Laurén Carter
Dean of College Counseling
Joined Milton in 2023
Laurén’s career spans more than three decades in the college admission and counseling profession—with more than 20 of those years spent directing independent schools’ college counseling programs. As college admissions become more and more competitive, Milton’s college counseling office plays an increasingly critical role in supporting students in choosing the best college or university for them. The school is excited to have Laurén lead those efforts during this 2023–2024 academic year.
Laurén most recently held the position of director of college counseling at Sidwell Friends School located in Washington, D.C. where she implemented innovative college counseling programs, workshops, systems and structures, creating new pathways for educating and preparing both students and families for the college selection process. In addition to the seven years she has spearheaded Sidwell’s college counseling program, Laurén served as the associate director of college counseling at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, VA, (a 100% residential boarding school) where she contributed to the life of the school in various capacities including serving as a faculty member of the Discipline Committee, serving as a dorm faculty member and also founding, advising and mentoring an affinity group for African-American girls. Her previous experience includes serving as the director of college counseling at the Louisville Collegiate School in Louisville, KY, the Albany Academy for Girls in Albany, NY and Newark Academy in Newark, NJ. She also brings valuable higher education experience having served as director of college admissions at New York University (NYU) in Manhattan, NY and has additionally contributed in a variety of college admission roles while also at NYU, in addition to Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY and Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY.
As Milton’s focus on data-driven decision making continues to deepen, Laurén’s own experience in this area will ensure that data informs the office’s work, establishes accurate success measures and keeps the office abreast of emerging trends in this rapidly changing environment. At Sidwell, she regularly maintained and analyzed data to surface and report trends, growth areas, and new planning ideas that provided students with valuable information at every step in their college admissions process. Equally as important, Laurén also shares Milton’s deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice work, and understands the importance of viewing college counseling systems, programs, and processes through the lens of equity. She has long provided guidance programs centered in student advocacy, access, equity, belonging, and inclusion, and promoted the values of community, diversity, and fairness. Under her leadership, the school is confident the college counseling office will continue to build on the great work it has already put in place in support of a wide range of student needs such as tailored guidance on college financial aid and counseling specific to first-generation college-bound students.
Laurén earned her BA in psychology from the University at Albany in Albany, NY. She also earned a master’s degree in school counseling (K-12) from New York University, as well as a certificate of advanced study (educational leadership and administration) from the College of Saint Rose in Albany, NY. She is also a member of the National Association of College Admission Counseling, the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools and the National Association of Independent Schools. Laurén often shares her expertise with a broader audience and has served as a contributing writer for Huffington Post, a guest writer for Grown & Flown and in 2022 she authored the Amazon Best-Selling book, Mindful Admissions: An Insider’s Guide to Staying Sane, Applying Well and Getting Accepted to College. Laurén is a faculty member at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in Los Angeles, CA where she instructs courses for the college counseling certificate program and helps to educate and mentor aspiring college counselors.
