GANN ACADEMY

COLLEGE COUNSELING

2022-2023

Gann’s long-standing philosophy of matching the right student with the right college is based upon a deep, detailed understanding of each individual. Our College Counseling Office offers comprehensive, personalized guidance to each future graduate as they pursue a college, university, and/or gap year program. Individual attention ensures that students receive the support and help they need to identify their goals as they think about the future. Because of the close working relationship with the college counselors, our students receive tailored advice which enables them to make thoughtful decisions about what kind of university environments will serve them best. Gann’s counselors maintain close ties with college admissions officers around the country by frequently visiting campuses and welcoming over 70 college visitors each year for students to meet. Providing students with the opportunity to learn about colleges and form connections is an important part of the search process. Gann sends its graduates out into the world with an understanding of who they are, where they belong, and who they are becoming.

9th-12th Programs When students are in 9th grade, the college counselors work with their advisors to ensure that students understand how to make appropriate choices about courses and extracurricular activities so they will be well-prepared to apply to college. The college counselors hold grade-appropriate programs, including an Understanding Transcripts meeting for 9th graders and a Standardized Testing and Timeline session for 10th graders, which enable students to feel informed about the college process while focusing on their high school experience. To provide maximum time for students to investigate and apply to colleges, universities, and gap-year programs, Gann’s formal college counseling program begins in the winter of junior year. After a signature group program for juniors and their parents, our counselors meet individually with each 11th grade family to help develop appropriate college lists, recommend standardized testing plans, offer essay-writing assistance, and share financial aid information. The program continues in 12th grade, when our counselors meet with each student as soon as the year begins and continue to meet frequently throughout the year. The college counselors provide extensive guidance throughout the college search, application, acceptance, and decision-making phases of senior year, working directly with every senior and advocating for them. In addition, the college counselors offer ongoing group workshops and events, often featuring college admissions officers as guest speakers.

Gann’s long-standing philosophy of matching the right student with the right college is based upon a deep, detailed understanding of each individual. Our College Counseling Office offers comprehensive, personalized guidance to each future graduate as they pursue a college, university, and/or gap year program. Individual attention ensures that students receive the support and help they need to identify their goals as they think about the future. Because of the close working relationship with the college counselors, our students receive tailored advice which enables them to make thoughtful decisions about what kind of university environments will serve them best. Gann’s counselors maintain close ties with college admissions officers around the country by frequently visiting campuses and welcoming over 70 college visitors each year for students to meet. Providing students with the opportunity to learn about colleges and form connections is an important part of the search process. Gann sends its graduates out into the world with an understanding of who they are, where they belong, and who they are becoming.

9th-12th Programs When students are in 9th grade, the college counselors work with their advisors to ensure that students understand how to make appropriate choices about courses and extracurricular activities so they will be well-prepared to apply to college. The college counselors hold grade-appropriate programs, including an Understanding Transcripts meeting for 9th graders and a Standardized Testing and Timeline session for 10th graders, which enable students to feel informed about the college process while focusing on their high school experience. To provide maximum time for students to investigate and apply to colleges, universities, and gap-year programs, Gann’s formal college counseling program begins in the winter of junior year. After a signature group program for juniors and their parents, our counselors meet individually with each 11th grade family to help develop appropriate college lists, recommend standardized testing plans, offer essay-writing assistance, and share financial aid information. The program continues in 12th grade, when our counselors meet with each student as soon as the year begins and continue to meet frequently throughout the year. The college counselors provide extensive guidance throughout the college search, application, acceptance, and decision-making phases of senior year, working directly with every senior and advocating for them. In addition, the college counselors offer ongoing group workshops and events, often featuring college admissions officers as guest speakers.

College Matriculation 2018-2022

Since our first class graduated in 2000, Gann Academy alumni have attended nearly 200 colleges and universities and participated in over 25 gap year programs. They have chosen schools in 32 states, Washington, DC, and four international countries. The class of 2022 enrolled in schools in 25 states, Washington, D.C., and two international countries. BOLD indicates multiple students; * indicates at least one student from the Class of 2022 enrolled. *American University Babson College Barnard College *Bates College Berklee College of Music Boston College *Boston University *Brandeis University *Brown University Bryn Mawr College Carleton College *Case Western Reserve University Chapman University *Clark University Colby College Colgate University College of Charleston Colorado College Columbia University Connecticut College Cornell University

*Dartmouth College Dean College Dickinson College *Drexel University *Duke University *Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University *Emory University Endicott College George Washington University Georgia Institute of Technology Gettysburg College Goucher College *Grinnell College *Harvard University *Indiana University *Johns Hopkins University *Lafayette College *Lehigh University *List College/Columbia University Joint Program

Macalester College Manhattan School of Music *Massachusetts Institute of Technology *McGill University Merrimack College *Michigan State University Mount Allison University Mount Holyoke College *Muhlenberg College *New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Oberlin College Old Dominion University Olin College of Engineering *Pennsylvania State University, Altoona *Pitzer College Princeton University Quinnipiac University *Reichman University (IDC Herzliya) Santa Clara University Simmons University *Skidmore College Smith College *Syracuse University Temple University *The Ohio State University The University of Edinburgh The University of Texas at Austin The University of the Arts Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson University) *Tufts University *Tulane University *Union College

United States Military Academy, West Point University of California, Los Angeles University of Chicago *University of Colorado Boulder *University of Delaware University of Florida *University of Hartford *University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign *University of King’s College *University of Maryland *University of Massachusetts Amherst *University of Miami *University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of New Hampshire University of Pennsylvania *University of Pittsburgh *University of Rhode Island *University of Richmond *University of Rochester University of Southern California *University of Vermont University of Virginia *University of Wisconsin *Vassar College *Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College *Wesleyan University Wheaton College William & Mary Williams College *Worcester Polytechnic Institute *Yale University Yeshiva University

College Matriculation 2018-2022

Since our first class graduated in 2000, Gann Academy alumni have attended nearly 200 colleges and universities and participated in over 25 gap year programs. They have chosen schools in 32 states, Washington, DC, and four international countries. The class of 2022 enrolled in schools in 25 states, Washington, D.C., and two international countries. BOLD indicates multiple students; * indicates at least one student from the Class of 2022 enrolled. *American University Babson College Barnard College *Bates College Berklee College of Music Boston College *Boston University *Brandeis University *Brown University Bryn Mawr College Carleton College *Case Western Reserve University Chapman University *Clark University Colby College Colgate University College of Charleston Colorado College Columbia University Connecticut College Cornell University

*Dartmouth College Dean College Dickinson College *Drexel University *Duke University *Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University *Emory University Endicott College George Washington University Georgia Institute of Technology Gettysburg College Goucher College *Grinnell College *Harvard University *Indiana University *Johns Hopkins University *Lafayette College *Lehigh University *List College/Columbia University Joint Program

Macalester College Manhattan School of Music *Massachusetts Institute of Technology *McGill University Merrimack College *Michigan State University Mount Allison University Mount Holyoke College *Muhlenberg College *New York University Northeastern University Northwestern University Oberlin College Old Dominion University Olin College of Engineering *Pennsylvania State University, Altoona *Pitzer College Princeton University Quinnipiac University *Reichman University (IDC Herzliya) Santa Clara University Simmons University *Skidmore College Smith College *Syracuse University Temple University *The Ohio State University The University of Edinburgh The University of Texas at Austin The University of the Arts Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson University) *Tufts University *Tulane University *Union College

United States Military Academy, West Point University of California, Los Angeles University of Chicago *University of Colorado Boulder *University of Delaware University of Florida *University of Hartford *University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign *University of King’s College *University of Maryland *University of Massachusetts Amherst *University of Miami *University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of New Hampshire University of Pennsylvania *University of Pittsburgh *University of Rhode Island *University of Richmond *University of Rochester University of Southern California *University of Vermont University of Virginia *University of Wisconsin *Vassar College *Washington University in St. Louis Wellesley College *Wesleyan University Wheaton College William & Mary Williams College *Worcester Polytechnic Institute *Yale University Yeshiva University

Reflections “The college counseling office was there for me every step of the way. Thanks to the help of my counselor, the college process was very manageable, and I ended up at the right school for me.” Matthew Ross, ‘22, American University

“I honestly didn’t know where to start when it came to applying to colleges. Working one-on-one with my college counselor not only prepared me for the stressful time that is applying to college, but she gave me the support I needed to earn a spot at my dream school!” Gillian Pergament, ‘20, Tulane University “Gann’s college counseling team exceeded our expectations! They guided us and our daughter with great knowledge, expertise, and care each step of the way. From start to finish, Leah was supported. Gann does an exceptional job supporting the whole child before, during, outside, and after the college application process!” Deb Frydman, parent of Leah Koritz, ‘22, Brown University after a gap year at Midreshet Amudim, Israel

“Gann’s college counseling program is incredibly robust, and, like all things Gann, operates from a place of excellence. Every facet of the application process is considered and attended to, ensuring students and parents alike receive individualized attention and knowledgeable expertise. Our college counselor took the time to really get to know our child and transformed what would normally be a very stressful time period into a productive and exciting learning opportunity that yielded a successful college match!” Laura Jarbeau, parent of Noah, ‘22, Bates College “With each of our children, we had expected stress surrounding the college process. But expert guidance, regular meetings, frequent email exchanges, and personalized care made for a very smooth experience for both our kids and our family.” Sharon and Igo Krebs, Ilana, ‘21, (Commonwealth College, UMass Amherst) and AZ, ‘22 (MIT)

Reflections “The college counseling office was there for me every step of the way. Thanks to the help of my counselor, the college process was very manageable, and I ended up at the right school for me.” Matthew Ross, ‘22, American University

“I honestly didn’t know where to start when it came to applying to colleges. Working one-on-one with my college counselor not only prepared me for the stressful time that is applying to college, but she gave me the support I needed to earn a spot at my dream school!” Gillian Pergament, ‘20, Tulane University “Gann’s college counseling team exceeded our expectations! They guided us and our daughter with great knowledge, expertise, and care each step of the way. From start to finish, Leah was supported. Gann does an exceptional job supporting the whole child before, during, outside, and after the college application process!” Deb Frydman, parent of Leah Koritz, ‘22, Brown University after a gap year at Midreshet Amudim, Israel

“Gann’s college counseling program is incredibly robust, and, like all things Gann, operates from a place of excellence. Every facet of the application process is considered and attended to, ensuring students and parents alike receive individualized attention and knowledgeable expertise. Our college counselor took the time to really get to know our child and transformed what would normally be a very stressful time period into a productive and exciting learning opportunity that yielded a successful college match!” Laura Jarbeau, parent of Noah, ‘22, Bates College “With each of our children, we had expected stress surrounding the college process. But expert guidance, regular meetings, frequent email exchanges, and personalized care made for a very smooth experience for both our kids and our family.” Sharon and Igo Krebs, Ilana, ‘21, (Commonwealth College, UMass Amherst) and AZ, ‘22 (MIT)

Gap Year A Gap Year is a year to grow and learn. Students find this interim year not only to be an enriching experience but also excellent preparation for college. Some Gann graduates take a gap year to further their commitment to Israel, Jewish learning, or service. Others travel to different parts of the world to explore different cultures, customs, or languages. And a few do internships or work or gain other life skills. Our Gap Year advisor helps students research and identify programs that fit each student’s goals and needs; the advisor also helps with applications. Each winter, a variety of gap year programs from across the globe recruit at Gann and provide students information on a range of options. A small sample of recent gap year enrollments includes: • Aardvark Israel • Americorps • Kivunim • Midreshet Amudim • Nativ College Leadership Program • Shalom Hartman Institute: Hevruta • Tivnu: Building Justice (Portland, OR) • Where there be Dragons: Andes and Amazon • Young Judea Year Course • Yeshivat Orayta

“Gann helped me gain the confidence to take a gap year. I was unsure about how the transition from my gap year to college would go, both socially and in terms of studies. However, Gann staff and alumni were extremely helpful and gave me the reassurance that I needed. Last year, I went on Aardvark Israel. I would definitely recommend taking a gap year, it was one of the best experiences I’ve had!” Rebecca Geisberg ‘21, Boston University

Gap Year A Gap Year is a year to grow and learn. Students find this interim year not only to be an enriching experience but also excellent preparation for college. Some Gann graduates take a gap year to further their commitment to Israel, Jewish learning, or service. Others travel to different parts of the world to explore different cultures, customs, or languages. And a few do internships or work or gain other life skills. Our Gap Year advisor helps students research and identify programs that fit each student’s goals and needs; the advisor also helps with applications. Each winter, a variety of gap year programs from across the globe recruit at Gann and provide students information on a range of options. A small sample of recent gap year enrollments includes: • Aardvark Israel • Americorps • Kivunim • Midreshet Amudim • Nativ College Leadership Program • Shalom Hartman Institute: Hevruta • Tivnu: Building Justice (Portland, OR) • Where there be Dragons: Andes and Amazon • Young Judea Year Course • Yeshivat Orayta

“Gann helped me gain the confidence to take a gap year. I was unsure about how the transition from my gap year to college would go, both socially and in terms of studies. However, Gann staff and alumni were extremely helpful and gave me the reassurance that I needed. Last year, I went on Aardvark Israel. I would definitely recommend taking a gap year, it was one of the best experiences I’ve had!” Rebecca Geisberg ‘21, Boston University

Designed for You Gann has three college counselors who advise students and parents on all aspects of the college search, application, and selection process. The Gann College Counseling Office: • Welcomes 70+ colleges/10+ gap year recruiters from around the world to visit and connect with students



• Hosts late-August workshops and Case Study Night for seniors, featuring college admission officers



• Administers Naviance, a college counseling database

• Presents an Introduction to Transcripts program for ninth graders and a Testing & Timeline event for tenth graders and parents

• Reviews activities lists



• Assists with making a standardized testing plan



• Shares financial aid and scholarship information



• Provides preparation for interviews



• Offers course selection advice



• Suggests colleges to investigate



• Connects students to college representatives



• Advises about Jewish life on campuses



• Works with students’ advisors and teachers

• Brainstorms, proofreads, and consults about college essays

• Provides standardized test prep resources and administers the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams.

• Brings in guest speakers on timely topics (recent examples include visiting colleges, writing essays, test-optional admissions policies, art portfolios)







• Prepares and distributes transcripts



• Writes recommendations



• Advocates for all students

• Conducts individual, family, and group meetings

• Hosts parent “parlor meetings” with admissions officers and college counselors • Offers dedicated assembly block time for college counseling programming and speakers • Sponsors program for students seeking academic accommodations in college

• Stays on top of current trends

• Refers students to appropriate resources at Gann and elsewhere

• Helps students decide which teachers to ask for recommendations

• Organizes relevant special events

• Shares weekly updates about local and virtual college fairs and information sessions

Designed for You Gann has three college counselors who advise students and parents on all aspects of the college search, application, and selection process. The Gann College Counseling Office: • Welcomes 70+ colleges/10+ gap year recruiters from around the world to visit and connect with students



• Hosts late-August workshops and Case Study Night for seniors, featuring college admission officers



• Administers Naviance, a college counseling database

• Presents an Introduction to Transcripts program for ninth graders and a Testing & Timeline event for tenth graders and parents

• Reviews activities lists



• Assists with making a standardized testing plan



• Shares financial aid and scholarship information



• Provides preparation for interviews



• Offers course selection advice



• Suggests colleges to investigate



• Connects students to college representatives



• Advises about Jewish life on campuses



• Works with students’ advisors and teachers

• Brainstorms, proofreads, and consults about college essays

• Provides standardized test prep resources and administers the PSAT, SAT, ACT, and AP exams.

• Brings in guest speakers on timely topics (recent examples include visiting colleges, writing essays, test-optional admissions policies, art portfolios)







• Prepares and distributes transcripts



• Writes recommendations



• Advocates for all students

• Conducts individual, family, and group meetings

• Hosts parent “parlor meetings” with admissions officers and college counselors • Offers dedicated assembly block time for college counseling programming and speakers • Sponsors program for students seeking academic accommodations in college

• Stays on top of current trends

• Refers students to appropriate resources at Gann and elsewhere

• Helps students decide which teachers to ask for recommendations

• Organizes relevant special events

• Shares weekly updates about local and virtual college fairs and information sessions

Gann Academy 333 Forest Street Waltham, MA 02452 781.642.6800 www.gannacademy.org