College Counseling

BASIS Independent McLean Class of 2024 College Acceptances

April 10, 2024 by weitoker Leave a Comment

Congratulations to the Class of 2024! The list below shows this year’s class’ power and inspiring nature. While additional acceptances are still possible from waitlists, 100% of our seniors have secured a spot at a Top-70 Nationally ranked institution of higher education. Our graduates will pursue majors in Applied Mathematics, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Environmental Science, Engineering, Neuroscience, Political Science, Physics, and Journalism.

Earlier this school year, Niche.com named BIM the #1 Best College Prep Private High School in the Washington, DC area. Our 24 seniors proved worthy of that ranking as they were accepted to 60 colleges and universities in the US and Canada. The Class of 2024 began their college application process during their College Counseling Boot Camp last May, and the acceptance list below marks the culmination of 12 months of hard work and application dedication. It has been quite a year, and we are excited for what the future brings for the Class of 2024.

In-State Highlights:

UVA accepted over 50% of our Virginia applicants, William Mary accepted 75%, and Virginia Tech accepted an unprecedented 90% of our applicants.

National Highlights:

46% of our seniors were accepted to a Top 25 National University:

Brown University, Cornell University, Duke University, Emory University, Georgetown University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rice University, Stanford University, University of California (Berkeley), University of Michigan, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Notre Dame, University of Pennsylvania, University of Virginia, Washington University in St. Louis, Yale University

Please join us in congratulating our Class of 2024 Red-Tailed Hawks!

Arizona State University
Binghamton University
Boston University
Brown University
Case Western Reserve University
Clemson University
Cornell University
Drexel University
Duke University
Emory University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Harvard University
Ithaca College
James Madison University
Johns Hopkins University
Loyola Marymount University
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mount St Mary’s University
Northeastern University
Oxford College of Emory University
Penn State University
Purdue University
Queen’s University
Rice University
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rutgers University
Stanford University
The Ohio State University
University of Arizona
University of California (Berkeley)
University of California (Davis)
University of California (Irvine)
University of California (San Diego)
University of California (Santa Barbara)
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Delaware
University of Florida
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Iowa
University of Maryland
University of Michigan
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Richmond
University of Virginia
University of Washington
University of Wisconsin
Vassar College
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest University
Washington University in St. Louis
Western University
William & Mary
Yale University

Personalized Attention, Big Dreams: BASIS Manhattan Seniors Shine with College Counselor Support

December 4, 2023 by msnyder

Anticipation grows as BASIS Independent Manhattan’s Class of 2024 eagerly awaits college decisions. But amidst the nervous excitement, there’s a sense of calm confidence. That’s thanks to the unwavering support of our College Counseling program, led by the inspiring Ms. Abrams.

Ms. Abrams goes beyond just checking applications. She’s a champion for each student, guiding them through the maze of personal statements, essays, and resumes. Her personalized approach, fueled by a deep understanding of each senior’s unique strengths, helps them craft narratives that shine.

Their work together began well before their senior year and picked up during their junior year. In partnership with Ms. Abrams, students created a starter list of colleges tailored to their needs and interests and wrote a strong personal statement draft before leaving for summer vacation. With her expertise, she guided them to identify their priorities and toward their perfect college fit.

Now, the seniors meet with Ms. Abrams in a daily 50-minute College Counseling Workshop. She provides presentations about major checkpoints in the application process including:

writing a personal statement,
crafting supplemental essays,
building a resume,
exploring different methods of applying to college,
understanding financial aid, conducting college research, and
exploring career and personal interests.

Also, Ms. Abrams provides a kind of personal attention that is very unique to our school. She meets with each senior individually to check on their progress. Leveraging the advantages of small class sizes, Ms. Abrams provides personalized feedback and guidance to help each student polish their essays and stand out in their applications. With her deep understanding of each senior, she is able to assist them in generating ideas and brainstorming essay topics that highlight their unique qualities and experiences.

Ms. Abrams also plays a significant role in helping seniors kickstart their Senior Projects. Many of the seniors have been matched with impressive organizations around the world, where they will intern for 10 weeks from March to June. These internships cover a diverse range of fields, including finance, special education, computer science, physics laboratories, and support for Ukraine.

This is an incredibly exciting time for everyone at BASIS Independent Manhattan as we move through the college applications and admissions process together. We are so proud of the work our students are putting in and eagerly anticipate sharing their college decisions in the coming months.

Congratulations Class of 2023: Raising the Bar for College Acceptances

May 9, 2023 by msnyder

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

We are exceptionally proud of our seniors’ achievements as they move forward to the next phase of their exciting academic journey. As they are about to step into the world’s top colleges and universities this fall, we know they are prepared to excel, determined to stand apart, and ready to prove the success of the BASIS Curriculum.

The Class of 2023 from our three high schools including, BASIS Independent Brooklyn, McLean, and Silicon Valley have yet again set the standard in national and international college acceptances. For the Class of 2023, the past school years have been filled with countless hours of test preparation, essay writing, campus visits, and more. The hard work and determination over this and prior years have shown as our graduates are now well-prepared to enter world-renowned higher education institutions and thrive.

“Each year we are incredibly proud of the achievements of our graduating classes,” expressed Toby Walker, Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools. “They have all contributed so much to their school community and any college or university is fortunate to now count them among their student body. The Class of 2023 has raised the bar once again for BASIS Independent Schools. Congratulations!”

College Acceptances by the Numbers

Below is a summary of the acceptances to U.S. News & World Report’s list of 2022-2023 Top National Colleges and Universities. This list includes all graduates from our three high schools.

The Class of 2023

The Class of 2023 represents 174 graduates who applied to a wide range of colleges and universities across the U.S. and around the world. College counseling preparation begins in Grade 9 at BASIS Independent Schools. In their senior year, students take a daily college counseling class for two trimesters in length, which is led by one of our college counselors. This class allows students to dedicate time and focus on preparing an application that stands out.

“College admissions seem to get more and more competitive each year, yet our seniors continue to amaze us all,” said Amanda McCollum, a college counselor at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley. “A heartfelt congratulations and I have no doubt all of our graduates from coast-to-coast will pursue their greatest dreams, and we can’t wait to see and hear about their next steps.”

We have compiled a complete list of all acceptances to U.S. colleges and universities, followed by a list of all acceptances to global institutions. We are excited to share the results!

Congratulations Class of 2023 on this huge achievement. We are incredibly proud of you!

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley’s Class of 2023 College Acceptances

May 9, 2023 by msnyder

The Class of 2023 at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley is an exceptional group of students with a diverse range of talents and interests. These students have consistently demonstrated a passion for learning and a strong work ethic, both inside and outside the classroom. By completing our rigorous curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity, our students have developed a strong foundation of knowledge and skills that will serve them well as they pursue their post-secondary goals.

When speaking to our Head of School Ms. Kolb, she reflected on this year’s senior class by saying, “We know how hard our students work throughout their time here at BISV. This year’s college acceptances are just another example of their mastery of our curriculum, their readiness to move on to the next stage of life, and the reward of all their hard work.”

A group of seniors in front of the Upper School campus wearing their BISV Class of 2023 shirts.

College acceptances are an important milestone for our students and their families, and our college counselors play a critical role in the process. While getting into a top-ranked college is often seen as the ultimate goal, our college counselors focus on helping students find a college that is the best fit for their academic, personal, and professional goals. This involves working closely with students to understand their interests, strengths, and preferences, as well as their financial and geographical constraints. By prioritizing student fit, our college counselors help our graduating Bobcats find a college where they can thrive academically, personally, and socially, setting them up for success in their college years and beyond.

Ms. Batrachenko, one of our college counselors, recently expressed her admiration for the Class of 2023. According to her, this year’s graduating class brought a “mosaic of personalities and self-expression styles” to the college application process, which made it an exciting journey to be a part of. Despite any challenges our students faced, they approached the application process with dedication and commitment, and as a result, achieved impressive college acceptances.

We are confident that the Class of 2023 will continue to excel in their academic and personal pursuits, and wish them the very best as they embark on this exciting journey. Below is the full list of College Acceptances for this year’s graduating class. Congratulations, Bobcats!

BASIS Independent Silicon Valley is a TK – Grade 12 private school, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings. Considering joining the Bobcat community?

College Counseling Spotlight: Preparing for Decision Day

April 27, 2023 by msnyder

Every year on May 1, students are cementing where they will attend college on National Decision Day. What are we doing to prepare our students for this big, impending decision?

This year, our College Counselor, Ms. Abrams, has been working with students and parents in grades 9-11 to ensure they feel confident and comfortable with the college admissions process, and we are also pleased to share some of the standout internships and programs our soon-to-be seniors are doing this summer.

Our students learn a lot about the college process and how this journey will be unique for each one of them. During the vital junior year, grade 11 students have:

Individual, weekly meetings in the College Counseling office to form college lists and identify the “right fit” schools that suit their personalities and support their academic goals.

Group sessions to discuss major college application checkpoints, such as essay writing, resume building, and summer program enrollment.

Collaboration time with teachers to share information and prepare for the recommendation letter writing process.

Our grade 9-10 students have access to Ms. Abrams’ resources and are encouraged to stop by her office to start discussing their plans for the future. She helps them choose high school courses that will be beneficial for completing their goals, and her door is always open for them to discuss volunteer and summer program opportunities, and college research.

Once students reach their senior year, they take a daily college counseling course to help them succeed in successfully planning for the next stage of their education journey.

Admissions Reps Visiting Our Campus
Further, we host college admissions representatives on campus in the fall, and this year we welcomed reps from over 50 colleges and universities. These visits provide an advantageous opportunity to learn straight from the source about what makes a college unique, and they allow students of all grade levels to get their questions answered. This process helps our students hone their college choices to the point where they will be happy to attend anyone on their list.

Supporting Parents in the Process
Every month, Ms. Abrams distributes an informational newsletter on local college fairs, parent workshops, and organizations in the community that can help build student resumes. For example, families have access to a curated list of hundreds of Pre-College Summer Program opportunities and volunteering.

Additionally, Ms. Abrams hosts various webinars for parents about topics such as Financial Aid, The Common Application, and the SAT/ACT tests. She also makes time for individual check-ins to ensure that she, the families, and the student are all on the same page and that everyone’s goals align.

Preparing for Senior Year
Our students are currently brainstorming for their personal statements and supplemental essays, which will help them get ahead before the rush of college applications in the fall semester. After their AP tests, juniors will work on these essays in their English classes with Ms. Abrams and their English Subject Expert Teacher to ensure they receive constructive and valuable feedback.

Additionally, students are working on leveling up their resumes and conveying themselves in the best way possible. They are visiting colleges both in person and online, and we are excited to take all of our high school students to SUNY New Paltz this May to get a feel for a college campus.

Pre-College Summer Programs for Our Students
Many students will engage in pre-college summer programs at major universities or through community organizations. These programs help teach students important skills for their futures, such as collaboration, time management, organization, and advocacy. See below for some student highlights!

Ashley W. (Class of ’24) is attending New York University’s Pre-College program this summer. She is so excited to dive into two courses: Applied Psychology and Intro to Marketing. Ashley has loved NYU for a very long time and is looking forward to making new friends and expanding her passions this summer.

Deniz E. (Class of ’25) has lots of plans for this upcoming summer. First, he will attend Columbia University’s three-week Summer Immersion Program where he will focus on two courses: Globalization and Challenges in International Economics and Politics, and Political Economic Ideologies of The Modern World. Deniz loves New York City and is excited to work on Columbia’s campus this summer. He will also work at the USTA’s Tennis Summer Camp as a Junior Coach and help young children improve their tennis skills.

Hudson L. (Class of ’25) is excited to attend The University of Pennsylvania’s Pre-College Summer Program. After thoroughly enjoying both his AP Biology and AP Psychology courses, Hudson is enrolled in UPenn’s Neuroscience Research Academy. He is looking forward to learning more about the brain and how it connects to our emotions. Specifically, he is excited to spend time on a beautiful college campus.

Julia N. (Class of ’26) will attend Columbia University’s Pre-College program for Architecture this summer. Besides being a dedicated student and soccer player, Julia loves art. She is eager to explore her more creative side while working alongside like-minded peers on a college campus this summer.