Meet Justin Lustgarten ’26, who is excited to continue his academic journey at Brown University. Justin was looking for a strong liberal arts college since he’s undecided on his field of study. After pondering his options, Justin finally decided that Brown was the choice.

“As someone who struggles with making big decisions, it took until my third visit, on admitted students day, for it to really click that this was a place where I could thrive and be happy,” Justin said. “Despite my initial skepticism, I’ve come to appreciate the open curriculum. I’m excited by the freedom to explore a wide range of interests, while learning alongside other curious, motivated peers and being supported by faculty who are deeply invested in their students.”

Justin entered W+H in sixth grade and has made an impact in many areas of school life. He’s a three-sport athlete and member of the school band in addition to being a leader in the classroom.

“W+H has given me a strong academic foundation, but most importantly, it has allowed me to form meaningful connections within a diverse community,” he said. “The environment at W+H has pushed me to think beyond my own assumptions and consider ideas I might not have encountered otherwise.”

He’s feeling well prepared for Brown thanks to a curriculum and many experiences that have shaped him during the past seven years.

“Through a curriculum that has challenged me to think for myself, W+H has helped me cultivate a strong sense of independence,” Justin said. “Additionally, my experience as a three-sport athlete has helped me grow as a leader and guide younger teammates in becoming the best versions of themselves, both in character and ability.”

Justin appreciated how the W+H college counselors worked closely with him and his family throughout this process, ensuring his applications reflected who he was while also showcasing his best work. He said, “Though the process was daunting at times, I’m excited about what my future at Brown holds!”

Meet Ryan Maciorowski ’26, who is excited to continue his academic career at Western Carolina University, where he plans to double major in Finance and Accounting.

Ryan listed many reasons WCU was his No. 1 choice since the beginning of his college search: affordability, value, student population and campus size. With all of those boxes checked, Ryan is confident in his decision. He also loves the community feel of the campus in the remote location of Cullowhee, NC.

Enrolled at the school since second grade, Ryan has made the most of his W+H experience. He’s done it all, especially in the athletic arena. Ryan also made his stage debut in High School Musical this spring, a big leap out of his comfort zone.

“The main aspect of the W+H experience that I think I will take with me is the importance of trying new things and putting yourself out there,” he said. “In every activity or extracurricular I was part of at W+H, I felt welcomed even if I was completely new to the club or sport. I experienced this first hand by doing five different sports in high school, but especially outside of athletics when I was a part of the musical this year.”

Ryan has become a leader as a team captain and peer leader in his senior year. He credits W+H with providing leadership skills and opportunities that allowed him to discover true passions, especially for sports.

He’s also grateful to the W+H College Counseling Program for its guidance and support in leading him to a wonderful destination.

“They provided an overall sense of direction and helped me figure out what I was looking for,” Ryan said. “Going into the college search process junior year, I had almost no clue about what I was looking for in a college, but with their help I found exactly what I wanted.”

Meet Simran Ahuja ’26, who is excited to be matriculating to the University of Texas at Austin, where she plans to major in economics on a pre-law track. Simran chose UT-Austin for its dynamic, collaborative community and looks forward to securing real-world opportunities at a fast growing institution in a bustling city. 

“Austin creates an environment where I can learn both inside and outside the classroom as I will be surrounded by an amazing campus and a city within,” she said. “I am appreciative of the student body's drive and its strong, unique cultural aspects, but also of the many things it offers when it comes to rigorous courses and special clubs, as it has a ton of opportunities, so people tend to build togetherness rather than compete with each other, which is exactly what will help me grow as a leader.”

Simran is grateful for the many opportunities W+H provided in her growth as a leader. She engaged in many programs that contributed to her success, including the Global Scholars Program, and clubs such as the South Asian Student Alliance and Jewelry Club, in which she held leadership positions. Simran embraced the community and ability to make meaningful connections with her teachers. She credits W+H with providing opportunities to step out of her comfort zone and pursue new opportunities.

“My high school career at Wardlaw+Hartridge played a key role in preparing me for college,” Simran said. “With the help of my teachers and a close-knit community, I had time to manage challenging courses while seeking guidance when needed. W+H has helped me adapt to manage multiple extracurriculars, maintain academic growth and pursue a social life with friends.”

Simran believes the W+H College Counseling Program played a key role in guiding her through the college application process. Their hands-on support helped her gain a deeper understanding of which college aligned with her personal and academic goals.

“The College Counseling support has helped me become a more informed person about college life, and I hope to apply what I've learned over the next four years at UT Austin,” Simran said.

Meet Eric Bao ’26, who is ready to continue his educational journey at Northeastern University, where he intends to major in business. He has not yet determined his exact field of study but looks forward to exploring the options.

“I chose Northeastern University because I want to build my future in a big city, and Northeastern offers strong opportunities to do that,” Eric said. “I am especially excited about the co-op program, because it allows students to gain real professional experience and explore career paths while still in college.”

Eric credits Wardlaw+Hartridge with helping him develop the skills he will need to succeed in college, especially strong time management and academic discipline. He noted that in his English classes, he learned how to write clear, structured essays using standard academic formats, which will be valuable in any college course.

“W+H has provided many opportunities that helped me become more well-rounded,” Eric added. “The wide range of AP course options allowed me to explore different subjects and identify what I genuinely enjoy and want to pursue further.”

He also appreciated the “proactive one-on-one support” provided by the W+H college counseling program, which provided timely responses whenever he had questions or needed help throughout the process.

“My future goal is to live and work in a major city and build a career in business at a financial institution,” Eric said. “I am excited to take advantage of Northeastern’s resources and experiences to move toward that goal.”

Meet Christian Lee ’26, who is looking forward to maximizing the many opportunities available to him at Northeastern University, where he earned early decision admission and plans to major in biochemistry.

Christian chose Northeastern primarily because of its strong co-op program, which he believes will provide valuable hands-on experience alongside academics. He loves everything about the campus, including the environment, college vibe and the buildings.  He’s confident that the university’s wide range of programs and opportunities, especially the study abroad program, will help prepare him for a successful future.

The Wardlaw+Hartridge educational atmosphere has prepared Christian for the next phase of his academic journey.

“My experience at W+H has helped me build strong communication and collaboration skills,” Christian said. “I am comfortable reaching out to teachers and faculty members, knowing they are always willing to support me. Additionally, participating in group projects has taught me how to work effectively with others, a skill that will be essential in college.”

Active participation in school life has equipped Christian for college life.

“W+H has provided me with opportunities to co-lead clubs and participate in sports, which have helped me develop leadership, responsibility and teamwork skills,” he said. “These experiences have allowed me to grow both personally and academically, preparing me to make a positive impact in my community and beyond.”

Christian credits the W+H college counseling program with playing an important role in his decision-making process. He added that access to college counselors for questions and feedback made him feel supported and confident in his choice.

“My long term goals include exploring a pre-med or pre-health pathway, where I can combine my interest in biochemistry with a desire to contribute meaningfully to healthcare. I hope to use the academic and experiential opportunities in college to better understand how scientific research can translate into real world medical applications. Regardless of the specific path I choose, I am motivated by the goal of using science to make a positive impact on people’s lives,” Christian said.

Meet Forrest Qiu ’26, an international student who is excited to continue his academic journey at Skidmore College, where he plans to major in Education Studies and Psychology, with a minor in Film Studies.

Forrest chose Skidmore because he believes it is a place where creativity quietly shapes the way people think, learn and connect. After visiting the campus, he was able to picture himself learning and creating at Skidmore and decided to apply for early admission.

“I have always hoped to study in an environment grounded in artistic curiosity, and Skidmore’s creative culture immediately resonated with me,” he said. “Its interdisciplinary flexibility, strong alumni network and thoughtful location all align with how I imagine my academic path unfolding.”

Forrest recalled a W+H film class inspiring his curiosity and teaching him to slow down, observe and pay attention to things like gestures, silence and emotions. He credits these experiences with shaping the way he thinks and helping him approach learning with both critical intention and empathy.

He’s grateful for events like the Indie Film Festival and school concerts for allowing him to share his work while learning from others in a collaborative creative space.

“W+H revealed to me the richness of interdisciplinary exploration and inspired me to pursue a path that weaves together education, psychology and film,” Forrest said. “I hope to use visual storytelling, alongside educational and psychological insight, to support vulnerable communities, particularly veterans and individuals affected by trauma, by creating spaces for reflection, understanding and healing.

“I hope to continue exploring how stories, images and education can come together to deepen understanding and care for others. At Skidmore, I look forward to learning in a community that values creativity not only as expression, but as a way of seeing and engaging with the world.”