Dear SSIS Parents,
Each year, at this time, SSIS hallways and classrooms are full of joyous cheer, and hugs of encouragement as high school seniors receive word of their university acceptances. Even under normal circumstances, this is a nerve-wracking yet exhilarating time. This year, although our resilient seniors are unable to be at each other’s sides physically, we have heard how supportive they have continued to be of one another, using other channels of support. Our University Guidance Office is also continuing their fantastic work with supporting our students and making sure that the seniors’ incredible achievements are not overlooked by holding online events to celebrate them, one which I just had the pleasure of attending this very afternoon.
And although nothing gives me greater pleasure than to share the university acceptances each year, this year, I am particularly proud of our seniors. During a time of unprecedented global uncertainty, and individual challenges as circumstances have deprived them of the opportunity to enjoy the experiences that should have been, our SSIS seniors have continued to work diligently, focused on the tasks at hand. We couldn’t be prouder.
Despite the ongoing global challenges, the university acceptance list of the class of 2020 is remarkable, and results are on par with any elite high school in the world, including international schools, and US boarding schools. Our 74 seniors have received 165 acceptances thus far to 103 individual schools!
As we appreciate the diverse group of excellent schools on this list, let us remember that it is the result of several months of students’ hard work and clear goals. The admissions process requires that our young people look deeply into themselves to ensure they will be successful in college and beyond, which means taking several things into consideration, such as the academic, social, financial, and geographical fit of their schools of choice.
Class of 2020, University Acceptances to Date
| Modul University, Vienna | University of Waterloo |
| Cornell University | York University |
| Johns Hopkins University | Depaul University |
| King’s College London, University of London | Trinity University |
| Northwestern University | University of Cambridge |
| UCL (University College London) | University of Illinois At Urbana-Champaign |
| University of California-Berkeley | Columbia University In the City of New York |
| University of California-Davis | Brunel University London |
| University of California-Irvine | Loughborough University |
| University of California-San Diego | University of Brighton |
| University of California-Santa Barbara | University of Manchester |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | University of Surrey |
| University of Pennsylvania | Concordia University |
| University of Toronto | University of Massachusetts-Lowell |
| Hult International Business School | Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus |
| London South Bank University | University of Washington-Seattle Campus |
| Richmond, the American International University In London | University of Wisconsin-Madison |
| Birkbeck, University of London | Birmingham City University |
| Chapman University | University of Huddersfield |
| Loyola Marymount University | University of Salford |
| Regent’s University London | University of West London |
| London School of Economics and Political Science, University of London | Northeastern University |
| University of Edinburgh | Arizona State University-Tempe |
| Coventry University | Utah State University |
| Purdue University-Main Campus | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University |
| Technical University of Eindhoven | Worcester Polytechnic Institute |
| University of Glasgow | New York University |
| University of Groningen | Santa Clara University |
| California State University-Los Angeles | University of North Dakota |
| University of California-Riverside | Western Michigan University |
| University of Houston | Case Western Reserve University |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | Grinnell College |
| University of California-Los Angeles | University of Massachusetts-Amherst |
| University of California-Santa Cruz | Gonzaga University |
| University of Chicago | Seattle University |
| University of Southern California | University of Oregon |
| American University | University of Portland |
| Boston University | University of California-Merced |
| Fordham University | Digipen Institute of Technology |
| Saint Louis University | Cascadia College |
| Syracuse University | University of South Carolina-Columbia |
| University of Florida | Brandeis University |
| University of Illinois At Chicago | Leiden University |
| University of South Florida-Main Campus | University of Amsterdam |
| Pepperdine University | University of Virginia-Main Campus |
| University of San Francisco | The University of Sydney |
| Carleton University | Tulane University of Louisiana |
| Lakehead University | University of Melbourne |
| Saint Mary’s University | Western Washington University |
| The University of British Columbia | Emory University |
| Trent University | The University of Hong Kong |
The list of university acceptances is just one example of the incredible social and emotional fortitude our students have exhibited in the past several months. However, we understand that at times, we all need some extra help and reassurance. That is why counselor, Julia Bui, and Elementary School Psychologist, Jacob Humes held a webinar entitled “SSIS Counselors: Impact of Living through a Global Pandemic “ for parents just yesterday. I encourage you to watch it, as it has several helpful tips.
Again, I would like to extend my sincerest gratitude to all of our SSIS parents. The support that you show this community, and your dedication to your children’s education is what enables us to continue developing programs that allow your children to thrive, regardless of the circumstances. And, as exhibited by our seniors, your support is what enables us to create opportunities for your children to continue to succeed as we, together, send them out into the world.
All good wishes,
Dr. Catriona Moran
Head of School
Ps. In case you missed our SSIS story, “University Acceptances – An Early Glance,” you will find a few of the students’ individual stories there.
