College Counseling

A Celebration of Excellence: Class of 2025 College Acceptances Announced

May 12, 2025 by chriszefferys Leave a Comment

BASIS Independent Schools continues to set the standard nationally for academic excellence. The Class of 2025 represents 206 graduates across five high schools—BASIS Independent Brooklyn, Fremont, Manhattan, McLean, and Silicon Valley. From coast to coast, our graduates have earned admission to the world’s top colleges and universities, demonstrating that they are ready to lead, excel, and contribute.

College preparation at BASIS Independent Schools starts in grade 9 introducing students early to the foundational concepts and expectations of the college admission journey. In their senior year, students take a dedicated, daily college counseling class for two trimesters, taught by our College Counselors. This class builds upon the preparation that they have received since freshman year. It provides students with the resources, tools, and confidence to successfully navigate the college admission process.

“Everyone involved with supporting the students in this graduating class is equal parts inspired and impressed by everything that they have achieved,” expressed Toby Walker, Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools. “Students in the BASIS Independent Schools Class of 2025 have shown themselves to be real innovators, diligent scholars, and positive contributors. We look forward to hearing more about their undoubted future successes.”

College Acceptances by the Numbers

We are proud to present a summary of the acceptances to the 2024-2025 U.S. News & World Report’s Top National Colleges and Universities, including graduates from all five of our high schools. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!

The following is a comprehensive list of acceptances both within the United States and internationally.

Class of 2025 Acceptances – United States

Albright College

American University

Amherst College

Arizona State University

Babson College

Bard College

Baylor University

Bentley University

Binghamton University

Boise State University

Boston College

Boston University

Brandeis University

Brown University

Bucknell University

Cal Poly Humboldt

California Institute of Technology

California Polytechnic State University

California State Polytechnic University

California State University

Carnegie Mellon University

Case Western Reserve University

Claremont McKenna College

Clark University

Colgate University

Colorado School of Mines

Columbia University

Cornell University

CUNY

Denison University

Drake University

Drexel University

Duke University

Duquesne University

Elon University

Emory University

Ferris State University

Fordham University

George Mason University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Goucher College

Hamilton College

Harvard University

Harvey Mudd College

Haverford College

Hofstra University

Illinois Institute of Technology

Indiana University

Iowa State University

Ithaca College

James Madison University

Johns Hopkins University

Kenyon College

Las Positas College

Lehigh University

Lesley University

Loyola Marymount University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Miami University

Michigan State University

Middlebury College

New York University

North Carolina State University

Northeastern University

Northern Arizona University

Northwestern University

Nova Southeastern University

Oberlin College

Occidental College

Olin College of Engineering

Oregon State University

Oxford College of Emory University

Penn State University

Pepperdine University

Pomona College

Princeton University

Providence College

Purdue University

Reed College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rhode Island School of Design

Rice University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Rutgers University

Saint Louis University

San Diego State University

San Francisco State University

San Jose State University

Santa Clara University

Sarah Lawrence College

Skidmore College

Smith College

Stanford University

Stevens Institute of Technology

Stony Brook University

SUNY

Syracuse University

Temple University

Texas A&M University

The Ohio State University

The University of Alabama

The University of Texas

Trinity College

Tufts University

Union College

University of Arizona

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Davis

University of California, Irvine

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Merced

University of California, Riverside

University of California, San Diego

University of California, Santa Barbara

University of California, Santa Cruz

University of Chicago

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Delaware

University of Florida

University of Georgia

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Iowa

University of Maryland

University of Massachusetts

University of Miami

University of Michigan

University of Minnesota

University of Missouri

University of Nevada

University of North Carolina

University of Notre Dame

University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh

University of Rhode Island

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of San Diego

University of San Francisco

University of South Carolina

University of Southern California

University of the Pacific

University of Utah

University of Virginia

University of Washington

University of Wisconsin

Vassar College

Villanova University

Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Washington University in St. Louis

Wellesley College

Wesleyan University

Western University

Westmont College

Wheaton College

William & Mary

Yale University

Class of 2025 Acceptances – International

Duke Kunshan University

IE University

Imperial College London

King’s College London

McGill University

McMaster University

The American University of Paris

The London School of Economics and Political Science

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Nottingham

The University of Warwick

University College London

University of Bristol

University of British Columbia

University of Cambridge

University of Glasgow

University of Oxford

University of Toronto

University of Waterloo

Wilfrid Laurier University

Amanda McCollum, a member of the team of college counselors from BASIS Independent Schools, remarked, “We are incredibly proud of our seniors and all that they have accomplished. Over the past years, they have worked hard, grown in confidence, and planted the seeds for a bright future. As they prepare to take this next step, we know they are more than ready—and while it is bittersweet to see them go, we send them off with heartfelt congratulations and excitement for all that lies ahead. I can’t wait to see what they do next!”

BASIS Independent Schools serves students PreK-Grade 12 across the United States with private schools in Bellevue and Bothell, WA; Brooklyn and Manhattan, NY; Fremont and San Jose, CA; McLean, VA; and a new school opening in Dublin, CA in fall 2026.

BIM Class of 2025 College Acceptances: A Private School Achievement

May 9, 2025 by aixuanwang Leave a Comment

We are extremely excited and proud of our very talented Class of 2025, and equally glad to share news of their college acceptances! This class is an amazing group of young people with tremendous futures ahead of them. Associate Head of School, Kate Reynolds, says of them, “As someone who has watched many of these students grow from their earliest years on our campus, I am filled with pride. They’ve grown not only in academic skill but in character, curiosity, and leadership. Their college acceptances reflect years of persistence, integrity, and a deep commitment to their goals.”

“This group of students has demonstrated remarkable achievements, both in and out of the classroom,” says Head of School, Jason Shorbe, “Their college acceptances are a testament to the strength of our academic program and the depth of their individual aspirations. We are so proud to see them take this next step and excited to see what they go on to accomplish next!”

This year’s graduates have been accepted into BA/MD, Honors College, and other prestigious Scholars programs. Several of our recruited athletes will compete in fencing, baseball, and volleyball in college. Four were designated as National Merit Finalists.

Here are some other highlights of their successes:

30% were accepted by their first-choice school

52% were accepted to a top 25-ranked institution

66% were accepted to a top 50 school

100% were accepted to a top 100 school

Members of the Class of 2025 were accepted at:

American University of Paris
Amherst College
Babson College
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western Reserve University
Colgate University
Denison University
Drexel University
George Mason University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
IE University-Madrid
James Madison University
Johns Hopkins University
Michigan State University
New York University
North Carolina State University
Northeastern University
Northwestern University
Nova Southeastern University
Oberlin College
Ohio State University
Oxford College of Emory University
Pennsylvania State University
Pomona College
Purdue University
Rice University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rutgers University
Stanford University
Temple University
Texas A&M University

The College of William & Mary
Trinity College
Union College
University of Alabama
University of Arizona
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
University of California, San Diego
University of Chicago
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Florida
University of Glasgow
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Maryland
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Michigan
University of Minnesota
University of Missouri-Kansas City
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester
University of South Carolina
University of Southern California
University of Toronto
University of Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Washington University in St. Louis
Yale University

Celebrating BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Class of 2025 College Acceptances

May 2, 2025 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

We are incredibly proud to share news of college acceptances of BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s Class of 2025! Our seniors have spent the past weeks deciding among the top schools in the country, and they had many wonderful options to explore. Students took time to research and fully assess programs and universities offering resources that will build on their interests nurtured in high school, both in classes and activities outside of school, for years to come.

“Many of the students in this year’s class have been with our school since its founding,” said College Counselor Matt Brauch. “In our High School Program, all these students actively leaned into coursework, clubs, and extracurricular activities to identify and then explore their interests. They aggressively chased after these interests inside and outside of school, starting with course selection (choosing where available to pursue their interests on our campus) and through utilizing resources we created and updated throughout their tenure here to explore their interests off campus.”

“Our seniors embody the character, determination, and care for one another that all of our students should strive for each year,” commented Head of School Josh Harmon. “I know they will benefit the communities and schools they go on to join next year.”

This year was one of the most selective yet in college admissions. Many colleges that were highly selective last year were even more selective this year. We are proud to share the university and college acceptances received by our 24 students who applied to colleges this year:

5/24 students (21%) were offered seats at one of the Top 10 National Universities ranked by U.S. News & World Report. If you extend that to include Cornell (currently the 11th-ranked National University), then the number grows to 7/24 (29%).
67% of students (16/24) were accepted to schools in the Top 30 U.S. National Universities and Liberal Arts Colleges, including Princeton University, Stanford University (2), Duke University, Northwestern University (2), the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University (3), University of California-Los Angeles, University of California-Berkeley, Washington University in St. Louis, Georgetown University, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, University of Southern California (3), Hamilton College, Haverford College, and University of Richmond. Students in this cohort also received offers from Top-20-ranked global universities, including the University College London, Imperial College London, and the University of Toronto (3).
Nearly every senior received an acceptance from a school ranked in the Top 50 National Universities and Liberal Arts Colleges as ranked by U.S. News and World Report. If we count Northeastern (#54), then this number jumps to 23/24 seniors (96%), since one of our students applied to Northeastern as their first-choice school via early decision this year. The remaining senior was accepted to an excellent program at their first-choice university through early decision.

“While I am thrilled that all our students have fantastic college options,” shared Mr. Brauch. “I am most proud of this class of seniors for applying to schools that fit what they want out of a college environment and experience. All of our seniors chose the path that fit them best at and outside of our school. They have driven this process, and the results show the effort and time spent focusing on fit for their unique interests and talents. That has served them well at our school and will help tremendously as they take their next steps towards college and beyond.”

CLASS OF 2025 ACCEPTANCES

Albright College

American University

Bard College

Bentley University

Binghamton University

Boston University

Brandeis University

Bucknell University

Case Western Reserve University

Clark University

Colgate University

Cornell University

CUNY Bernard M Baruch College

Drexel University

Duke University

Duquesne University

Elon University

Emory University

Fordham University

George Washington University

Georgetown University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Goucher College

Hamilton College

Haverford College

Hofstra University

Illinois Institute of Technology

Imperial College London

Indiana University (Bloomington)

Ithaca College

Kenyon College

King’s College London

Lesley University

Loyola Marymount University

McGill University

McMaster University

Miami University (Oxford)

New York University

Northeastern University

Northwestern University

Oberlin College

Oregon State University

Penn State University (University Park)

Pepperdine University

Princeton University

Providence College

Purdue University (Main Campus)

Purdue University Fort Wayne

Reed College

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Rice University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rutgers University (New Brunswick)

Rutgers University (Newark)

Sarah Lawrence College

Skidmore College

Stanford University

Stony Brook University

SUNY at New Paltz

SUNY at Purchase College

SUNY College at Cortland

SUNY Geneseo

SUNY University at Buffalo

Syracuse University

The London School of Economics and Political Science

The Ohio State University

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Texas at Austin

The University of Warwick

University College London

University of Arizona

University of Bristol

University of British Columbia

University of California (Berkeley)

University of California (Davis)

University of California (Irvine)

University of California (Los Angeles)

University of California (Riverside)

University of California (Santa Barbara)

University of California (Santa Cruz)

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Connecticut

University of Delaware

University of Florida

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Maryland (College Park)

University of Massachusetts (Amherst)

University of Miami

University of Minnesota (Twin Cities)

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh)

University of Rhode Island

University of Richmond

University of Rochester

University of San Diego

University of Southern California

University of Toronto

University of Virginia

University of Washington (Seattle Campus)

University of Wisconsin (Madison)

Vassar College

Villanova University

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Washington University in St. Louis

Wesleyan University

Western University

Wilfrid Laurier University

William & Mary

Congratulations to our Bears! Our soon-to-be graduates have had a huge impact on our school, and we are confident they will develop further into the leaders our world needs in the years to come.

BASIS Independent Manhattan Class of 2025: Celebrating Outstanding College Acceptances

May 1, 2025 by christineklayman Leave a Comment

Join us in celebrating the BASIS Independent Manhattan Class of 2025 and their outstanding college acceptances! Our second graduating cohort reached a significant milestone with the commitment of their stellar college enrollment decisions, and we are overjoyed to share the results. Coming from a challenging high school program at a New York City private school, we are incredibly proud of and inspired by their success.

College Enrollment Reflects Exceptional Achievements

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 on their enrollment at the following colleges and universities (in alphabetical order):

Amherst College
Babson College
Boston University
Columbia University
Cornell University (Two students)
Lehigh University
Penn State University (University Park) – Schreyer Honors College
University of California, Berkeley
University of Connecticut

Head of School Ms. LaNette Hodge reflected on the list, saying,

“The Class of 2025, our remarkable second set of graduating seniors, truly embodies the spirit of BASIS Independent Manhattan. Building upon the high standard set by our pioneering seniors last year, they have faced the highly challenging college admissions process with exceptional hard work, dedication, courage, and resilience. We are brimming with pride for our current seniors because their impressive college acceptances are a powerful testament not only to their incredible talent and academic achievement, but also to the lasting legacy they are creating – one that will undoubtedly continue to inspire the Wildcat students who follow in their footsteps.”

To provide perspective on these results, these statistics speak volumes about the caliber of this graduating class:

40% of students secured spots at top-15 universities and liberal arts colleges, ranked by U.S. News and World Report.
50% received offers from institutions within the top 25 nationally, including prestigious names like Amherst, Cornell, Columbia, and the University of Virginia.
An impressive 70% gained acceptance to schools ranked in the top 50.
Remarkably, 90% were accepted to colleges within the top 75.

Note: Due to Babson’s academic specialization, it isn’t ranked in U.S. News and World Report’s overall rankings, but it is ranked #1 in Entrepreneurship.

A Class to Be Remembered and Truly Missed

college prep with college counselor in college counseling meeting with senior

Reflecting on his experience with the Class of 2025 and their participation in BASIS Independent Manhattan’s college preparation program, College Counselor Mr. Danny Tejada shared, “This senior class stands out as the most impressive and ambitious group of students I have had the privilege to work with. In addition to daily college counseling classes and weekly individual meetings, they successfully achieved their college application objectives while maintaining their commitment to rigorous senior-year coursework. I am very proud of the adaptability and growth mindset instilled in these seniors that helped them navigate the complexities of the college application process.”

The impressive college acceptances achieved by the BASIS Independent Manhattan Class of 2025 underscore the success of our curriculum and supportive learning environment that unlocks the remarkable potential of our students. This second graduating class has truly set a high bar for future college enrollment, building upon the legacy of our pioneers. We are immensely proud of their hard work, resilience, and the bright futures ahead of them.

senior class of 2025 college acceptances college decisions at high school

Please find the Full List of College Acceptances below for a comprehensive look at all their achievements in the college admissions process.

seniors class of 2025 graduation swag basis independent manhattan

American University

Amherst College

Babson College

Binghamton University

Boston College

Boston University

Columbia University

Cornell University

Drexel University

Ferris State University

Fordham University

George Washington University

Imperial College London

Indiana University (Bloomington)

Lehigh University

McGill University

New York University

Penn State University (University Park)

Rutgers University (New Brunswick)

SUNY University at Buffalo

Syracuse University

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Nottingham

Tufts University

University College London

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Davis

University of California, San Diego

University of California, Santa Barbara

University of Connecticut

University of Nevada (Las Vegas)

University of Southern California

University of Virginia (Main Campus)

Redefining College Counseling at BASIS Independent Brooklyn

March 5, 2025 by jogoldfarb Leave a Comment

The college application process has grown more complicated each year, layering in a great deal of uncertainty and anxiety into an already complex process. That is why BASIS Independent Brooklyn offers individualized support and preparation for both students and their families. Matt Brauch established the College Counseling Program at BASIS Independent Brooklyn almost a decade ago, and he lives and breathes the very complicated world of college admissions with our Student Affairs Team at the High School Program. After working with seven graduating classes as well as serving as the College Counselor Advisor for our entire network of BASIS Independent Schools, we wanted to share how Mr. Brauch’s focused approach, informed by years of experience across our network, makes a difference.

Colleges and universities now offer many different application options to students—Early Decision I, Early Decision II, Early Action, Restrictive Early Action, Rolling Admissions, and Regular Decision. Many of our students also consider universities abroad, and that is why we have found offering families more guidance and support leads directly to exceptional outcomes. An equally important factor is help navigating the whole world of financial aid, scholarships, and ancillary programs.

Currently, our seniors are balancing natural anxiety with the confidence gained from BASIS Independent Brooklyn’s college prep programs and supportive environment as we await Regular Decision outcomes later this month. With personalized guidance from our dedicated faculty, expert resources, and custom events, the Class of 2025 is not only applying to the finest educational institutions but also cultivating resilience and independence—qualities that will serve them well in their future academic journeys and beyond.

Here’s a glimpse into the college counseling approach that distinguishes BASIS Independent Brooklyn.

Personalized Preparation

Standing apart from almost every other high school in the U.S., our students begin their college preparation in grade 9. This early start allows our College Counselor, Mr. Brauch, to take the time to get to know students and uncover their interests and strengths. He meets with families and has an open-door policy for students to stop by and ask questions.

He says, “I ask students about their passions and interests and work with them on ways they can demonstrate them in meaningful ways. We talk about possible college and career options, but the conversations need to be deeply rooted in their personal interests and goals.”

For Mr. Brauch, the goal is finding the right college fit. Students must understand the connection between their strengths and the varying opportunities that each university has to offer.

To help students uncover this connection, in the senior year Mr. Brauch works with students in a daily 50-minute College Counseling class to provide group and individualized guidance, helping them learn practical skills, such as navigating the application process, resume building, and essay writing, while encouraging them to explore degree pathways that might be a good fit.

Photo: Mr. Brauch and Director Forde alongside our seniors who received the 2024 College Board National Recognition Awards.

A Focused Approach

At many other schools in New York City, college counseling is part of a general guidance counseling program where the onus is on the student to ask for support and meet application deadlines. At BASIS Independent Brooklyn there is a balance of independence and accountability. The College Counselor works one-on-one with juniors and seniors, challenging them to complete goals and following up on their progress.

Another factor that has empowered the older students at BASIS Independent Brooklyn is our commitment to small class sizes and expert educators. This model has made it possible for our teachers to impart a deep understanding and mastery of content in the sciences, mathematics, literature, history, world languages, AP, and Capstone courses. Personalized teaching translates to proficient learning and is one of the contributors to our legacy of content mastery, including outstanding test scores.

Bringing Experts to Families

At BASIS Independent Brooklyn, students are positioned to drive the college admissions process with parents as informed partners.

Grades 9 & 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
College Counseling Newsletter	College Counseling Newsletter	College Counseling Newsletter
Encouraged to Attend College Rep Visits	Required to Attend College Rep Visits	Encouraged to Attend College Rep Visits
Open access to College Counselor	Open Access to College Counselor	Regularly Scheduled Meetings with College Counselor
Getting Ready College Counseling Night	College Planning Workshop for Parents/Guardians	Financial Aid Night – How to Interpret Financial Aid Award Letters
Financial Aid Workshop	One-on-one Scheduled Meetings with College Counselor (Fall and Spring)	Regularly Scheduled Meetings with College Counselor
	Financial Aid Workshop	Daily College Counseling Class (for Two Trimesters)
	SMART TRACK College Funding Resources	SMART TRACK College Funding Resources
		Life Skills Mentoring Presentation Training for Senior Projects Transition Tips: Getting off to the Right Foot in College Managing Stress and Emotions of the Transition to College (with School Counselor)

Photo: One of our college representative visits held in the senior lounge.

Outstanding Results

The Class of 2025 has made us proud every year. Senior year has been no exception. Many of our seniors received Early Action or Early Decision acceptances, and we are thrilled to announce our students received acceptances from schools including:

Princeton University
Stanford University
Cornell University
Georgetown University
Washington University at St. Louis
University of Virginia
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
University of Southern California
New York University
Georgia Institute of Technology
Purdue University
Virginia Institute of Technology
Northeastern University
American University
Oberlin College
Pepperdine College
McGill University
Imperial College London
King’s College London

Year after year, the effectiveness of the College Counseling approach at BASIS Independent Brooklyn truly stands out, showcasing the remarkable results we achieve together now with seven graduating classes this year.

Our students are well-equipped to overcome any setbacks with the right mindset. Our robust College Counseling Program plays a crucial role in this process. With personalized support, dedicated resources, and daily classes, our students confidently navigate obstacles and are empowered to make informed decisions about their future.

BASIS Independent Brooklyn is a PreK– Grade 12 private school, providing students with an internationally benchmarked liberal arts and sciences curriculum, with advanced STEM offerings. Considering joining the Bears community? To join our interest list for the next school year and receive admissions updates and more, please click here.

Parent Education Series: Design Your Student’s Middle and High School Experience for College Success

January 16, 2025 by chriszefferys Leave a Comment

Parents of middle and high school students, set your child up for college success!

Join BASIS Independent Schools for a free virtual event, “Design Your Student’s Middle and High School Experience for College Success” on Saturday, February 1, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM PST. Gain valuable insights and strategies to help your family navigate the path to college readiness.

“There is an abundance of information available about college counseling and readiness, but how do you make sense of it all,” expressed Vice President of BASIS Independent Schools, Mr. Toby Walker. “This Parent Education Event is a unique opportunity to hear from experts, get your questions answered, and gain valuable insights to guide your journey.”

Expert Panelists:

Tim Pratt, Director of College Advisory, Spring Education Group

Mr. Pratt, with 35 years of experience in education, joined Spring Education Group as the inaugural Director of College Advisory. He leads efforts to enhance college counseling across the network, including promoting Spring schools to colleges, recruiting and training counselors, supporting schools in evolving their programs, and establishing college counseling offices at new high schools. Previously, Mr. Pratt served as Dean of College Advising at St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire, where he also led strategic initiatives. He has conducted college counseling audits for independent schools, served on advisory boards for prestigious universities, and was a trustee for School Year Abroad.

Che Angkham, College Counselor, BASIS Independent Schools

Ms. Angkham earned a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology from San José State University, where she supported underrepresented communities through peer health education and AmeriCorps’ Cal-SOAP program. After nearly a decade as a classroom instructor, she joined BASIS Independent Schools, excelling in roles such as English Teacher, Dean of Students, College Counselor, and Associate Head of School. Now based in the Pacific Northwest, she is excited to focus on college counseling and contribute to the growth of BASIS Independent Schools’ high school programs.

Moderator:

Toby Walker, Vice President, BASIS Independent Schools

Mr. Walker brings extensive international experience and a passion for education to his leadership role, guiding a network renowned for academic excellence. Originally from rural England, he holds a degree in Politics from the University of Sussex and began his career in education and public policy research. Mr. Walker’s journey with BASIS Independent Schools started as an AP humanities teacher at BASIS Scottsdale before advancing to Director of Student Affairs and Head of School at BASIS Independent Silicon Valley, where he led the school to new heights during his five-year tenure. He later served as the founding Head of School for BASIS Independent Online, overseeing its successful launch and development. A board member for BASIS International School Bangkok, he continues to champion global education initiatives, ensuring the network remains a leader in delivering world-class academic programs.

Parent participants will learn the following:

Discover the latest college trends and gain expert advice on navigating the ever-changing admissions landscape.
Learn how to maximize the impact of extracurricular activities by focusing on depth versus breadth.
Find out how thoughtful class scheduling can pave the way for long-term academic success.
Explore strategies to build essential skills like time management and executive functioning.
Gain practical tips for SAT/ACT preparation and learn the true value of Advanced Placement^© (AP^©) and International Baccalaureate^© (IB^©) exams in the college admissions process.
Plus, get insider advice on selecting the right middle or high school to align with your family’s college goals.

Grab your favorite coffee or tea and your top questions! Join us as our college counseling experts guide families through the middle and high school years, helping you prepare for college admissions.

Design Your Student’s Middle and High School Experience for College Success

Saturday, February 1, 2025

9:00 AM to 10:00 AM PST

EVENT REGISTRATION (ZOOM)

Join our Interest List to receive exclusive Admissions updates! Sign up here.

Redefining College Prep at BASIS Independent Manhattan

December 16, 2024 by christopherrosenbal Leave a Comment

Early applications are in, the first decisions are coming out, regular deadlines are approaching, and the long college checklist doesn’t seem to be getting any shorter. Thankfully, our seniors are balancing any anxiety with confidence gained from BASIS Independent Manhattan’s college prep programs and supportive environment.

With personalized guidance from our dedicated faculty, expert resources, and custom events, the Class of 2025 is not only applying to the finest educational institutions but also cultivating resilience and independence – qualities that will serve them well in their future academic journeys.

Here’s a glimpse into the incredible work our students have been doing.

Personalized Preparation

While traditional high school students might begin preparing for college in grade 11 or 12, our students begin their college preparation in grade 9. This early start allows our College Counselor, Mr. Tejada, to take the time to get to know each student’s interests and strengths.

He says, “I ask students about their career interests, potential major, passions, and hobbies and work with them on ways they can demonstrate them in meaningful ways.”

For Mr. Tejada, it’s not just enough that our students are prepared to apply to college. They must understand the connection between their strengths and the varying opportunities that each university has to offer.

To help students uncover this connection, Mr. Tejada works with seniors in a daily 45-minute College Counseling class to learn practical skills, such as navigating the application process, resume building, and essay writing, while also having them explore future degrees that might be a good fit.

A Standout Program

At many other schools in NYC, college counseling is part of a general guidance counseling program where the onus is on the student to ask for support and meet application deadlines. At BASIS Independent Manhattan there is a balance of independence and accountability. The College Counselor works one-on-one with juniors and seniors on a weekly basis, challenging them to complete goals and following up on their weekly progress.

Another factor that has empowered the older students at BASIS Independent Manhattan is our commitment to small class sizes and expert educators. This model has made it possible for our teachers to really impart a deep understanding and mastery of content in the sciences, mathematics, literature, history, world languages, and AP Courses. Personalized teaching makes for proficient learning and is one of the contributors to our legacy of outstanding test scores.

Bringing Experts to You

BASIS Independent Manhattan is committed to sharing what we know with parents, recognizing the significant role they play in their children’s educational journey. Our insightful “College Admissions 101” classes are a series of monthly workshops for high school parents/guardians hosted by Mr. Tejada. Each of these exclusive virtual sessions features knowledgeable panelists who provide valuable insights into various steps or specific topics within the college application process. Topics covered include:

The benefits of pre-college programs

Testing with the SAT & ACT and using those tests in the college application process

A guide to University of California Admissions

Financial aid

The benefits of public honors colleges and programs

And so on. Below is a simplified list highlighting some of the more impactful elements of our college preparation program.

Grades 9 & 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
College Counseling Newsletter	College Counseling Newsletter	College Counseling Newsletter
Encouraged to attend college rep visits	Required to attend college rep visits	Encouraged to attend college rep visits
Open access to counselor	Open access to counselor	Open access to counselor
Monthly Virtual Workshops for Parents/Guardians	Monthly Virtual Workshops for Parents/Guardians	Monthly Virtual Workshops for Parents/Guardians
Student “Boot Camp” Workshops (Spring)	Weekly one-on-one scheduled meetings with counselor (Spring)	Weekly one-on-one scheduled meetings with counselor
		Daily College Counseling Class for two trimesters in length
		Life-Skills Mentoring

Cornell University Acceptance — Congratulations on your Early Decision at Cornell!

Impressive Results

Already, there is good news to celebrate. Four of our seniors received Early Decision acceptances, and we are thrilled to announce they will be attending:

Columbia University
Cornell University
Lehigh University
Babson College

One could attribute success in the college application process to our advanced curriculum, your child’s innate talents, or a myriad of other factors. However, the effectiveness of the approach at BASIS Independent Manhattan truly stands out, showcasing the remarkable results we achieve together.

Setbacks are inevitable, but our students are well-equipped to overcome them with the right mindset. Our robust college counseling program plays a crucial role in this process. With personalized support, dedicated resources, and daily classes, our students confidently navigate obstacles and are empowered to make informed decisions about their future.

Interested in learning more? Schedule a tour of our Upper School campus to witness firsthand what sets our programs apart!

What Makes Our Senior Year Different?

August 15, 2024 by mirandamartinez Leave a Comment

The high school years offer students unprecedented exposure to high-level content and the creative critical thinking opportunities typically reserved for university-level studies. Under the guidance of passionate Subject Expert Teachers who are deeply invested in their success, students gain the best possible preparation for college and hone skills and habits that stay with them long after graduation.

Senior year is a unique bridge to college; a transition from traditional classroom learning to applying knowledge in a real context. To achieve this unique approach, our students can fulfill all required coursework in Grade 11 and focus their knowledge and skills into the three distinct pillars that make up senior year.

“Our senior year allows students like me to differentiate themselves in the increasingly crowded market for college applications. Academic success depends on the publication of compelling research. Industry success depends upon delivering results that impact the bottom line of your research. This year enables me to prove that I can do both, while sampling the day-to-day work of my field of interest.” – Senior at BASIS Independent Schools

Capstone Courses
These two-trimester courses are the teacher-created counterpart to AP® courses. While AP® courses typically cover a breadth of content, Capstones offer students the opportunity to explore a topic’s depth. Our teachers’ talents shine as they develop these college-level original courses tied to their own academic passions. In each course, students transition from classroom-style learning typical of high school to seminar-based or lab-based learning typical of college and university courses.

In the past, Capstone courses have included:

Advanced Java Topics and Machine Learning
Arte Contemporaneo
Corporate Finance
Differential Equations
Economics of Water Resources
Existentialism and the Absurd
French Cinema
Inorganic Chemistry
Introduction to Gothicism and Horror
Linear Algebra & Multivariable Calculus
Lyric Poetry and Music
Neuroscience
Post-Colonial Literature
Rhetoric and Communications
Roman Drama
The Biology of Cancer

College Counseling
This two-trimester-long daily class allows College Counselors to get to know students on a deeply personal level and help them determine what college and university options will align with their personal, educational, and professional goals with a focus on individual fit. This course helps students research colleges, work on college and scholarship applications, manage and organize college-related correspondence, write essays, and conduct mock interviews to develop interview skills. In addition, each student will meet individually with their College Counselor during class time. The atmosphere of the class is much like a focused study hall where students are expected to work in a dedicated and respectful manner to achieve their college admissions goals.

The Senior Project
The senior year culminates in a three-month, off-site Senior Project, proposed and constructed by students under the guidance of an internal faculty advisor and an external professional specialist in the field of the student’s choosing. After three and a half years of academic preparation in high school, our seniors are ready to spend the last trimester of their high school careers applying their skills and knowledge to develop a project that is insightful, academically rigorous, and highly professional in nature. Students work with an internal BASIS Independent advisor and an external mentor, such as a lab director, entrepreneur, or researcher, and are required to blog about their experiences. The Senior Project culminates in a presentation of their findings to the entire school community. This event is a great source of pride for our whole school, a perfect capstone to the high school experience, and an inspiration for students to come.

The final year at BASIS Independent is a bridge from traditional classroom learning to applying knowledge in a real context. BASIS Curriculum graduates leave our program prepared to be leaders in college and beyond.

What Makes Our Senior Year Different?

August 15, 2024 by mirandamartinez Leave a Comment

“Our senior year allows students like me to differentiate themselves in the increasingly crowded market for college applications. Academic success depends on the publication of compelling research. Industry success depends upon delivering results that impact the bottom line of your research. This year enables me to prove that I can do both, while sampling the day-to-day work of my field of interest.” – Senior at BASIS Independent Schools

In the past, Capstone courses have included:

Advanced Java Topics and Machine Learning
Arte Contemporaneo
Corporate Finance
Differential Equations
Economics of Water Resources
Existentialism and the Absurd
French Cinema
Inorganic Chemistry
Introduction to Gothicism and Horror
Linear Algebra & Multivariable Calculus
Lyric Poetry and Music
Neuroscience
Post-Colonial Literature
Rhetoric and Communications
Roman Drama
The Biology of Cancer

What Makes Our Senior Year Different?

August 15, 2024 by mirandamartinez Leave a Comment

The high school years offer students unprecedented exposure to high-level content and the creative critical thinking opportunities typically reserved for university-level studies. Under the guidance of Subject Expert Teachers who are deeply invested in their success, students gain the best possible preparation for college and hone skills and habits that stay with them long after graduation.

“Our senior year allows students like me to differentiate themselves in the increasingly crowded market for college applications. Academic success depends on the publication of compelling research. Industry success depends upon delivering results that impact the bottom line of your research. This year enables me to prove that I can do both, while sampling the day-to-day work of my field of interest.” – Senior at BASIS Independent Schools

Capstone Courses
These two-trimester courses are the teacher-created counterpart to AP® courses. While AP® courses typically cover a breadth of content, Capstone courses offer students opportunities to explore topics in depth. Our teachers’ talents shine as they develop these college-level original courses tied to their own academic passions. In each course, students transition from classroom-style learning typical of high school to seminar-based or lab-based learning typical of college and university courses.

In the past, Capstone courses have included:

Linear Algebra & Multivariable Calculus
French Cinema
BioChemistry
Introduction to Gothicism and Horror: Monsters in the Mirror
Modern U.S. and Middle Eastern History
Social Movements and Revolutions
Neuroscience
Immigrant Experience in America Through Literature
Intro to Differential Equations
Post-9/11 World History
History of Medicine
Roman Strategy
Chinese Literature and Culture
Economics of Water Resources