COLLEGE ADMISSIONS COUNSELOR | part-time

At Wilberforce, the goal of education is to cultivate adults who are equipped to care for, govern, and build God’s kingdom. For the majority of our students, education at the college level will be an important part of achieving this goal. Finding a good fit for college, applying, and learning how to fund college is a process. Our school’s role is to provide guidance in this process, and to help inform and prepare students and families in each milestone.

The College Admissions Counselor works with the College Admissions Director helping students and families to identify colleges where our students will continue to develop as whole persons – intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Initial counseling meetings serve to help students identify colleges of interest and become familiarized with the application process, while later meetings focus on assisting students to complete the application process.

We also provide students and families with detailed timelines for applying with key dates and deadlines. Not only do we offer up-to-date materials and resources, we also host college application and Financial Aid workshops. Students may also attend sessions hosted by college representatives, who visit the school.

At The Wilberforce School, our understanding of God as Creator and of His saving purposes in Jesus Christ undergirds all of our teaching and conduct. In providing a truly Christian education in NJ, we seek to nurture students who have a genuine love of learning, who are equipped to live as vibrant Christians, and who can articulate and defend the Christian message with clarity, creativity, and conviction.

Ministry Purpose:

In accordance with Titus 2:7-8 and 1 Peter 2:11-17, the College Admissions Counselor is responsible to model the integration of faith and learning, and affirm the spiritual truths that our students learn at home and at church.

Titus 2:7-8
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.

1 Peter 2:11-17
Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist with the organization and running of the summer College Application Bootcamps in June and August. Lead sessions and work with students individually on editing essays and other pieces of the college application.
• Manage college admissions representative visits. Coordinate with admissions representatives, host them during their visit, and advertise visits to students.
• Provide essay and college application feedback to students. Offer regular office hours for students to utilize for essay feedback or college admissions questions. Meet with students as needed over the summer for essay brainstorming meetings.
• Learn and become proficient in our college application software and application systems like SCOIR and the Common Application.
• Work with the students in their college application process, providing strategies, support, and guidance to students and their families about the application process.
• Be involved in the school community at large. Attend faculty meetings/professional development days as needed.
• Coordinate the calendars of all testing involving grades 9-12: PSAT, SAT, and the ACT. Oversee PSAT and School Day SAT as a Testing Coordinator. Arrange proctors and technology coordinators. Reserve rooms and register students.
• Assume responsibility for other projects as assigned by the Director of College Admissions, Middle and Upper School Head, and Head of School.

Personal Qualities and Essential Skills:

• Be committed to furthering our school’s Christian mission and philosophy of faith-based education
• Agree to uphold our school’s Statement of Faith
• Be willing to submit to and honor the standards outlined in the Employee Handbook and/or Code of Conduct
• Credible profession of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ
• Godly character (pastoral and other character references may be required)
• Regular in-person attendee in good standing (i.e., not under church discipline) at a local Christian church (and a member, if membership is offered). The church’s beliefs are consistent with the Nicene Creed.
• Exemplary writing skills, ready grasp of English grammar
• Detail-oriented
• Organized
• Experience planning and executing events
• A love for working with students
• Willingness to learn the distinctives of The Wilberforce School mission and share with prospective families and students
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and exercise good judgment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality with the school and local community
• Strong interpersonal skills; an articulate, warm, and pleasant demeanor on the phone and in person