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College Counseling

Graduates of Taipei American School sitting at the graduation ceremony

Our College Counseling Approach

At Taipei American School, the college counseling office helps our families navigate the college search, application, and admissions process.

Through a dynamic, proactive, collaborative, strategic, and comprehensive process, our students feel supported as they transform their passions into their purpose.

Charting the Path to Your Purpose

Working in concert with students, parents, academic and personal counselors, and Upper School educators, our college counselors create a profound network of advocacy around our students during this key moment of transition. Our college counselors guide our students as they navigate the process of self-reflection, confident self-assertion, and ownership of their educational purpose, with the ultimate goal of helping them achieve personal excellence in the ever-evolving college admissions process.

Meet our College Counseling Team

Melanie Hamre

US Director of College Counseling

John Gursky

Associate Director of College Counseling

Dabina Gim

US College Counselor

Sonali Hutchison

US College Counselor

Janet Hong

US Comprehensive Counselor

Paul Kim

US College Counselor

Experience Matters

Our students benefit from our college counselors’ years of experience on both sides of the university admissions process. Our counseling team has worked on the university-side of admissions and have a deep understanding of the full spectrum of college admissions. By maintaining continuous conversations with colleagues at peer schools and top institutions around the world, TAS provides the most up-to-date, relevant, and personal support to assist students with their school placement. Each year, TAS is pleased to partner with hundreds of colleges and universities to engage either virtually or in person with admissions representatives to learn more about post-secondary options around the world.

Cat Fair
Global Futures, Local Impact: 5th CAT University Fair Connects Students and Universities

On September 14, Taipei American School proudly hosted the 5th Counseling Association of Taiwan (CAT) University Fair, the largest university fair in Taiwan and one of the biggest in Asia. The event brought together nearly 130 universities from more than 10 countries and welcomed 1,500 guests from TAS and 20+ international and bilingual schools across Taiwan. 

More than just a TAS event, the CAT Fair has become a community-wide gathering that unites students, families, and counselors in exploring future pathways. From first-time fair attendees to seasoned university representatives, the day was marked by meaningful conversations and connections. Highlights included student-built CATbots delivering bubble tea, a welcome mural designed by TAS Visual Arts students, and student musicians and Calligraphy Club members adding a cultural touch to the day’s events. 

“This event captures what it means to be globally connected while deeply rooted in Taiwan’s educational community,” shared TAS Associate Director of College Counseling John Gursky in his opening remarks. “Our students are some of the most talented and curious learners in Asia, and today, they had the opportunity to connect directly with universities around the world.” 

The fair also featured micro-sessions on topics such as financial aid, portfolio preparation for art schools, and supporting students in the college search process, providing families with deeper insights into the global admissions landscape. 

CAT Fair Photos

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the schools whose presence helped make the 2025 CAT University Fair such a success: 

  • Taipei American School 

  • American School in Taichung 

  • Asia American International Academy 

  • Chingshin Academy 

  • Dominican International School 

  • Grace Christian Academy 

  • Hsinchu American School 

  • Hsinchu County American School 

  • Hsinchu International Academy 

  • International Bilingual School at Hsinchu Science Park 

  • International Bilingual School at Tainan Science Park 

  • Kang Chiao International School – Linkou Campus 

  • Kang Chiao International School – Taipei Campus 

  • Kaohsiung American School 

  • Morrison Academy Taipei Campus 

  • Pu Tai Senior High School 

  • Taipei European School 

  • Taipei Fuhsing Private School 

  • Taipei Kuei Shan School 

  • Taipei Municipal Xisong High School 

  • Taipei Private Tsai Hsing High School 

  • Taoyuan Municipal Dayuan International Senior High School 

  • TCS Experimental Education 

  • United Education International School 

  • VIS Experimental High School 

  • Wagor International School of Excellence 

Their participation enriched the fair and demonstrated the collective commitment of Taiwan’s educational community to supporting students in exploring future opportunities. 

The CAT University Fair reflects TAS’s mission to cultivate lifelong learners and globally minded contributors. By serving students across Taiwan, the fair embodies TAS’s commitment to community, collaboration, and making the world a better place. 

The learning continued at the Selective Admissions Around the World Panel Discussion, featuring admissions officers from Boston University, UC Davis, McGill University, and Imperial College London.  

Watch the recap video to hear directly from students, parents, and universities about their experiences at the 2025 CAT Fair. 

CAT Fair Photos

 

Global Education for Global College Destinations

Here is a selection of 50 of recent learning destinations beyond Taipei American School. We are so proud of our graduates!

Our Comprehensive Program

We offer an expertly comprehensive, dynamic, and proactive program that aims to guide and support our students through the entire process. Our six full-time college counselors work closely with our expert team of personal and academic counselors to provide individualized support for each and every Tiger in our care.

Find out more by clicking below.

Taipei American School students in a college counseling session in the Upper School lecture hall
The College Counseling Process

Our students in Grades 9 and 10 are strongly encouraged to use these years to make a successful transition into the rhythm and rigor of the Upper School, and to explore what they love about learning. During these years, the most important thing students can do is take healthy risks as they explore their academic and personal interests with the support of the Personal and Academic Counselors. The goal of these years is for students to begin articulating what is important to them about their educational journey.  
 
By Grade 11 our students have hit their stride, and are working to refine key skills like self-understanding, self-regulation, and focus. Our students are encouraged to achieve the sense of balance and self-awareness that colleges look for in applicants. This is also when college counselors begin mandatory individual meetings with students and families to establish an individual plan for each student. During these meetings, counselors develop life-changing relationships with students as they seek to understand each student's personal and academic interests, their goals, and their dreams.  
 
During Grade 12, college counselors continue to meet regularly with students and parents. Counselors provide guidance throughout the process, from feedback and advice on applications and essays, to helping students with their final college decision.

College counselors presenting to students at Taipei American School in the Upper School lecture hall
College Counseling Classes

During the spring semester of Grade 11 and the fall semester of Grade 12, students must attend regular college counseling classes, which provide relevant and timely information about the college search, research, and application processes. They also meet individually with their College Counselor to discuss their unique journeys. Students learn how to find and evaluate colleges that suit their needs and goals, what colleges look for in applications, how to navigate the Common Application, the University of California system application, as well as applications in Canada, the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, and more. 

These college counseling classes help our students stay calm, organized, and supported as they work over the spring, summer, and fall to complete their college application materials.  

Graduates of Taipei American School sitting at the graduation ceremony
Parent & Guardian Education

Our college counselors provide regular events and workshops for parents and guardians, with the goal of educating parents on the current college admissions landscape, and providing insights into the process, including where their children should be in the process at any given point.  
 
Our college counselors also collaborate with our Personal and Academic Counseling Office for joint counseling conversations. These give parents and guardians the opportunity to ask questions, hear about different strategies, and talk about different changes and trends in college admissions. While these events don't replace individual sessions, they are a great way to engage in a dialogue with the joint counseling teams!

Single Testimonial

“  We are absolutely invested in ensuring that our students shine throughout the entirety of the application process, and that they apply to schools where they will thrive socially, emotionally, and intellectually. ”

Melanie Hamre

Director of College counseling

Melanie Hamre, Director of College Counseling at Taipei American School

Celebrating Our Graduates

Each year, we celebrate our graduating class as they continue on to a great diversity of countries, programs, and universities around the world. Learn more about our program below and explore our Upper School profile to learn about where our students enroll after TAS.

The Taipei American School Profile

Transcript Requests

Are you a current or former TAS family looking to request a transcript for your child? Please visit the following page for an overview of how to request your child's TAS transcript.

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