College Counseling at Wardlaw + Hartridge | New Jersey Prep School Summer Programs College Counseling The College Counseling Program at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School mirrors the mission of the school to prepare students for the next step in a world of global interconnection. The Office provides opportunities for students and families to learn more about all aspects of the college admission process. The emphasis of the program is on guiding each student through a process of learning and discovery that will culminate in admission to the colleges that best match the student's interest and strengths, and will offer them the appropriate academic and personal challenges following graduation. Our goal is to ensure that our graduates have the skills and knowledge to navigate the college process effectively so that they can make the best selection for their undergraduate experience. Through programs for parents of freshmen through seniors, families are exposed to the realities of the ever-shifting college landscape. Formal college counseling begins in the junior year with classes, taught by the College Counselors, in which the focus is on mentoring students as they assess their strengths and aspirations. The course for juniors includes topics such as making the most of the college visit, essay writing, and completing a college application. Through individual meetings with juniors and their parents, the College Counselors help students to create an appropriate list of colleges to investigate. While we believe that students need to play the lead role in the process, we provide support and encourage parents to work closely with us in preparing their children as they navigate this exciting and defining step in their passage to adulthood. As members of the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and dedicated counselors, we uphold W+H’s greatest core value of integrity by adhering to The Guide to Ethical Practice in College Admission and encouraging our students and families to do the same. In the Fall, the College Counselors meet with seniors in a weekly class that focuses on the details of the application process. More than 100 college admissions officers visit Wardlaw+Hartridge in the opening months of school, providing information and contact for seniors and juniors. The visits also provide the College Counselors with an opportunity to build strong relationships with college admissions offices - an integral part of our ability to give full support to our seniors’ applications. Your web browser does not support the <video> tag. I am incredibly grateful to my college counselor, Ms. Birnhak, for her unwavering support, helping me shape my college list, reviewing my essays and extracurricular list throughout the summer and school year and for building my confidence through mock interviews. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Brown and Ms. Honan for their constant encouragement and guidance throughout the application process Vinay Karthik '25 College counseling played a very important role in my decision process. Ms. Honan was more than just an advisor for me. She was a guide and a friend who helped me through everything. Any doubt, question or concern I had, she was always available to help or just offer her support. She truly guided me in finding the right place that was best for me and I am very thankful for all of her hard work. Giselle Rodriguez '25 MEET OUR TEAM STUDENTS & PARENTS COLLEGE MATRICULATION COLLEGE ADMISSIONS OFFICERS Read about the Class of 2026 College Acceptances Read about our Class of 2025 College Acceptances FIVE-YEAR Matriculation List SCHOOL PROFILE Ms. Sarah Whittemore Honan Director of College Counseling Ms. Alayne Birnhak Associate Director of College Counseling College Counseling Blog Colleges on campus Apr 11 2026 College Counseling Calendar ACT Off Campus about ACT May 2026 College Counseling Calendar SAT--Off campus Subscribe to Calendar Alerts about SAT--Off campus May 2026 College Counseling Calendar AP Biology/AP Latin Subscribe to Calendar Alerts 00 AM 12 00 PM Plumeri Gym /Oakwood Room/CGL about AP Biology/AP Latin May 2026 College Counseling Calendar AP Microeconomics Subscribe to Calendar Alerts 12 00 PM 30 PM Plumeri Gym/ Oakwood Room about AP Microeconomics May 2026 College Counseling Calendar AP Chemistry & AP Human Geography Subscribe to Calendar Alerts 00 AM 12 00 PM Plumeri Gym/Oakwood Room/CGL about AP Chemistry & AP Human Geography SCHOOL PROFILE Meet Giselle Rodriguez '25 Giselle is grateful for the support of Ms. Sarah Honan, her college counselor, for being a “guide and a friend” who helped her through everything in the admission process. Giselle acknowledged that there are big changes happening around the corner, but added that she feels “so ready to face this next chapter of my life and I'm excited to start working towards my future.” about Meet Giselle Rodriguez '25 Meet Sam Cohen '25 Sam is also grateful for the support of the W+H College Counseling Office, particularly Ms. Alayne Birnhak, his counselor, for supporting him through the entire college process and creating a path for him to excel in the future and to eventually have an impact in the business community and world as a whole. about Meet Sam Cohen '25 Meet Tapleen Kaur '25 Meet Tapleen Kaur ’25, who is looking forward to continuing her education at Haverford College, where she will major in Public Policy. Tapleen knew she was looking for a small but diverse school and is happy to have found Haverford late in the process, thanks in large part to valuable guidance from Ms. Sarah Honan, Director of College Counseling. about Meet Tapleen Kaur '25 Meet Saveena Boga '25 Saveena gave one final shout out to the W+H College Counseling Team:  “The W+H college counseling program made navigating the admissions process a breeze,” she said. “From brainstorming essay topics to preparing for interviews, my college counselor consistently provided me with support and practice throughout the journey.” about Meet Saveena Boga '25 Meet Cian Nicholls '25 As he prepares to graduate, Cian is filled with gratitude and credited Ms. Alayne Birnhak, his college counselor, with providing incredible support during the application process to help him find his perfect fit. “I’m very thankful for all the support I have received over the past 13 years of my Wardlaw+Hartridge experience and wouldn’t have been in this situation without it,” Cian said. “I would like to especially thank the small tight knit community which I have been able to call my family and grow so close with, allowing me to know the environment and feeling I wanted to replicate in my college life.” about Meet Cian Nicholls '25 Your web browser does not support the <video> tag.