Katharine Atkins-Pattenson – College Adviser at Biglerville HS

 I think having a college adviser is priceless in public schools where school counselors are spread especially thin because we have the time to get to know our students on a deeper level. One senior of mine comes to mind in particular. Everyone knew he was qualified to get into some excellent schools based upon the challenging nature of his curriculum and school involvement but he was interested in applying to schools that were undermatched for his ability. I encouraged him to look at Dickinson College and a few other private liberal arts schools because I came to understand his passion for foreign languages and the challenging curriculum that he was hoping to continue to pursue. He was accepted to two of his three schools and received very competitive financial aid packages. Ultimately, he will be attending Dickinson College in the Fall with almost all of his tuition and room and board covered by grants and scholarships. In following up with him recently he said, "Remember when you told me I should apply to Dickinson and I thought you were crazy?" I see my role as a college adviser to be to push my students to see their full potential and to encourage and support them in the application and financial aid process to attain it.