The Colleges of the GEC Class of 2026

The application process teaches students how to explore options, present themselves through applications, resumes, essays, and interviews, and ultimately determine the best fit for who they are and who they hope to become. Those same skills will serve them again and again throughout life: in internships, graduate school applications, careers, leadership opportunities, and civic engagement.

Even more exciting for us is watching former GEC students continue to grow and thrive long after high school graduation: in graduate programs, professional careers, service opportunities, and communities across the country. We are incredibly proud of the people they are becoming.

Our GEC Class of 2026 students are an inspiring group, and they genuinely give us hope for the future. It has been a privilege to support and advise them throughout this journey.

This year’s class includes many first-generation college students, dozens of honors college and honors program students, several talented musicians, a student who raised more than $50,000 for cancer research, and a future Division III football player. For the first time in several years, we do not have a graduating set of twins in the class; although our own twin sons and another set of twins are both on deck for the Class of 2027.

We are especially proud that the son of Jill Teeters, one of our GEC consultants, will be attending Tufts University this fall. Dr. Thom was honored to work with him on his essays and applications. Another family point of pride: our niece will be attending the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and joining the honors program there.

Two GEC students will be attending Colorado School of Mines, one of our favorite hidden gems located in Golden, Colorado. (Naturally, we are especially fond of the city name.) We have already decided these two students need to connect before move-in day!

This year’s class will truly stretch from coast to coast - from Stanford University in California to Bowdoin College in Maine and many places in between.

Bowdoin College

Colorado School of Mines *

Dartmouth College

Dickinson College

Florida State University

Fordham University

Illinois State University

Iowa State University

James Madison University

Johns Hopkins University

Messiah University

Oberlin College

Stanford University

The Ohio State University *

Tufts University

University of California, Los Angeles

University of Denver

University of Mississippi

University of Pittsburgh

University of Rhode Island

University of Southern California

University of Tennessee-Knoxville * 

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Asterisk denotes multiple GEC students attending

To the GEC Class of 2026: your courage, adaptability, and determination have already taken you far, and they will continue to carry you forward. As you step into this next chapter, know that all of us at GEC are incredibly proud of you.

We are cheering you on now and always.

Congratulations, graduates. The world is ready for you and we cannot wait to see what you do next.

Not working with us yet? Feeling stressed by the college search process?  Let's chat.