Excitement is already building for the Class of 2026. Rising seniors returned to school this fall with a strong head start on their college applications, thanks to a generous grant from the Mamaroneck Schools Foundation. In August, the Mamaroneck High School (MHS) Guidance Office hosted its first-ever two-day College Application Boot Camp, drawing more than 60 students eager to jump into the admissions process before the year began.

Initiated by School Superintendent Dr. Chuck Sampson and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Moore and brought to life by Greg Cuddy, MHS counselor, the program was designed to guide students through key steps in the college admissions process. Program activities included essay writing, resume development, college matching and financial aid education. MHS teachers, counselors, and even college admissions representatives provided students with hands-on support. English teachers, including Mary Beth Jordan, Christine Prezioso, and Juliana Zalon, guided students through essay writing, while counselors Laura Kearon, Rob Adams and Lainie Lichtenstein helped students navigate each step of the application process. In addition, school counselor Brittney Strachn walked students through the financial aid process, and representatives from the admissions offices of Syracuse University and Iona University offered valuable application insights from a college perspective. 

The boot camp was structured in rotating stations: an essay block, an activities block, and a “nuts and bolts” block covering essential information, such as teacher recommendations, financial aid, and scholarships. The team helped students identify their strengths and goals, allowing them to focus on their individual needs while making significant progress toward completing their college applications.

Because students were in different places in the process, teachers and counselors focused on personalizing the process, identifying and differentiating their collaborative work to meet individual needs.

“Having two half-days was great because it gave students a chance to write the first day, do some work at night, and come back the next day with follow-up questions,” said Cuddy. “We didn’t feel rushed to cram everything into one day. The students were engaged, focused, and driven.”

Sessions took place in the library, the library classroom, and the CoLAB, with short snack breaks built in to keep energy levels high. By the end of the program, students walked away with drafts of essays, clear application goals, and the confidence that they had accomplished much of the application process before the start of the school year.