Class of 2025 Formally Kicks Off College-Admissions Process, Looks Ahead to Spring Meetings

Top college admissions officers joined St. Margaret’s College Counseling Team to kick off the admission process for the Class of 2025 this week, as students and their families attended a deep-seated chat during the Junior Class College Kick-Off in Hurlbut Theater.

 

St. Margaret’s Director of College Counseling Elise Rodriguez moderated a discussion on the Hurlbut Theater stage with two accomplished college experts: Thyra Briggs, who serves as the Vice President for Admission & Financial Aid at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont; and Jim Rawlins, who serves as Associate Vice Chancellor of Enrollment Management for University of California, San Diego. 

 

In an extensive conversation, the three shared advice with Class of 2025 families on approaching the admissions process. They discussed recent news and trends in college admissions, offered insight into college applications, and discussed the impact of evolving standardized-testing requirements to the admissions process, among many other topics. Most importantly, the primary theme emphasized to students is to ensure that they approach the application process as an authentic applicant  - which means using their own voice in the writing process and participating in activities that are truly enjoyable.  

 

“This discussion served to encourage each student to spend their time being curious and intellectual versus just ‘grinding’ out hard classes – it is just as important to have joy in your life,” Ms. Rodriguez said.

 

In January, the CGM block will begin as part of their second semester schedule, designed to provide meaningful opportunities for the College Counseling Office to gather with students in small groups in addition to the one-on-one meeting times already in place throughout their Upper School years. Other touch points include a Coastline Case Studies event at St. Margaret’s in January, regular meetings with students and families, and a trip to see college campuses in San Diego in May.