Hi everyone, Staci here! As someone who spends all of her time helping students write personal essays, it’s about time I practice what I preach. I’m taking over the blog today to reflect on right fits and share a bit more about my new role at DC College Counseling.
In college admissions, we often talk about finding the right fit--the school that offers (almost) everything you need and want. As I tell students, the search for the right fit can sometimes land you exactly where you hope to be. However, this quest can also lead you to the most wonderfully unexpected places.
Finding the right college fit was easy for me. I became a proud diplomat at Franklin and Marshall College, where I started planning for a future career in law. But then a year studying abroad changed everything. My literature professors at University of Oxford inspired me so much that I decided to pursue a PhD in English. As part of my program I taught undergraduate writing classes and discovered my love of teaching. I eventually abandoned my dissertation in favor of another graduate degree in education. For over a decade, I taught at the university and high school levels, both in the U.S. and abroad. My experiences were diverse, to say the least. I became a department chair, academic director, and special education teacher; developed curricula and designed e-learning courses (long before the pandemic); crossed into marketing and admissions; and even trained classical ballerinas. I often wondered where my increasingly eclectic skill set might take me in the future.
And then came that wonderfully unexpected place. When I started my “first semester” at DC College Counseling a few years ago, I found my own grown-up version of the right fit. Having taught high school English, I was well-prepared to step into the role of a part-time essay coach. Each week I looked forward to helping students craft their stories while trying to make college applications (dare I say) fun. Of course the process wasn’t always easy, but there was something really exciting about the challenge of a crazy essay prompt or strict word count. My favorite part, though, was always the final draft- not because we were finished but because I loved seeing the look of pride and confidence on the student’s face.
Gradually my schedule and responsibilities expanded, and I happily accepted the new title of Student Success Coach- a position that allowed me to work even closer with all of our families and provide support to other essay coaches. Now I’m thrilled that my role is evolving once again as I transition into a full-time position. I’ll still be on the frontline of college essays, but I’ll also be working behind the scenes on our media and outreach. It’s just the right fit! I get to do what I love and put my diverse skills to good use.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR RIGHT FIT?
In the spirit of the right fit and my new role, I’d love to hear from all of our families, past and present. Why was DC College Counseling the right fit for you? Send us a quick note or video HERE