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Recent Cougar Alumni Offer Advice to Upper Schoolers

1/5/2017

Seventeen recent Collegiate School graduates shared with Upper School students their experiences regarding moving from high school to college this morning in Oates Theater and the Sharp Academic Commons.

Collegiate School Director of College Counseling Brian Leipheimer and Associate Director of College Counseling Kim Ball facilitated the separate sessions for sophomores and juniors.

Cougar alums from local universities including University of Virginia, College of William & Mary and Washington & Lee University, to those farther afield such as Yale University, Princeton University and the University of California at Berkeley, spoke frankly about their individual college searches and application processes, and how they have adjusted to college life.

All the alumni advised students to do their research on the schools they like. They suggested taking tours and talking with people who attended those schools to make sure they find the right fit. When applying to schools, the panelists recommended taking advantage of all the resources Collegiate has to offer and getting essays finished early.

“It’s really nice to have it all done,” said Gabi Brumagin ‘15, who is now a sophomore at Duke University.

Acknowledging that the college selection process can be overwhelming, the recent Cougar graduates urged the students to trust their own feelings regarding their ultimate decision.

“I didn’t think I wanted to go to Kenyon College because my mom went there,” said Houlder Hudgins ‘14. “But it was where I thought I would be the happiest. And I am.”

Mark Brizzolara ‘15, who now attends the University of Southern California, put it simply:

“Go with your gut.”

At the end of both sessions, Mr. Leipheimer and Mrs. Ball thanked the panelists for their time and helpful information that will guide those in attendance as they embark on their own journeys to college.

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