College Counseling Update: Fall 2025

As November arrives at Sanford with crisp mornings and golden afternoons under the pines, the College Counseling office hums with the unmistakable energy of application season: focus, hope, and possibility. For the Class of 2026, it’s a season of waiting and momentum all at once.

Our seniors are deep into it now–personal statements refined until every word rings true, supplemental essays polished to a shine, and early applications have been submitted with equal parts relief and anticipation. That effort hasn’t gone unnoticed by the College Counseling team.

Heather Stinson, Director of College Counseling, shares that, "the Class of 2026 has done a terrific job writing personal statements and supplemental essays, visiting with the nearly 100 admissions reps who came to Sanford, and keeping up with deadlines.” She notes that the energy in the counseling office reflects the students’ determination as the early application season wraps up: “We’re excited for them to share their news when the time comes. The College Counseling Center has been buzzing!”

That spirit of growth and discovery also shapes the students’ own perspectives on what matters most in this process. Before Isabella Atwood ’26 started the college admissions process, she thought there was a perfect answer that colleges were looking for, “but there really isn’t. [She] learned that college admission officers are looking for authenticity and the best answers are the ones that come from within.”

Rachel Durbano ’26 echoes that sentiment, reminding her peers that, "it's easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others and wonder if you're doing enough,” she says. “But every path to college is unique, and Ms. Stinson and Mr. Williams make sure each student finds a place where they’ll thrive and have an incredible experience.”

As decisions begin to trickle in, the college counseling team is ready to celebrate admissions, navigate financial aid conversations, and help finalize applications for the deadlines still ahead. “We’re here to offer support and answer questions at every step of the way throughout this journey,” Heather Stinson adds. “The experience doesn’t end when applications are submitted; in some ways, that’s only the beginning. We continue to work with students and families right up to the end of the school year.”

While seniors are wrapping up their applications, the juniors are at the beginning. Some attend college fairs and visit campuses, exploring the universities that excite them and where they might thrive. It's not about knowing the answer yet, but about asking the right questions.

"Right off the bat, we want our juniors to know that this process can, and should, be fun and exciting," says Pete Williams, Associate Director of College Counseling. "Beginning the college search can be intimidating for students and families, but with a personalized approach that prioritizes finding the right fit for each student, it doesn’t have to be.”

Juniors are already feeling that encouragement firsthand. Morgan Hall ’27 shares that despite the busy application season, “both Mr. Williams and Ms. Stinson always make time to be available. If you need support, don’t hesitate to reach out to either of them.”

For juniors like Morgan just beginning this journey, Rowan Avatara ’26 encourages them not to “compare [their] potential career choices to those of others. Everyone's timeline looks different, and that's okay. Start early, ask for help, and give yourself credit, and you'll be surprised how much you learn about yourself along the way.”

And that is what’s at the core of this season: our seniors reflect on the foundation they have built here and prepare for the opportunities that await them beyond Stephen May and Math/Science. They have done the work, they have found their voices, and they are discovering just how much they’ve learned about who they are and who they hope to become.

We couldn’t be prouder, and we can’t wait to celebrate every step of what comes next.