Through its resources on both sides of the Atlantic the BAEF is able to expose young Americans to an experience that is hard to match. Through a network of relationships developed over many years, the BAEF cultivates and maintains ties with both British schools and American guidance counselors. This affords the BAEF a unique vantage point from which to advise American candidates and their families on placement at schools in Britain, with an eye to college or university entrance in the U.S. or the U.K.

Executive Director
Laurel Zimmerman: Laurel Zimmermann has been an educator in American independent schools for 40 years. Most recently she was Director of Admission at the Elisabeth Morrow School, a day school in New Jersey and before that at the Masters School, a boarding school in Westchester County. She is currently a consultant with a firm that conducts head searches for independent schools in the U.S. Laurel has traveled widely and understands the value of students' experiencing a year of schooling abroad.

In the United States
Governance: The BAEF is a non-profit charitable foundation governed by a Board of Directors comprised primarily of its alumni. Edwin S. Sheffield Jr. (Malvern ’73) serves as Chairman and Cynthia Volk (St. Clare’s ’79) as Vice Chairman.

BAEF Alumni: Although they may have attended different schools, BAEF Alumni share a common experience at a formative time in their lives. Click here to see what they say when Alumni Look Back. If you are considering applying to the BAEF Scholars’ Program and would like to speak to an alum directly about his or her experience, contact us.

In the United Kingdom
London Director: Activities in London are overseen by Mrs. Carlton Colcord, who has been counseling BAEF students and helping with vacation plans since 1983.

Associates: The BAEF maintains a network of educators and associates in Britain who provide on-the-ground support to BAEF Scholars, counseling them on academic and boarding matters at school, and on travel plans during vacations.

Established Reputation with Schools: Because of its reputation and ties to schools all over the U.K., BAEF students have attended over 100 different British schools. Among those most frequently attended: Benenden, Bryanston, Charterhouse, Cheltenham, Clifton, Cranleigh, Eastbourne, Eton, Gordonstoun, Haileybury, Harrow, King’s Canterbury, Lancing, The Leys, Malvern, Marlborough, Oundle, Radley, Repton, Roedean, Sevenoaks, Uppingham, Winchester, Wycombe Abbey.
Click here for links to representative schools.