Upcoming Virtual College Admissions Events

Coalition for College Virtual College Fair
Thursday, April 23rd, 4 – 6 p.m. or 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. EST
Hear from admissions officers –“Tips on Creating Your College List”
Behind the Scenes: How Admissions Decisions Are Made”
Then virtual “rooms” where representatives from more than 40 colleges will share an overview of their schools and answer your questions, live.
http://coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/april-2020-virtual-fair.html

College Block Party
Tuesday & Wednesday, April 28th & 29th, 6 – 9 p.m. EST
This is a FREE, two-day, after-school online event for high-school students from all grade levels, parents, and counselors. Drop-in, whenever you can, to get your questions answered.
Participating Colleges Include: Colgate University, Smith College, University of California Berkeley, Emory University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Tufts University!

VIMSIA Signing Day

On Tuesday, April 24 VIMSIA celebrated our Seniors' commitment to higher education with our fourth annual Signing Day event.  This event is a product of Former First Lady Michele Obama's Reach Higher Initiative that focuses on promoting higher education for all students.  

This year's Senior class had quite the year having endured two Category 5 hurricanes and all of the unforeseen challenges that came afterward.  They showed perseverance, grit and strength of character despite it all.  The VIMSIA school community could not be more proud!   

Please join us in congratulating our students on their acceptances to over 40 colleges and universities across the country!  While some students have committed, others are still in the decision making process.  We wish them nothing but the absolute best as they venture out into the world!   

Ver’Nele Callwood, who plans to attend the University of the Virgin Islands.

Nalani Figueroa, who is deciding between University of the Virgin Islands and Barry University. 

Leah-Maria Gaskin, who has been accepted to attend Baldwin Wallace University.

Karen Gauriloff, graduating from VIMSIA one year early, will attend Allegheny College.

Candice LaPlace, who plans to attend the University of the Virgin Islands.  

Joshua LaPlace, who plans to attend the University of the Virgin Islands.  

Vanshika Lulla, who plans to attend George Washington University

Amoi Ottley, who has been accepted to Bryant University.

Kobe Potter, who is deciding between Elon University and American University.

T’Leah Serieux, who plans to attend the University of the Virgin Islands.

Silas Wisehart, who has been accepted to Binghamton University and the University of Montana.  

Hannah Ballas, who is planning to attend Trinity University.

Grant Farrell, who is deciding between Emmanuel College and Spartanburg Methodist College

Elisabeth Goldberg, who is planning to attend University of Alabama.

Seidon Nemeth, who is deciding between Academy of Art University, Lawrence Technological University, Savannah College of Art and Design, and University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

Anya Vizzielo, who is deciding between Savannah College of Art and Design and University of Suffolk in the UK.  

Darby Williams, who is deciding between New York University and University of Michigan.

Making College Connections At BEANS Tour

Virgin Islands Montessori School & Peter Gruber International Academy (VIMSIA) Admissions Director and College Counselor, Kara Ebe, spent this past week at the Boston/Extended Area Network of Schools (BEANS) tour featuring Brandeis University, College of the Holy Cross, Emerson College, Simmons College, and WPI!

The BEANS Tour provides counselors with the opportunity to explore five outstanding colleges with your colleagues from around the world. Counselors will meet with admissions representatives, current students, faculty, and explore the cities of Boston and Worcester, Massachusetts!

 “This is a tour of five schools which provides you with a unique opportunity to see different schools and engage directly with their admissions directors and faculty then take it back to your students to share” said Ebe. Everyday attendees visited one of the five schools for an admissions overview –detailing requirements, a tour of the campus, an opportunity to engage with or hear a student led panel and a professional development session.

The host institutions determine the final participants based upon a numbers of factors—among them are geographic diversity. Because BEANS is a fly-in program, the committee typically looks for counselors from areas outside of New England, New York, and New Jersey. Additionally, they look to provide opportunities to colleagues from secondary schools that have not recently been represented at BEANS. 

Ebe was flattered by the encouraging and supportive reception from the BEANS Tour participants in response to the recent hurricanes. “Everyone of course asked about the hurricanes, but people are just so intrigued about us -especially those that didn't know we're IB. Immediately once they heard we're IB they started to inquire about VIMSIA and were impressed by what we have to offer” explained Ebe. “We haven't missed a beat with the rigor of what we offer our students, not only academically but now we have these student who are super resilient because of what they've been through” Ebe added.