College Bound, Confidently

The college process can feel like a maze. At GDS, every student gets a guide.

by Jeff Topham

Early action and early decision. FAFSA. Common App. Test-optional. Demonstrated interest. For many families, navigating these unfamiliar terms can feel like a maze that grows more complicated with each step. Fortunately, Greensboro Day School families have a team of experts on their side. As students make their way through the college admissions process, each one is guided by a caring and experienced counselor who helps them find their way forward with confidence.

The GDS College Counseling Office is staffed by three dedicated professionals who provide families with individualized guidance and support throughout the college search and application process. Dean of College Counseling Keeon Gregory, Associate Dean of College Counseling Dr. Barbara Boyette, and Registrar Susan Doss collectively have decades of experience in college admissions and financial aid. (See greensboroday.org/college to learn more about our College Counseling Team.) They understand the twists and turns of the college admission process and are committed to guiding students and families through them with clarity and confidence. This commitment is summed up in the College Counseling motto: Trust the Process.

“When I think about ‘Trust the Process,’” explains Dean of College Counseling Keeon Gregory, “I want families to know … that they’re not on this journey alone. There are professionals here to guide them every step of the way.”

Experience and Expertise

Our College Counseling team has extensive experience in college admissions and financial aid. This in-depth knowledge allows them to expertly guide students through the college admission process, including building a college list, completing the application and essay, and—most importantly—being available to listen and provide guidance.

Mr. Gregory and Dr. Boyette have not only a wealth of professional experience, but also an insider’s perspective on what colleges are looking for. Each year, they travel to campuses across the country and meet with admissions officers. These visits build relationships with admissions officers at a wide range of schools and allow them to be strong advocates for our students. It also allows our Counselors to knowledgeably recommend a range of schools that may fit an individual student’s needs, interests, and abilities.

“Part of our secret sauce at GDS is relationships,” said Mr. Gregory. “It’s not that a phone call guarantees admission, but when you have a relationship with an admissions rep, you can have a conversation—sometimes about nuances like institutional priorities or a student’s best-fit major. That matters, even if it doesn’t show up in a brochure.”

Registrar Susan Doss, Dean of College Counseling Keeon Gregory, and Associate Dean of College Counseling Dr. Barbara Boyette are committed to guiding students and families through the college admission process with clarity and confidence.

A Personalized Partnership

Mr. Gregory and Dr. Boyette understand that every family’s journey is different. Some students know exactly what they want in a college experience; others are just beginning to explore the possibilities. Our Counselors honor those differences, working closely with each family through honest conversations and proactive planning. They listen, they ask questions, and they help each student uncover what “college fit” really means for them. 

Each student works one-on-one with either Mr. Gregory and Dr. Boyette, who take time to understand their academic strengths, extracurricular passions, and family circumstances. The journey isn’t about pushing students toward a single definition of success; instead, it’s about discovering the right fit for each individual. For our College Counselors, success means matching students with colleges and universities where they will thrive academically, socially, and personally.

Kess Thongteum, mother of Isabella ’25 and Chloe ’28, said that her family appreciates the guidance and support they have received from the College Counseling Office. “[We are] so grateful to have Dr. Boyette as a beacon guiding us through an otherwise daunting process,” she said. “We felt prepared, supported, and informed from start to finish. [She is] such an asset to our community.”

Step-by-Step Guidance

At GDS, the college process begins long before senior year. In fact, the relationship often begins before students even set foot in the Upper School. Families first hear from the College Counseling Office in eighth grade, and support continues through ninth and tenth grades. By the time students receive their Counselor assignments in tenth grade, they already feel known.

The process becomes more focused and individualized in the junior and senior years. Mr. Gregory and Dr. Boyette meet regularly with students and families to refine college lists, plan visits, and prepare applications. Students can take advantage of a wide variety of formal programming (see the sidebar on this page), visits from approximately 70 college admission representatives, and frequent one-on-one meetings, ensuring that they are well prepared for each step of the college admissions process.

GDS students have excellent acceptance rates at North Carolina’s top public universities, including UNC Chapel Hill (above) and NC State.

Trusting the Process

By the time seniors hit “submit” on their college applications, they have spent months in one-on-one meetings, received detailed feedback on essays, and discussed everything from scholarship opportunities to the intangibles of campus culture. More importantly, they have built a relationship with a counselor who has walked with them every step of the way.

“[Mr. Gregory] offered immense guidance, advice, and encouragement that helped me feel comfortable and confident in where I wanted to apply,” said recent graduate Madi Jones ’25. “I am beyond grateful for everything he has done to support me over the past two years.”

In an era when the college process can overwhelm even the most organized families, Greensboro Day School offers clarity, partnership, and steady support. With experienced Counselors who know the landscape and know their students, GDS makes sure that every Bengal is truly college bound, confidently.

College Counseling Programs

Grades 9 and 10

• College counselors emphasize the importance of academic fundamentals such as curriculum, GPA, community involvement, and commitment.

Grade 10

• College Family Night: Parents receive a formal introduction to the process. Students are assigned their counselors.

Grade 11

• Junior Jumpstart I & II: Maps out the college process for juniors and their families with meetings in October and February.
• Individual and Family Meetings: Prepares rising seniors for the college application process and official college visits.
• Just for Juniors College Fair: Gives GDS families exclusive access to admission representatives from 19 different colleges and universities.

Just for Juniors College Fair

Grade 12

• College Counseling Boot Camp: Provides structured time to work on drafting college essays and get feedback from college admission representatives.
• Senior Sweets: Helps parents keep informed and up to date with college deadlines.
• Senior Building Community Retreats: Gives senior families time for college visits, essay writing, and community building.
• Pennant Wall Unveiling: Celebrates seniors’ college destinations on the Pennant Wall outside the Fish and Upton College Counseling Center.
• Rock Your College Shirt Day: Seniors and their parents wear their college shirts and pose for photos.

Other Parent Programming

• Quarterly Virtual Parent Coffees: Gives parents the chance to learn about topics ranging from test-optional policies to crafting a well-rounded college list. 
• Financial Aid and Scholarship Presentation: Lets parents hear from Financial Aid Directors from several universities, who offer information about paying for college and applying for financial aid and scholarships.