From Counseling to Commitment: Early Decisions for the Class of 2025
CollegeCounseling
Class of 2025
In the largest and arguably most competitive class in the history of Carrollwood Day School, the class of 2025 has experienced great success in the early portion of the college admission process As admission rates plummet both in our home state and around the country, our seniors have put forth competitive candidacy to be chosen at some of the most selective institutions in higher education. With a willingness to explore, think creatively, and strive for the highest aspirations possible, it has been a privilege to partner with our seniors this year in the application process, whose enthusiasm and eagerness in the college admission process is infectious
This collaboration could not be possible without the extensive and compassionate support of our CDS college counseling department, consisting of Mrs. Sharon Bikoundou (Associate Director), Mrs. Danielle Cohen (Associate Director), and Mrs Corie DiPhilippo (Associate) Their unwavering commitment to helping students find their best collegiate option is truly remarkable and refreshing Additionally, I would like to thank our tremendous CDS faculty and staff who are the faces behind the development of our students, preparing them soundly for what lies ahead Finally, to our students and family communities, your trust and belief in our college counseling program fills our staff with gratitude each day In an ever-changing admission landscape, your partnership is invaluable to the final destinations of our students.
In the early rounds of admission, 1034 college applications were submitted to 229 college/universities 92% of the senior class has received at least one collegiate acceptance, and many members of the senior class have already selected an institution to attend Of the applications evaluated in the early rounds of admission, our class of 2025 currently has a 86% acceptance rate, with several decisions forthcoming
With approximately half of the applications still under review, it is clear that our senior class is on track to achieve some of the most impressive outcomes in school history. While we are eager to see where our Patriots land, here is an overview of their successful outcomes in the early decision and early action processes
Sincerely,
DrewGuarino
Director of College Counseling
EARLY DECISION
Early decision I or II represents a binding agreement made by the student, family, and their college counselor that states the student would enroll at their selected institution if afforded the opportunity to attend In an ever-changing college admission landscape, this type of application provides a statistical advantage for students to gain entry into their first choice institution We are proud to say that nearly a quarter of the senior class selected early decision I as their application category Additionally, we expect seniors to utilize early decision II in the process with their results expected in the early portion of the spring tallying over 30% of the senior class
The following students in the class of 2025 have been admitted to their first choice college or university through this binding decision plan:
Abigail A - Wake Forest University
Jacob C. - Rochester Institute of Technology
Olivia H - Furman University
Aanya I. - Oxford College of Emory University
Parker J - Duke University
Pearson J. - Duke University
Kim K - University of Miami
Alec M. - Hampden-Sydney College
Gibson M - University of Richmond
Gabe T. - Macalester College
Steven V - Bowdoin College
Charissa W - University of Virginia
Juliana W - University of Miami
RESTRICTIVE EARLY ACTION
In addition to early decision, restrictive early action provides students with the chance to demonstrate a number one choice institution in the college admission process, without the requirement to attend the school Students are unable to apply to other institutions through early action, as they identify their most desired place to continue their studies in higher education
We are proud to announce that the following students have been offered admission through restrictive early action:
Brayden M - Stanford University
Cathy P. - University of Notre Dame
EarlyAdmission
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM SCHOOLS
Several CDS seniors received admission results from Florida State University System (SUS) schools Despite the selectivity of these schools, we were thrilled to see our students have success at institutions including Florida State University (FSU) and the University of South Florida (USF) We expect to receive the admission decisions from the University of Florida (UF) at the end of January 2025.
Here are the initial acceptance figures for some of our competitive public institutions:
Florida Atlantic University (thirty-seven students)
Florida State University (twenty-seven students)
University of Central Florida (twenty-eight students)
University of South Florida (fourty-three students)
EarlyApplication
ROUND RESULTS
In addition to positive outcomes at Florida SUS schools, members of the class of 2025 have also earned acceptances to some of the most competitive schools from across the country We are excited to report these impressive results with this sampling of some of the colleges/universities below:
Appalachian State University (six students)
Arizona State University (three students)
Auburn University (ten students)
Baylor University (three students)
Bowdoin College
Butler University
Case Western Reserve University (three students)
Clemson University (thirteen students)
Citadel Military College (two students)
Colorado State University (two students)
Duke University (two students)
Eckerd College (six students)
Elon University (four students)
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (four students)
Flagler College (six students)
Florida Institute of Technology (three students)
Fordham University (two students)
Furman University
George Mason University
Hampton University
Indiana University (three students)
Louisiana State University
Lynn University (six students)
Mercer University (three students)
Miami University (OH) (five students)
Michigan State University
Millsaps College
Mississippi State University
Nova Southeastern University (five students)
Oglethorpe University
Ohio Wesleyan University
Oxford College at Emory University
Penn State (two students)
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rollins College
Samford University (two students)
Savannah College of Art and Design
Southern Methodist University (five students)
Stanford University
Stetson University (five students)
Texas A&M University
Texan Christian University
The University of Alabama (twelve students)
The University of Tennessee
University of Georgia (four students)
University of Hawaii
University of Iowa
University of Kentucky (four students)
University of Memphis
University of Miami (two students)
University of Minnesota (two students)
University of Mississippi (fifteen students)
University of Missouri (two students)
University of North Carolina Charlotte (two students)
University of Notre Dame
University of Oregon
University of Pittsburg (two students)
University of South Carolina
University of Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University
Wake Forest University
West Virginia University (two students)
STUDENT ATHLETES
Building on the momentum set by the Class of 2024, many seniors will have the opportunity to excel in athletics while simultaneously pursuing their academic goals. We look forward to rooting on these Patriots as they complete at the NCAA level
EARLY GRADUATION
We are also excited to announce the second-ever early graduation class in CDS history. As a testament to their hard work and dedication, two CDS seniors completed their high school graduation requirements at the conclusion of the fall 2024 semester and will have a chance to acclimate to collegiate life beginning in January 2025 Congratulations to these impressive student-athletes
DREW F. Universityof
JORDAN M.
MATTIE C. Purdue University
SARAH D.- F. Virginia Commonwealth University
OLIVIA H. Furman University
ALEC M. Hampden-Sydney College
JOSH R. Princeton University
STEVEN V. Bowdoin College Volleyball
Football Football
NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP CORPORATION
NationalMeritScholarship
SEMIFINALISTS
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced the results from the 2023 PSAT administration, and we are thrilled to share that seven CDS seniors have been named among approximately 16,000 Semifinalists for the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program These academically talented seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be announced later this spring
The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state, and must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition, a designation received by approximately 95% of the Semifinalists
NationalMeritScholarship
COMMENDED
Two CDS seniors were selected among approximately 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation. Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2025 competition by taking the 2023 PSAT qualifying test
Application
GEOGRAPHY
Our CDS seniors are exploring college options in all geographic areas of the country and abroad Here is an overview of where our students are submitting applications by location
COLLEGE BOARDNationalRecognitionProgram
These talented members of the CDS community earned National Recognition Program status from the College Board due to their stellar academic achievements in school, and outstanding performance on the 2023 PSAT exam. Congratulations to the following students on their Recognition Program designation:
LEO A. AARNAV C.
ALBA H.
SAMANTHA H. ROHAN P. EVAN S. JAGO S.
FOR OVER 40 YEARS, communityfeature
Carrollwood Day School has been balancing academic excellence with opportunities for leadership, service, and growth We are the only preschool through 12th grade International Baccalaureate (IB) World School on the West Coast of Florida, one of six schools in the nation to belong to the prestigious Cum Laude Society, and an active member of Round Square International CDS students and faculty embark on a daily adventure that fosters critical thinking, compassion, global scholarship, and a lifelong love of learning
“It is imperative that we teach our students and faculty to authentically live and thrive in a globally connected world. This is why the IB programme is the foundation of everything we do at CDS and why we are such active participants in the Round Square global network. Our students are taking the lessons learned at CDS out into the world and succeeding,” said CDS Head of School, Sara Rubinstein.
The IB Learner Profile and curriculum emphasize productive risk-taking, open-mindedness, and balance, so students can lead meaningful lives at school and beyond. Our students engage locally and globally They live the ideals of internationalism, democracy, environmentalism, adventure, leadership, and service
CDS students apply their learning to real-world challenges, such as earning Florida Green School Certification in a campus-wide sustainability initiative, or working tirelessly for years to advocate for foster children by changing legislation on Capitol Hill They become National Merit Semifinalists, and have one of the countries highest IB pass rates
Our students and faculty connect globally with schools through integrated lessons, student exchanges, and trips to Round Square conferences in Rwanda, the UK, Kenya, Thailand, Japan, Morocco, Spain, and Canada Students and faculty do much more than talk about global citizenship They live it
Most importantly CDS's unique combination of an IB education and Round Square values means our students graduate prepared for more than college they are ready to be change-makers
CDS alumni are excelling in diverse fields, carrying IB values of critical thinking, empathy, and global mindedness into the world. Their journeys began with the education they received at CDS, and the legacy they leave behind is one of innovation, leadership, and service
CDS is more than a school it’s a launchpad for those who dare to dream big, think critically, and act compassionately. Our students, grounded in the IB and Round Square ideals, are prepared not just for college, but for life and they will confidently change the world for the better
To read the full Tampa Bay Business Journal Article.
