The Class of 2025 is seeing strong college outcomes, with rising admission percentages and a growing interest in large public universities, specialized programs, and highly selective institutions. As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting students through the college admissions process, we are excited to welcome Brooke Tevlin as our new Associate Director of College Counseling. Brooke brings extensive experience in college advising at independent schools and will further strengthen our efforts to guide students toward their best-fit colleges and future opportunities.
Notable Trends in College Applications
One key trend continues—the increasing number of seniors applying to major southeastern public universities. Over the past three years, applications to schools such as Clemson, Auburn, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Alabama have risen significantly. This reflects national trends, with more students drawn to large public universities due to increased athletic visibility (“ESPN schools”), experiential factors like Greek life and sports culture, and strong regional connections for many families. Notably, for the first time ever, Clemson has surpassed UNC Chapel Hill as the most applied to school among our seniors.
While final decisions are still pending, early results are promising:
- Early Decision Success: 39% of the class applied Early Decision to 25 different colleges with a strong 61% acceptance rate.
- Prestigious Scholarships & Appointments:
- Lily Giardi was named a Jefferson Scholar at the University of Virginia, our first Jefferson Scholar in 10 years.
- Lula Porter Barber was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point.
- Nolan Bates was awarded the Army ROTC Scholarship at UNC Chapel Hill.
- National Recognition: Two National Merit Semi-Finalists have advanced to Finalist standing.
- UNC Chapel Hill: Early Action acceptances to UNC Chapel Hill have increased compared to last year, with more decisions still to come.
- HBCU Growth: Applications to Historically Black Colleges and Universities have doubled in the past two years.
- Expanding Interests & Unique Acceptances: More seniors are seeking niche programs, with acceptances to schools like Parsons Paris (fashion design), Baylor/Embry-Riddle (aeronautical studies), Barnard (women’s college), and West Point (military service).
Welcome Brooke Tevlin, Associate Director of College Counseling
We are excited to welcome Brooke Tevlin as our new Associate Director of College Counseling, beginning in July 2025. Brooke comes to us from the University School of Milwaukee, an independent school where she has spent the past decade guiding students and families through the complexities of the college admission process. With extensive experience as both a counselor and a leader in college guidance, she has developed innovative programs that help students find the right college fit while fostering confidence and self-reflection.
As Director of College Guidance, she led a team of counselors, revamped college counseling programs to create more personalized experiences, and developed initiatives to reduce stress and anxiety around the application process. With more than 25 years of experience in independent schools and higher education, Brooke has worked in a variety of roles, including Senior Associate Director of College Counseling, Associate Director of Enrollment Management, and Director of College Counseling. She has a deep understanding of college admissions, student advocacy, and the importance of building strong relationships with students and families. She has also worked closely with first-generation and high-financial-need students, helped student-athletes navigate the NCAA recruitment process, and collaborated with academic and counseling teams to support students with diverse needs.
Brooke earned her Master of Education from Rutgers University and her Bachelor of Arts from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. She also holds postgraduate certifications in College Counseling from UCLA and in Counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University.
“What excites us most about Brooke is her student-centered approach to counseling,” said Head of Upper School Nidhi McVicar. “She believes deeply in active listening, creating authentic relationships with students, and encouraging them to take ownership of their journey. Brooke’s wealth of experience, desire to create innovative programming, and dedication to supporting young people make her an excellent fit for our community. We look forward to welcoming her this summer, and I am confident she will be able to hit the ground running as part of our College Counseling team.”