Segmenting the College Search Process

Field’s Director of College Counseling Forbes Mann shares our unique approach to individualizing the college search process for each student. Learn more about how this process is purposeful, relevant, and full of learning.

As we arrive in mid-November, our 12th graders have significant progress already behind them on their college application journeys. There’s a good deal of stress baked into the college application experience. Ingrid and I strive to make this experience as manageable and intentional as possible, and we try to mitigate that inherent stress. By scaffolding the steps over time and working closely with each student, we empower them to explore their options thoughtfully and confidently. Our approach is rooted in the belief that the college process, like everything at Field, should be full of purpose, relevance, and learning.

Every Field student is unique, with their own pace and priorities. That’s why we segment the college process to meet students where they are, making it less stressful and more meaningful. By this point in the school year, almost all of our 12th graders have applied to at least one college, and many are well underway in completing their applications. This early milestone isn’t the product of rushing: it’s about ensuring students feel supported and prepared at each stage. By breaking the journey into manageable pieces, we sustain an environment that respects each student’s individuality while instilling resilience and self-assurance.

An emerging trend in college admission over the past two application cycles is an emphasis on community and identity essays, where students are asked to reflect on how their unique experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives contribute to a college community. For example, a student might be asked to expand on an aspect of their identity and share how that has shaped their life experience. We believe that developing a strong sense of self is essential for college and life. Throughout our students’ time at Field, every class and co-curricular experience pushes them to explore their identities, values, and aspirations, so our students are well-prepared to consider questions and to answer them compellingly.

Our role as college counselors is to encourage students as they articulate their stories in authentic, meaningful ways. By the time they apply to college, they are equipped with the habits of mind that are the backbone of success in college. They also discover a strong sense of self that positions them to thrive in this moment—now and in the future.

Field’s goals include preparing students for college acceptance but also ensuring they are ready to flourish throughout their college experience. By focusing on fit, purpose, and identity, we help students find their unique paths that align with who they are and who they want to become. In this collaborative, reflective journey, they discover that college isn’t just the next step; it’s a new opportunity to grow, connect, and make a meaningful impact.

• Fit: We work closely with students to consider every dimension of fit, knowing that academic, social, personal, financial, and geographical considerations are essential in setting students up for college success.
• Purpose: Even among schools that – on the surface – might look similar, each college has a distinct mission and identity. We discuss with each of our students how each college’s values align with their own.
• Identity: Looking at cultural identities, diversity, and campus support systems helps students understand whether they will feel a sense of belonging on campus. We visit campuses extensively to ascertain how different colleges foster that sense of belonging.

Ingrid and I are grateful for the trust our students place in us and the stories they share along the way. We are excited to see where this journey will take each of them.