Who We Are

Rainier College Counseling was founded by Deborah Cossey, M.Ed., in the fall of 2004 to assist students and families with the college planning and admissions process. She has assisted hundreds of students in applying to and being accepted by local and out-of-state colleges as well as gap year and alternative programs.

Ms. Cossey received her B.A. from the University of Washington and her M.Ed. in School Counseling from Seattle University. She spent 27 years as a high school teacher and counselor in the Everett School District, helping to open Jackson High School, creating their college counseling program, and organizing many college workshops. Recently, she completed the respected College Counseling Program from UCLA Extension and received a Certificate in College Counseling. Ms. Cossey is an active member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling, Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling, Higher Education Consultants’ Association, the Seattle Area College Consultants, and the Learning Disabilities Association.

Continuously updating her knowledge of colleges and college admission issues, Ms. Cossey has attended the Harvard Summer Institute, University of California Conference, and Washington State High School/College Conference. Over the past three years, she has visited hundreds of colleges and programs in the US and Canada.

Deborah Cossey has been a committee member for the National College Fair in Seattle for the last four years, has assisted with the Everett Career and College Fair, and is a frequent speaker at local schools, parent groups and service organizations.

Ms. Cossey has served on the High School Counselor Advisory Board for the University of Washington, the Everett School Gifted Advisory Committee, and has received the respected PTSA Golden Acorn award twice for her contributions to students and school programs.

From attending local and national conferences, to meeting with college representatives, and reading current college literature, Deborah Cossey is continuously increasing her knowledge about the college admissions field so as to best help the students and families with whom she works.