Academics

College Advising

COLLEGE ADVISING NEWS...

Mission

College Counseling

The Hotchkiss School considers the college search process to be an integral part of a Hotchkiss education. Through student-centered advising, the College Advising Office fosters independence, critical thinking, and supports students as they take the lead in their college process. We teach students how to develop a range of options for life after Hotchkiss, prepare authentic applications that represent their values and talents, and thoughtfully select the path that suits them best. We are guided in our work by the School's commitment to developing in each student a lifelong love of learning, responsible citizenship, and personal integrity.

The College Advising Office represents Hotchkiss and articulates the School’s mission and values to colleges so that they will understand the Hotchkiss student experience. In turn, the office represents the college admission landscape to the various constituencies of the Hotchkiss community.

Students are responsible for...

  • Upholding Hotchkiss' expectations of personal character, honesty and integrity throughout the process. 
  • Engaging in self-reflection to identify personal and educational goals.
  • Being honest and aspiring for authenticity in all communications and applications.
  • Communicating on a regular basis with their college advisors.
  • Establishing a plan of appropriate communication with their families.
  • Meeting deadlines set forth by the College Advising Office and by colleges and universities.
  • Investigating and adhering to specific admission requirements and deadlines (standardized testing, curricular and otherwise) of each institution to which they apply. 
  • Considering experiential learning opportunities, including a gap year, that could complement their college education.
  • Maintaining a healthy approach to the commitments and responsibilities of their lives both college-related and beyond.
  • Creating a climate of support and open-mindedness among their peers.
  • Maintaining an accurate college application list on Naviance. 
  • Submitting all application materials and standardized test scores (where appropriate) to each college or university where they are applying. 

The College Advising Office is responsible for...

  • Advising with the highest ethical and professional standards consistent with Hotchkiss’ expectations of personal character, honesty and integrity. 
  • Protecting privacy and holding information in confidence.
  • Being supportive of the School, the class, and each student.
  • Staying abreast of current trends within college admission.
  • Being attuned to pedagogical issues regarding adolescent development. 
  • Providing access to information and educational opportunities to students of all backgrounds.
  • Encouraging students and families to explore the range of excellent educational opportunities nationally and internationally.
  • Encouraging students to be careful researchers of the diverse admission requirements, policies and procedures of individual colleges and universities.
  • Creating an open and positive atmosphere that encourages students, faculty, and parents to take advantage of the resources available to them. 
  • Understanding and responding appropriately to the individual needs of our students in a way that promotes self-sufficiency and confidence.
  • Providing appropriate support of student writing and applications while empowering students to develop their own voices and make their own choices.
  • Promoting experiential learning opportunities, including a gap year, that could complement students’ college educations.
  • Submitting transcripts, Hotchkiss recommendations and secondary school materials to each college or university reflected on a student’s Naviance list. 
  • Communicating with and being accessible to parents throughout the college search.  

Parents are responsible for...

  • Upholding Hotchkiss' expectations of personal character, honesty and integrity throughout the process. 
  • Recognizing the value of the broad educational opportunities nationally and internationally.
  • Acknowledging that students are works in progress and that this search will evolve as they grow and learn about themselves.
  • Encouraging independence and individual growth.
  • Letting students lead the process while providing appropriate support.
  • Providing the College Advising Office with relevant information, context and insights about their children. 
  • Helping students accept outcomes by promoting, modeling, and encouraging resilience.

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College Handbook

Our Office

Office phone: (860) 435-3180
Office fax: (860) 435-3157

Richard Hazelton
Director of College Advising
rhazelton@hotchkiss.org

Betsy Beck
Senior Associate Director
bbeck@hotchkiss.org

Annie Hall
Associate Director
ahall@hotchkiss.org

JoAnne Lakin
Office Manager
jlakin@hotchkiss.org

Elsie Stapf
Gap Year Coordinator
estapf@hotchkiss.org

Elizabeth Young
Associate Director
eyoung@hotchkiss.org

Testing Office

Laurie Grusauski
Testing Coordinator
lgrusauski@hotchkiss.org