RHS celebrated graduating seniors and their college commitments on National College Decision Day, held Friday, May 1.  Seniors proudly wore merch and colors representing their future schools and gathered in the lobby to take pictures beneath a blue-and-white balloon arch.

Students in the Class of 2026 will attend colleges and universities across the country, but several schools stood out as the most popular choices featured on the randolph26commits Instagram page.   

Rutgers  University

Rutgers has long been a popular choice for Randolph students because of its strong academic programs, in-state tuition and proximity to home. This year, 19 students celebrated their commitments to the university with posts on Instagram.

“I chose Rutgers because they are a top nursing school, and they are also a Big Ten school, which I wanted to be a part of,” senior Amelia Kolbik said. “I am most excited about making new friends and going to the football games.”   

Penn State University

Penn State was one of the most popular destinations for RHS seniors this year, with 13 students committing, more than double last year’s total of six.

“It’s not always about what you know; it’s about who you know,” senior Justin Swayze said. “Penn State has the largest alumni network in the world, and I can use this as a portal to get a job and become a successful engineer in the future.”   

Michigan State University

Despite being almost 10 hours away, Michigan State saw seven Randolph seniors commit this year. For many students, moving far away from home gives them a chance to make new friends and learn about new places.

“I’m most excited to meet new people and live in a different environment outside of Randolph, where I have been my whole life,” senior Jillian Liebhauser said.   

Ohio State University

This is another school that is not close to New Jersey, but Randolph students are drawn to the school’s large campus and Big Ten feel.

“It honestly checked off all of my boxes because academically it is a good school, it has a very involved student population, good sports teams and a beautiful campus,” senior Rayna Emdur said.   

Montclair State University

Although Montclair remained a top in-state choice, the number of commits dropped significantly from 15 last year to five this year. Montclair State is a good option for students who want to find an affordable, in-state option with strong academics.

“It allows me to be full time in school and at the same time work on growing my photo and video business, as well as working other jobs,” senior Josh Dobis said.   

University of Maryland

The University of Maryland continues to appeal to students because it’s strong academically and close to New Jersey.

“I chose UMD because it has a great balance of fun social opportunities and solid academics,” senior Jane Doran said. “I was also hoping to be close to a city, and I love Washington D.C”   

The College of New Jersey

TCNJ is a public university located about an hour and a half from Randolph, making it another strong option for students who want an in-state school with affordable tuition and smaller class sizes.

“It has really good internships and study abroad options for my major of International Studies on the Economics and Trade path,” senior Emily Lindsey said. 

Decision Day 2026 was a celebration of the many paths seniors will take after graduation. During open lunch, students gathered at Freedom Park to take pictures with friends and celebrate together. At dismissal, seniors also received sweet treats on their way out of the building to recognize their success at Randolph and the beginning of an exciting new chapter.