KEARNY HIGH SENIOR RACKS UP 23 COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES AND $1.5M IN SCHOLARSHIPS

Sebastian Andaluz, a senior at Kearny High School, got his first college acceptance last fall—from Central Michigan University—and was thrilled to see it came with a generous scholarship. Since then, the offers haven’t stopped.

Andaluz, 18, has been accepted to 23 colleges and received over $1.5 million in scholarship offers since September, according to his parents.

He got a head start on applications during his junior year, creating a college list and refining his essays. “Thinking about my future, the bigger picture, is what motivated me,” he said.

Both of his parents work in IT—his mother, Mariela, is from Argentina, and his father, Danny, is from the Bronx—and were key influences in his academic journey. Exposed to diverse cultures and technology from an early age, Andaluz plans to study cybersecurity and international relations.

His travels to Argentina sparked a love for exploring new cultures. Since November 2023, his family has visited 40 colleges across ten states, applying only to those that felt like a good fit, hoping for a full ride.

Andaluz even built a spreadsheet to track his applications and scholarship totals. “It wasn’t until December that we added it all up,” his father said. “We were blown away.”

Acceptances include Rutgers, American University, University of Vermont, and Rowan. Notably, Syracuse University offered him $180,000 and Connecticut College $152,000. He didn’t submit standardized test scores, choosing schools with test-optional policies.

While maintaining a 4.0 GPA, Andaluz took AP classes, studied abroad in Italy, and earned a spot in Kearny’s Spanish Honor Society. He’s also a standout ice hockey goalie who helped Kearny win a division title and volunteers with The Monarchs, teaching kids with disabilities how to skate and play hockey.

Next stop: college — maybe Ramapo, maybe more. His advice? Start early. Stay focused. Keep pushing.