In searching for a college, Hannah Kaplan was looking for small class sizes, interaction with teachers, and a sense of community — many of the same things she liked best about AFS.

Hannah applied non-binding, early action to five colleges, and got her application in early to the University of Pittsburgh, which has rolling admission. “I’m someone who wants to get things done,” she said.

Hannah was accepted to all six, and then narrowed her decision to Guilford and Pitt.

When Hannah visited Guilford, she attended a class that was about the same size as one at AFS. She liked that that teachers were also called by their first names. During a group exercise in class, a student gave her contact information to Hannah, in case she had questions. A talk with a psychology professor left a good impression. “She seemed so interested and caring,” Hannah said.

Hannah, who said she tends to be shy in class, thought at Guilford, she’d get the prompting she needs to speak up in class.

“Teachers will know me,” she said. “They’ll push me to be the person I can be.”

Hannah is headed to Guilford and plans to double major in biology and health sciences with a minor in creative writing.

Read more about our personalized approach to college guidance and how we measure success.