When I think of the class of 2021, all that comes to mind is “Wow.” This is the first class with whom I have the privilege of working through the entire four-year college counseling developmental program, and their college admissions results are quite impressive; I might say, “the best in the history of CDS graduating classes.” There are approximately 40% of the decisions on record (with many more to come this spring) but the results are magnanimous. Allow me to opine.

More than 970 applications have been submitted for the class of 2021 (98 seniors). We have received 408 acceptances versus only 13 denials at this point (a 97.0% acceptance rate). In addition, total merit scholarship dollars already awarded totals over $10,000,000, which is significantly ahead of pace of previous years’ classes. As for admissibility, I am quite sure more is to come.

We had almost 20% of the senior class apply Early Decision (which is a binding commitment) that represents a 300% increase from the class of 2018. Those seniors who were admitted through the binding Early Decision commitment process represent the following colleges:

• Brown University
• Cornell University
• Emory University
• NYU
• Boston College
• Tulane University
• RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute)
• Villanova University
• Northeastern University (2)
• Spelman College
• Emerson College

In addition, of all senior students who applied Early Decision, 95% applied to colleges out of state/out of region.

Carrollwood Day School has had 5 students admitted to Ivy League universities in the past three years (Cornell University=3, Dartmouth College=1, Brown University=1), which represents the first 5 students admitted to Ivy League universities since Carrollwood Day School’s founding.

I would also be remiss if I did not mention other notable Early Action (non-binding commitment) colleges to which our class of 2021 students has been admitted (top 100 US News and World Report Rankings). They are:

• University of Notre Dame
• University of Virginia (3)
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• USC (University of Southern California)
• UNC @Chapel Hill
• Case Western Reserve University
• Tulane University (4 students)
• University of Texas (3 students)
• Villanova University (3)
• Northeastern University (3)
• University of London- UK (World University Rank=19)
• University of Glasgow- Scotland (World University Rank=89)
• University of Miami (11)
• University of Richmond
• University of Georgia (11 students)
• Santa Clara University (2 students)
• University of Maryland (2)
• Spelman College (2)
• Howard University (2)
• The Ohio State University (3 students)
• Penn State University (2 students)
• Loyola Marymount University
• Fordham University (2 students)
• SMU (5 students)
• University of  Massachusetts (2 students)
• Virginia Tech University (2 students)
• Baylor University (3 students)
• Indiana University (5 students)
• Texas Christian University (5 students)
• Michigan State University (2 students)
• Elon University (2 students)
• University of Delaware (2 students)
• University of Arizona (3 students)

Our Scholar-Athletes have also acquitted themselves in admirable fashion thus far. Please note the following young men and women who have accepted Division I/II athletic opportunities to attend college (as of this writing):

• Aryana D. (Women’s Basketball): University of Vermont
• Desmond M. (Football): Virginia Tech University
• Michael T. (Football): USC
• Jalyn B. (Volleyball): American International College
• Mason A. (Football): The Ohio State University

From a geo-demographical standpoint, it is always interesting to view where CDS students are pursuing post-secondary school options.

• 97% of seniors applied to at least one college out of state
• 95% of Early Decision seniors applied to college out of state
• 58% of seniors applied to college in the Northeast
• 37% of seniors applied to college in the Midwest
• 37% of seniors applied to college in the West
• 76% of seniors applied to college in the South (outside of the state of Florida)

The geographical distribution of applications (and thus interest) necessitates that as Carrollwood Day School matures into a more seasoned IB/Cum Laude Society independent school, the vast majority of our student constituency is taking a more national view of college admission.

There are many more colleges to which seniors have been accepted and we will surely report all of them (and all student success stories) when all decisions have been adjudicated in the spring.

Congratulations to all seniors thus far and an abundant thanks to the college counseling staff whose presence and effort stands behind every acceptance!

• Mrs. Dawn Bickoff/ Senior Associate Director of College Counseling
• Mr. Drew Guarino/ Senior Associate Director of College Counseling
• Ms. Danielle Cohen/ College Counseling Associate

Additionally, I would be remiss if I didn’t profusely thank and acknowledge the entire CDS faculty who have taught and spent an inordinate amount of time with our current seniors throughout their academic tenure. In addition to their mastery of instruction and willingness to help students outside the classroom, the upper school faculty wrote approximately 200 letters of recommendation to support our seniors through the application process. Without their assistance, our final results would be less than what they are today. Thank you!

Joe Runge

Director of College Counseling