2021 College Decisions

This year, the college admissions process was vastly different from any other year. Students applied to colleges without sending their standardized test scores, they attended virtual information sessions instead of in-person ones, and they committed to colleges without ever having stepped on their campuses. Despite all of these changes, the Class of 2021 persevered and will have a more normal freshman year of college. Thanks to the Covid-19 vaccine, students are looking forward to having in-person freshman orientations, living in residence halls on campus, and taking in-person classes. 

The New Rochelle High School Class of 2021 committed to a wide variety of colleges. Here are a few NRHS seniors and their college decisions:

Dev Arbeiter: New York University

Dev Arbeiter will be attending New York University next year. He plans to major in public policy at the College of Arts and Sciences and eventually pursue a law degree. Dev was attracted to NYU because of its strong public policy program, its pathways to attending the top-ranked NYU School of Law, its study abroad opportunities, and its affordability. Dev shared, “I'm really excited to explore New York City, learn more about issues I care about, and meet students from around the world!”

Isabel Camara: Cornell University

Isabel Camara decided to attend Cornell University’s College of Engineering. She plans on studying environmental engineering and is considering a minor in public policy. Isabel loves Cornell’s strong engineering program as well as the school’s “emphasis on sustainability.” She noted that she is excited to explore the Cornell Botanic Gardens, which consist of 25 acres of botanical gardens and 150 acres of the F. R. Newman Arboretum. Isabel appreciates Cornell’s convenient location and its generosity in financial aid. She expressed, “What I'm most looking forward to is connecting with talented students from around the world in our academic pursuits to change the world—in whatever way it may be.” 

Olivia Dower: Bard College

Olivia Dower will be attending Bard College next year. She hopes to double major in political studies and theater. Olivia will also be swimming for Bard’s Division III team. Many factors led Olivia to decide on Bard College, such as the location, beautiful campus and historic buildings, incredible faculty, small student body, and variety of programs offered. Olivia feels that Bard is the perfect fit for her: “Bard is the perfect mix of an artistic and intellectual student body and staff, which suits my areas of interest and personality very well.” Olivia also loves Bard’s emphasis on civic engagement and student-led activism. She looks forward to “taking rigorous courses in political theory and comparative government, partaking in creative theatre and film productions on and off the stage at the Fisher Center, and traveling to Puerto Rico for a swim team training trip next winter.” Olivia is thrilled to form bonds with her fellow students and her professors.

Sofia Passante: University of Miami

Next year, Sofia Passante is attending the University of Miami (Florida). She was accepted into the College of Arts and Sciences as an English major. Sofia was attracted to the University of Miami because of its location, its beautiful campus, and its interesting academic programs. She will be working and taking online classes during the fall semester and then arriving on campus in the spring of 2022. Sofia expressed, “I am most excited to be in a new environment and meet new friends, as my parents always told me that college friendships are usually lifelong.” She is excited to become a part of the “Cane Community” at the University of Miami and cheer on her school at sporting events.

Carly Rieger: University of Southern California

Carly Rieger will be attending the University of Southern California (USC) in the fall. She was accepted into the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism as a communications major. Carly also hopes to minor in sports media and in the School of Cinematic Arts as either a documentary minor or a media/photography and social change minor. USC has been Carly’s dream school since she first heard about it in 8th grade. She said, “I really feel like USC has the perfect balance of all of the things I hoped for in my college experience.” The Annenberg School is the #2 school for communications in the country, so Carly is beyond excited to study there. She looks forward to engaging in interdisciplinary studies and “meeting people who have different perspectives, passions, and desires.” As a big football fan, Carly is excited to watch the USC football games and show her school spirit. She is eager to try new things and figure out her path in life: “I know what my passions are, but there's still so much for me to discover about myself regarding how I want my future to look and how I will make an impact on those around me.”

Nora Shefferman: Princeton University

Nora Shefferman is going to Princeton University next fall and plans to study molecular biology. Nora was attracted to Princeton for many reasons, including the school’s focus on undergraduates. Because Princeton’s graduate school is very small, undergraduates have many opportunities, such as doing research as early as freshman year. Nora looks forward to taking advantage of Princeton’s strong academic programs and working with world-renowned professors. She also really appreciates Princeton’s generosity in financial aid. As she envisions her freshman year in college, Nora is excited to make new friends and expand her academic horizons. She shared, “While I am a bit nervous and sad to leave New Rochelle, I am looking forward to becoming more independent and learning how to live on my own. I am also excited to take classes in subjects that I have never explored before and take part in activities where I can meet similar-minded people.”