College Guidance
Gill St. Bernard’s School is a college preparatory school, sending 100% of its graduating seniors to college. College guidance is an individualized process at GSB with the goal of producing the best possible match between each uniquely talented student and the college or university which best fits that student.
GSB students enjoy a 30:1 student/counselor ratio, less than half the national average for college guidance. With this as the goal, the school proudly boasts an impressive record for admission for its students to many of the most and highly competitive colleges and universities in the country.
The Upper School college guidance program begins in freshman year as students are encouraged to build a strong foundation for college success. Students are offered counsel about curricular and co-curricular choices, standardized testing, and how best to approach the college admissions process.
GSB students begin standardized test practice as early as sophomore year. Sophomores take the PLAN test as a preview of the ACT. Juniors will take the PSAT. In this way, each student has concrete information as plans are made for college admission testing.
Typically, juniors and seniors will take either the SAT or ACT or sometimes both.
Formal advising begins for students (and their families) in the winter of junior year. It is at this point when guidance staff will collaborate with students and families to identify and investigate potential higher education options. Seniors are given individual guidance and direction with applications, interviewing, fulfillment of required testing, and financial assistance applications when appropriate.
The college guidance team at GSB consists of three experienced college admissions professionals. The Director of College Guidance, Kerri Small, is the former Associate Dean and Director of College Admissions at Drew University in New Jersey. Kerri is well-known by college admissions professionals for her work in the field and has presented at a number of conferences and workshops on various topics in college admissions. Karen Blair, Associate Director of College Guidance has over eight years of experience in college planning and placement. Mike Chimes, outgoing Director of College Guidance and veteran of college placement, is well-respected throughout the state and nationally for his expertise in the profession.
