College Acceptances

Meet Sydney Racine ’23, who will attend The University of Pennsylvania and major in biology next fall. Sydney was looking for the best science, research and pre-med programs with a close eye on which institution would best match her social and extracurricular interests. She is thrilled to be continuing her journey at a place known as “the social Ivy.”

“UPenn's various clubs and organizations cater to my diverse interests outside the classroom,” Sydney said. “While visiting campus, I could feel how lively the student body was, from students vouching for their clubs to showing their Penn school spirit. Another thing I love about Penn is its pre-professional culture. Penn’s research opportunities and pre-health advisors will allow me to make a seamless transition into medical school.”  

Sydney has grown accustomed to enjoying the best of many worlds at Wardlaw+Hartridge. She’s made the most of her W+H years, exceling in a variety of areas including academics, athletics and the arts.

“W+H catered to the exploration of my diverse interests including performing arts, athletics, and STEM, allowing me to take away vast experiences and identities from each extracurricular,” she said. “These diverse experiences have allowed me to make connections with so many different kinds of people, teaching me the diversity of perspectives and showing me that everyone in this world truly looks at life through a different lens.”

She also values Wardlaw+Hartridge’s tight-knit community, her connection with teachers and a college counseling program that provided “unlimited support and guidance in navigating the college application process.” Sydney is confident this preparation will fuel her success in the future and “make Penn’s larger community feel smaller and allow me to take full advantage of all the opportunities available.”

Meet Briana Di Landro ’23, who will attend Columbia University, where she intends to major in Public Health with a possible minor in biological sciences. Briana said her career interests developed as a student in Mrs. Justine Borzumato’s Biology Honors and AP Biology classes and through her work as the founder and co-leader of the Hispanic LatinX Alliance (HLA) student affinity group. She plans to help make healthcare accessible and affordable for underserved communities. 

“Columbia is known to have an inclusive environment that challenges your perspective and that's what first drew me in. Their student organization, Student Organization of Latinxs (SOL), gives me the opportunity to solidify LatinX heritage in the school community and its surrounding communities. Columbia’s Public Health Club will also allow my goals for the future to develop through their yearly outreach programs in NYC and their own goal of improving the quality of  health care for racial and ethnic minorities.”

Briana credits Wardlaw+Hartridge’s diverse community with giving her space to grow “with people who challenged me to achieve more and to interact with people of different perspectives. This helped me to recognize the value of different voices and the importance of always striving for more.”

She also saluted her teachers for challenging her to be a diligent thinker and gave special shout outs to Mrs. Christine Cerminaro, Dean of Students, Sra. Claudia Gonzalez, Spanish teacher and HLA Advisor, Dr. Raechel Lutz, history teacher, and the W+H College Counseling team for their support.

“Overall, W+H's close community of students and teachers supported me through my journey through high school,” Briana said. “The core values of support, community, and diversity truly shined on my journey at this school.”

Meet Angelina Vargas ’23, who will matriculate to Brown University, where she plans to study psychology and take sample courses in nutrition. Angelina also will continue her soccer career at Brown. She chose Brown University because of the strong academic culture, the welcoming atmosphere, the beautiful and safe campus, the liveliness of Providence, and the close-knit soccer team that has had a history of success.

“I love that Brown is in a city but also has a campus which gives me the luxury of going out into the city and coming back to a quiet peaceful campus where I will have a place to socialize and start new friendships. I also love that Brown has an open curriculum because it gives me the freedom to explore other interests instead of being required to take a set of core classes that would not have anything to do with my major,” Angelina said.

Angelina credits the small class sizes, diversity and service opportunities at W+H as key aspects in her development as a more confident and well-rounded student. She’s enjoyed the opportunity to meet many people from different backgrounds in her Upper School years.

“I have gained more confidence to answer questions in class and ask a teacher for help, which will benefit me greatly in college since I will have more of a responsibility to reach out when I am struggling especially because I will be a student-athlete with a lot to balance,” she said.

Angelina is grateful for the tremendous support and guidance of the W+H college counseling program, which has helped her find a wonderful fit.

“I am very eager to start a new chapter in my life at Brown University because I think it is truly the perfect fit for me,” Angelina said. “Brown’s atmosphere will help me push myself every day to make me an overall better person while also having fun and making unforgettable memories. Its strength in both academics and soccer makes me confident that Brown will help me accomplish my dreams and I could not be happier that I found a second home for the next four years.” 

Meet Jim Zhang ’23, who is looking forward to majoring in environmental engineering at New York University. An international student who grew up in Shanghai, one of the largest cities in the world, Jim is thrilled to return to a big city experience.

“Location is the main reason I selected NYU,” he said. “I appreciate its diverse demographics and positive and inclusive atmosphere. Studying at NYU for the next four years will allow me to continue this privilege and freedom of exploring distinctive cultures and values.”

Jim believes NYU will provide diverse opportunities and ample resources to feed his passion for environmental protection. He plans to take advantage of sustainability courses, green grants, and climate action plans that faculty and students can actively participate in to help shape a healthier, more sustainable future for NYU and the world.

“I also want to use the opportunities offered by NYU’s Office of Sustainability to foster ecologically conscious behavior and to promote and participate in more environmentally friendly projects. At NYU, I know I will thrive,” Jim said.

Jim is grateful for the many ways in which W+H has helped and shaped him. He’s enjoyed the opportunity to learn from many different people and appreciates the support of the faculty.

“As a newcomer in my junior year, I appreciate their patience in answering my questions (sometimes too many!), encouraging me to move forward, and providing me the opportunity to make progress,” he said. “Not only the faculty and staff, but peer students’ help is also always available, so it made me realize the whole W+H community is genuine in seeing each student’s success. I am very thankful to W+H for making me who I am now.”