Demystifying the College Admissions Process
Upper School families interacted with decision-makers and gained an inside look at the college admissions process.
More than 200 Upper School students and their families gathered for the inaugural College Admission Symposium, joining college admission leaders from across the country. The LJCDS College Counseling Office seized the opportunity to host these representatives, who were already in town for a regional event and welcomed them to campus on a Sunday afternoon specifically for the Torrey community.
Attendees engaged with top admissions officers, counselors, and education experts through a Q&A panel, breakout sessions, and a college fair. Their thoughtful questions and high level of participation reflected the community’s deep commitment to understanding today’s evolving college admissions landscape.
“The presence of admission officers—those who will be reading our students’ applications and making key decisions—added an invaluable dimension,” shares Dean of College Counseling Damien Fatongia. “It transformed the often abstract concept of college admissions into something more tangible and personal. Students and families could now connect faces and personalities to institutions, making the process feel more approachable and human. This direct interaction helped demystify admissions and gave our families a clearer perspective on how the applications will be evaluated.”
Recognizing that the college exploration journey differs for each student, the symposium was intentionally designed to support all Upper School students, regardless of where they are in the process.
“What made this symposium truly distinctive was its inclusive, community-wide approach,” Damien explains. “While our college counseling events are typically structured by grade level and specific interests, we intentionally designed this gathering to bring together the entire Upper School. This cross-grade format created a unique dynamic where students could learn from the presenters and gain insights from peers at different stages of the college journey.”
Parents also found value in the event. “Even though we went through this process with our senior Olivia, who is successfully managing her journey, I still gathered new and useful information,” shares Becky Howe P’25 ’27 ’30. “I was especially grateful to bring our sophomore, Lillia, as she better understands the college admission process now. The representatives did a phenomenal job answering questions from both students and parents, making the experience relevant and informative for everyone in attendance.”
The inaugural college admission symposium on Sunday, January 26, 2025, featured:
- Q&A Panel: A panel of deans and directors from Chapman University, Claremont McKenna College, Brandeis University, and the University of Oregon.
- Breakout Sessions: Attendees participated in two breakout sessions, selecting from 12 options led by admission representatives. Topics included College 101 with the University of Colorado Boulder, Tips for Essay Writing with Syracuse University, and Business Bound with Boston College. Other sessions focused on STEM (Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of Rochester), the arts (Emerson College), athletics (Denison University), and more.
- College Fair: The event concluded with a college fair, offering families another opportunity to connect directly with representatives from all participating schools, including Reed College, Tufts University, UCSD, USD, Villanova University, and Washington University in St. Louis.
