Mulgrave School
Mulgrave School
Mulgrave School
University and Careers Counselling
Mission Statement
The University and Careers Counselling Department is committed to informing, enhancing, and guiding the Mulgrave community in all aspects of post-secondary planning.
The culmination of a Mulgrave education lies in the options that become available to our students as graduates. Armed with a world-class IB education and a strong sense of self, Mulgrave grads are well-prepared for post-secondary life.
As a department, we work closely with both the student and their parents/guardians to help them refine their university search and determine what path should be taken in order for our students to be prepared to earn a place at their university of choice. This journey begins in the Middle School (Grades 8 and 9) with guidance embedded in Life and Learning classes. As students progress into the Senior School (Grades 10-12) counselling expands to include course selection advice based on the goals that students have set for themselves. Our university counsellors meet with each student to map out a detailed schedule which reflects personalised post-secondary ambitions.
Find Your Fit
What makes a university ‘the one’?
How do you choose where to apply and where to accept?
These are the questions many high school students grapple with as they make decisions about where to apply and which offer to accept. We asked our grads how they found their match. Their words emphasise the importance of looking past a ‘brand name’, of pushing aside pre-conceived ideas, and of understanding individual priorities.
Ultimately, its all about finding the right fit.
What We Do
The University and Careers Counselling Department works closely with students and their families throughout their years at Mulgrave to maximise a student’s ability to reach his or her highest potential and move into post-secondary life. Thus, we are committed to providing the following services and more:
- Clear and ongoing communication with the Mulgrave community about what it takes to earn acceptance to post-secondary institution.
- Comprehensive information and resources that are easily accessible both online and in person.
- Information and testing services related to post-secondary application including access to external admissions assessments: PSAT, SAT, ACT, BMAT, TSA, etc.
- Building and enhancing close partnerships with post-secondary institutions such as attending conferences, hosting university fairs and visits, and much more.
The Team
- Scott Atherton, University and Careers Guidance Counsellor
- Paul Matheson, University and Careers Guidance Counsellor
- Joyce Tang, University and Careers Guidance Counsellor
- Leah Verdone, Director of University Counselling
Scott brings to Mulgrave experience on both the university admissions as well as the high school counselling sides of the desk. From 2008-2014, he served an an admissions officer at Middlebury College in Vermont, USA, handling all facets of both international and USA domestic admissions. Scott then moved overseas and took a position as a high school guidance counsellor at the Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS) doing both university and pastoral counselling, a position he held for five years (2014-2019). Scott believes strongly in the philosophy of "best fit" regarding university exploration and placement, and is dedicated to getting to know his students and their families to help make the university admissions process as positive and successful as possible for all involved. The father of two who he has seen through the university admissions experience, Scott has an understanding of the process from both the parent and counsellor perspective. 
Joyce’s personal philosophy is that all students have the ability to reach their greatest potential. In order to do so, each student needs to have a support system in place to help him/her find a balance between working hard, pursuing passions and interests, and achieving dreams. This is not only the key to earning a spot at the university of each student’s choice; but more importantly, it is the key to leading an enjoyable and fulfilling life.
Leah brings a decade of experience in university counselling, teaching English and Social Studies at both the high school and university level, and administration roles to her position. She possesses a passion for politics, economics, and education as they directly pertain to the post-graduation world students will enter. She is dedicated to utilizing the mentorship implicit in the role of University Counsellor to nurture greater independence, introspection, leadership, and resourcefulness necessary for students to excel and achieve their goals while maintaining balance and finding happiness throughout their tenure at Mulgrave.