Choate Yet to Hire New Director of College Counseling End of Year, Retirement of Counselors, Looms
By Peter Gault ‘07
News Staff Reporter
Choate has not found a College Director for next year. As of April 3rd, the search still continues to fill this position.
The search for a college director started a year ago. Choate approached the issue from two directions. First, it sent out notices to major high schools and colleges across the country. Choate was looking for applicants, as well as people who could refer Choate to potential applicants. Additionally, Choate sought the help of “head-hunters” - outside agencies that could find candidates for Choate. Choate received many applicants for the job, however, only a small number passed the set of standards Choate demanded for a college counselor.
“We set the benchmark extremely high. We need to find someone who has the proper qualifications and experience to serve as the College Director,” said Mr. Shanahan.
At a secondary schools conference in Boston, administrators from Choate were able to meet with some candidates. After selecting the candidates who met the qualifications, the administration began interviewing them.
“We’ve looked through some applicants, but we still have more applicants to go,” said Mr. Shanahan, “It’s never over till it’s over. We have some very interesting candidates, both for the associate consular position as well as the director position.” Choate had hoped to retain a candidate from Princeton, who was extremely well qualified. He had toured at Choate multiple times, but decided to attend the American School in London instead. Mr. Shanahan said, “He was excited to work at Choate, but ultimately wanted to work in London. It was a lifestyle he wanted that dictated his choice.”
Some believe that the school was irresponsible for putting so much concentration on one candidate. However, as one teacher remarked, “The College Director position is the hardest job at Choate. Every day he or she must speak with Mr. Shanahan, and other administrators. One has to work until they are burned out and can go no further. It is a trying job, and accordingly the turnover rate is very high. If a college director does a good job, it is the students who get the credit for getting accepted into the best colleges. If the students don’t do well, attention is turned to the college director. It’s an extremely difficult job which is underappreciated.”
The student body has had mixed reactions to the topic. Katherine Heflin 07 said, “I am extremely concerned. We have not found a College Director yet, and two consolers are leaving.” Chris Clouten ‘07 has faith in the process, but he believes it is getting late.
“We want to be reassured there will be a director for next year.” One student, who wishes to remain anonymous, believes that if a college counselor is not found, an associate consular will be promoted. “I find the situation a bit distressing, but I have faith in the administration,” says John Adams ‘07. While the 5th form waits anxiously for the announcement of the next College Director, Mr. Shanahan remains confident that within a month the school will know who our next College Director is.
