2027-2027 Tour Guide Binder

MEET THE 2026-2027

TOUR GUIDES

Annabelle ‘28 axe@bu.edu Needham Meadowbrook

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA is sophomore year history, Makings of the Modern World, because the topics and events we covered were always so interesting and my teacher, Dr. Davis, made the classes incredibly engaging.

What is the best thing about BUA? The close and tight-knit community we have, and how supportive and kind everyone is. The teachers and faculty are always available to help students, and there are so many resources at BUA to better support students.

My advice to applicants to BUA: Be authentic and don't try to fit into a specific mold. Show the school who you really are, what you're passionate about, and what you can contribute to the community. Instead of guessing what the school wants to hear, focus on sharing your genuine interests and personality, and the school will see you for your true self.

A fun fact about me: I love trying new hobbies, and every year, I try to pick up a different one.

Frankie ‘27 fgrills@bu.edu Winchester McCall Middle School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite at BUA was my sophomore year chemistry class. I loved getting the opportunity to participate in labs and learn how to use scientific equipment. I also really enjoyed the topics we covered, especially because of the way my teacher, Dr. Karnaukh, taught us in such an engaging way!

What is the best thing about BUA? I think the best part of BUA is the network of teachers, administrators, alums, peers, etc that are all connected by BUA and share the goal of helping students succeed. There are tons of resources for both academic support and for extracurriculars such as a variety of clubs, sports, community service opportunities, seminars, and so much more.

My advice to applicants to BUA: Be open minded when you’re meeting new people and trying new things!

A fun fact about me: I love boats and this summer while I was traveling I went on 12 different ones, and even got the chance to drive two of them!

Alexandros ‘27 alexnpas@bu.edu Lincoln Shady Hill School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA was sophomore year English, British Literature, because my teacher was always really supportive and the class was engaging. It was a small class and so it was amazing when we could hold a strong conversation.

What is the best thing about BUA? The best thing about BUA is the teachers and the students as a whole. I love being able to have connections with my teachers beyond just the class I have with them. Many hours of my life have been spent conversing with teachers and other students about hobbies and learning about how the teachers have ended up where they are today. BUA has a unique community and it is the best.

My advice to applicants to BUA: My advice to anyone applying to BUA would be to try your best to convey who you really are: your personality, your interests, your role in school, and more. It is really important for you to be honest in order to thrive at BUA. A fun fact about me: A fun fact about me is that I like to play piano and sing, and am actually in the school's advanced jazz band, Swamp Cats, as a singer having joined last year.

Victoria ‘27 vks17@bu.edu Revere Brookwood School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA was Chemistry because of the versatility in every class, the labs, group work, and passion from the teachers.

What is the best thing about BUA? The best thing about BUA is the small community that allows close relationships with all your teachers. They always have time to answer your questions, and make sure you are getting the most out of their class.

My advice to applicants to BUA: Don’t overthink your interview, generally it’s just a warm conversations with one of our staff or alumni. Being too nervous won’t help you, there is nothing to be afraid of.

A fun fact about me: I live on a street named after Mermaids!

Jeffrey ‘27 jefauri@bu.edu Chelsea Brooke East Boston Charter

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA was my 10 th grade history class, Makings of the Modern World. I really loved the philosophical lens of the class.

What is the best thing about BUA? The best thing about BUA is the independence students are granted. It’s awesome to explore a college campus and still be able to come back to BUA as your home base.

My advice to applicants to BUA: This is more general advice, but remember that you’re in high school, and you should cherish these years. They’re more than just preparing for college, gaining internships, and getting straight As. It’s about making memories, having fun with friends, and above all, being yourself.

A fun fact about me: I hate mangoes.

Genevieve ‘27 gengouv@bu.edu Sudbury Ashley Hall School (Charleston, SC)

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

Brit-Lit (British Literature) in 10th Grade with Dr. Harrington! I cannot stress enough how enjoyable that class was, from the books I'd never heard of to the discussions about all the little things (like the deep significance of flowers and colors). Besides, Dr. Harrington can make a brick wall entertaining---it was such a treat to spend a year with him!

What is the best thing about BUA? The independence, for me! Not only do I get to make my own schedule and pursue subjects that interest me at BU, but I feel trusted to make it work and manage everything I have to do.

There's a level of freedom there that you can only get with higher expectations, and that's certainly what you're given at BUA. My advice to applicants to BUA: Just be yourself! There's no "mold" you have to fit to be a BUAer. Just trust that if it's meant to be, it'll work out.

A fun fact about me: My hula-hoop record (how long I can go without dropping it) is 75 minutes, and that's only because it was hot outside and I got bored. I vow to beat it someday!

Harjas ‘28 harjas@bu.edu Andover West Middle School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA so far is probably EN45: British Literature with Dr. Schantz. While it definitely got chaotic sometimes, I really enjoyed the discussion-based classes where we got to examine and analyze texts in depth. I also loved how thoughtfully the curriculum was designed, as we begun the year with foundational British texts like Beowulf, and later expanded our reach to modern day and post-colonial narratives like those in Interpreter of Maladies and Purple Hibiscus.

What is the best thing about BUA? Aside from the community, the best thing about BUA is definitely the location. Our access to BU as well as the rest of Boston opens up tons of doors for students to explore their different interests and discover the city. I really doubt you could get this experience anywhere else.

My advice to applicants to BUA: My advice would be to talk to everyone you meet! The students and faculty at BUA are super welcoming and always happy to talk about their experiences.

A fun fact about me: I can play the dilruba and esraj, two Indian classical string instruments that are often used in Sikh devotional music.

Makeda ‘27 Makeda27@bu.edu Cambridge St. Theresa of the Child Jesus School My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA so far has been my sophomore year English class, British Literature Global Citizenship. In the class, we explored a myriad of British texts from Anglo-Saxon times to the post-colonial era. There was also the occasional appearance of snacks that helped with morale, especially when we “celebrated our learning”.

What is the best thing about BUA? That there is always something new you can learn from someone, whther they’re your teacher or peer. BUA prides itself in bringing together students with a wide variety of interests and skills; thus, just talking or doing an activity with someone can teach you something you never knew about.

My advice to applicants to BUA: My advice to anyone applying to BUA would be to not be afraid of meeting a certain standard when you apply. BUA, as well as most other high schools you will apply to, look for students with diverse skill sets and interests. Authenticity in your application is the best.

A fun fact about me: II have practiced martial arts (Tang Soo Do) for 10 years.

Neil ‘28 nkochar@bu.edu Newton Highlands British International School of Boston

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA was my 9th grade biology class because Dr. Krivacek always made me laugh, is a super fun teacher, and all 9 th graders got to try out lots of cool labs. My favorite lab was the candy mitosis lab.

What is the best thing about BUA? The best thing about BUA is that you get to know so much of your grade. You'll probably end up talking to everyone at some point because of the small, tight-knit community here.

My advice to applicants to BUA: My advice to anyone applying to BUA would be to lean in to your interests and take advantage of any opportunities to get to know the school more during admissions season.

A fun fact about me: A fun fact about me is that I lived in California for three years.

Nathan ‘28 wangn28@bu.edu Wellesley Wellesley Middle School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

Chemistry with Ms. Waring for sure! First of all, Ms. Waring is the GOAT. Secondly, I just found chemistry generally very interesting because I consider myself more of a STEM kid and our chemistry class covered a ton of really interesting stuff!

What is the best thing about BUA? The community! Everyone basically knows everyone and I feel comfortable going up to anyone to ask for a favor, or help, or really whatever! And vise versa, I would be happy to support anyone in our community.

My advice to applicants to BUA: Be as true to yourself as you can be!

A fun fact about me: I share a birthday with my sister who is three years younger than me!

Sarah ‘28 sfoley24@bu.edu Boston Eliot Innovation K-8 (Boston Public School)

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My 10th grade history class, Makings of the Modern World, with Dr. Davis because he was able to connect everything we were learning (whether it was the french revolution, colonization in Africa, both world wars, or feminist literature) to the world today and open up a space where people can discuss topics from all points of view.

What is the best thing about BUA? The events! There is always something happening it BUA (fall fest, a school dance, sports games, game nights, Be Together, and so much more) yet people never fail to show up time and time again! I have friends who don’t know anything about soccer but still show up to support me, which speaks to the BUA community as a whole.

My advice to applicants to BUA: Trust yourself! During this process you will be getting advice from everyone but the most important person to listen to is you!

A fun fact about me: I have a very cute King Charles Cavalier Spaniel named Teddy.

Yusuf ‘28 yusufgr@bu.edu Belmont Belmont Middle School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA was 10th grade history with Ms. Petertam, because throughout the class I was inspired to think more critically of history and explore it with more nuance.

What is the best thing about BUA? The best thing about BUA is the community. Since BUA is smaller than most public schools, it is much easier to get to know everyone in your grade.

My advice to applicants to BUA: The transition from middle school to BUA can be very drastic in terms of workload, but with the right preparation and mindset it is always manageable.

A fun fact about me: Coming from a multicultural background, I can fluently speak four different languages.

Maya ‘28 lyeh@bu.edu Andover The Pike School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

I have two classes that I can’t choose between. I love art, so art class has to be a favorite and then Makings of the Modern World with Dr. Davis. This class honestly changed my mindset and my life.

What is the best thing about BUA? The teachers I’ve had because they really enjoy the thing they’re teaching, and also they’re very friendly and excited to teach and help students grow My advice to applicants to BUA: Staying open minded when meeting new people is important as it exposes you to fresh perspectives and lets you experience completely different group dynamics and interests.

A fun fact about me: I have two cats and they’re super cute.

Leyan ‘28 ladem@bu.edu Everett Mystic Valley Regional Charter School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

I really enjoyed biology, because I was able to learn about the life sciences and apply our lessons to the real world on a regular basis.

What is the best thing about BUA? The best thing about BUA is the large events we have, such as Fall Fest, Lock In, Be Together, and many more, because I get to interact with other grades/families, and bond with people I never knew!

My advice to applicants to BUA: Ask as many questions as you need, because you want to find the school that aligns with you/your goals the most, and hopefully it is BUA! A fun fact about me: I used to do competitive swimming for seven years.

Harry ‘27 hwieand@bu.edu Arlington Lesley Ellis

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

It's hard to choose just one, but I would have to say history class with Ms. Petertam (both sophomore and junior year). She does a very good job of encouraging meaningful discussion while still creating a fun class environment.

What is the best thing about BUA? The people! Everybody here has something interesting to share if you're willing to listen, and you're always encouraged to share your passions.

My advice to applicants to BUA: You can tell a lot about a school from how you feel when just walking around the hallways. BUA or not, it's a good idea to trust your gut feeling on which schools work for you.

A fun fact about me: Together with Owen Bergstein (class of '26), I was part of the youngest pair ever to compete at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament last year.

Clair ‘28 cwang28@bu.edu Needham The Sage School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA is Mr. Dent's math classes. I had Mr. Dent for both my freshman and sophomore years, and he is truly one of the best teachers I have ever met. He makes math seem less daunting by cracking jokes and he explains difficult concepts so well.

What is the best thing about BUA? The best thing about BUA is the community! Being a student at BUA feels like you're apart of one very large family, and I mean it. Even if it might not seem like it at first, you probably have something in common with all of your peers and even your teachers. Everyone here is so friendly and welcoming!

My advice to applicants to BUA: My advice to anyone applying to BUA would be to just be yourself, and you'll end up where you need to be.

A fun fact about me: A fun fact about me is that I have been playing piano for 9 years!

Lyahnnette ‘27 lyahm@bu.edu Lawrence Community Day Charter Public School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA has been General Psychology through Boston University. Taking a college-level course challenged me academically while introducing me to a subject I am passionate about. Through this opportunity it confirmed my interest in studying psychology beyond high school!

What is the best thing about BUA? The best thing about BUA is the balance between challenge and support. Students are pushed to grow academically, but they are never doing it alone. Our close-knit community allows students to build strong relationships with teachers and classmates who genuinely care about their success, which I find beautiful.

My advice to applicants to BUA: My advice to anyone applying to BUA would be to be yourself throughout the application process. BUA is looking for students who are curious, engaged, and excited to learn, so don’t be afraid to let your personality, interests, and passions shine through!! The strongest application is one that authentically reflects who you are!

A fun fact about me: I am Miss Massachusetts’ Teen 2026!

Leone ‘27 leoneld@bu.edu Brookline Jewish Community Day School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA was American Lit with Dr. Martinez. I loved every book we read and I had a ton of fun having all my friends in class with me.

What is the best thing about BUA? My favorite thing about BUA is the environment because it is perfectly normal to be “geeky” and smart here!

My advice to applicants to BUA: Be yourself! The most important thing you should be focused on showing in your application is not test scores or fancy credentials but your unique personality and love of learning.

A fun fact about me: I make excellent pasta with pesto.

Cici ‘28 ciciye@bu.edu Chestnut Hill Meadowbrook

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

Physics 105 because of the collaborative environment and the free finals week breakfast to make up for 8am classes.

What is the best thing about BUA? The community that continuously shows up for each other.

My advice to applicants to BUA: Be confident in showing your personality and interests! Don't try to fit in what you think the right BUA mold is.

A fun fact about me: I wrote and illustrated a children’s book, Ollie’s Way In - check it out!

Saanvi ‘27 jegans27@bu.edu Walpole Johnson Middle School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

Freshman Year Biology. This class definitely fueled my passion for science and Dr. Krivacek makes the class so interesting, fun, and engaging!

What is the best thing about BUA? The community! Everyone is so friendly and will always be in your corner!

My advice to applicants to BUA: Be you! Make sure your authentic self comes through in your application :) A fun fact about me: I don’t like peanut butter but love Reese’s Pieces.

Sharon ‘27 shxiong@bu.edu Brookline The Pike School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

AlPY 451 Quantum Physics 1, because it was a very challenging class, but the professor taught it in a very fun and enjoyable way. I feel like I gained a more fundamental understanding of how the world works and also found friends to study with late at night.

What is the best thing about BUA? The people you meet here. I found so many great friends, with similar and different interests with the same sense of humor, and they are the people who will be there to support me through difficulties.

My advice to applicants to BUA: Think about what your interests are and what you value in a high school experience, and then ask questions to help you understand schools better through that lens.

A fun fact about me: I was named after a park in California called Sharon Park.

Sonja ‘27 slv08@bu.edu Weston Meadowbrook

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA so far was my tenth grade world history class. It was a great balance of philosophy and historical events and the class featured some of my favorite class discussions I've had at BUA. What is the best thing about BUA? The best thing about BUA is the people! I've meet so many amazing people through things like classes, sports, and clubs who make it exciting to come to BUA everyday.

My advice to applicants to BUA: Get excited! Going to a new school can be a really fun experience, and I think that being excited can naturally help convey who you are.

A fun fact about me: II know almost all the world flags!

Bella ‘28 bellabh@bu.edu Revere Immaculate Conception Parish School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

Digital art because I use many of the skills I learned in that class today! For this upcoming school year, I'm looking forward to continuing to learn digital art and design as well as expanding my photography skills What is the best thing about BUA? As a leader of BSU, I really enjoy sharing my culture with the BUA community and how receptive they are. Affinity group events are the highlight of my school year.

My advice to applicants to BUA: Be yourself, really showcase that your curious to learn.

A fun fact about me: My native language is a language thats not in google translate

Harris ‘27 hbraman@bu.edu Brookline Brimmer and May School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA is definitely sophomore year history, Makings of the Modern World. I had the incredible Dr. Davis, and his ability to explain complex concepts made the course fascinating, even for some of my friends who previously had said they didn't like history. Furthermore, the breadth of the course really helped me understand how the modern world has come to be, as well as many different types philosophy.

What is the best thing about BUA? To me the “secret sauce” of BUA is its close knit community.

Many camps or programs I’ve attended have had cliques of people who talk only amongst themselves. At BUA, this is completely the opposite. While there are friend the close BUA community groups, My advice to applicants to BUA: Ask questions! Even if it seem like a stupid question or you don’t want to bother someone, I promise that it’s so worth it and it’s really not a bother!

A fun fact about me: I go to the same sleep-away camp my favorite artist (Noah Kahan) went to and I met him when he came to visit 3 summers ago.

Xavier ‘27 xjsoong@bu.edu Winchester Lesley Ellis School

My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA is History 45. I loved this class not only because I enjoyed the topics and scope of the lessons but also because of the thoughtful and respectful discussions we were able to have. Ms. Petertam challenged us to approach history through every possible lens, forcing us to have discussions about dominant and resistant narratives while examining primary sources and documents.

My advice to applicants to BUA: Talk to students! Almost everyone at BUA is willing and even excited to share their experiences with both the admissions process and BUA in general, and this can be a perfect opportunity to learn about our community here!

What is the best thing about BUA? I have never felt so much enthusiasm for learning in any other place. From teachers who are experts in their disciplines, always happy to stay after class to go off on tangents with you, to students who will help you research random science and literature questions in their free time, the BUA community truly does enjoy learning.

A fun fact about me: I love racing! I joined a competitive Go-Kart league and it’s quickly become one of my favorite activities.

Orli ‘27 orlif@bu.edu Chestnut Hill The Rashi School My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA has been junior year English, American Literature. I loved how interesting all of the books we read were, and class was always engaging and fun. I also really enjoyed how closely it connected with our U.S. history course. Being able to look at the same time periods and ideas from different perspectives made both classes even more fascinating.

My advice to applicants to BUA: Be yourself and let your personality show. BUA is often described as a very rigorous school, and while that is definitely true, there is so much more to it than academics. We are a community that allows you to be yourself and connect with the people around you, which makes the BUA experience a special one.

What is the best thing about BUA? My favorite thing about BUA is the community. Everyone is so supportive and willing to help each other, whether that is academically or personally. I have met some of my best friends here, and I think the people are what make BUA feel like more than just a school.

A fun fact about me: In our freshman year, my friends and I established "Bagel Mondays". Every Monday we go to Einstein's Bagels on campus.

It is one of my favorite traditions!

Joey ‘27 joeykr@bu.edu Weston The Sage School My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA was American History during my junior year. We read a wide range of classic American texts alongside more contemporary novels, which made the class both engaging and thought-provoking My advice to applicants to BUA: Get excited about BUA and everything it has to offer. There’s such an incredible range of BU classes, clubs, athletics, and niche interests that it’s easy to find something that genuinely interests you. Find that thing, learn more about it, and let that excitement come through in your application.

What is the best thing about BUA? The wide range of clubs and athletic opportunities, along with how easy it is to get involved in something new. Anyone can join a club, regardless of their previous experience, and learn a new skill from the students who lead it.

A fun fact about me: I started rowing at BUA, and because I loved it so much, I decided to pursue it more seriously and try out for a more competitive team.

Emilia ‘28 emiliasm@bu.edu Newton St. Mary’s School of the Assumption My favorite class at BUA is/was?

My favorite class at BUA was Chemistry in my sophomore year, because learning about the chemistry behind things in everyday life was super interesting, and I got to apply what we learned to our labs. Ms. Waring made the class so fun and engaging, which made me enjoy the class a lot.

My advice to applicants to BUA: Don't stress too much about seeming perfect to the admissions office! The school wants to see who you are and all your interests and passions, so don't cover up who you are to seem like the perfect applicant.

What is the best thing about BUA? The best thing about BUA is our welcoming and supportive culture. Our students and teachers are so kind, and truly want to see you succeed, which makes our community one that feels like a family. You don't have to compete with your peers, because they're rooting for you too, and your teachers are always there to help you with what you need.

A fun fact about me: I love to bake and try out new recipes to share with my family and friends!