Application Guide

How to Apply for LEDA College Guidance Counselor

at (LEDA) Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America

🏢 About (LEDA) Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America

LEDA is a distinctive nonprofit that specifically targets exceptional students from under-resourced backgrounds, focusing on developing future leaders rather than just college access. Their mission centers on comprehensive support through education and resources, making it an ideal workplace for those passionate about equity in higher education and long-term student success beyond college admission.

About This Role

This role involves guiding FLI (first-generation/low-income) Scholars through the entire college application journey, from creating balanced college lists to final enrollment, while also teaching bi-weekly classes during the LEDA Summer Institute. It's impactful because you'll directly shape educational trajectories for underrepresented students and collaborate with families, counselors, and admissions officers to break down systemic barriers.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve morning virtual one-on-one sessions with Scholars to review application essays, followed by data entry in Salesforce to track financial aid submissions. During the Summer Institute, afternoons would shift to preparing and facilitating interactive college guidance workshops, with evenings dedicated to drafting personalized recommendation letters and coordinating with high school counselors.

🚀 Application Tools

Generate Cover Letter

AI-powered, tailored for (LEDA) Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America

Interview Prep

Practice questions for this role

🎯 Who (LEDA) Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America Is Looking For

  • Has 2+ years of hands-on college advising experience specifically with FLI students, not just general counseling
  • Demonstrates deep knowledge of financial aid systems (FAFSA, CSS Profile) and scholarships targeting underrepresented students
  • Has experience developing and facilitating workshops on college readiness topics for high school students
  • Is willing to reside full-time at the LEDA Summer Institute location during the program period

📝 Tips for Applying to (LEDA) Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America

1

Quantify your FLI student advising experience (e.g., 'guided 50+ first-generation students through selective college applications')

2

Highlight specific knowledge of selective college admissions requirements beyond basics—mention particular colleges LEDA Scholars typically target

3

Demonstrate Salesforce or similar CRM experience, as tracking data in Salesforce is explicitly mentioned

4

Address your willingness to reside at the Summer Institute full-time in your application materials

5

Show familiarity with LEDA's specific programs like the Summer Institute by referencing them in your materials

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your direct experience advising FLI students through selective college admissions', 'Specific examples of workshop development and facilitation for college readiness', 'Knowledge of financial aid systems and scholarships for underrepresented students', "Alignment with LEDA's mission of developing leaders, not just college access"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → LEDA's specific programs beyond the Summer Institute (e.g., Career Pathways, LEDA Network)
  • → Success stories of LEDA Scholars and where they've been admitted
  • → LEDA's partnerships with selective colleges and universities
  • → The organization's approach to leadership development versus traditional college access programs
Visit (LEDA) Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America's Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your approach to helping an FLI student build a balanced college list targeting selective institutions
2 How would you handle a situation where a student's financial aid package is insufficient for their top-choice college?
3 Walk us through how you would plan a bi-weekly LEDA College Guidance class session
4 How do you coordinate effectively with multiple stakeholders (parents, counselors, admissions officers)?
5 What strategies do you use to track and manage application data for multiple students simultaneously?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using generic college counseling experience without highlighting FLI-specific work
  • Failing to address the Summer Institute residency requirement in application materials
  • Focusing only on college admission without mentioning LEDA's broader leadership development mission

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to (LEDA) Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America!

← Back to Job Listing Apply Now →