College Counseling

College Counseling

Our UWC-USA college counseling team believes in a student-centered counseling approach within a comprehensive model that is grounded in best practices for identifying the best fit for each student considering their unique talents and interests. 

The counselors guide students in taking ownership of the college admissions process so that they may embrace this journey of self discovery, self – advocacy, goal-setting and decision making. As students engage in this process, they will enhance their healthy independence, confidence and leadership and recognize that their college choice is the result of considerable effort and investment. 

Services are delivered to first-year (IB 1) and second-year (IB 2) students through classroom presentations, workshops and individual meetings. Throughout the year, representatives from more than 100 universities visit UWC-USA to meet with students. The excitement of college counseling at UWC-USA is that the world is our campus. Our graduates attend colleges and universities across the United States and the globe – a full list of institutions where our students have been admitted can be found on our School Profile. We are honored to be a part of this journey as students take this important next step into the world.

Learn more about the Class of 2021 and the great things they are doing next year.

 

Casey Nolen Jackson
Director of College Counseling
casey.nolen.jackson@uwc-usa.org

505-454-4205

Casey comes to UWC-USA from posts in university and school counseling in Thailand, Vietnam, Belgium, and Indonesia. Casey is in her 13th year of international university counseling, a career which has focused primarily on students of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Casey has her BA in History and Geography from the University of Vermont and received her certification in College Counseling from UCLA.  Casey has travelled the world visiting universities in Europe, Southeast Asia, and the U.S. She has presented at International conferences on a number of topics including how to write the college essay. Casey is an advocate of helping students identify their values and aspirations as they design their way forward for life after high school. As a mother of three grown children, Casey also has a very soft-spot for the parent experience in the process of applying to college or planning a Gap year.  When not at work, Casey and her husband can be found on their mountain bikes exploring the countryside of Northern New Mexico, planning and tending their garden or visiting the farmer’s market and locally-owned restaurants.

Pablo Torres
Associate Director of College Counseling
Pablo.Torres@uwc-usa.org
505-454-4201

Pablo joined UWC-USA from The University of New Mexico where he was the Director of International Admissions for over 10 years, assisting students from over 100 countries to apply for admission. Previously, Pablo worked in admissions for ten years at private colleges in New Mexico and in Northern California.  Pablo is a dual-citizen of the United States and Chile: where his father met his mother as a Peace Corps Volunteer. Working with international students (as well as US citizens) is a passion for Pablo because it is both personal and enjoyable.  He has his MBA from New Mexico Highlands University and a BA in English from Santa Clara University. In his free time he enjoys exploring the backroads of New Mexico, trying new recipes, gardening, and planting trees. 
 
 

The Davis United World College Scholars Program is the world’s largest, privately funded, international scholarship program. The program provides grants to partner universities in the United States. UWC graduates are eligible to receive institutional grants that support need-based scholarships at partner institutions.

Visiting UWC-USA:

College admission officers are welcome to visit UWC-USA starting Tuesday, September 6. Admission officers can reserve a 30 minute slot from 4-6 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. You can schedule a visit by emailing Associate Director of College Counseling, Pablo Torres, at Pablo.Torres@uwc-usa.org. If you’d like to schedule interviews with students, please let him know, and include a link or form so students can register for the interviews. 
 
When you arrive on campus please check in with security in our Welcome Center. Once you do, they will direct you to the Castle. You can park in one of the visitor parking spaces by the flags. If those spaces are filled, there is more parking available behind the Castle by the tennis courts. One of the college counselors or a student will greet you at the main door to the Castle.

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”