Beyond Campus: How Strong Relationships Support Students for Years to Come

As college counselors, we often focus on deadlines, essay editing, and decisions. But a recent trip to Virginia and Washington, D.C. reminded me that the most lasting part of our work is often the relationships we build. It was a short trip with a packed agenda. Over the course of three days, we visited six schools, drove nearly 400 miles, and walked roughly 25 miles. We spent time on the campuses of University of Richmond, University of Virginia, William & Mary, Georgetown University, George Washington University, and Howard University, each offering its own unique sense of community and culture. Every visit was valuable in its own way, but what I did not fully anticipate was that one of the most meaningful parts of the trip would be reconnecting with alumnae, a reminder that our work extends far beyond Dana Hall’s Wellesley campus and helping students apply to college. 

A large part of Dana Hall’s College Counseling philosophy is built on trust. We take the time to get to know our students as individuals. We show up to their performances, watch their presentations, and have long conversations about their goals, hopes, and dreams. We want our students to feel known and supported so they are more willing to ask questions, be honest, and take thoughtful risks. We believe that college counseling is most successful when students know they have someone they trust in their corner, cheering them on.  

As we planned our recent trip to colleges, we reached out to Dana Hall alumnae attending the schools we were visiting and arranged opportunities to connect with them while we were on their campuses. These interactions were a powerful reminder that the relationships built at Dana Hall often continue long after graduation. We met with alumnae ranging from members of the recent Class of 2025 to students now in their senior year of college. Our former students spoke about how their experience at Dana Hall and the support of the college counseling team prepared them not only to navigate the college admissions process but to succeed once they arrived on campus. They reflected on lessons in self-advocacy, academic preparedness (shout out to Dr. Keely and Mrs. Hanover), time management, resilience, and curiosity, all skills that have proven far more important than an acceptance letter. Spending time with alumnae also benefits our current students, who gain an honest perspective on college life, transitions, challenges, and opportunities. We also laughed a lot, shared updates about their former teachers and advisors, and, as cliché as it sounds, talked a lot about what makes Dana Hall so special. 

Our trip was a huge success, more than I could have expected. We visited campuses we hadn’t seen before (or hadn’t been back to since visiting friends during our own college years), learned about fascinating programs, met countless impressive students, and connected with admissions representatives. We certainly got our steps in and had a taste of some summer-like weather. Campuses change, admission trends shift, and lists evolve, but relationships remain at the center of meaningful college counseling work and are truly the reason I love what I do. Every year, the college application process may officially end on May 1, but the relationships built along the way often continue to shape our students for years to come, and I know they continue to shape both my work and who I am as a person.