College Counseling

Welcome to La Jolla Country Day School (LJCDS) College Counseling. We meet our students where they are and take them where they want to go. The LJCDS college counseling team strives to educate, guide and support students and their families through the college search and application process. Our ultimate goal is for students to attend a college or university where they will be successful and be well-equipped to continue that success in life.

Our Belief

We believe students should own their college admissions process and parents should be well-informed about their child’s progress. Our college counseling team is available and accessible throughout the process. We emphasize student independence, self-reliance and community engagement, so they may gain a greater understanding of who they are. We do this by offering a student-centered, individualized program allowing students to identify schools that align with their developing values. We have a supportive team approach that is appropriate to each student’s developmental stage and grade level.

We meet regularly with students and parents, host grade-level informational get-togethers, provide weekly communications, essay workshops, college fairs and bring upwards of 200 college admissions representatives to campus each fall.

Our juniors and seniors participate in a seminar program during their junior and senior years that provides them a deeper understanding of the application process. During the fall of each year, our juniors participate in college trips across the country where they visit a variety of colleges and universities.

Meet the Team

List of 6 members.

  • Photo of Damien Fatongia

    Damien Fatongia 

    Managing Director of College Counseling
    (858) 453-3440 x127
  • Photo of Valencia Valentine Hamman

    Valencia Valentine Hamman 

    Director of College Counseling
    (858) 453-3440 x145
  • Photo of Tiana Kelly

    Tiana Kelly 

    Associate Director of College Counseling
    (858) 453-3440 x214
  • Photo of Martin Vaughn

    Martin Vaughn 

    Associate Director of College Counseling
    (858) 453-3440 x190
  • Photo of May Vukotich

    May Vukotich 

    Administrative Assistant, College Counseling
    (858) 453-3440 x308
  • Faith Padgett 

    College Admission Essay Advisor
    (858) 453-3440 x766

La Jolla Country Day School

9490 Genesee Avenue
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-453-3440

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