University and Futures Counseling Program
BHS is proud to provide a comprehensive, highly personalized four-year career and college counseling program for students.
Our Director of University and Futures Counseling, Rhonda Leshman, can be reached at rhonda@barcelonahighschool.com or at +34 660469251 (for university representatives only). The BHS Profile is here which includes universities where our students have been admitted.
We support students as they explore and pursue higher education options around the world, take a gap year or start up entrepreneurial ventures. Accredited by both WASC and the Spanish Ministry of Education, our program offers students the resources, structure, and support needed to successfully navigate the university search and applications process. We welcome visiting admissions officers from many countries and take our students to local university fairs including the Saló de l'Ensenyament, Barcelona's comprehensive education fair.
BHS students apply to universities globally including the EU, notably to Spain, The Netherlands, France, Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Czech Republic as well as the UK, US, Canada and other countries. There are numerous academic programs in non-English speaking countries that are offered in English.
BHS offers every student and parent/guardian an account on Unifrog, a university and career exploration platform as a resource. Students can complete activities to identify their aptitudes, strengths and research universities around the world. Unifrog also includes career and super curricular information, tools to write a CV/resume and a university essay.
At BHS, we begin working with students early to build strong academic foundations, cultivate passions, and encourage thoughtful exploration of career pathways.
What Sets Our Counseling Apart
The BHS program is designed to help students:
• Discover their academic interests, strengths, and values
• Identify what makes them stand out in a global applicant pool
• Develop a balanced and strategic university list
• Craft authentic and compelling personal statements and essays
• Prepare for interviews, portfolio reviews, and standardized tests (as needed)
• Understand and complete complex application platforms and requirements
• Receive guidance on financial aid, scholarships, and visa processes
Focus on the Students
At BHS, we believe each student has a unique story to tell. Rhonda engages with students to help them reflect on their experiences, contributions, and goals. She supports students in creating standout applications that go beyond transcripts and test scores. Whether a student is a budding scientist, artist, social advocate, or entrepreneur, we help shape a narrative that is both genuine and compelling.
We help students find ways to distinguish themselves with the goal of helping students find the best fit to continue their academic, social, and emotional growth.
Services and Resources
• Personalized university advising from Grades 9–12
• Application timeline planning and checklists
• Full range of workshops, including essay writing with feedback
• Visits from international university representatives
• University fairs and networking opportunities including campus visits
• Interview preparation and mock interviews
• Portfolio and audition coaching (for creative programs)
Accredited & Globally Recognized
Our program is fully accredited by:
• WASC
• The Spanish Ministry of Education
This dual recognition ensures that our academic advising and counseling align with international standards and prepares students for success in any higher education system.
Gap Year Opportunities
A number of BHS students opt to take a year or more to do a gap year. We support these students by offering information about structured gap year opportunities to help them plan for a meaningful experience following graduation. Guidance is provided on a large range of opportunities including service, travel, organic farming, being an au pair or seeking a local internship or job.
Let’s Plan Your Future Together
Plans following high school are more than a checklist. It’s a launchpad for lifelong learning and personal growth. At BHS, we are proud to walk alongside students and families as they make some of the most exciting and important decisions of their academic careers.
Rhonda Leshman
For over 30 years, Rhonda has worked in both university admissions and in independent private schools in Los Angeles, Shanghai, London and Barcelona. Her focus is helping students identify their career goals and consider university options around the world or gap year plans. Also, Rhonda helps parents/caregivers understand the process and how they can best support their child. As described above, her services include helping students understand themselves and their interests, developing a tentative college list, creating applications that best represent themselves and serving as a guide to consider a myriad of options. Each year, Rhonda visits a number of university campuses to understand first-hand the options available to BHS students. She is a member of NACAC and IACAC, her professional associations.