For more than a decade, NuVu seniors have matriculated to a wide range of colleges—and this year is no exception. The list reflects just how different our students—and their paths—are:

New York University (NYU)
Olin College of Engineering (three students)
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
Reed College
University of Southern California (USC)
Wentworth Institute of Technology (two students)
One student pursuing a gap year by design

But where they go is only part of the story. What matters more is how they get there.

“Colleges are really looking for authenticity,” explains Jeremy Adams, NuVu’s College Admissions Counselor. “They’re less concerned with how many APs you’ve taken or which awards you’ve won. Admissions folks are trying to see if students know who they are and what they want from a post-secondary experience, and NuVu students are uniquely suited to excel in those areas.”

NuVu students apply to colleges with something different:

• Portfolios that show sustained, in-depth work
• Projects that solve real-world problems—not hypothetical ones
• The ability to communicate and present ideas clearly
• A demonstrated capacity for independence and initiative
• The ability to collaborate, give feedback, and iterate as part of a team

When a student spends weeks—or months—developing an idea, iterating on it, and presenting it publicly, that kind of work reveals far more than a single grade.

A Pattern Worth Noticing
Three NuVu students are heading to Olin College of Engineering. Olin, like a growing number of institutions, prioritizes creativity, collaboration, and hands-on problem solving—and is actively seeking students with exactly these skills.

We’re seeing similar alignment across a range of schools, from large universities like NYU to smaller, highly selective colleges like Reed. Our students’ portfolios stand out—and get noticed.

Not One Path—But the Right Path
NuVu’s studio model is designed to expand how students think. It pushes them to explore, take risks, and discover new interests. That kind of exploration doesn’t distract from college readiness—it strengthens it, producing students who are more confident and better prepared for what comes next.

“Our goal isn’t just to prepare students for college—it’s to expand how they see themselves and what they believe is possible,” shares Saeed Arida, NuVu’s co-founder and CEO. “When students spend time exploring, creating, and taking risks in our studios, they develop a level of clarity and confidence that naturally translates into stronger college applications.”

The Bigger Picture
NuVu students continue to earn admission to strong colleges—clear proof that there isn’t just one path to being college-ready. That growth is exactly what parents begin to see as students move through NuVu.

“I hear from parents all the time that they want their child to be engaged and feel good about learning,” says Karen Sutton, NuVu’s Director of Admission. “And you see this happen when our students have experienced one, two, or even three studios, and suddenly their interests expand,” she says. “Someone hyper-focused on engineering learns that this doesn’t have to be such a limited track. They explore design. They explore art. Suddenly their confidence is unlocked, and a transformation begins.”

We’re proud of our seniors—and excited to see where these paths take them next.

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