Independent, conscientious, inventive. These are the words colleges consistently use to describe our graduates.
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.
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 class that meets once a week, is built into their regular schedule, and extends through December of their senior year.
During weekly sessions, students meet with college counselors, research colleges and programs of interest, prepare for standardized tests, 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 seasoned 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.
College Acceptance and Matriculation
Graduates of the Class of 2026 were admitted to more than 190 schools and matriculated to 64 colleges, with over 90% of the class attending their top-choice school.
Bay graduates enroll at an array of universities, including the most selective institutions in the country. However, we celebrate the process of self-discovery. Equally important to “where” our students go after Bay, is the “why.” The gift of self-awareness and ability to move forward with confidence are the skills that will lead to a fulfilling life beyond college. The most important aspect of college counseling at The Bay School is helping students to understand their own definition of success and articulate their vision for the next phase of their life.
Download the full acceptance and matriculation list for 2021–2025.
Agnes Scott College
Art Center College of Design
Boston University (2)
Brunel University London
Cal State San Luis Obispo (8)
Cal Poly Pomona
Cal State Fullerton
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western Reserve University
Chapman University (2)
Colgate University
College of Marin
Colorado School of Mines
Columbia University
Cornell University
Davidson College
Drexel University
Duke University (2)
Elon University
Fordham University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Harvey Mudd College
Hawaii Pacific University
Loyola Marymount University (2)
Loyola Marymount University
New York University (6)
Northeastern University (4)
Occidental College (3)
Parsons School of Design at The New School
Pitzer College (2)
Purdue University
Reed College (2)
Santa Clara University
Scripps College
Seattle University
Skidmore College
Smith College
St. Olaf College
Tufts University (3)
Tulane University of Louisiana (4)
University of Arizona
University of British Columbia (2)
University of California, Berkeley (3)
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles (4)
University of California, Merced
University of California, Riverside
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Colorado Boulder (2)
University of Denver
University of Oregon
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco (2)
University of Southern California (3)
University of St Andrews
University of Toronto
University of Washington, Seattle (4)
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Wake Forest University
Washington University in St. Louis (4)
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University (2)
College Representative Visits
Each year, representatives from more than 150 institutions from around the world, representing a broad range of programs and specialty areas, visit Bay to meet with students and share information. Bay has more visits from colleges than many of our Bay Area peer schools. Colleges and universities have experienced that our students are well prepared academically 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.
Gap Years
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.
Agnes Scott College
Art Center College of Design
Boston University (2)
Brunel University London
Cal State San Luis Obispo (8)
Cal Poly Pomona
Cal State Fullerton
Carnegie Mellon University
Case Western Reserve University
Chapman University (2)
Colgate University
College of Marin
Colorado School of Mines
Columbia University
Cornell University
Davidson College
Drexel University
Duke University (2)
Elon University
Fordham University
George Washington University
Georgetown University
Harvey Mudd College
Hawaii Pacific University
Loyola Marymount University (2)
Loyola Marymount University
New York University (6)
Northeastern University (4)
Occidental College (3)
Parsons School of Design at The New School
Pitzer College (2)
Purdue University
Reed College (2)
Santa Clara University
Scripps College
Seattle University
Skidmore College
Smith College
St. Olaf College
Tufts University (3)
Tulane University of Louisiana (4)
University of Arizona
University of British Columbia (2)
University of California, Berkeley (3)
University of California, Davis
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles (4)
University of California, Merced
University of California, Riverside
University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Colorado Boulder (2)
University of Denver
University of Oregon
University of San Diego
University of San Francisco (2)
University of Southern California (3)
University of St Andrews
University of Toronto
University of Washington, Seattle (4)
University of Wisconsin, Madison
Wake Forest University
Washington University in St. Louis (4)
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University (2)
Helpful Links
FastWeb: Comprehensive list of private scholarships; scholarship search
FinAid: Reliable information about financial aid, estimating family contribution, scholarship scams
California Student Aid Commission: Information on Cal Grants. Assists in the search for state, federal, and institutional financial aid information for funding post-high school education
Guide to FAFSA: Guide to applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid with a link to the online application; provides eligibility requirements and guidelines for those applying for federal student loans and aid.
College Board Profile Guide: Guide to completing the CSS Profile for financial aid with a link to the online application
NACAC - National Association of College Admission Counseling
This site includes helpful updates regarding deposit deadline extensions for seniors as well as virtual admission events.
NCAA - National College Athletic Association
SCOIR Student Resource Document
UCAS - UK Admission Service