Ed Stone, the College and Career Specialist at Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD), was approached by the President of the Monmouth County School Counselors Association to design a workshop session focusing on the competition of college admissions and common missteps. This presentation would be given at the Monmouth and Ocean County School Counselor Associations' Annual Good Ideas Conference.
Mr. Stone and fellow FRHSD counselor Kelly Weber developed and co-facilitated the session titled “College Admission Considerations – A Discussion From Both Sides Of The Desk.” The presentation, through a variety of topics, aimed to help the School Counselors in attendance focus on the state of college admissions with data in mind, test-optional shifts and trends, demonstrated interest as well as best practices for serving students.
Ms. Weber focused on the side of a school counselor, discussing how the college admissions journey begins early in a student’s high school career. She highlighted the variety of tools that are used such as aptitude and interest assessments and discussed the importance of analyzing college data so students can make informed decisions.
Mr. Stone spoke about his experience on the other side of the desk, discussing admissions review through transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays.
The data researched and incorporated into the presentation can now be blended into the information currently presented to the families of juniors as they begin to plan for their student's post-secondary transition.
"The college admissions process can be overwhelming for many students, parents, and counselors. Through this presentation, I developed some key points to emphasize and focus on that will maximize the impact on college planning and admission considerations during the review from the colleges. Knowing where to start, trusting reliable sources of information, and having a strong understanding of oneself are all components that help to reduce confusion and frustration," Mr. Stone said.
Mr. Stone has been the College and Career Specialist at FRHSD since 2017. After earning a Bachelor in Secondary Education and Social Studies from Rider University in 2009, Mr. Stone taught for the Lebanon School District in Pennsylvania. In 2010, he entered the Graduate School Counseling program at Shippensburg University where he earned a Master’s of Science in School Counseling and College Student Personnel. Prior to joining FRHSD, Mr. Stone spent seven years in higher education as the Assistant Director of the Career Development Center at Shippensburg University, as well as the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission at Rider University.
Ms. Weber has been a school counselor at Howell High School since 2017. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Rowan University and her Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from Rutgers University. Before she began at FRHSD, Ms. Weber worked at Trinity Hall High School as an Admissions Counselor.
