College Advising

Our approach to the college selection process is to find the right match for each student. The College Advising Office helps our students through every step of their college process, from helping develop a balanced college list to offering workshops on essay writing and interviewing techniques to application review, and everything in-between. Since each girl is different, we tailor our process to fit the needs of each student and her particular scholastic and personal goals. We get to know our students extremely well, and are able to help them find the place in which they will flourish academically, socially and professionally. Our formula works, as proven by the over 225 colleges in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom where we have sent our students.

Highlights from the Class of 2020 (72 total students)

The Class of 2020 had an over 80% admit rate for early applications (early action, early decision, and rolling).

The Class of 2020 will attend 45 colleges (37 private, 8 public – including a service academy) in 18 states, the District of Columbia, and Ireland.

22.2% (16 students) of the Class of 2020 were admitted to Ivy League schools.

100% admit rate at a total of 33 colleges and universities where 2+ KPS students applied.

Seniors were admitted to an average of 8.5 colleges each (not including those who were admitted ED or those who only applied to one college).

38 colleges with 4+ acceptances of KPS students: BC, BU, Bucknell, Case Western Reserve, Colgate, Cornell, Drexel, Elon, Fairfield, Fordham, GW, Georgetown, Gettysburg, Hamilton, Lafayette, Lehigh, Loyola, Maryland, Michigan, NYU, Northeastern, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Occidental, Penn State, Pitt, Princeton, Richmond, Rutgers, Syracuse, UMass, UPenn, USC, UVA, UVM, Vassar, Villanova, and Wisconsin.

The most popular schools for the Class of 2020 by the number of matriculants are Cornell University (4), University of Michigan (4), and University of Pennsylvania (4).

5 students (out of the Class of 2020's 72 total) will play athletics at Division I and III levels.

Our Timeline

The Academic program at Kent Place School is designed to ensure that each girl who graduates is ready to succeed in a challenging college curriculum. College advising starts the minute a girl enrolls in the Upper School. Primarily her work begins with her academic advisor with an appropriate course schedule. Each year, the Director of College Advising and the Director of the Upper School review course sign-ups to make sure that every student not only completes her Kent Place graduation requirements, but also that her overall program reflects growth and challenge.

Throughout their Kent Place experience, students are encouraged to work as hard as they can in the classroom, to explore their extracurricular interests and to search for ways to contribute to the good of their community. The process of identifying prospective colleges begins officially in winter of the junior year with a kick-off class meeting and an individualized family meeting. The College Advising Office helps our students through every step of their college process, from helping develop a balanced college list to offering workshops on essay writing and interviewing techniques to application review, and everything in-between. Our college advisors and academic advisors guide and support each future graduate with regular personalized meetings until all applications are submitted. In the spring of senior year, our college counselors collaborate with students and their families to make the best decision for their next matriculation.

Our Graduates

Admissions representatives from top colleges and universities are drawn to Kent Place each year to meet our students, whose impressive achievements encompass academics, athletics and visual and performing arts. 99.6 percent of our graduates have taken at least one Advanced Placement course, and our students are regularly named National Merit Scholars, National Achievement Scholars, and National Advanced Placement Scholars. They have presented research findings at national conferences. Their creative work has won accolades on regional and state levels. As a result of their Kent Place experience, our students go on to become dynamic contributors to their college communities.

Meet the Team

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Jennifer Simpson

    Jennifer R Simpson 

    Director of College Advising
    (908) 273-0900 ext. 275
    Bio
  • Photo of Anne Marie Ferriere

    Anne Marie Ferriere 

    Associate Director of College Advising
    (908) 273-0900 ext. 283
    Bio
  • Photo of Melissa Guarino

    Melissa Guarino 

    Administrative Assistant; Assistant Head of School for Teaching and Learning
    (908) 273-0900, ext. 266
    Bio

Learn

42 Norwood Avenue, Summit, NJ 07901   |   (908) 273-0900
Kent Place School is an all-girls K through 12 independent college preparatory day school with a coeducational Preschool, located in Summit, NJ.

  • TEST WHAT'S "EXPECTED."

    That's our mantra in robotics. Try crazy things, be free with your ideas, and see what happens. If you're going to build the future, you'll need to be a pioneer. –Emma, seventh grade

  • LEAN INTO DIFFICULTY.

    When it comes to academics, it pays to challenge yourself. I'm in the Bioethics Symposium, presenting research on the ethics of genetically-enhanced intelligence. At times it's daunting—research, deadlines, time management—but it's also a whole new way of thinking. Very independent and "you-driven." –Isabella, sophomore

  • OWN YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE

    It's one of the "conversation norms" we have at Kent Place, and it's always resonated with me. Everyone has a different and equally valid perspective to bring to the table—so put yourself out there. –Mary, senior

  • DON’T THINK YOU’RE GOING TO GET A LABEL.

    There are no jocks here at Kent Place, no science geeks, no theater nerds. Last month a varsity athlete went to sing at the Vatican. Everyone here has some unique quality — and they’re amazing at what they do. –Claire, senior

  • MATH COMES FROM YOU

    When you've computed something for yourself, the story is different. The girls here feel like the math is coming from them, rather than from a textbook. You won't hear a Kent Place girl ask, "What answer are they looking for?" The girls are looking for their own answers, and they're on their own path. –Dr. Ralph Pantozzi, Mathematics Department Chair

  • GET READY FOR RIGOROUS WORK.

    And multiple extracurricular activities. Busy days, and a few late nights. But through it all, don’t lose your sense of fun. –Alessandra, junior

  • MAKE CONNECTIONS.

    KPS alumnae are amazing. I met one alumna after a math and science panel who works in retail architecture. That made me think about a cool way to combine two of my interests — math and fashion. –Amber, junior

  • YOUR TIME AT KPS IS GOING TO OPEN UP OPTIONS YOU HADN'T EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT.

    And when it's time to choose, you're going to know yourself so well, you'll pick the college that's the best fit for you—academically, socially, personally. So don't get tunnel vision. This is your process. Just know that you'll be ready! –Jennifer Simpson, Director of College Advising

  • SOLVING PROBLEMS IS A JOURNEY, ENJOY THE RIDE!

    In the Middle School we do a Science Expo—either two or four people work on a science project for a couple of months and then present it to the entire class. We go into some in-depth projects and it’s incredible what we learn along the way, and how willing our teachers are to help us through the tough parts. –Toni Ann, eighth grade

  • SPEAK YOUR MIND.

    Every girl here learns from an early age how to speak up and speak to adults. You never feel silly raising your hand, and you’re given lots of opportunities to speak publicly. I’m never shy about saying what’s on my mind. –Vittoria, fourth grade

  • ETHICS WILL CHANGE YOUR ENTIRE OUTLOOK.

    Right away, we tackled questions of "right versus right." We're learning to look at every issue from both sides, which helps with everything from homework to friendships. –Elizabeth, eighth grade