High School Counseling

Dear Prospective Hamlin Parents,

Welcome to Hamlin's high school counseling page! As a graduate of an independent boarding school and a former admission officer in two independent schools, I am aware of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for you and your daughters. The high school admissions process is a very personal one for each girl, and I hope to come to know each student well as I prepare to serve as her advocate throughout the year. I will guide families by helping the girls with time management skills, providing valuable insights and perspectives about boarding and day schools, and giving personalized, one-on-one attention to girls and their families throughout the entire process. I aim to emphasize the excitement of exploring high schools, the importance of self-reflection and knowing one's self, and the joy of the final year together at Hamlin. The Class of 2013 is a vibrant group of young women who are sure to achieve great things both as individuals and as a class.

The high school counseling page is designed to be a tool for students and parents alike. Calendars, announcements, frequently asked questions, information on SSAT testing, and many other valuable pieces of information will be available to all families and updated regularly. Explore this web page at your leisure, and please do not hesitate to call or email me with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,
Teebie Bunn Saunders
High School Counselor

The counseling and admissions process begins in the spring semester of the seventh grade when parents attend individual meetings to begin identifying schools that would be an ideal match for their daughters. During the early months of eighth grade, the girls will be busy learning about individual high schools by exploring websites and printed materials, attending open houses and classes at local schools during High School Visit Days, attending high school fairs, visiting boarding school campuses, and reaching out to current high school students. The girls will have the opportunity to meet with secondary school admissions officers who visit Hamlin’s campus for information sessions throughout the fall. During the fall, girls will also spend time working on personal essays and interview skills, which are an important part of most applications.

Girls in Grade 8 continue to be deeply engaged in life and leadership at Hamlin during the admission season; their commitment to academic work and extracurricular activities at school and beyond provides much of the qualitative information provided in the school and teacher recommendations. Application due dates vary by school, but most applications are due in mid-January. When schools send out decision letters in mid-March, families evaluate their options and decide which high school will be the best fit for their daughter. Hamlin girls attend a range of outstanding high schools, from local independent day schools, to public high schools, to boarding schools on both the west and east coasts. Just as every Hamlin student is unique, so too is her high school search. As questions arise during your family’s search, please call or email any time.

Read an informative article on SSAT preparation

We work closely with each student and her family to reach an understanding of what are the best types of high schools for each girl's personality, learning style, unique talents, current interests, and future aspirations. Then, we support each girl as she finds the high school that will be the right “fit” for her. As the Hamlin mission states, girls graduating from Hamlin each June must be ready "to meet the challenges of their time.”