A proud boarding school graduate, Austin attended Syracuse University, double majoring in Geography and History. Shortly after graduation, Austin started his career in education, beginning in a one-room schoolhouse in Seattle. Following a M Ed. from the University of Washington, Austin began work in boarding schools as a classroom teacher (and coach and dormitory faculty) at the Thacher School in Southern California.
Austin started his work as a college advisor in his role as the Director of American Studies at the Kingham Hill School in the Cotswolds (UK) and finally as a member of the College Counseling team at Mercersburg Academy in PA.
Several decades of school experience has shown Austin many sides of school life and how this intersects with the college process. Like in the classroom, a lot of college advising relies on knowing one’s students well. This includes knowing student’s strengths and interests, working with students and families to understand the process, find schools that are a good fit and supporting the students and families through the application process.
Having worked on both sides of the country, Austin has extensive knowledge of East and West coast colleges. While in England, he worked with students there on their British University applications (UCAS) and gained extensive experience working with families seeking admission to international universities. In addition, while at Mercersburg, Austin worked with students who were recruited student-athletes and helped them navigate that process. Every student’s path is different, and Austin looks forward to working with students and families to discover the right path for them.
