This year is the 48th Annual Summer Institute.  It will be held at Bucknell University - July 14-16, 2025 (tentative dates).  This interactive, intensive 2 1/2 day workshop is for new admission counselors and secondary school counseling professionals (all experience levels). The Institute provides participants with a full and complete understanding of the increasingly complex college admissions process through a dynamic learning experience. The Summer Institute is the longest, continuous, summer professional development opportunity for new admission counselors and secondary school counselors in the nation!


Topics covered include but are not limited to:

  • Overview of Admissions and Enrollment Management
  • Financial Aid
  • Counseling the College Bound Students and Parents
  • Ethical Dilemmas in Higher Education
  • Marketing and Social Media in College Admission
  • Athletic Recruitment
  • Interactive case studies
  • And much more...


Summer Institute Staff
:

  • Michelle O'Donnell, Lancaster Country Day School, Dean
  • Meg Ryan, Muhlenberg College, Director
  • Frank Betkowski, Independent Counselor, Faculty Mentor
  • Jennifer Cipollone, Marple Newtown High School, Faculty Mentor
  • Nickala Hagarty, Susquehanna University, Faculty Mentor
  • Julie Hertz, Shady Side Academy, Faculty Mentor
  • Stacey Hewitt, Downingtown STEM Academy, Faculty Mentor
  • Jade Johnson, Episcopal Academy, Faculty Mentor
  • Isaac Leonard, Penn State Pittsburgh, Faculty Mentor
  • Chris LaTempa, Moorestown Friends School, Faculty Mentor
  • Logan Murphy, American University, Intern


Registration
:  Will open late March


Applications for Faculty Mentors & Interns are now being accepted.  Please submit by October 31st.

 

Program Fees:
$550 (with PACAC membership) and $600 (non-members) for college admission professionals
$440 (with PACAC membership) and $490 (non-members) for secondary school counselors, independent counselors, and CBO professionals


Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellations made by July 1, 2025 will be honored (minus a $10 administrative fee).
  • Cancellations made after July 1, 2025 will not be issued a refund.
    (Registrations made after July 1st will be invoiced, even if not attending)
  • If you have questions or need to cancel your registration, please email [email protected]

 

Here's what previous participants had to say about their Summer Institute experience:

  • "Staff and attendees were diverse in their experiences and passionate about their work."
  • "I love my job even more than I did 3 days ago!"
  • "I feel more prepared for a career in admissions."

 

For questions about the Summer Institute, please contact
SI Dean Michelle O'Donnell, 717-392-2916
SI Director Meg Ryan, 484-664-3200
[email protected]