College Counseling

Lenny Libenzon, College Counselor
lenny_libenzon@psbma.org
617-713-5019
Room 280

Mr. Libenzon is available during school hours for College Counseling. He also presents to students and parents during College Information meetings and regularly communicates with students and parents via email.  At the moment, Mr. Libenzon works as a part-time College Counselor and part-time Guidance Counselor; he works together with BHS Guidance Counselors to help students with the Post-Secondary planning.  Students and parents are encouraged to talk to their counselor at least once prior to making an appointment with Mr. L.  Please email him at any time with your questions and he will get back to you right away!

Our Student Documents folder contains several important documents, including College Application Checklist (quick guide on how to apply to colleges from BHS), Student Self-Description Form (to be filled out at the end of junior year or beginning of your senior year) and Parent Brag Sheet (to be filled out by student's parent/guardian and submitted to the student's guidance counselor).

Brookline High School uses Naviance to submit college application materials such as teacher and counselor recommendations, student transcripts, school reports, and the BHS profile.  Please refer to our Naviance page for further information.

Suggested Reading for Students and Parents
  1. "The Choice" - A section of the New York Times dedicated to college admissions and financial aid
  2. The Chronicle of Higher Education
  3. Binge: Campus Life in an Age of Disconnection and Excess, by Barrett Seaman discusses life outside of the classroom and “what your college student won't tell you.”
  4. The Black-White Test Score Gap, edited by Christopher Jencks and Meredith Philips.
  5. The Blessings of a B Minus, by Wendy Mogel
  6. The Case for Affirmative Action, by Jesse Jackson and Bob Laird.
  7. Choosing Students: Higher Education Admissions Tools for the 21st Century, by Wayne J. Camara and Ernest W. Kimmel (Editors). Vital research on college admission today and tomorrow.
  8. The Chosen: The Hidden History of Admission and Exclusion at Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, by Jerome Karabel.
  9. College of the Overwhelmed, by Dr. Richard Kadison, M.D. and Theresa Foy DiGeronimo discusses the campus mental health crisis and what to do about it.
  10. Colleges That Change Lives, by Loren Pope.
  11. Crafting a Class: College Admissions and Financial Aid, Elizabeth A. Duffy and Idana Goldberg, Princeton University Press, 1998. This is historical research which puts a good perspective on the influence of financial aid on admissions and includes a good cross section of institutions and how they dealt with the impact of aid on enrollment.
  12. Crossing the Finish Line, by William Bowen, Matthew Chingos, and Michael McPherson. A comprehensive analysis of the problem of college students’ failure to complete their baccalaureate degrees.
  13. The Game of Life: College Sports and Educational Values, written by former Princeton University president William Bowen and co-author James Shulman. This study covers not only the big time Division I schools but also delves into the growing impact of athletics in small liberal arts colleges.
  14. The Gatekeepers: Inside the Admissions Process of a Premier College, by Jacques Steinberg.
  15. A Hope in the Unseen: An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League, by Ron Suskind.
  16. How Much Debt is Too Much Debt? by Dr. Sandra Baum. (F. Duane Quinn). Download PDF from the College Board.
  17. Letting Go: A Parents' Guide to Understanding the College Years, by Karen Coburn and Madge Lawrence Tregger.
  18. Millenials Go To College, by Neil Howe and William Strauss. This is a quick read and follow-up to Millenials Rising. It gives interesting insight into what the traditional 18–22 year-old is thinking when choosing a college.
  19. The Price of Admission, by Daniel Golden.
  20. Questions and Admissions, Jean H. Fetter, Stanford University Press, Stanford, CA, 1995. The book is a thoughtful reflection on Jean Fetter's years in admissions at Stanford. She addresses tough questions on admissions with good humor and style.
  21. The Shape of the River: Long-term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions, Derek Bok and William Bowen.
  22. The Sport of Learning, by Vince Fudzie, Andre Hayes, and the Boyz. A comprehensive survival guide for African-American Student-Athletes.
  23. The State of College of College Admission 2010, by Melissa Clinedinst and David Hawkins. National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC).
  24. The Student Guide, 2011-2012, U.S. Department of Education; Student Financial Assistance Programs. This is one of the few government documents which is readable and understandable. It is the basic starting point for a novice interested in Financial Aid. Download link.
  25. “Why a Diverse Student Body is so Important,” Neil Rudenstine. The Chronicle of Higher Education, April 19, 1996. Ted thinks this is a strong piece and recommends that you read it before attending the Institute.  Read online at DiversityWeb.