For many high school students, understanding the college search and admissions process can be exciting and daunting at the same time. Islip High School is dedicated to offering students in grades 9-12 a chance to experience various college campuses firsthand, to interact with college students and to hear directly from college admissions counselors. By exposing students as early as ninth grade to the many options that await them after high school, they can make the most of their high school years, academically and in terms of cocurricular activities. To this end, 49 Islip High School students and their chaperones traveled to Yale University and the University of Connecticut for a spring college tour on April 5.
Getting an early start, the group headed first to New Haven to visit Yale University, which introduced students to an Ivy League campus with its Gothic-style architecture, tree-lined walkways and residential colleges. Students were impressed by the campus, especially the Sterling Memorial Library, with its ornate interior. In addition to a guided tour by Yale undergraduates, Islip’s students visited the campus bookstore and enjoyed lunch at a local pizza parlor.
The group continued on to UConn’s main campus in Storrs, where they were treated to a special presentation by the Campus Visitors Department and learned about campus life and the various majors and clubs available to them at UConn. After a thorough information session, including learning some UConn chants, the group went on an extensive tour of the campus, led by current UConn students, traversing multiple academic buildings, lecture halls, classrooms, the main library and fitness center, and even a sample dorm room. After visiting the campus bookstore, students had dinner at one of the dining halls. It was a particularly exciting time to be on the UConn campus, since the visit was the day before the NCAA Women’s Basketball championship, and the positive energy on campus was palpable.
As Islip’s students reflected on their Connecticut trip, they expressed learning about the importance of getting involved in extracurricular activities in high school, focusing on their college essay and thinking about future goals.
“I learned about clubs, social life, the application process and how important it is to focus on academics and your admissions essay,” Islip High School student Ava Gomez said.
Other students commented that they were impressed by the more than 700 clubs offered at UConn, and learned about the process for selecting a roommate in college and the availability of financial aid. From the chaperones’ perspectives, this experience not only introduced students to two impressive campuses, it gave students the chance to imagine their own futures.
“Visiting these campuses gave our students a chance to explore different communities, each with its own history, traditions and academic culture,” Assistant Principal Meghan Stern said. “Our students explored different career paths and gained a deeper understanding of the college process.”
“Our dual goals of helping to demystify the college admissions process for students and encouraging them to envision their post-high school futures were achieved,” Principal Dr. Lara Gonzalez said. “It was an action-packed day of learning, and I hope, a transformative experience for our students.”
Date Added: 5/6/2025