The Hill School’s College Counseling Office kicked off the new year by hosting its fifth College Counseling Advisory Board session January 15 through 17, 2025. The Advisory Board is comprised of admissions deans, directors, and vice presidents from a variety of selective colleges and universities in the country.
This year’s members include Amanda Anderson, executive director of undergraduate admissions at the University of Miami; Krista Evans, dean of admissions at Lafayette College; JT Duck, dean of admissions and enrollment management at Tufts University; Hillen Grason, vice president for enrollment management admissions and outreach at Drexel University; Kevin Mathes, assistant vice president and dean of admissions at Bucknell University; Antonio Moore, director of multicultural outreach and undergraduate admissions at Penn State University; and Jay Jacobs, vice provost for enrollment management at the University of Vermont, who participated virtually.
The goal of the visit each year is to provide members with an in-depth view of a student’s Hill experience so they better understand the School overall, but also to offer feedback on how our College Counseling Office can best represent Hill to colleges. While it is a routine practice for Hill and other independent schools to invite admission counselors to campus throughout the year for fairs and general information sessions, The Hill is one of only a few schools utilizing the guidance, wisdom, and expertise of veteran higher education admission directors through the creation of an Advisory Board.
During the Advisory Board’s visit, members had the opportunity to meet with School leadership, attend classes and afternoon co-curriculars; hear from a student and faculty panel on life at Hill; and experience Hill traditions, such as seated lunch in the Dining Room and a chapel service.
On Friday morning, the Advisory Board met with the Academic Council to discuss the role of AI in the future of college applications and admissions. The Advisory Board shared their differing opinions on the use of AI in applications while also speaking on how they are able to use it as a tool.
Special thanks to all members of The Hill School’s College Counseling Office for their work in organizing this noteworthy event as well as their dedication to our students: Lauren Hoyt and Jodi Robinson, co-directors; Keegan Ash '06, associate director; Dave Page ’05, student-athlete recruitment coordinator; Larissa Snyder, college counselor; Nick Skitko '10, assistant director; and Mary Vassallo, administrative assistant.