Students seek alumni insights

The panel sessions are produced in a partnership between the College’s University Counselling Office (UCO) and Advancement team, offering Year 11s and 12s the chance to gain authentic and invaluable insights into life beyond graduation.  

In October, seven young alumni currently studying at Canadian institutions headed to campus to talk about their experiences, followed by 22 grads attending U.S. schools in November. Wisdom-sharing and networking ensued through panel discussions in Laidlaw Hall followed by smaller breakout sessions and informal conversations. 

“For a while, we’ve been talking about building more opportunities for our current students to connect with alumni at different ages and stages of their post-UCC journeys,” explains the UCO’s Nili Isaacs. “The goal of these sessions is to provide students with the opportunity to engage with young alumni about their application process, decision-making, and experiences at a postsecondary institution.” 

The success of the initiative has been evident in the enthusiastic feedback from participants, including alumni who have expressed being deeply dedicated to staying engaged with the school. 

Adrian Mak ’25, currently studying at Princeton University, found taking part in the panel to be very fulfilling. “I understand that where and who I am today is greatly influenced by the opportunities and resources that were available to me at UCC,” he says. “I also benefited from events like these as a student, and I’m happy to share some of my knowledge with the next generation of graduates.” 

Mak also noted that students’ questions were focused and relevant, covering everything from the application process — including essay topics and school rationale — to the reality of being an international student.

Another panellist, University of Toronto student Kaelem Moniz ’22, felt compelled to return to help students navigate their own pivotal decisions. “I remember being in Year 12 and having so many questions about which universities and which programs were going to best prepare me for my future career,” he says. “In coming back, I hoped I would be able to answer any questions current students might have. After our session, I can confidently state that the future looks bright for UCC students!”

The panels are slated to continue, with the UCO and Advancement teams planning to seek input from current students to refine and expand these opportunities.