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During the October break, a group of Wellington College pupils embarked on the annual US University Tour, visiting some of the most prestigious universities across the East Coast. The trip forms a key part of the College’s ever-evolving university guidance programme, helping pupils make informed decisions about studying abroad and broadening their understanding of higher education options beyond the UK.
The group visited a total of nine institutions, including MIT, Harvard, Brown, Yale, Columbia, Boston College, Northeastern, Boston University and NYU. Over the course of the tour, pupils experienced first-hand what life is like on campus, exploring facilities, learning about academic programmes and gaining an authentic sense of each university’s culture and community.
The trip gave pupils valuable perspective on what to expect from studying in the US, including insight into the admissions process, campus life and the breadth of opportunities available. It also provided a deeper appreciation of what makes each university unique, helping pupils refine their ideas about where they might best thrive.
What made this year’s trip particularly special was the growing network of Old Wellingtonians currently studying at top US universities, with around 100 OWs now studying across the US and Canada. Ahead of the visit, Director of Higher Education, Tim Rothwell, sourced OWs based at each of the universities on the itinerary, giving pupils a direct connection to someone who has already made the leap across the Atlantic.
The OWs hosted tours and offered their insights and advice, enriching the experience for our pupils. From sharing honest reflections on student life to offering tips about applications, accommodation and adapting to new environments, these OW connections added a valuable layer of authenticity and encouragement.
It’s that old saying – if I could tell my younger self what I know now – and that’s exactly what our OWs are doing: passing on their experiences and insights to the next generation of Wellingtonians and giving them the best possible chance to make informed decisions about one of the most significant stages in their educational journey.
Our thanks go to the following OWs who supported this year’s trip:
- Alexia Ninios (Hg ’25) – MIT
- Elodie Sinclair (Hn ’22) – Harvard
- Ella Rummery (Hg ’24) – Brown
- Inigo Langford (Hl ’25) – Brown
- Sophia Clark (C ’24) – Brown
- Seb Letts (Bl ’24) – Boston College
- Carolina Heeschen (C ’24) – Boston College
- George Beevers (S ’25) – Yale
- Daniel Bjorgolfsson (Bn ’23) – NYU
- Alena Chan (Hg ’23) – Columbia
The success of this year’s tour reflects a growing trend, an increasing number of Wellington pupils choosing to apply to top US universities. The value of having OWs, both in the UK and globally, who can support in this way is immense. To further strengthen this network, we launched the OW University Ambassador Scheme in June 2024, connecting current pupils with Old Wellingtonians studying at leading institutions around the world.
The scheme enables pupils to seek honest, first-hand advice about life at university, degree choices and the realities of studying abroad. It also strengthens the Wellington community by keeping OWs engaged and providing them with a meaningful way to give back.
If you are an OW currently studying at university and would like to be part of this initiative, please get in touch via Wellington Connect Global to help support the next generation of Wellingtonians.
