This week, we caught up with five seniors to talk about where they are headed after graduation and on what it took for them to get there. From early acceptances to overseas adventures, their journeys are a testament to determination, self-discovery, and the power of a good support team.

Ava Keeney, Wake Forest University

Ava Keeney spent the summer working on her Common Application and supplemental essays, determined to start her senior year ahead of the game. She worked with Associate Director of College Counseling Art Horst to fine-tune her submission. After touring schools she and Horst identified, Ava quickly assessed which schools she wanted to apply to and could see herself enrolling in. Wake Forest was her top choice because of their political science program and the sense of community she felt during her visit. She took advantage of their rolling admissions process, applying in August. She learned of her acceptance in September before the fall mid-term grades were released. “Being accepted into my top school so early into my senior year was such a relief,” says Ava. “All my hard work during the summer and throughout my high school career paid off.”

Hailey Kim, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

While Ava was motivated by early momentum, Hailey Kim found clarity through focus. Throughout her time at Pomfret, Hailey took STEM courses and extracurriculars in the sciences — even starting Pomfret’s Biology Club. Driven by a desire to help advance the field of medicine, she had zeroed in on pharmacy by junior year. With the help of Director of College Counseling Bruce Wolanin, she searched for schools with strong pharmaceutical programs. She identified opportunities —  like direct-entry PhD tracks — that would accelerate her path.  Hailey received offers from several top schools, ultimately choosing the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences’ Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) - Direct Entry program. “During my junior year, I was laser-focused on going to a Top 20 school with a pharmacy program, but as I looked deeper, I realized I wanted a school that specialized in my field of study,” says Hailey. “I’m excited to focus on pharmacy and a purely scientific curriculum.”

Ethan Chiweshe, Cornell University

Like Hailey, Ethan Chiweshe had a strong academic interest in policy and economics, but his journey also included a passion for hockey. His search balanced two goals: finding a rigorous economics program and navigating the college recruiting process. With the help of Horst, he applied to top universities and engaged with coaches from competitive NESCAC hockey programs. After several injuries, Ethan reevaluated what mattered most. “I started to realize that if I weren’t playing hockey at some of these schools, I might not like my experience overall,” he says. Eventually, Ethan was accepted to Cornell. A return visit, where he met professors and future classmates, solidified his decision. Cornell also has a club hockey team, allowing him to play the game he loves while excelling in his field of study. He's already connected with team members and looks forward to joining them.

Adam Lee, University of Rhode Island

Adam Lee’s approach to finding the right was steady and methodical. Armed with a list of nearby institutions offering engineering programs, he began exploring schools during his sophomore year at Pomfret’s College Fair. He met with his college counselor, Wolanin, who helped him identify and consider additional schools. Campus visits were the final deciding factor. At the University of Rhode Island, Adam met the chair of the engineering department, an experience that left a strong impression. He enrolled there and plans to major in Industrial and Systems Engineering.

Wulf Gooding, University of St Andrews

Wulf Gooding’s college journey took her across an ocean — and way out of her comfort zone. She, too, started exploring schools at the College Fair and attended the Coffee and College Counseling meet-and-greet to build a relationship with her counselor early. Her interest in the University of St Andrews was sparked by her best friend, Carolina Völcker ’24. Wulf was drawn to its sense of community and traditions, which include their mentorship programs and May Dip — the annual cold plunge in the North Sea before finals. With Wolanin’s guidance, she applied to schools that matched her academic and personal interests. She traveled to Scotland with her family after being accepted to St Andrews. After doing her own cold plunge in the sea — a personal preview of May Dip — she felt sure she belonged there. “It was a long and exhausting process, but worth it in the end,” said Wulf.

As these seniors prepare to leave the Hilltop behind, they do so with courage and excitement for what lies ahead. With the support of their college counselors and a strong sense of purpose, they were ready to take the plunge — the future theirs to explore.

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