Rowland Hall College Counseling Office

My final stop was at University of York, a member of the Russell Group and home to more than 20,000 students from around the world. York’s collegiate system (residence halls) includes 11 residential colleges that help create a strong sense of community within a large research university.

Located in the historic city of York (with Roman walls, medieval architecture and a beautiful cathedral) in northern England, the university offers easy access to major transportation hubs, including Leeds Bradford Airport (about 45 minutes), Manchester Airport (about 1.5 hours), and London by direct train in under 2 hours.

Popular areas of study include Psychology, Computer Science, Business, Economics, History, Politics, Law, English, and the Sciences. The beautiful lakeside campus combines modern facilities with the rich history and culture of one of England’s most charming cities.

I spent 2 days at Durham University, one of the UKs most prestigious universities and the third oldest in England. Founded in 1832, Durham combines world class academics with a distinctive collegiate system that creates a close knit community within a university of 22,000 students.

Located in the historic city of Durham, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the university offers exceptional strengths across the sciences, social sciences, humanities, business, and law. Students benefit from study abroad opportunities, more than 200 clubs and societies, strong athletic programs, and a residential college experience often compared to Oxford and Cambridge. Think Harry Potter & Hogwarts! I even got to attend a College Formal in the Castle College (residence hall) and sit at the high table!😮

For students seeking rigorous academics, a historic campus environment, strong athletics, and a highly engaged student community, Durham is an excellent option to consider.

Over two busy days, I visited Newcastle University, a member of the prestigious Russell Group of leading UK research universities. Home to more than 29,000 students from over 140 countries, Newcastle offers strong programs across engineering, business, medicine, computer science, architecture, the humanities, and the social sciences.

Located in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, the campus is seamlessly integrated into the city center, giving students easy access to shops, restaurants, cultural attractions, and transportation while maintaining a vibrant campus community. A great example of a research intensive university with the energy and opportunities of an urban setting.

And, if students are lucky they may be able to snag a ticket to a Newcastle United football game and walk across the street from campus to the stadium.

An energizing 2-day visit to the University of Bristol, one of the UK’s leading Russell Group universities. Home to more than 30,000 students from over 150 countries, Bristol is known for its strengths in engineering, medicine, law, business, economics, and the sciences. The university is recognized for its world class research, with 94% of research rated as world leading or internationally excellent. Located in one of England’s most vibrant cities and less than two hours from London by train, Bristol offers students the best of both a thriving university community and access to one of the world’s top Uni’s.

Hello from Queen’s University Belfast, a member of the prestigious Russell Group and one of the leading universities in the United Kingdom. Located in the heart of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Queen’s enrolls approximately 25,000 students from more than 90 countries, creating a truly global campus community. Most undergraduate degrees are completed in three years, offering students an accelerated path to graduation compared with many U.S. institutions. Students across a wide range of academic disciplines can also pursue placement years, internships, research experiences, study abroad opportunities, and industry partnerships that connect classroom learning with real world experience. For students seeking strong academics, international perspective, and outstanding career preparation, Queen’s offers an exciting option.

Today is College Decision Day, and we’re celebrating Rowland Hall’s class of 2026 and the many next steps they’ve chosen with purpose, curiosity, and courage.

Seniors, you’ve brought your questions, talents, humor, leadership, and care to this community. We’re proud of the people you are and grateful for the mark you’ve made here.

Wherever you’re headed next, we’ll be cheering you on.