News Detail
Seniors give parents insight into life at RE
Eleven seniors shared tips on navigating the college-application process and surviving the school’s academic rigor during the Senior Panel on April 27, and they also told the rapt audience of parents who jammed the Pagoda what they most enjoyed during their years at Ransom Everglades.
Seniors Caroline Kolski, Kat Smith, Alyssa Lloret, Emily Koffsky, Jeremy Lindenfeld, Dimitri Godur, Alex Denize, Lucas Almada-Sabate, Lucas Machado, Iker Belausteguigoitia and Ahan Malhotra participated in the 40-minute question-and-answer session in front of dozens of parents.
The student group included athletes, artists, musicians, sailors, a dancer, an actor and a student-government leader planning to attend Georgia Tech, the University of Michigan, UCLA, Wake Forest, New York University, Cornell, the University of Pennsylvania, Emory, the University of Chicago and Columbia.
The student group included athletes, artists, musicians, sailors, a dancer, an actor and a student-government leader planning to attend Georgia Tech, the University of Michigan, UCLA, Wake Forest, New York University, Cornell, the University of Pennsylvania, Emory, the University of Chicago and Columbia.
The seniors gave shout-outs to a handful of teachers – Paul Natland, Jen Nero, Greg Cooper, John A. King, Jr., and Jose Rodriguez – and professed their love for a variety of courses including AP Physics, AP Economics, AP U.S. Government and AP U.S. History. But all said some of the most rewarding things they did at RE came from diving into extra-curricular activities such as band, dance, art, sports, the Outward Bound trip and service projects such as the Booker T. Washington exchange.
“A lot of our classes are super-stressful, but at the same time I get to do really cool things” outside of class, said Denize, a drama student and water-polo player. “That mix helps. I feel relaxed at school because I get to do fun things.”
Said Godur: “I would highly recommend that every student become involved in extra-curriculars of some sort…. Make sure your kids do an activity they really enjoy, really love.”
“One of the best things I did was the Booker T. Washington exchange,” said Emily Koffsky. “That was probably my favorite experience out of all that I did … It is completely worth missing class time and getting the absences. It’s hard to make up, but totally worth it.”
The students had much to say about the college-application process and surviving senior year, inciting a mix of laughter and follow-up questions.
Kat Smith: “You really don’t have that much time… you also have to do your senior work – it piles up. The summer is such a vital part of the whole college process… You can never be early enough.”
Caroline Kolski: “You have to be able to face not getting into a school. I wasn’t quite prepared for that. My parents weren’t quite prepared for that… Be open to exploring different schools with your kids and allowing them to decide for themselves.”
Dimitri Godur: “I had 14 drafts of my essay. The earlier you can get started, the better.”
Ahan Malhotra: “Everyone’s going to have great choices at the end of the day. There’s no need to over-stress about it.”
Kat Smith: “Grades aren’t everything to colleges… you have to have something that makes you unique…. Starting in ninth grade, have your children start to branch out and really look at what they’re interested in.”
Lucas Almada-Sabate: “Stay as detached as possible from your kid.” [Huge laughter.]
Middle School
2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 250 6850
Upper School
3575 Main Highway, Coconut Grove, FL 33133Phone: 305 460 8800
Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.