Association for College Admission Counseling’s (NACAC) 67th National Conference in September. Session topics ranged from completing the application process to preparing students for specialty schools.

For senior Tor Miller, who applied and was accepted to the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU, the admissions process included seven different components: a statement of intent, creative sample and detailed statement pertaining to the creative sample, artistic resume, current professional photograph, critical essay and letter of recommendation.

To submit all materials before the application deadline, students like Tor must work side-by-side not only with the College Guidance Office, but also with their corresponding department chairs. For senior Adam Nickel — who gained acceptance at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design — he sought help from Fine Arts Chair Ms. Kate Greenberg. In addition to taking standardized tests, doing well in his classes, staying active within the community, and obtaining recommendations from teachers, Adam was required to submit an art portfolio and artistic statement with his application. The College Guidance Department at Ranney also suggests that students interested in pursuing a career in the Visual Arts participate in summer programs hosted by art colleges. According to Ms. Simpson, those students who have attended these programs in the past have successfully completed their first year of art school, which is oftentimes the most challenging.

No matter whether students take an active interest in the arts, medicine, an overseas education, or service academies, a professional College Guidance Department, along with dedicated teachers at Ranney, is there every step of the way, providing endless opportunities that encourage each student to follow his or her dreams. “We have many students with different interests,” said Ms. Simpson. “And, we do our best to accommodate those interests.”

Read more articles in this series on the College Guidance page.
 
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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. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.