Navigating the aspirations of over 100 teenagers, each fueled by the desire to pursue their dreams, managing documents, fielding endless questions, and addressing frustration and stress, encapsulates the daily challenges faced by a college counselor.
Dina Rechani, TCS college counselor, adeptly steered the Class of 2022 and currently guides the 2024 seniors. Since earning her master’s degree in school and college counseling in 2001, Dina has dedicated herself to this role, returning to TCS in July 2021 after working in various locations worldwide.
“I worked at TCS from 1990 to 2002 and was a College Counselor from 1999 to 2002. Then I moved to Spain, Puerto Rico, the USA, and Brazil and returned to TCS in July 2021!” Rechani said.
In her inaugural year at TCS, Rechani achieved an impressive milestone: She secured 283 college acceptances for the Class of 2022, with over 94% of students earning scholarships totaling USD 9,079,372 in four-year scholarship funds. Beyond academic success, Dina values the personal aspect of her work, emphasizing regular communication with students to understand their feelings and expectations. While her ‘down-to-earth’ approach may initially put some off, students gradually comprehend the importance of realistic expectations in the college journey.
“I feel happiness, pride, and satisfaction, and wish I could make a lot of noise (that is why I like to ring the bell). My favorite line remains: ‘There is a special place for you out there; you simply don’t know which one or where it is,'” Rechani said.
Rechani’s commitment extends to creating individual folders for every junior, personalized with information on the application process for each country the students wish to apply to. Samuel Escobar, a senior at TCS, acknowledges the value of these folders and states Rechani’s genuine care for every student.
“As a senior soon departing for college, I’m experiencing a blend of emotions, but overall, I’m filled with excitement and happiness as I embark on the next stage of my life. The prospect of living in a new place and meeting new people brings me joy. This wouldn’t have been possible without Dina,” Escobar said.
Time and organization are pivotal in Rechani’s profession, and she often emphasizes the importance of starting the application process early. Her exemplary organizational skills are evident in using colored folders to categorize students based on unique circumstances, ensuring efficient management.
“Two key aspects are crucial in my work: organization and prompt responsiveness to emails and text messages. This ensures that people understand I am readily available through text or email. Those who reach out can always expect a timely response from me,” Rechani said.
Dina provides valuable advice tailored to each high school grade level. For freshmen (9th grade), the focus is on acclimating to high school life, maintaining good grades, and engaging in extracurricular activities. Sophomores (10th grade) are encouraged to sustain good grades, consider Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and explore competitive summer programs. For juniors (11th grade), the emphasis shifts to GPA, AP courses, volunteer/service work, and preparation for standardized exams like the SAT or ACT.
Recognizing that each student’s journey is unique, Rechani emphasizes a personalized road trip during the junior and senior years. This involves contemplating career choices and initiating thorough research on universities, requirements, and deadlines. Ana Garcia, TCS High School Counselor, encourages students to enjoy this time, which marks the beginning of their personalized journey.
“Enjoy this time because it’s going to go away soon, and once it goes away, you don’t want to say I should’ve done that, take advantage of everything. Doing that will make you a happy student, and when you are happy, universities will see that because you are doing everything you like with passion,” Garcia said.
All in all, Rechani has been key at TCS when it comes to support for high school students; she claims to be excited for this upcoming school year and thrilled by the fact that more students want to work with her, although this means more work, she affirms to “love her work.”
“I believe that Dina’s work reflects her passion; for example, the ringing the bell tradition is very wholesome, and we all enjoy it very much. When several people rang the bell in December, I felt nostalgic but happy for my friends. Dina has been my counselor in many aspects and has guided me towards achieving my goals,” Escobar said.
