College Office

At NEST+m, our college advisory office skillfully helps students navigate the exciting but stressful journey through the college admissions process, from narrowing down college choices to applying for financial aid, and finally, to celebrating their acceptances and helping choosing the best possible match.  

The process starts in 9th and 10th grade, when College Liaison Cathy Santiago meets with students in groups to discuss career aspirations and possible college majors. In 11th grade, students meet in groups and individual sessions to explore which colleges and universities will fit their career plans, academic aspirations, and financial needs. In 12th grade, students meet in one-on-one sessions to narrow their choices, discuss options for scholarships and financial aid, and finalize their applications.

Throughout the year, the College Liaison organizes college fairs, financial-aid workshops for parents and students, and bus trips to visit college campuses, which are open to all NEST+m Upper School students. Recent college fairs have brought more than 20 admission representatives from top colleges to the NEST+m campus. Representatives from schools such as Harvard, Mt. Holyoke, Hamilton, and CUNY visit the school during the year to meet with students and answer questions. Recent group tours have included a day trip to Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania and Drexel), and in the planning stages to the three SUNY campuses (Albany, Binghamton, and New Paltz).

NEST+m students have been accepted to some of the finest colleges and universities in the country, including Cornell University, Wesleyan University, Carnegie Mellon University, Smith College, Cooper Union, New York University, Spelman College, and Vassar College.

—Cathy Santiago, College Liaison

2010 College Acceptances
Congratulations to four of our Upper School seniors who were accepted as part of the Early Decision process to Brown University, Carlton College, Syracuse University and Trinity College! We look forward to celebrating more great news as the college acceptance process rolls forward.