Admissions Counselor

Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425?acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

The Swarthmore Office of Admissions is a mission-driven, close-knit team that manages a highly selective, holistic, and student-centered admissions process. Admissions deans seek out intellectually curious and enthusiastic learners from around the world who will contribute to building community and bridges across difference during their time at Swarthmore. The Admissions Office works particularly hard to reach underserved and traditionally  underrepresented students by developing innovative outreach campaigns, forming relationships with counselors and advisors, and thinking outside of the traditional “highly selective college” box. Professionals in the Admissions Office are curious about the world, focused on dismantling and reducing inequities in K-12 and higher education, and work every day to mitigate barriers to attract the brightest, most accomplished, and most diverse class for Swarthmore College.

The opportunity:

The Admissions Counselor role is an entry level position that focuses on the core activities required for recruitment and selection of the College’s first year and transfer class. Tasks performed include:

• Engaging with campus visitors by giving information sessions and supporting in-person and virtual events
• Reading and evaluating applications
• Managing and recruiting from a regional territory through a mix of in-person and virtual meetings with high schools and college access organizations, college fairs, and admissions workshops and presentations
• Managing entry level programs and projects as assigned
• Representing the College at professional conferences and the Admissions Office on selected College committees

Admissions Counselors are supported with detailed training and instructions to complete their work, and their assignments can be completed following standard practices and procedures.

Essential Responsibilities

Campus Visitor Engagement

Hybrid – These responsibilities require on-campus presence for in-person engagements, but may allow for remote coverage when events are conducted virtually. 

• Conducts hour-long group information sessions in order to provide an overview of the College and answer specific questions.
• Participates in open houses and spring yield events, managing logistical and programmatic tasks as directed.
• Interviews prospective applicants one-on-one in order to assess the student’s match for Swarthmore’s program and to answer specific questions.
• Responds to questions submitted by phone, personal visit, email, or letter.

Application Review

Hybrid – These responsibilities require on-campus presence for training, committee, and other meetings as determined by the office. Otherwise, remote work is possible for much of the application review process.

• As part of a rotating team, reads, evaluates, and rates applications to assess prospective students’ match for first-year admission, transfer admission, and Discover Swarthmore (the College’s prospective student fly-in program).
• Participates in office-wide admissions committee discussion of applicants during Early Decision and Regular Decision rounds.
• May participate in admissions committees for special populations (e.g., recruited athletes, merit scholarship recipients, or other groups). 

Recruitment and Outreach

Remote – These responsibilities require travel to U.S. and international territories as assigned. Virtual recruitment activity can be conducted from a remote location off-campus, but is not meant to overlap with in-person recruitment travel.  

• Takes primary responsibility for counseling prospective students and high school counselors from a regional territory of the U.S. or internationally in order to provide information about the College (e.g., the nature of liberal arts and learning at Swarthmore; how to apply to college; or, the selectivity and requirements of Swarthmore).
• Meets with prospective students and high school counselors through in-person recruitment travel and virtual recruitment activities, including:
  • Secondary school (high school) visits
  • Community college visits
  • Visits with community-based college access organizations
  • Receptions
  • College fairs
• Recruitment days will typically entail a mix of four to five events per day including evening events. Dedicates four to six weeks to a mix of recruitment travel and virtual recruitment throughout the year, including three to four weeks in the fall (August to November). Makes all travel arrangements.
• Conducts outreach programs or workshops for communities in regional territory that may have previously untapped sources of potential students in order to increase the geographic, economic, and cultural diversity of the Swarthmore student body.
• Works with administrative assistants to update and maintain electronic records of high school visits, college fairs, and other programs related to recruitment.

Projects, Programs, and Professional Development

Hybrid – These responsibilities may require some on-campus presence for certain meetings or in-person programming and training. Otherwise, remote work is often possible for various planning, analysis, and meeting responsibilities tied to these projects. Conference attendance often requires travel to U.S. or international territories as assigned.    

• Manages junior level programs and projects which require:
• Learning and applying admissions policy and procedures to resolve routine issues
• Solving problems of narrow scope Building relationships with internal and external stakeholders to contextualize the impact of admissions work
• Contributes to intermediate level programs and projects that are managed by a more senior staff member, requiring:
• The application of admissions policy and procedures to a broad variety of issues
• Solving problems that require data analysis and situational expertise
• Independent judgement within defined procedures and practices to make appropriate decisions
• Project areas may include but are not limited to:
  • International admissions
  • Technology support
  • Recruitment
  • Selection
  • Social media and web presence
  • Supporting student staff
  • Coordinating alumni volunteers
• Coordinates student staff or volunteers as assigned, including but not limited to:
  • Tour guides
  • Bloggers
  • Interviewers
  • Event panelists
  • Overnight hosts
• Represents the College at meetings and conferences, including regional and national conferences, in order to play an active role in the larger admissions profession.
• Serves as a member of College committees where appropriate for an Admissions Office presence.
• Drafts messages to support email campaigns managed by the Director of Admissions Communications to communicate with prospective students.
• Serves as a member of ad hoc committees as needed to develop new Admissions initiatives or programs, or review current programs and practices for their effectiveness in meeting the office mission.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• May supervise a group of student staff.

Who you are:

Fosters and abides by a high standard of professional ethics in order to uphold the integrity of the Admissions Office and the College. Must at all times maintain the strict confidentiality of the office.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Public speaking experience
• Ability to write clearly and persuasively
• Familiarity with word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and video conferencing software
• Valid driver’s license
• Ability to travel to U.S. and international destinations using various modes of transport, including by car, bus, train, plane, or boat

Preferred Qualifications

• Fluency in written, oral, or signed (e.g., ASL) communication in a second language
• Familiarity with Google Workspace and Zoom
• Knowledge of Slate CRM

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter by April 30, 2026. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).

The market range for this position is $58,000-$60,000 per year, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

PA Criminal Clearance Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2026 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.