COLLEGE GUIDANCE: HIGH SCHOOL DELEGATE

In the Spring of 2003, Michael A. Acquilano, the Academy's Director of College Guidance, was elected to serve a three-year term as a High School Delegate on the Executive Board of the New York State Association of College Admission Counselors (NYSACAC).

Mr. Acquilano is one of seven high school delegates from New York State serving on the Executive Board. He will be involved in duties at the national and state levels. NYSACAC is an organization comprised of high school guidance counselors and college admissions personnel.

"I am truly honored to represent the college counseling professionals of New York State as a high school delegate. There are many provocative, challenging issues in the world of college admissions today, and I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in creating solutions that will ultimately benefit all students," said Mr. Acquilano.

Mr. Acquilano has been in college counseling for eleven years: five in college admissions and six in high school counseling. He began his career as an admission counselor at Hobart College, followed by a six-year tenure at Wagner College where he held positions in admissions and development. In 2001 he was appointed Director of College Guidance at Staten Island Academy, after serving four years as the school's Director of Development. Mr. Acquilano also teaches Upper School history.

According to Head of School Diane J. Hulse, herself a former college guidance director, "Admission to outstanding institutions is very competitive. We are fortunate to have an experienced and involved professional like Mr. Acquilano leading our college guidance program. We are very proud of his election as a high school delegate to NYSACAC."

Mr. Acquilano's extensive experience in college admissions gives him a unique "insider's" perspective, which is very beneficial to Academy students. The school offers the most comprehensive and individualized counseling programs on Staten Island. With a student to senior advisor ratio of only 8:1, the program outshines any other school in New York City. A team of advisors-Roger Ahern, Linda Coleman, Donald Knies, Brian Manske-work with seniors from the spring of their junior year through the completion of the admissions process in their senior year. Senior advisors are teamed with particular students for the entire admissions process, so that they can fully understand a student's talents and aspirations. Intensive College Nights take place annually to familiarize Upper School families and students with the complex college selection process. Throughout the school year, advisors work with students on such areas as researching colleges and financial aid, preparing application essays, and techniques for admission interviews.

One of the College Guidance Office's most popular and innovative initiatives is a summer bus tour to colleges. An itinerary is selected based on student interest, and Mr. Acquilano and his team of senior advisors travel along with the students to lend their professional expertise to the tour.

Jacques Steinberg, a New York Times national education correspondent and best-selling author of The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College, presented a lecture and book signing at the Academy in the spring 2003 as part of the school's ongoing college guidance program. Steinberg spent a year visiting the admissions office at Wesleyan University; his book is based on his experiences with the "gatekeepers" at a prestigious college.