Get to Know College Admissions Expert, Kate Rossetti

At Top Tier Admissions, our counselors bring decades of experience, deep knowledge of the admissions process, and a personal commitment to every student they work with. In our Counselor Spotlight series, we’re introducing you to the incredible individuals behind our high-touch, expert guidance. Learn more about their unique backgrounds, educational philosophies, and what inspires them to help students reach their college goals.

You’ve worked on both sides of the admissions process—as a college counselor and as an application reader for Stanford. How does that dual perspective shape the advice you give your students?

My experience working on both sides of the “desk” has afforded me invaluable insights into a process that can sometimes feel daunting and confusing to families. In my time as an independent school college counselor, I had the opportunity to forge strong relationships with students and parents, understanding the various challenges and stressors they face in navigating the college search and application process. Knowing everything that students must juggle – sports, coursework, extracurricular involvements, family responsibilities – means that in my work with students, I lead with compassion, understanding and patience. My experience reviewing thousands of applications for Stanford and UC-Berkeley has provided me with a firsthand look at the selective college application process. As a counselor, I help students craft clear, compelling narratives that will set them up for success in this competitive process.

You’ve worked closely with high-achieving students in rigorous academic environments—both in your current role at Top Tier and in your earlier work as a college counselor at top private high schools. What strategies do you find most effective in helping students stand out in today’s competitive college admissions landscape?

The most important piece of advice I can give students is to determine what they love to do, and do more of it. College admissions officers value authenticity and deep engagement in one’s school community as well as in the world beyond it. It goes without saying that top colleges will expect to see that students have successfully taken on academic challenges, but it is what students have done above and beyond their coursework that will help admissions officers make fine distinctions. As a Senior Private Counselor at Top Tier Admissions, I help students to refine their interests and chart a course for their high school career, as well as their college application process, that puts their unique pursuits at the forefront.

With an advanced degree in Higher Education Administration from Harvard and an undergraduate degree from Middlebury, how do you draw on your academic background to guide students through the college admissions journey?

Having studied at both a small, rural liberal arts college and one of the world’s leading research universities, I have personally experienced the unique characteristics of two fairly different types of academic institutions. Each student has their own set of priorities in their college search, ranging from “must haves” to dealbreakers. I encourage students to dig deep and think critically about why they want what they want out of their college experience. In my experience, the students who get the most out of their college experience are those who have carefully considered fit – what will work for them and make them happy, and what will not. For me, Middlebury met the majority of my “must have” criteria, as did the Higher Education Administration program at Harvard. In my time as a college counselor at an independent school, I had the chance to visit many college campuses across the country, and I also use these firsthand experiences to enhance the work that I do with students.

What patterns or qualities consistently stood out to you in the strongest applicants—and how do you help your students cultivate those attributes?

The students who stand out to me the most are those whose enthusiasm for their interests runs deep, making it truly contagious. This is why it is so important for students to pursue the academic studies and independent projects that they genuinely care about, as this energy has to come from a place of authenticity. When students follow their true interests and can speak articulately about what they have done, their essays and involvements cannot help but to leave an impression on those who review their admissions applications. At Top Tier Admissions, I help students to identify their passions and share their accomplishments and interests in a clear, gripping fashion.

Reflecting on your own college admissions journey, what drew you to a small liberal arts college like Middlebury—and how has that experience shaped the way you support students as they search for their own best-fit schools?

Growing up in Ohio, I always knew I wanted to attend college in the Northeast. I was excited to experience living in a different part of the country, and as an avid outdoorsperson, the Northeast felt like the right choice for me. I was drawn to Middlebury in particular for its strong Environmental Studies program, but no sooner did I arrive at college than I fell in love with Psychology and completely changed my plans! Having this academic flexibility was important to me, which contributed to my choice of a liberal arts college. In addition, I was seeking a small, campus-centered college community, easy access to professors who prioritized the undergraduate experience, and interdisciplinary coursework. I found all of these features in Middlebury. In my counseling work, I encourage all students to look inward, starting with their desired college characteristics rather than crafting an initial college list primarily on the basis of familiar names. In addition, I’m a big advocate for college tours. Setting foot on a variety of types of campuses can help students to determine what feels like the right fit.

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