College Counseling

College Counseling That Helps Students Find the Right Fit

The college search is one of the most personal and important transitions in a student’s Nichols experience. Our College Counseling team helps each student and family move through the process with clarity, confidence, and perspective.

Guided by intentionality, Nichols helps students understand their strengths, explore meaningful options, and identify a strong college match: an environment where they will be challenged, supported, and able to continue becoming who they want to be.

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Celebrating National College Counseling Recognition
Nichols School is proud to celebrate Kelly Jorgensen, Dean of College Counseling, for being named one of the Top 10 Directors of College Counseling nationwide for 2026 by Education Insider Magazine. This recognition reflects the strength of Nichols’ thoughtful, student-centered college counseling process and the team’s commitment to helping each student find the right fit.

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How is Nichols College Counseling Different

At Nichols, college counseling is not limited to senior year. Students are supported through age-appropriate conversations, resources, and guidance that help them build self-awareness, independence, and confidence over time.

Our team works closely with students and families to ask the right questions, understand the changing college admissions landscape, and focus on fit rather than pressure. The result is a process that helps students move from uncertainty to clarity as they consider what comes next.

What Families Can Expect

Personalized guidance grounded in each student’s strengths, goals, and interests
Steady perspective in an ever-changing college admissions landscape
Support with college lists, essays, applications, deadlines, and decision-making
A focus on helping students tell their story in an authentic way
A process designed to help students find colleges where they are excited to learn and grow

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College Profile & Outcomes

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Meet the College Counseling Team

List of 4 members.

Kelly Jorgensen

Dean of College Counseling & Academic Affairs

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Kelly Jorgensen joined Nichols School as the Director of College Counseling in July 2021. Jorgensen brings over 20 years of college and independent school experience to Nichols. In her role, she assists students and families with all aspects of the college process, oversees a team of college counselors, develops new programming to assist families with college planning, and serves as a liaison between Nichols and college representatives.

Most recently, Jorgensen was the Director of College Counseling at Saint Mary’s Hall in San Antonio, Texas for nine years. She oversaw the school’s college counseling program, advised students and families, administered and coordinated PSAT and AP testing, hosted over 120 college representatives each fall, and presented school programming for families and students.

Jorgensen also oversaw the college counseling program at Trinity School of Midland in Texas from 2010 to 2012, and she was a college counselor at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan from 1998 to 2010. In both roles, she advised students and supported families in the college process, coordinated standardized testing, and collaborated with school leadership in regards to student support and academic advising.

Jorgensen received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and her Master of Arts in Counseling from Bowling Green State University. She lives in Buffalo with her husband David and son Trevor ’23. Outside of school, Jorgensen enjoys traveling, baking, hiking, attending musical theater performances and following her favorite sports teams.
Kerry Bennett

Associate Director of College Counseling
Emily Olczak

Assistant Director of College Counseling & AP Coordinator
Lisa Caywood

Administrative Assistant to the College Office & PSAT Testing Coordinator