Students Look Towards Future Opportunities at NMH College Fair

Students from Northfield Mount Hermon and other regional high schools took another step toward their futures when they gathered on Memorial Lawn last Sunday for NMH’s annual Fall College Fair.

The event brought more than 60 representatives from colleges and universities across the world to NMH, giving students the chance to connect with recruiters, learn about programs of study, and prepare for the college application process.

In addition to NMH’s student body, seniors from nearby schools — including Vermont Academy, Stoneleigh-Burnham School, the Academy at Charlemont, and Pioneer Valley Regional School — were invited to attend, said Joe Latimer, NMH’s director of college counseling.

“A big part of this college search and selection process is meeting these college representatives and building and sustaining relationships with them,” Latimer said. “We want to be good neighbors and get other secondary school students here as well.”

The excitement was evident from the start, said NMH college counselor Sam Fleming. “Kids were lining up beforehand,” he said. 

The fair brought mixed emotions for many seniors as they approached the end of their high school journey. Allen Chen said he appreciated NMH’s efforts to bring such a diverse group of schools to campus.

“Western Massachusetts is typically not a hot spot of activity, so I think it really is quite wonderful that we have access to these resources and counselors from top universities,” Chen said.

“It's been great,” agreed Temistocles Metz ’26. “You not only get to know a lot more about your colleges of interest but also get to learn about their representatives, their community, and many things you probably can’t find online or just with an interview.”

For others, the fair was a reminder of how close they are to graduation.

“We're a month away from early decision and two months away from actually applying to college,” said Hisu Kang ’26. “It feels like yesterday when I came to visit NMH as a freshman, and I was so overwhelmed. So it’s kind of unreal.”

Even for students who have already committed to a school — like Theo Sutton ’26, who will play soccer at Dickinson University next year — the fair offered the chance to connect with recruiters about other aspects of campus life.

“I got to build a more non-athletic relationship with them, which is always good, because they're not just a soccer program,” Sutton said.

The college fair benefits institutions as much as students, allowing schools to learn about prospective applicants’ interests and concerns while connecting with the students whose applications they will soon review.

“I think it's so important for students to be exposed to a range of schools,” said Christina Quimby, associate director of admissions at Mount Holyoke College. “A college fair allows you to connect with them, check out the vibes, answer questions.”

It also helps students sort through the bevy of options, said Arnoldo Valdivieso Martinez, assistant director of undergraduate admissions at the University of San Francisco.

“There are so many opportunities in higher education nowadays, and higher ed is changing so fast,” said Martinez. “I think the college fair gives a greater perspective in terms of what's out there [and] sparks that conversation about what education means today.”

Adnane Adossama, representing Champlain University, promoted his school’s cooperative learning model, which centers on internships and on-the-job experience.

“I think we really prepare our students to be strong professionals in whatever industry they get into,” Adossama said. “Our model is there to help them get ready for work, ready for life, and ready to make a difference.”

“For us, it's a really great way to connect with prospective students that we already have in our pipeline who perhaps can't come to visit,” said Jesse Monroe of American University in Washington, D.C. “I've already met some students here today that I've seen for the past three years of this fair — it’s exciting to see them ready to apply and help them through this process.”

That enthusiasm was mutual. Julia Bee ’27 said she was able to get answers to questions that a website or brochure might not cover. She added that NMH’s fair, combined with the school’s college counseling program, exceeded what she had experienced elsewhere.

“It helps me get more of an idea of what’s out there, so I'm more prepared for the future,” Bee said.

While their interests and goals may vary, students agreed that NMH has prepared them well for what lies ahead. “I came from public school in New York, so it was a big change,” Sutton said. “It's not just school — it's a community that prepares you not just to get good grades, but to manage school and your lifestyle while building a future.”

Fleming said that preparation is clear to visiting schools. “Our students tend to be really well prepared for the demands of college,” he said. “They know our students are going to hit the ground running, so they're excited to come here and scoop them up.”

Metz echoed that sentiment: “I've heard many comments from NMH alumni that life is easier in some ways after NMH, because they prepare you so well within classes, athletics, extracurriculars — in every aspect of your life.”

— Max Hunt

Photos by Max Hunt.