College Counseling at Saint George Academy
At Saint George Academy, college counseling is a journey of discovery, preparation, and purpose. Students are guided to explore their strengths, interests, and evolving goals — ensuring that when senior year arrives, they are ready to step confidently into the next stage of their academic lives.
Our model blends individualized advising, hands-on workshops, and family partnership. Each student meets regularly with the Director of College Counseling to build a personalized roadmap: selecting appropriately challenging courses, exploring career pathways, and shaping a thoughtful college list. Throughout junior and senior year, targeted support includes essay development, personal statements, application strategy, and financial-aid literacy. College representatives from a wide range of institutions visit campus throughout the year, offering students meaningful opportunities to learn firsthand about academic programs, admission priorities, and campus life.
We believe that a student’s college process should be rooted in fit, self-knowledge, and aspiration. Our outcomes reflect this philosophy: Saint George graduates matriculate to colleges and universities that honor their individuality, ambition, and values.
Key Features
- Individual advising for students and families
- Course selection and academic planning
- College list development
- Essay and application support
- FAFSA, financial aid, and scholarship guidance
- Student & family workshops
- College representative visits
- Personalized feedback on essays and resumes
We cultivate graduates who leave Saint George not only prepared for college, but prepared for possibility — equipped with the academic foundation, self-awareness, and confidence to chart their own path in an ever-changing world.
Director of College Counseling
Ms. Cheung brings a wealth of experience, perspective, and care to her role as Director of College Counseling at Saint George Academy. Raised in Long Island and New Jersey, she studied at Yale University before earning her law degree at Fordham. She has lived in Manhattan for over 30 years and now calls Chelsea home.
Her own children’s college journeys gave her a unique perspective on the admissions process. Her son is currently at Yale, double-majoring in Classics and Economics, while her daughter graduated from Yale in 2024 as an All-American sailor and now works as an economic consultant in Washington, D.C. “When I helped my kids, their friends, and other families with the application process, I realized I had developed a skill set I loved using — research, writing, and spending time with students in a way I wished someone had helped me when I was in high school,” she explains.
As a first-generation applicant in her own right, Ms. Cheung recalls feeling lost in the process. “It was like a different language, and my parents didn’t know how to guide me. That’s why this work matters so much to me. I want to give students the kind of support I didn’t have.” She went on to train with ScholarMatch, a national nonprofit that helps students from underrepresented backgrounds navigate the admissions process — and discovered how deeply rewarding this work could be.
At Saint George, she has been struck by the character of the students. “I can’t get over how enthusiastic, intelligent, and driven these kids are. If I mention something in an introductory meeting, they’re waiting at my office door later that day to follow up. They’re hungry to learn.”
Her counseling philosophy is practical as well as personal. “There is a college for everyone. The key is finding the right academic, social, and financial fit," she says.
She guides families to look honestly at affordability — running net price calculators, exploring scholarships, and reviewing financial aid options — before students fall in love with a school. The small-school environment at Saint George makes it possible for her to provide the kind of detailed, individualized support that large schools simply can’t. “Here, I can sit with a student and their family, review every essay draft, talk through every prompt, and help them build a college list that truly works for them. It’s the kind of personal attention people often pay private counselors for — and it’s what our students deserve.”
Outside of school, Ms. Cheung loves to cook, often drawing inspiration from the Union Square Farmers Market. Her favorite dish is lamb stew with olives. She spends her summers on Fire Island, where she serves as the village prosecutor in her community’s small beach town.
The East Village also feels like home to her, from buying Easter ham at Bachynsky to sharing short rib pierogies and potato pancakes at Veselka, or enjoying a ham-and-butter baguettini from Le Petit Parisien just around the corner from the school.
“My goal is to make sure every student leaves here confident in their future, knowing they had someone to walk with them, believe in them, and help open the right doors.”
Counseling Intern
Ms. Nicolene R. Dorestant brings warmth, curiosity, and a deep commitment to student well-being to her role as School Counseling Intern at Saint George Academy. Raised in Queens, she completed her undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of Bridgeport and is now in her final year of the School Counseling master’s program at Manhattan University.
Her early impressions of Saint George reflect the strength of our community. “It feels so welcoming here — small, close, and supportive,” she shares. Having attended a large public high school before transitioning to a much smaller college, she immediately recognized the value of an intimate learning setting. “When you’re in a smaller environment, you can actually get the help you need. You know your teachers, and they know you.”
Nicolene finds the East Village easy to navigate from Queens and appreciates the character of the neighborhood. She hasn’t chosen a favorite restaurant yet — partly because she often brings homemade Haitian meals prepared by her mother. Her favorite dish is simple and nostalgic: white rice with gravy and legume.
Her graduate work has nurtured passions in both child and couples therapy, and she plans to apply to PsyD programs in Clinical Counseling. Two courses in particular shaped her counseling practice: Practicum in Counseling — where students learn from one another’s field sites and problem-solve collaboratively — and Techniques in Counseling, which gave her hands-on experience leading one-on-one sessions. “I bring so much of that into my work with students here,” she says.
What stands out most to Nicolene is the openness of the community. “Students shouldn’t be nervous — everyone here is warm and willing to help. That includes the faculty and staff. There’s really a sense that people are looking out for you.”
Outside of school, Nicolene enjoys spending time with family and exploring her cultural roots. She credits her upbringing with shaping her desire to support young people and hopes to continue this work through doctoral study and clinical practice in the years ahead.
College counseling at Saint George is personal: one student, one story, one future — thoughtfully guided every step of the way.
Director of Student Support
Mr. Iadevaio brings both academic expertise and real-world clinical experience to Saint George Academy. He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Lesley University, where he also played Division III baseball as a pitcher and served as team captain for two years. That same mix of discipline, leadership, and teamwork defines his approach to supporting students today.
As Director of Student Support at Saint George, Mr. Iadevaio ensures that students are progressing on their academic timelines, while also supporting their personal development and preparing them for post-secondary success. His role combines oversight of confidential student data with one-on-one guidance, always with the goal of setting each student up for achievement in college and beyond.
Mr. Iadevaio recalls his favorite Saint George memory: “The first time I met the students, they presented an idea for a baking club. I was struck by the depth of their proposal and their ability to articulate and negotiate with staff. It showed me right away how thoughtful and ambitious our students are.”
Why should a family choose Saint George Academy? Mr. Iadevaio puts it simply: “It’s an environment that allows individuality and creativity to flourish — while also providing the highest level of personal attention from teachers and staff.”
When he’s not on campus, you might find Mr. Iadevaio in the East Village at Emmy Squared, enjoying their classic margherita or signature jalapeño pizza.
