ANNA FOLLENSBEE, DIRECTOR OF COLLEGE COUNSELING
Gilman School
Anna Follensbee, a member of Gilman’s College Counseling team since 2013, became Director of College Counseling in the summer of 2026. Prior to Gilman, she spent nine years as a college admissions counselor at Eckerd College, Providence College, and Loyola University Maryland. In addition to college counseling, Anna is an advisor and intramural coach and has taught English and led the Senior Encounter program. Anna is a proud Gilman parent with a son in the class of 2034.
College counseling philosophy?
Holistic. We work closely with students to understand their distinctive strengths, accomplish- ments, and goals as we help them build a college list and craft compelling applications.
Goals for next year?
Though I am fortunate to inherit a wonderful office with a strong team and robust programming, there is always room for growth. I am particularly interested in collaborating more closely with our wellness team to examine how we can best support families through a process that can feel stressful and uncertain.
What is fun about working with students?
It is so rewarding to help students engage in a self-reflective process where they consider what is important to them in their next community. That often includes reflecting on what has been meaningful to them about their Gilman experience.
Advice for recent graduates?
Embrace the opportunities and challenges of your next institution! Ultimately, college is what you make of it.
This article is part of our 2026-2027 Guide to Baltimore Independent Schools
