Wellington’s junior class recently got a firsthand look at the college admissions process from those who know it best — this year’s seniors. Organized by the college counseling team — Director Emily Berty, Assistant Director Ivy Mitchell, and College Counseling Assistant Kim Nally — the panel featured five seniors, Charlie Lanning ’25, Katherine Armitage ’25, Elodie Ware ’25, Hashrith Kesani ’25, and Andrew Wissman ’25, who shared their experiences navigating applications, essays, and decisions. Their stories underscored a key truth: no two college journeys look the same, and at Wellington, the focus is on finding the right fit for each student.
Each panelist’s approach reflected their personal priorities. Some, like Elodie, balanced athletics with admissions outreach, sending over 200 emails to basketball coaches before narrowing her options. “It wasn’t necessarily about just playing — it was about making sure I could do both academics and athletics at the right level,” she said. Katherine knew she wanted a small school with strong academics and a sense of community. “I sat in on a class, met a professor, and just knew — it felt right,” she shared.
Beyond logistics, the seniors spoke about the mental and emotional side of the process. “I didn’t expect to get as stressed as I did,” one panelist admitted. “It’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing, but in the end, you’ll land where you’re meant to be.” The panel reinforced that while the process can feel overwhelming, students aren’t in it alone. With the guidance of Wellington’s college counseling team, support from teachers and families, and their own self-reflection, each student ultimately finds the path that’s right for them.
Wellington takes its college-going culture seriously, not by pushing students toward a single definition of success, but by helping them discover the place where they will thrive. College counseling at Wellington is not just a senior-year process — it begins early, with personalized support and strategic planning to ensure students feel confident in their choices. From identifying potential schools to refining essays and preparing for interviews, the college counseling team is there every step of the way. The panel also reinforced that admissions officers look at the whole student, and Wellington ensures students have opportunities to explore their passions and develop leadership skills that make them stand out. As one senior said, “It’s not about looking like you belong at a school — it’s about making sure the school is the right place for you.”