College Counseling

Just as we help students develop personal agency and mindfulness during their high school education, college counseling at Bay empowers students to calmly, mindfully, and competently navigate the many stages of the college application and enrollment process, preparing them for one of the first significant life decisions they will make for themselves and own.

Learn more about Bay's college counseling philosophy.

Support for Every Student

Unique among independent schools, Bay approaches the college search process with the same intentional, balanced mindset shown in our mission and precepts. After a kickoff meeting with families in December of junior year, students have a dedicated flex period once a week that is built into their regular schedule and extends through December of their senior year.

During their weekly sessions, students meet with college counselors, research colleges and programs of interest, do test preparation, write college essays, and complete college applications. The careful design of this process as part of the regular schedule is driven by our commitment to equity for all of our students and ensures they are able to continue focusing on academic and other pursuits as they dream, design, and pursue their future plans. 

Using state-of-the-art resources, students work with Bay's college counselors to consider their values, interests, and needs; research which colleges and universities may fit those criteria; and evaluate how their credentials position them for admission. In addition to traditional print and online resources, The Bay School uses web-based technology from SCOIR, the most comprehensive platform available for college research, to create an open and transparent link between Bay's college counselors, the student, and their family.

Learn more about why Bay chose to partner with SCOIR and the importance of an equitable, student-driven approach to the college search process.

College Acceptance and Matriculation

Since our first graduating class in 2008, Bay students have been accepted to 572 colleges and universities nationally and internationally. Graduates of the Class of 2021 are attending 73 schools across the United States and Canada, with 84% of the class attending one of their top-choice schools.

Download the full acceptance and matriculation list for 2019–2023.

Class of 2023 Matriculations 

College Representative Visits

Each year, representatives from more than 160 institutions, representing a broad range of programs and specialty areas, visit Bay to meet with students and share information. This is far more visits than our Bay Area peer schools receive—because these colleges and universities have seen that our students are uncommonly well prepared for the type of learning they will engage in during their higher education years.

If you are a college representative interested in scheduling a virtual visit with Bay seniors, please visit our resources page and SCOIR to view our online calendar.

Internships, Summer Programs, and Gap Years 

The College Counseling Office offers many resources for finding summer opportunities, and we are happy to assist students if they are interested in pursuing internships. As part of the college counseling process, students who express an interest in a gap year between high school and college are given the resources and support to understand the process and possibilities for this transitional time.

Helpful Links