No matter where Cushing students picture life taking them next, our college counselors are expert guides along the path. The team understands each students’ unique profile, listens carefully to their hopes and dreams, and shares extensive knowledge and research to guide them to their post-Cushing homes.  

Finding the Best Fit for Each Penguin

At Cushing, our college counselors not only have five decades of combined experience, but they also know our students deeply. They serve as dorm parents, share meals together, and coach athletics. Those multiple connections help counselors truly understand each student’s gifts and challenges, motivations and desires. This information, in turn, helps our counselors expertly advise students, helping students identify and win acceptance to a college that is just right for them.

Experts on Multiple Fronts 

Our counselors know colleges across the country and around the world as well. They see each Penguin as an individual and partner with students and parents to identify right-fit schools. In recent years, our counselors have found options for students looking for offerings as diverse as:

• Neuroscience at a women’s college, where playing basketball might be an option
• Strong Russian, Chinese, and Spanish departments
• Preparation for a career associated with Formula One car racing
• Division 3 women’s golf opportunities for an international student
• A fire sciences program that could eventually lead to a bachelor’s degree
• Hospitality management with a strong learning support program

Cushing’s college counselors are also committed to working with students and parents as a team throughout the process. The office sends regular, detailed communication to parents on topics including standardized testing and financial aid. A member of the staff also writes a biweekly newsletter to share news about admission insights and trends.

Super Support From Start to Finish

First Year 

The primary focus for ninth graders is settling in at Cushing. College counseling aims to simply begin  a relationship. Our office becomes an essential pit stop in students’ days by offering a well-stocked candy bowl. We also touch base in Connections class to help students self-identify key personality traits that will later guide good college choices. Younger students also witness Decision Day in the spring — a beloved tradition. Walking through the celebration of current seniors decked out in their college gear, they begin to imagine that same bright future for themselves.

Sophomore Year

College counseling touches base again this year in the Connections class. Tenth grade students participate in a mock admissions exercise, reviewing fictional application files and deciding whether to accept, waitlist, or deny. This helps demystify the process and allows students to understand how universities make decisions as they consider how to put their own best foot forward.

Junior Year

In November, students are matched with counselors (student requests are considered in making the pairings) and by the winter juniors begin one-on-one and group sessions to identify schools to consider, work on the common application, and begin writing essays.

As they create the list of schools for each student to consider, Cushing counselors pay attention to what students want in a college — including size, location, major, activities. That picture of a “model college” guides counselors as they suggest an initial list to students (cc-ing parents). 

Senior Year

In the senior year, counselors work side-by-side with students, honing final school lists, reviewing applications and essays, practicing admissions interviews, and strategizing the best ways to make an impression on each student's schools of choice. After acceptances come out, they guide students and families through the process of making the final decision.

This intentional, individualized process means students and their families graduate feeling great about the next step. In surveys, more than 90 percent of Cushing families over the past ten years report that they were extremely satisfied with the college counseling experience.

Helping Student-Athletes Achieve Their Goals 

As athletes themselves, Cushing’s college counselors are ready to guide the 25 percent of Penguins  continuing on to play collegiate-level sports. Their support for those who begin their Cushing careers later in high school, especially seniors and post-graduate students, begins upon enrollment. For students who take a gap year or play their sport professionally immediately after Cushing, the counselors will still be a resource when an alum is ready to head to college.

Meet Our College Counseling Team

Information for College Representatives 

As a private, coeducational secondary school founded in 1865, Cushing Academy continues to uphold traditions and values that stand the test of time. Our beautiful setting, warm community, excellent athletics and arts programs, and well-rounded approach create an enriching academic environment that encourages students (grades 9-12 and PG) to thrive and discover their strengths.

For more information about Cushing, please view our 2024-2025 Academic Profile
 

We Schedule 100+ College Admissions Visits Each Year 

The College Counseling Office welcomes more than 100 college admission officers each year. Please use Counselor Community to schedule your visit. Our Academic Calendar can guide you as you plan your appointment. Cushing is located in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, approximately one hour west of Boston. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact our office at (978) 827-7025.