From High School Halls to Uni Walls: The University Tour Inspires Future Graduates

26 November 2024William L, Ellis ‘26

Over mid-term break, 35 Brentwood students embarked on a week-long journey to explore what life beyond high school might hold. Led by Mr. Rodrigues, Head of University Counseling, along with Ms. Yang and Ms. Bashizi, the group toured 12 eastern universities, experiencing everything from lively lecture halls to cozy dorms and gaining a firsthand look at life on campus.

Timi A, Rogers ‘26, shared how the tour inspired him to push himself further as a person: “Seeing my dream schools in person and talking to alumni made me realize these are places I want to study one day. I need to keep this in mind the rest of the year and put my best efforts forward” he explained. Inspired by his interactions, Timi left with a renewed focus on his academic goals, motivated to put his best work into each term.

Chad M, Rogers ‘26, echoed this sentiment, adding, “The days were long and tiring with lots of travel, but it was worth it. Having free time to explore the cities allowed me to picture my life there.” Chad noted that while the trip’s schedule was packed, the chance to experience both structured tours and independent exploration made each long day rewarding.

With two to three campus visits each day, students joined tours led by current students, met Brentwood alumni, and spoke with admissions officers. Depending on our interests, we received tailored advice on admission requirements, college expectations, and campus life, leaving many students feeling both informed and inspired. Mr Rodrigues added how influential it was for students: “The University Tour is always a great experience for students to get their ‘boots on the ground’. You cannot make a decision about where you are going to spend four years of your life without getting a sense of the place firsthand and, even if students wouldn’t see themselves attending a particular school, seeing a variety of school options will help them greatly in making their decision about where to attend.”

Special thanks go to the chaperones and to Brentwood for organizing these golden opportunities. Touring these schools opened our eyes to the diverse environments, lifestyles, challenges, and successes that university students experience, inspiring us to grow as students and individuals as we prepare for the next chapter of our lives. Opportunities like these reflect Brentwood’s commitment to setting us up for success in university and beyond, and I hope to one day attend such established institutions myself.

William L, Ellis ‘26

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