Academics

College Counseling

The college matriculation process at Nichols School is certainly a personal one for each student and family. Our College Counseling Team is designed to help empower each individual student to thoughtfully and confidently navigate the many stages of the process and find the right fit.
The College Counseling Team looks forward to assisting you with college plans and life after Nichols.  In this process, we work closely with students and families to recognize and build upon your strengths, define your goals, and help you achieve your next steps.  We will encourage you to seek a college environment that will be challenging and enjoyable.  While we are here to guide you at every turn, the responsibility for your college applications, decisions, and enrollment rests with you and your family.

If you have not already started, you will soon be involved in exploring college campuses and programs.  In your senior year, you will be completing applications and attending to admissions details and deadlines.  After graduation, you may be choosing to take a gap year, enroll in a post-graduate program, enlist in the military, or play junior hockey.  Our office of three full-time counselors and support staff will assist all students to be prepare them for what lies ahead.

Our Philosophy
In keeping with the mission of the school, Nichols views the college process as an extension of the instruction and support we provide within our classrooms, teaching 'minds, bodies, and hearts for the work of life.'  The college search is an exciting time of self-reflection, investigation, and the culmination of your education both inside and outside of school.

While the entirety of the process can be stressful, we remind students that they have received valuable skills at Nichols that enables them to embrace the process with open-mindedness, confidence, independence, and resiliency - all traits that will scaffold them, not just for college, but for life beyond the walls of the school.

College Counseling is anchored by our "Portrait of a Graduate" Core Competencies:  Thinking, Communicating, Creating, Engaging, and Developing.  When these competencies are utilized as a unified team of counselor, student, and family, the college search is positive and healthy.

Meet the College Counseling Team

List of 4 members.

  • Photo of Kelly Jorgensen

    Kelly Jorgensen 

    Director of College Counseling
    Read Bio
  • Photo of Kerry Bennett

    Kerry Bennett 

    Associate Director of College Counseling
  • Emily Olczak 

    Assistant Director of College Counseling
  • Photo of Lisa Caywood

    Lisa Caywood 

    Administrative Assistant to the College Office & PSAT Testing Coordinator

Contact Information

Office
Albright Hall Room 102

Phone
716-332-5185

About Us

Nichols School is a nationally recognized college preparatory coed independent school with a 130-year history.