Valerie Marchand Welsh Helps Students Embrace College Application Journey

Valerie Marchand Welsh, the Director of College Counseling at The Baldwin School, brings a wealth of expertise from the "other side" of the admissions desk to her work with students. Before joining Baldwin, Valerie spent over a decade as an Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Pennsylvania, where she served on the Admissions Leadership Board and led efforts in recruitment, operations, and communications.

Valerie’s time at Penn was defined by an "educator’s ethos," where her role evolved from leading visit experiences to becoming the first Associate Dean of Constituent Engagement. Having read thousands of applications across diverse fields — from nursing and engineering to business and the arts and sciences — she understands how an admissions officer’s read translates into a committee decision. “I brought that educator's ethos with me to Baldwin to always find new ways to help students and families navigate an increasingly challenging process,” she shares.

One of Valerie’s primary goals is to correct common misunderstandings about selective admissions. She explains that the process is often less rational and transparent than families assume, noting that “admissions decisions are nuanced and contextual” and not strictly merit-based. She emphasizes that there is no "perfect formula" for admission.

 

“Involvement in A+B activities does not equal admission,” she explains. “A student can do everything right, and not be admitted. Admission to college is not a validation of worth, just as denial is not evidence of a deficiency.”

 

Instead, she encourages students to pursue authentic interests. “Ultimately, authenticity is what colleges are looking for,” she says, adding that encouraging students to be themselves is a "win-win" that leads to a more meaningful high school experience regardless of the outcome.

 

Valerie also keeps a close eye on the rapidly shifting landscape of higher education. She notes that the pandemic-driven shift to test-optional policies and a surge in application numbers have caused admit rates at many selective colleges to drop significantly. While a "demographic cliff" is expected to decrease the overall number of high school applicants, she anticipates that applications to highly selective colleges will remain competitive.

 

“Through all of the shifts and challenges, Baldwin students have done exceptionally well in the admissions process,” she notes. “We do our best to balance encouragement with realistic expectations. Our focus on authenticity, fit, and a balanced college list is the key to success.”

Valerie’s professional journey is informed by her own global experiences living in London, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. These moves, inspired by her own study abroad experience, gave her a sense of adventure she hopes to instill in her students. “I hope Baldwin students find opportunities to be uncomfortable in order to expand themselves, to think broadly, and to have wild (albeit safe) stories to share,” she says.

 

Her background also includes serving as a Resident Director, where she mentored hundreds of undergraduates. This experience taught her that the transition to college takes time. “I will never forget receiving a phone call from a parent who had just talked with their daughter,” she recalls. “The parent expressed a great deal of concern that the daughter was in distress, unhappy and reported that she didn’t have friends, and wasn’t sure she wanted to stay.” When Valerie went to check on the student, she was found laughing, looking happy and eating pizza with friends. Her advice to both parents and students is: “Give yourself time to settle in. You may not find your place right away. Parents, your student may call home and release their stress and tension on you, and then go about the rest of their day feeling wonderful. I have found that students feel a stronger sense of belonging on their college campus after Thanksgiving or the winter break.”

At Baldwin, Valerie leads a program that is personal, warm, and inspiring. They utilize strategies like free-write prompts to help students assess their values and reflect on what inspires them. Rather than focusing solely on "how do I get in," the college counseling team reframes the search to identify which colleges will value who the student is as a person.

 

The core of her philosophy is “Embrace the Journey,” a process focused on self-discovery. Valerie notes that students often don't realize their "ordinary, sincere interests" are often the most compelling part of their applications. She finds immense joy in giving students the confidence to pursue what they find fascinating. One student shared that the process taught her the importance of self-advocacy and honesty, a sentiment Valerie echoes: “You’ll never regret being true to yourself.”

Valerie and her team strike a careful balance between providing "guardrails" and allowing students to take ownership of their college search. “We take the time to get to know each student and assess what will work best for them,” she explains. “Some students enjoy having more time with us and others value working independently and checking-in for feedback. We meet students where they are.”

 

While counselors set expectations around meeting application deadlines and asking teachers for letters of recommendations, students lead the research and find their own voices in their essays. “The college application process is a preview of the independence that students will need as they navigate their first year of college,” Valerie notes.

 

This partnership extends to families, particularly regarding financial literacy. Baldwin partners with the "College Money Method" to offer resources on financial aid as early as 9th grade. The College Counseling team believes early conversations about affordability are critical to setting expectations and ensuring success for the entire family.

Navigating the emotional side of the process requires "honest communication." Valerie and the team help parents manage expectations by hosting various events, including a panel where senior students share their experiences. They also provide recap emails with suggested talking points to keep family dialogue open.

 

As students graduate, Valerie hopes they remember feeling “empowered, heard, and celebrated.” She also hopes they carry with them the lesson of perseverance. “A setback is not always evidence that you chose the wrong path,” she says, “but instead it could be an invitation to find a better fit or a deeper understanding of what matters to you.”