Elizabeth Cavallari, Director of College Counseling
Students and parents get a window into the College Counseling Office’s close partnership with admissions officers during the Junior College Program
As a parent, I know my children don’t always see me as the expert (even when I clearly am). But the moment another adult says the exact same thing? Suddenly, they’re believers.
The same dynamic plays out in the College Counseling Office.
This month, we’ve completed meetings with every junior family and are in the midst of meeting with our sophomore families. In meeting after meeting, I’ll share a point and watch a parent break into a knowing smile. Then I turn to the student and ask them to confirm it: “Go ahead! Tell your parent they were right.” It happens again and again.
And because we spend so much time with HRA students, through individual meetings, group sessions, and Homeroom programming, our voices can start to sound a bit like the Charlie Brown teacher: wah-wah, wah-wah.
So what do we do?
We bring in reinforcements.
We invite trusted colleagues and friends from the other side of the desk: undergraduate admissions officers. These are the professionals who read applications, sit in committee, and help make final decisions. They are often the very people advocating for our students in the admissions process.
On Sunday, March 22, we were thrilled to welcome two of these partners to our Junior College Program. Yes, our College Counseling team covered key topics: how we guide families through the process (and paperwork), the role of AI in the college search, and financing higher education. But we also made space for new voices to speak about crafting a memorable essay and building a thoughtful, balanced college list.
And they were fantastic.
They didn’t necessarily say anything radically new, but that’s exactly the point. Their perspectives reinforced the work, messaging, and programming our College Counseling team provides every day while offering a fresh voice and lens.
That reinforcement matters. It builds confidence in the process, strengthens trust, and helps our students and families feel supported from every angle.
We are proud of our partnerships with admissions officers who are willing to make the trip, not only because of our relationship, but also because these professionals are invaluable resources for the exceptional students at Hampton Roads Academy.
