June 6, 2020
Waterford School instills qualities of critical thought, curiosity, responsibility, and integrity as it helps students lay a foundation for college and beyond as they prepare to lead lives of meaning and purpose. Congratulations to the Class of 2020 for their accomplishments and extraordinary efforts as scholars, artists and athletes!
Perhaps more important now than ever is the liberal arts curriculum and interactive learning environment that they have experienced at Waterford. These students will take their skills of analysis, their deep and broad knowledge of many disciplines, and their communication,reading, writing, and discussion skills into their lives as critical thinkers, scientists,humanitarians, artists, future teachers and leaders.
The Class of 2020 is prepared to excel in college and to go on to pursue lives of meaning and purpose in an ever-changing world that needs citizens who question and dig deeper. Students credit their love of learning to the extraordinary breadth and depth of the Waterford collegepreparatory curriculum and programs, and the talented faculty who provide opportunities for each student to find and pursue their individual passions. The personal interest and attention given by the faculty helped each student succeed across a broad and demanding Liberal Arts curriculum.
Waterford’s College Counseling Office guides and supports students as they consider anexciting variety of undergraduate options. Recognizing that this transition is important both for students and their families, Waterford college counselors work individually with student sand parents ensuring that each student will have college choices that align with their interests, needs, and will ultimately be the right fit for each student.
Acceptance rates far above national averages place the Waterford Class of 2020 among the top students in the country. Each student in Waterford’s exemplary Senior class will attend a college that is suited to cultivate their passions and will continue to challenge them to succeed and excel in all of their future endeavors.
In an admissions climate where many selective college sare seeing increasing numbers of applications and thus lower admission rates, Waterford students continue to do well in admissions. A number of factors contribute to their success, but an important factor is that colleges know they are academically well-prepared, reflected in many parts of the application. The integrity and rigor of our academic program is seen and understood, and the preparation Waterford graduates have shown on their campuses in the past are important factors, as well as the self-reflection and writing abilities our students show in the application process. The strength and depth of the Waterford Class of 2020 was reflected in the quality of the students’ acceptances: our 82 students were accepted at 113 different colleges. Students work one-on-one with our counselors to discover and gain admission to colleges where they will thrive.
I feel incredibly grateful for all of the help that Waterford and the College Counseling Office gave me. Coming from a family that had a limited ability to pay for a college education, financial aid was one of my most important criteria in selecting a college. Ms. Rauscher helped me find colleges I could afford and craft an application that would seamlessly present everything I had done during high school to admission offices. I’m thrilled to attend Yale University studying The History of Science, Medicine and Public Health in the fall. I could not have gotten there without the amazingly personal and qualified help of Waterford’s college counselors.
Gabe Ransom, heads to Yale University this fall. Gabe was an active member of the Waterford community – actively participating in the Outdoor Program, the debate team, and community service. He was also named a Cum Laude Scholar, 2019 Gold Key winner of a Scholastic Art Award, and National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
I always felt safe and supported in the college counseling office especially through stressful mock interviews to prepare for scholarship and admission interviews. In that office I spent countless hours writing and refining my work, but I never felt alone. Mr. Grenoble tirelessly read and commented on each version, and I was privileged to draw upon the breadth of experience of other faculty members as well. I’m excited to attend Trinity University in the fall. I feel very well prepared.
Piper Thomas heads to Trinity University this fall. While at Waterford Piper was a spirited dancer and thespian, an activist for social justice and rights, and embodied Waterford’s mission, winning the Waterford Prize in her senior year.
My college counselor, Ms. Rauscher was so helpful and supportive in my process! She always made time to review my application and supplemental essays, and really pushed me to make my personal statement as great as possible.
Katie Sanyal will attend the University of Southern California in the fall. At Waterford, Katie was engaged and curious in class, she was actively involved in the orchestra, and was the recipient of the English Department Prize in her senior year.
The college counseling office was incredibly helpful in my applications, both in knowing all of the technicalities of the admissions process and helping me with the content of my application itself.
Owen Purcell plans on studying opera, economics and history in the fall when he attends Vanderbilt University. He chose Vanderbilt because it combines a top tier academic institution with a fantastic conservatory, Blair school of music, and he loves being able to study both academic disciplines as well as sing through college as he did at Waterford.
Throughout my time at Waterford, I have received countless inspiring words from my closest friends and teachers as well as from those whom I would never expect. And in this tumultuous time, where we all want nothing but to see each other, I have seen these bits of support compound and expand like never before. Being in a community like this inspires all of us to not only succeed but also give back.
Evan LaForge will attend the University of Arizona, Honors College. Evan started at Waterford as a PreK-3 student, has grown up in its halls and walkways, and graduates after as a member of the robotics team, an ethics bowl teammate, a singer in the choir, a cum laude recipient, a member of student government, and a National Merit Scholar.
One thing that I have always emphasized my gratitude for is my education. I have spent 15 years of my life at Waterford. To me, this school has served as a place of curiosity, a place where I can pursue my most intrinsic passions. It is a place where I have fostered some of my closest friendships, and have discovered the most important parts of who I am.
Lucas Butterfield will study linguistics at the University of Utah in the Fall. Lucas left his mark on the Waterford community and was known for his passion for Latin. He was chosen by his peers to give the student address at their commencement ceremony.
Waterford taught me that I learn best when I’m surrounded by other passionate students and caring teachers so that’s what I looked for in a college. Mr. Grenoble helped me build a strong college list of schools where I’d be successful. I am very grateful for Waterford’s education and support. I know I wouldn’t be attending the University of Michigan without it.
Maddie Snow looks forward to studying Nursing at the University of Michigan in the fall.
*Matriculation in bold