Meet Natalie Chen ’26, who is thrilled to be matriculating to Princeton University, where she plans to major in Operations Research and Financial Engineering. What began as a childhood dream has become a reality for Natalie, who will soon call the beautiful campus and prestigious institution home.

“As someone who is deeply committed to service, I found that Princeton reflected this same ideology through its extensive volunteering opportunities, internships, and community-based learning,” she said. “In addition, while Princeton maintains its reputation as a top-tier research university, I value the comprehensiveness of its liberal arts education, which enables students to become well-rounded individuals knowledgeable across a range of fields. I look forward to expanding my mathematical and scientific understanding through Princeton’s unique ORFE major, as well as attending classes in Public Policy and Asian American studies that also pique my interest!”

Natalie believes Wardlaw+Hartridge has immensely prepared her to find success in college. She’s found her voice as a true leader, especially in her role as Student Council president and AAPI leader, and built relationships with peers and teachers, giving her the confidence to advocate for herself and others. Extracurriculars like Model UN and the Beacon, in addition to service-based activities such as TEEEM and peer tutoring have kept Natalie very busy.

“If there is anything W+H has taught me, it is to try anything and everything,” Natalie said. “I’ve truly found my passions and interests in these endeavors. I discover fragments of my identity with each new experience, and with each fragment, they piece together to become a new version of myself: an observer of the world, a forever listener and an innovator ready to create change.” 

Natalie added there are no words to express her gratitude to alumnus Fernando Ramirez '77 and Mrs. Nicole Nolan for providing her with the opportunity to learn more about the world through the Global Scholars Program and TEEEM.

“Without Fernando’s inspiring words about his nonprofit Bridges 2030, or Mrs. Nolan’s constant support and open door, I would not be the person I am today, finding fulfillment in service activities, learning and giving back to the community,” she said. “It is because of them and the Global Scholars Program that I have built a foundation necessary to become a better global citizen. At Princeton, I look forward to continuing this academic journey while also discovering new interests and passions as I engage both within and beyond Princeton's community.”

Meet Yash Sachan ’26, who is excited to embark on a new educational and life adventure on the West Coast at the University of California-Berkeley, where he plans to major in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. Yash is looking forward to a different environment in the Bay Area, where he was drawn to startup promotions instead of the personal injury attorney ads that adorn the billboards on I-78.

“That captured something essential about the place, since Berkeley is one of the premier startup incubators in the world, and I knew I wanted to be surrounded by that energy and ambition,” he said. “What I love most about Berkeley is exactly this combination of world-class academic depth in the subjects I care about paired with a culture that pushes students to build, experiment and turn their ideas into real ventures.”

Yash credits W+H with providing a strong academic foundation that has prepared him for the rigor of college-level work. Just as importantly, though, the diversity within the W+H community exposed him to a wide variety of perspectives and experiences. Learning alongside people from different backgrounds has taught him to approach problems with an open mind, to listen carefully to viewpoints that differ from his own, and to appreciate the value that different experiences bring to any community. 

“The many opportunities W+H has offered me have shaped me into a well-rounded person ready to make an impact on the world, said Yash, who cited the Global Scholars Program led by Mrs. Nicole Nolan for inspiring him to be more open-minded. He also mentioned math teacher Dr. Mimi Tsuruga and history teacher Dr. Jonathan Wilson as others who made an impact on his education, and saluted college counselor Ms. Alayne Birnhak for her guidance and support.

“Looking ahead, I hope to make the most of everything Berkeley has to offer. I want to build a strong network and form meaningful friendships that will last well beyond my college years. At the same time, I'm eager to bolster my career and explore my own potential ventures, taking full advantage of the innovative and entrepreneurial culture that drew me to Berkeley in the first place,” Yash said.

Meet Arya Gaur ’26, who is thrilled to be enrolling at Carnegie Mellon University in the fall. Arya plans to study Biochemistry in the Mellon College of Science on the Pre-Medicine track.

Arya chose CMU for its resources, faculty and opportunities available to students, which made it made one of the best options for her career. She loves the school’s focus on research and STEM, which is a perfect fit for her goals of continuing to conduct research in the future. She also called the campus “gorgeous” and is looking forward to the free access that students get to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

Looking back on her Upper School years at W+H, Arya is thankful for many things, including valuable life lessons and a new passion.

“Wardlaw+Hartridge has taught me many things, and the most important lesson I’ve learned from my four years at the school is how to be adaptable,” she said. “I’ve become a part of so many different student organizations and leadership teams just by taking a chance, even if I didn’t originally expect to get these opportunities. The W+H PAC Team, for example, is one of the best unplanned things to happen to me during my academic career; I discovered a passion for theatre and technology that I didn’t know I had before. I’ve learned to roll with the punches and make the most of what I am offered, and I’m incredibly grateful to W+H for teaching me that.”

She’s also gathered a wide range of skills and knowledge thanks to many interesting courses in the Global Scholars Program and new Conservatory Program. Unique offerings such as the Genetics Research program have given her a greater perspective on her passions, interests and the world around her.

 “Overall, W+H has taught me so many different skills that I’m excited to apply off our campus in the next stage of my life,” said Arya, who also saluted the school’s College Counseling Team for its guidance and support during the application process.