College Counseling

Empowering students to explore; preparing them to succeed.

College Counseling Philosophy at KISJ :

Welcome to College Counseling at KISJ!

We believe that the college counseling process begins with the student. We are committed to supporting students throughout their high school journey as they grow academically, explore their interests and aspirations, and discover the many possibilities available to them after graduation. Recognizing that every student brings unique strengths, talents, and goals to the process, our programming is designed to help each student make informed decisions about their future. Our College Counseling philosophy purposefully aligns with KISJ’s school-wide learning outcomes or Dragons’ Values which serve as the foundation for all learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom. Respect, Responsibility, Collaboration, and Communication are an integral part of who we are at KISJ!

Our work begins in Grade 9 and continues through graduation. Through grade-level programming, advisory lessons, student and parent presentations, seminars, Coffee Talks, and individual meetings, students and families receive timely guidance at every stage of the high school and college planning process.

Our goal is not simply to help students gain admission to college, but to help them identify colleges and universities where they can thrive academically and socially. While many of our students matriculate to universities in the United States, we encourage students to explore opportunities around the world. Throughout the process, we challenge students to ask thoughtful questions of themselves and their families, empowering them to make informed and meaningful choices about their post-secondary paths.

Meet our team :

Front row, from left: Ms. Sarah Rutherford, Ms. Sumana Moudgal, Mr. Jaemyong Ryu

Back row, from left: Mr. Brian Sylvester, Mr. Chris Reese

Ms. Sumana Moudgal - Director of College Counseling

Ms. Moudgal joined KISJ as Director of College Counseling for the 2026–2027 school year. Prior to joining KISJ, she served as Associate Director of College Counseling at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia. Her experience spans highly selective independent and public schools, where she has supported students and families throughout the college search and application process.

Ms. Moudgal is committed to providing equitable, student-centered counseling and believes in meeting students and families where they are. She helps students identify and pursue post-secondary opportunities that align with their strengths, interests, aspirations, and goals.

Her work has been recognized with the Yale Educator Award in 2015 and the University of Chicago Outstanding Educator Award in 2021. She also served on the University of Georgia’s High School Advisory Council from 2014 to 2016 and Mercer University’s Advisory Board from 2024 to 2026. Ms. Moudgal holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in School Counseling from the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Ms. Sarah Rutherford - College Counselor

Ms. Rutherford is originally from Sydney, Australia, and has worked in educational settings across Australia, Asia, and the Middle East. She joined KISJ as a College Counselor for the 2025–2026 school year and has been supporting students through the college admissions process since 2020.

Ms. Rutherford believes that every student deserves to find a university where they can grow, thrive, and become their best selves. Her approach to counseling centers on ensuring that students feel heard, supported, and confident throughout every stage of the college process. She is committed to providing personalized guidance while helping students identify opportunities that align with their individual goals and aspirations.

Ms. Rutherford holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Diploma in Education from Macquarie University, as well as a Master’s degree in Education (School Counseling) from the Queensland University of Technology.

Mr. Chris Reese - College Counselor

Mr. Reese holds a degree in English Education from Kutztown University, is a licensed educator in Pennsylvania, and holds a College Counseling Certification from the University of California, San Diego. He has spent his entire career in education in Korea and brings more than a decade of experience working closely with students as they navigate important academic, personal, and post-secondary decisions.

Mr. Reese’s approach to college counseling emphasizes individualized guidance, thoughtful and honest feedback, and empowering students to articulate their own goals and tell their stories in their authentic voices. He is committed to supporting students throughout the college process while helping them take ownership of the opportunities that will shape their futures.

Mr. Brian Sylvester - College Counselor

Mr. Sylvester brings a diverse professional and international background to the KISJ. Originally from the Gulf Coast of Texas, he earned his Juris Doctor and became a licensed attorney before transitioning to international education after moving to China in 2016.

Since then, Mr. Sylvester has supported students across East Asia in navigating their academic, personal, and post-secondary journeys. He is a certified school counselor and holds a Master’s degree in International School Counseling from Lehigh University. His approach to counseling draws on his experience in both law and education, as well as his understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges students encounter within international school communities.

Having lived and worked internationally for many years, Mr. Sylvester considers Italy home. He joined KISJ for the 2026–2027 school year and looks forward to supporting students and families throughout their college journey.

Mr. Jaemyong Ryu - Korean University Counselor

Mr. Ryu has been a member of the KISJ community since 2014 and specializes in Korean university admissions counseling. Prior to joining KISJ, he spent approximately 17 years teaching Korean History, World History, and Social Studies, supporting students in their academic development and future planning.

At KISJ, Mr. Ryu works closely with students pursuing higher education in Korea. He provides comprehensive guidance throughout the admissions process, including university and major selection, application strategy, preparation and review of school records and supporting documents, and interview preparation. He is particularly focused on helping international school students understand the unique requirements of Korean university admissions and effectively present their academic achievements, extracurricular experiences, and individual strengths.

Mr. Ryu studied Korean History and holds a Korean secondary school teaching certificate. In addition to his work at KISJ, he serves as Vice President of the UNESCO GEC Center, supporting educational and youth initiatives that promote global citizenship, cultural understanding, and community engagement.

Mr. Ryu believes that college counseling extends beyond university admission and is centered on helping students recognize their strengths and experiences, make thoughtful academic choices, and develop a meaningful direction for their future.

The College Counseling curriculum :

Grade 9 :

In Grade 9, students take their first steps with College Counseling through programming centered on self-awareness, academic habits, and early exploration of future pathways. With support from their counselors and advisors, students will:

Explore their own learning styles, productivity habits, and personality traits through guided self-assessments.
Engage in advisory sessions on the core skills and mindsets that support a strong start to high school.
Get introduced to MaiaLearning as a tool for early career exploration, connecting their interests and strengths to possible pathways.
Understand the purpose of service hours and how to make meaningful use of summer opportunities.
Learn to critically evaluate college ranking systems — including what they can and can’t tell you about a school’s fit.

Grade 10 :

In Grade 10, students deepen their self-understanding and begin connecting what they’re learning in class to real-world career possibilities. Through College Counseling and advisory programming, students will:

Complete an Interest Profiler to identify areas of interest and explore related career paths.
Build on their MaiaLearning skills as a resource for ongoing career exploration and future planning.
Engage in counselor-led advisory sessions focused on the skills and principles behind future planning.
Learn strategies for engaging with visiting university representatives and making the most of campus visits.
Explore careers during Career Week, exploring career paths connected to the subjects they study in their core classes.

Grade 11 :

In Grade 11, students transition from broad exploration toward focused university planning and preparation for the application process. With support from their counselors, advisors, students will:

Participate in a Parent-Student-Counselor Meeting to review important factors in the university application process, discuss individual concerns, and finalize summer plans before Grade 12.
Develop a deeper understanding of non-U.S. higher education systems and the different application processes and requirements they may involve.
Explore the relationship between degrees, majors, academic interests, and career pathways to make more informed decisions about university options and future goals.
Actively work on building a list of colleges and universities to apply to.
Prepare for the university application process through a series of Junior Seminars, featuring:
- A case study that allows students to examine the admissions process from an institutional perspective.
- Essay Writing workshops, including a mind-mapping activity to help students identify and develop potential essay topics.

Grade 12 :

In Grade 12, students are focused on crafting and submitting applications to colleges. With support from their counselors, students will:

Participate in Parent-Student-Counselor Meetings to review their short list with the goal to create a balanced list that maximizes outcomes.
Receive guidance from their College Counselor on their essays and personal statements.
Participate in a series of Senior Seminars that explain concepts they need to understand as they are completing applications.
Meet with their College Counselor on an ongoing basis as they work through applications.

Where are KISJ students attending university?

The following represents a selection of university destinations for the KISJ Class of 2026.

Information for college admissions officers :

We welcome visits from admissions officers either in-person or through virtual meetings.

Available in-person times to meet with students are:

Lunch time: 11.30am – 12.30pm
After school: 3.30pm – 4.15pm

Please refer to the school calendar for holidays and school breaks. If you are a College Admissions Representative and would like to schedule a college visit at our school, please sign up using MaiaVisits. Find out how to set up your account here.

College Counseling