Academics

College Counseling

Vision and Mission
The College Counseling Office is committed to fostering a balanced, supportive, and equitable college counseling process for Priory families and students. College counselors will provide academic advising and course selection support and guide students through their transition to a post-secondary institution that best fits their interests, talents, and goals. 

College counselors at Priory cultivate relationships with parents, teachers, administration, and admissions officers to best support students throughout the application process. We develop and implement programming that actively supports and empowers students to take full advantage of opportunities in college and beyond.

Programming 
The College Counseling Office hosts college visits, information nights, parent coffees, application and essay workshops and offers one-on-one personalized support throughout the application process.  Students and parents have access to full-time, highly trained, and experienced college counselors as well as a range of informational resources.

During the freshmen and sophomore years, college counselors will hold individual meetings with students and group meetings with parents or guardians to provide information about course selection and the college admissions process. College counselors will also respond to individual inquiries of all high school families via email. 

In the second semester of junior year and senior year, students and parents or guardians will meet with their college counselor individually and in small groups. Students will have the opportunity to create a well-balanced college list, identify and articulate academic interests and professional goals, and present themselves authentically in their college applications. 

Process
College counselors help students become familiar with the admissions process, narrow their choices, proofread essays, and complete their college applications. When students take an active role in their college application process and build a relationship with their college counselor, this process is effective, positive, and often leads students to discover something new about themselves. The College Counseling Office advocates for each individual student. They assist students in finding and gaining acceptance to schools that are good academic and social fit. 

College Acceptances
Priory students attend a variety of colleges and universities around the globe. Our college acceptance and matriculation list shows the institutions to which our students have been accepted and matriculated. 

Connecting with the College Counseling Office 
Priory families can reach the college counseling office at collegecounseling@prioryca.org. Second semester juniors and seniors are encouraged to become familiar with SCOIR, Priory’s application management system, and schedule one-on-one appointments with their counselor via Calendly. 

Meet the College Counseling Team

List of 3 members.

  • Photo of Colleen Burson-Ryan Okpala

    Colleen Burson-Ryan Okpala 

    Director of College Counseling
    (650) 851-6114
    UC Davis - BA
    Harvard University - Ed.M
  • Photo of Anya Ishida

    Anya Ishida 

    Associate Director of College Counseling
    (650) 851-8226
    University of Hawaii at Manoa - BA
    Chaminade University of Honolulu - MS
  • Photo of Nathan Mathabane

    Nathan Mathabane 

    Associate Director of College Counseling
    Princeton University - BS
    University of Oregon - MS

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