Kristen BixbyPam Roth is a Senior College Counselor and Essay Specialist for Campus Bound. Learn more about her in this Staff Spotlight.
AB, Mount Holyoke College
MAT, Brown University
Pam has extensive experience in education, including 14 years as an English teacher and 12 years on both sides of the admissions desk, first in the Office of Admissions at the University of Rochester and then as the head of college counseling at an independent school.
In Her Own Words:
My approach to college counseling:
“The college admissions process is about finding the right match between the student and the college or university. It is a process unique to each student, as it is a journey of self-discovery, the first step in gaining the independence required in college. I believe a student will end up where he/she is truly meant to be, and I enjoy helping students achieve their goals. While it is rewarding to help students discover an appropriate range of colleges and navigate the details of applications, my greatest satisfaction comes from watching essays and supplements evolve from idea to finished product.”
Things I love most about the college process:
“As a career educator who began as an English teacher, what I love most about what I do is that I still get to teach. The college admissions process is one that requires the same skills I used in the classroom. My juniors and seniors now are: thinking about what they like and dislike; asking questions; analyzing details to draw conclusions; being organized and staying on top of tasks; and writing. I love watching my students explore, learn, and work hard and purposefully as well as gain confidence and independence.”
How I enjoy spending my spare time:
“In my spare time, I love to bake, particularly anything chocolate. For as long as I can remember, I have tackled crossword puzzles, often in ink, and have become a competitive Words with Friends player. A voracious reader and an avid walker, several times a year, you’ll find me at the theater, either in Boston or New York, with my daughter. Finally, as a native New Yorker, I am a passionate Yankees fan, and as the mother of a University of Oregon junior, I follow Ducks football and men’s basketball.”