Academics
Blue Print is a podcast hosted by Associate Director of College Counseling Meghan Toomey and is meant to help guide students and families throughout their college process. To do this, you will hear from people in our office, our School, and outside guests who are experts in college admissions and their respective fields.
February 2023: Historically Black Colleges and Universities
On this episode of Blue Print, our conversation will center around Historically Black Colleges and Universities, also called HBCUs. Two special guests join Meghan Toomey for a fun and informative discussion: Mr. James Johnson, a two-time HBCU graduate, and our very own Mrs. Jade Johnson, associate director of college counseling. They share their personal and professional experiences and knowledge of HBCUs. Our conversation centers around myths and truths about HBCUs. Jade brings a wealth of experience as a college counselor, and James adds personal insights into his experience being an alumnus of an HBCU.
January 2023: Athletics Beyond The Hill
Meghan Toomey speaks with Director of Athletics and Co-Curricular Activities and Head Boys' Basketball Coach Seth Eilberg P'22 '23 '25 and Assistant Director of Athletics and Head Boys' Ice Hockey Coach Sean O'Brien P'23 '25 about what it means to be a student-athlete beyond Hill. We talk about recruiting tips to help you or your child navigate their way to playing sports in college. Our guests bring a wealth of knowledge and experience as former collegiate student-athletes, coaches, and parents currently going through the process.
December 2022: C0-Directors of College Counseling Lauren Hoyt and Jodi Robinson
On this episode, we welcome Co-Directors of College Counseling Lauren Hoyt and Jodi Robinson to the Blue Print. Jodi and Lauren share with us their paths to becoming Co-Directors, their philosophies on working with students and families, and where they see our office and the future of college counseling. Their extensive knowledge and experience guide us in exploring each student's sense of self, interests and talents, ambitions, and long-term aspirations. All of this is undertaken to direct every student toward making sound choices that are individually focused.
November 2022: Director of Counseling Lisa Roethling
On this episode, we welcome our very own Lisa Roethling to the Blue Print. Ms. Roethling has served as the Director of Counseling at The Hill School since 2019. Lisa and Meghan discuss the pressures of the college process and how parents can help their students work to balance their mental health throughout the process.
October 2022: Jeffrey Selingo
On this episode we welcome award-winning higher education journalist and New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Selingo to our debut podcast. Mr. Selingo’s most recent book reveals a look from inside the admissions office. In Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admission, Mr. Selingo spent a year embedded in three different admissions offices—Emory, a selective private university; Davidson, a leading liberal arts college; and the University of Washington, a flagship public campus. This is one of the most insightful books about “getting in” and what higher education has become. Who Gets In and Why not only provides an unusually intimate look at how admissions decisions get made, but guides prospective students on how to honestly assess their strengths and match with the schools that will best serve their interests.