Laura Miller likes to say she has 75 kids — two of them biological and in college, the rest well on their way, as Leffell School seniors. Since becoming part of our community last year, Miller, our Director of College Counseling, and Rose Weinstein, our Associate Director of College Counseling, have warmly embraced our college-bound students, making them feel comfortable, nurtured and understood as they embark on what is often perceived as the stressful college application process.

But it doesn’t have to be so. “We want this to be a memorable and joyful experience for our students, so Rose and I make it a point to get to know every senior and develop relationships with them, not just as college applicants, but as people and our kids,” says Miller, who has over twenty years of experience in the field.

By building one-on-one relationships with the senior student body, step-by-step Miller and Weinstein help students figure out how to whittle down an overwhelming selection of 3,000 colleges to their personal interest lists. From there, they assist with every aspect of the application process, including advising on and editing the all-important personal essay and prepping students for interviews. 

“We want our applicants to have the appropriate tools and feel empowered so they present their best selves to potential colleges,” Weinstein says.

Behind the scenes, Miller and Weinstein are often speaking about student applicants with deans of admissions at different colleges. They even travel to various campuses for face-to-face meetings.  “Deans appreciate that we go to their schools to personalize the process,” Miller says.

In fact, personalizing the process so that it’s an exciting and memorable journey, is one of the priorities of the College Counseling office. And while the focus is on seniors, our juniors also begin to get a feel for this unique adventure, with special programs geared specifically for them. In the spring, there’s a College Fair and this year, a trip to Boston where our students can visit a number of campuses.  

Both Miller and Weinstein come to The Leffell School with a wealth of experience at guiding students through the college application process. Previously, Long Islander Miller served as the director of college guidance at The Frisch School in Paramus, NJ. Before that she was employed at the North Shore Hebrew Academy High School in Great Neck, and at the Out-of-Door Academy in Sarasota, FL. She completed her undergraduate work in english and women’s studies at the University of Pennsylvania and pursued graduate studies at New York University.

Originally from Maryland, Weinstein received her bachelor’s degree from New York University, later pursuing a master’s degree in school counseling at Hunter College. She completed counseling internships in the New York City public school system in both academic and college counseling settings, and then went on to work with students as a college guidance counselor at the Yeshivah of Flatbush in Brooklyn.

Their best advice for our students on their way to college?

“Lean on us. We want this process of applying to colleges to be joyful. So remember that you’re not alone. We are your personal cheerleaders in the background, helping, advocating and nurturing this process,” says Miller, adding, “Senior year is a finite period of time so enjoy this very special period in your life. Enjoy the ride.” 

And offers Weinstein, “Stay calm. Keep organized. Don’t leave things to the last minute. One foot in front of the other and one step at a time…”