Lessons Learned from Alumni Talk with College Guidance Counselor Anne Love Hall ’60

Inspired by her love of working with kids and parents, Anne has helped countless students navigate college admissions.  

Throughout the conversation, Anne gave several tips to students. When putting together an application, Anne stated that you should “Have at least one set of eyes, if not two, looking at your application, but not more than that, because then it isn’t you anymore. All the suggestions make it some other kind of writing, but not your writing.” This is important, as colleges want the genuine voice of someone coming through an application.

Anne also pointed out that applying to too many colleges is a mistake that leaves students overwhelmed. Visiting a college, going on a student-run tour, reading as much as possible about the school, and trusting one’s instincts are instrumental in figuring out if a school is the right fit.

Anne’s advice for parents? “I know it’s hard because I’ve been a parent myself. And I continue to be a parent myself, and keeping out of my kids’ lives continues to be a process for me. But I think the important thing is to trust your child. They grow up through this process, they learn more about themselves, and they’re more grown-up than you think. And allow them to really explore and learn where their own resources are. Basically, stay out of the process. Be helpful when you can, make college visits, go with them on visits, but keep your mouth shut for the most part. In the long run, that student will be a lot more reinvested if it is his or her process.”

But her main takeaways were for students to trust their instincts, be open-minded, and last but not least, “be yourself.”