Knightly News

How to Get the Most Out of College Counseling

Access to three full-time college counselors is a difference maker for Episcopal students. Counselors help students learn more about themselves and discover the right school, whether it is across the country or down the road. They help students think through everything from test preparation and admission essays to housing availability and extracurricular activities.

When it comes to making the most of college counseling, it’s actually quite simple – engage with these professionals.  Justin Fenske, Dr. Alan Newton and Julia Spaht are eager to help Episcopal students with a range of services to make the process convenient, accessible, and personalized.

“Our goal is to reach every student,” Justin Fenske, College Counseling Director.

From virtual sessions to donuts and discussions, the college counseling team has recently expanded program offerings to make them more convenient for students and families. Director Justin Fenkse says they discovered that virtual sessions worked well for families when the pandemic required remote options. As a result, the team continues offering virtual Coffee with the College Counselors sessions in addition to the in-person programs. These events focus on a college admission theme and are a great opportunity for parents and families to get involved. Afterward, the sessions are posted on Canvas so students and families can reference them anytime, anywhere.

The college counseling team also offers Breakfast with the College Counselors. These early morning voluntary sessions are for students and provide another avenue to connect with counselors. Focused on a grade level-appropriate topic, the informative sessions include donuts and time to ask questions and receive support.

Julia Spaht, Justin Fenske and Dr. Alan Newton

29 years of combined college counseling experience

College counselors are fully immersed in the world of college counseling and are eager to share their expertise. They are the go-to resources for what makes one college different from another, and what degree programs, activities, and school environments may best suit individual students. They even provide guidance on whether a school is traditionally a commuter or residential school and other practical considerations. To stay up to date on the ever-changing college admission landscape, counselors maintain relationships with college admission representatives and attend professional development conferences.

It is easy for Episcopal students to develop a relationship with a college counselor because these professionals are accessible, with offices in the Upper School office. Having three counselors available also means that each counselor works with a relatively small number of students. Beginning in eighth grade, students meet periodically with the counselors as a group. In addition, the team provides college counseling classes for 9th and 10th grade students. Fenske, Newton and Spaht say it is important for students to connect early on with counselors before the demands of the college admission process begin. The group sessions continue until the second quarter of the junior year when students begin meeting one on one with a designated counselor.

There are tremendous benefits from personalized college counseling. “If we know a student has a particular interest, it helps us recommend certain schools,” says Spaht. In addition to one-on-one meetings, counselors deploy personality inventories and career surveys to help students identify their strengths and how to use them to be successful.

The shift to adulthood

Fenske enjoys seeing students put in the hard work and effort during the advanced part of the admission process because this is when he says he sees students “shift to adulthood.” As students draw closer to decision-making time, the counseling team provides opportunities for test prep, application essay support and even the chance to work on the common application together. “Our summers are busy,” Newton says, “helping students start the application process before school even starts.”

The counseling team offers an array of opportunities for students to explore potential universities. College representatives meet with students on the Episcopal campus throughout the fall semester, and counselors organize an annual college fair with an impressive number of schools in attendance. The team also provides families and students tips for making the most of an in-person college visit. In addition, there is the opportunity to tour select campuses with the counselors each year.

Fenske, Newton, and Spaht consider themselves guides for students when it comes to the college admission experience, and they are ready to assist students and families. The team will offer a variety of programs this fall.

Don’t miss the next College Counseling Coffee.

9/1 – 9 am & 6pm:
College Counseling Coffee – How to Get the Most Out of College Counseling
Great for parents of freshmen, sophomores and juniors who want practical tips for when and how students and parents can get the most out of the program over the course of high school.

Additional opportunities for students and families:

9/6 -  Breakfast with College Counseling (9th)

9/7 -  Breakfast with College Counseling (10th)

9/13 – 9/15 – 9th and 10th grade College Counseling Classes

9/14 -    Breakfast with College Counseling (11th)

9/15 -    9 am & 6pm: College Counseling Coffee – Top College Visit Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)

9/29 -    9 am & 6pm: College Counseling Coffee – Scholarships and Financial Aid

10/11 - Breakfast with College Counseling (9th)

10/13 - 9 am & 6pm: College Counseling Coffee – Why Should I Go to ____________________________?

10/16 - ACT Boot Camp (Virtual)

10/18 - Breakfast with College Counseling (10th)

10/19 - Breakfast with College Counseling (11th)

11/8 - Breakfast with College Counseling (9th)

11/9 -    Breakfast with College Counseling (10th)

11/16 - Breakfast with College Counseling (11th) 

11/28 – 12/2 – 9th and 10th grade College Counseling Classes

Contact the College Counseling team.

Justin Fenske
College Counseling Director
Email Justin

Dr. Alan Newton
Assistant Director College Counseling
Email Dr. Newton

Julia Spaht
Assistant Director College Counseling
Email Julia

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge 2024-2025 application is now available! ​For more information on the application process, to schedule a tour, or learn more about the private school, contact us at [email protected] or 225-755-2685.