Patrick Gabriel Lorenzo
College Counselor
Saint Ignatius College Preparatory (CA)
What drew you to the world of college admission counseling?
I stumbled into college admissions through the “backdoor” by virtue of my prior event planning and student affairs experience. Though overseeing preview days, yield programs, visitor services, and student ambassadors were my primary functions, serving as a local admissions officer promoting access and presenting the possibilities of college sparked my passion for college admissions.
After nine seasons as an admissions rep, I transitioned to college counseling. Supporting students to and through the evolving landscape of higher education and helping them align their lived experiences and backgrounds to the college application is an uncanny endeavor and a distinguished honor!
What is your favorite part of the job?
Accompanying students to discover points of intersection and helping them weave possibilities is a deliberate and imaginative process. Bearing witness to this journey and observing moments of awe and wonder — from helping students develop their college list to discerning over their decision — is a privilege I cherish wholeheartedly.
How has NACAC played a role in your career?
The annual conference animates my personal and professional philosophy of edutainment. Enlightenment and engagement are my sources of strength! From opportunities to share my voice and to glean alternative practices to rekindling and widening my circle, there is no shortage of opportunity to learn in this association.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our profession today?
Burnout has hit this profession hard. At times, finding meaningful rejuvenation between competing priorities against on-demand, vending-machine-like expectations can be exhausting. It is essential to have thought partners, courageous crew members, and mentors (both young and seasoned) to decompress with during those difficult stretches.
When you aren’t working, what do you like to do?
Playing chess, listening to one of my 50+ curated playlists, reading Filipino literature, and exploring the neighborhoods of San Francisco!
If you could be any fictional character, who would it be and why?
Lila Macapagal is the crafty pastry artist and crime-solving protagonist of the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mystery series by Mia P. Manansala. Her wit, ingenuity, and creativity are captivating. Her character reminds me how we must lean into our discomfort to unlock other ways of being. She inspires me to go beyond my comfort zone, even if it comes at my humorous detriment!
Published Sept. 30, 2024
