Meet Scott!

Scott Steinberg, College Counselor

During his more than 30 years in college admissions, Scott has evaluated over 20,000 applications for admission at four highly regarded institutions—Bowdoin College, Bates College, the University of Southern Maine, and the University of New England. Across these roles, he has held senior leadership positions including Director of Admission at Bates College, Director of Admission Operations at Bowdoin College, and most recently,  Dean/Associate Vice President of Undergraduate Marketing and Recruitment at the University of New England. At UNE, Scott led the strategic development and implementation of test-optional (2019) and test-blind (2022) policies—initiatives that expanded access and equity while maintaining academic excellence. His deep understanding of holistic review, combined with decades of experience managing admissions committees and recruitment strategies, gives him unique insight into what helps students stand out and how colleges make their final decisions.

If Scott were to describe his counseling superpower, he’d call it “range.” Having worked at both highly selective liberal arts colleges and regional universities, Scott can meet students wherever they fall on the academic spectrum. He combines analytical precision with creative listening—mapping realistic college lists using data and forecasting, then shifting gears to help students craft essays and applications that present them as full human beings rather than just transcripts. During brainstorming sessions, he knows how to dig deep to help a high-achieving student uncover a truly distinctive story, and with a developing student, he knows how to motivate confidence and direction. This flexibility, honed over three decades of working with families across a broad range of academic profiles and institutional goals, allows him to serve students interested in everything from local universities to the most selective colleges in the nation.

What families appreciate most about working with Scott is the combination of professional expertise and personal understanding he brings to the table. As a parent who has guided two of his own children through college and beyond, Scott understands firsthand the challenges, anxieties, and aspirations families navigate during this process. His approach is student-centered and honest—he provides clear, step-by-step guidance grounded in realistic expectations about outcomes and affordability. Families describe him as approachable, insightful, and reassuring. Rather than adding to the stress that has infected the college admissions process for so many, Scott helps families cut through the noise, focus on what matters, and ensure that every application reflects the student's genuine strengths and authentic voice.

When he's not immersed in college counseling, Scott is a classically trained pianist who earned national recognition in the National Piano Playing Auditions and continues to find joy in music. He's also an accomplished tennis player who coached varsity tennis at Bates College and has competed in United States Tennis Association (USTA) events for many years, including the 2024 USTA League National Championships in Scottsdale, Arizona. More recently, he's taken up pickleball and has competed successfully in state, regional, and national tournaments, winning events in his division. Scott also volunteers as a leader with the USTA, serving on governance committees that advance fairness, integrity, and organizational accountability. In his downtime, you'll find him hiking or kayaking in Maine, enjoying the state's natural beauty with his wife and their Boston Terrier, Penny.

Education & Experience
Columbia University, Graduate School of Business, M.B.A. Double concentration, Finance and Marketing Bates College, B.A. Double major, Mathematics and Music. Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa. Rhodes Scholarship semifinalist. Varsity tennis.

Dean / Associate Vice President of Undergraduate Marketing and Recruitment, University of New England
Director of Admission, Bates College
Senior Associate Dean of Admission, Bates College
Director of Admission Operations, Bowdoin College
Dean of Undergraduate Admission and Chief Marketing Officer, University of Southern Maine
Director of Undergraduate Admission, University of Southern Maine
Associate Dean of Admission, Bates College
Frequent presenter on college admissions topics at high schools and professional conferences
Featured in both local and national media on college admissions issues, including ABC, CBS and NBC affiliates; Portland Press Herald; Chronicle of Higher Education, Washington Post, Inside Higher Ed

Professional Organization Memberships
NACAC: National Association for College Admission Counselors
NEACAC: New England Association for College Admission Counseling
The Common Application: Enrollment Leaders Advisory Committee