College Counseling: The 4-Year Plan

Preparing students to be college ready at Mount Vernon begins as early as Preschool, while a more individualized comprehensive four-year plan is implemented throughout Upper School. The process includes actionable steps derived from proven successful college admission practices.

Freshman Year  ·  Sophomore Year  ·  Junior Year  ·  Senior Year

Freshman Year

• Your GPA is running. All too often, seniors wish they could re-do their freshman year because they did not take good grades seriously. Do not let that be you. You are laying the foundation for the GPA you will send off to colleges in a few short years. The difference between an 89 and a 91 is huge- so make studying a top priority.
• MVPS calculates a cumulative GPA of all courses based on a 4.0 scale and adds 1 unit for AP classes and .5 units for honors and + grades.

• Use the tools set before you. Utilizing Naviance Family Connection will help you stay current and help us better serve you.
• Store your login information somewhere you will remember.
• Take the Personality Profile assessment and explore the college major/occupations information at the end of the test.
• Submit all necessary forms.

• Make your summer significant. Items on your resume and talking points in an interview are not limited to what you did just during the school year. Explore spending the summer in an internship, taking a mission trip, going to a collegiate summer program, or working at a camp that has a strong significance to you.
• Check the “opportunities” board outside the college counseling office and refer to the college readiness website.

• Mount Vernon Presbyterian School administers the PSAT to sophomores and juniors.
• Practice tests are available online with College Board.
• Want a leg up? Read for fun! Reading is a huge part of standardized testing.

• A student is more than a test score and GPA. Beyond that, colleges want to see what you get involved in at school. So use freshman year to get really involved and figure out which activities you really enjoy. Invest in Mount Vernon and stay active in the organizations that you join. There are lots of options: athletics, clubs, drama, music, debate, art, leadership, service and business just to name a few!
• You can update your resume in Naviance Family Connection with clubs and organizations, service hours, honors awards and summer experiences. Update this resume often so things are fresh on your mind.
• As you travel with your family, stop and walk around college campuses. Do you like the feel of a small college or a large college better? Public or private? Do you prefer small towns or big towns? Stay open minded and take this unofficial time to start forming opinions you may have.

Sophomore Year

• Challenge yourself. Start thinking about taking advanced placement (AP) and/or honors level courses. Not only does Mount Vernon give you extra points on your GPA for them, college and universities do as well.
• MVPS calculates a cumulative GPA of all courses based on a 4.0 scale and adds 1 unit for AP classes and .5 units for honors and + grades.
• Most colleges and universities have their own weighting scale for AP and honors and will only look at the core classes when calculating a GPA: math, science, English, social studies, and foreign languages.

• But show your personality too. Make sure that you’ve started to integrate some electives into your schedule that interest you. Consider band, debate, transformational leadership, art, etc.
• WriteNOW matters. Writing is a huge part of standardized testing and the college process. Take these opportunities seriously and seek out help if you find yourself struggling with writing.

• Use the tools set before you. Utilizing Naviance Family Connection will help you stay current and help us better serve you.
• Store your login information somewhere you will remember.
• Submit all necessary forms.
• Use the college search function to begin exploring and listing schools that interest you.

• Make your summer significant. Items on your resume and talking points in an interview are not limited to what you did just during the school year. Explore spending the summer in an internship, taking a mission trip, going to a collegiate summer program, or working at a camp that has a strong significance to you.
• Check the “opportunities” board outside the college counseling office and refer to the college readiness website.

• Start a college folder! Purchase an expando-file or similar organizational tool that works for you. If you checked on the PSAT that you wanted to receive college materials you will start to get lots of mail. Consider organizing by type of school, state, major options, or tier 1, 2 or 3.

• Mount Vernon Presbyterian School administers the PSAT to sophomores and juniors. The freshman and sophomore year test serves mainly as an indicator for class placement and targeted studying. Junior year the test counts as a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship.
• Practice tests are available online with College Board.
• Want a leg up? Read for fun! Reading is a huge part of standardized testing.

• Register for and take the SAT Subject tests for any AP courses completed sophomore year.

• Invest in Mount Vernon and stay active in the organizations that you join. Now that you used your first year at Mount Vernon to test the waters, really dive in to a few campus activities that you can see yourself eventually taking leadership roles in.
• You can update your resume in Naviance Family Connection with clubs and organizations, service hours, honors awards and summer experiences. Update this resume often so things are fresh on your mind.
• See a gap in what Mount Vernon offers? If Mount Vernon does not have a club or organization to fit your need, consider starting it!
• As you travel with your family, stop and walk around college campuses. Do you like the feel of a small college or a large college better? Public or private? Do you prefer small towns or big towns? Stay open minded and take this unofficial time to start forming opinions you may have.

Junior Year

• Have a laser-like focus on your GPA. It all ends here. Most colleges and universities will not consider any senior year grades when making an admission decision. What you do this year defines your academic career.
• MVPS calculates a cumulative GPA of all courses based on a 4.0 scale and adds 1 unit for AP classes and .5 units for honors and + grades.
• Most colleges and universities have their own weighting scale for AP and honors and will only look at the core classes when calculating a GPA: math, science, English, social studies, and foreign languages.

• Be targeted in your approach. Use the list you created in Naviance of schools that interest you and research their admission requirements. Do you have all the classes you need? Where is your GPA relative to their minimum, mean, and middle 50%?
• WriteNOW matters. Writing is a huge part of the college process. Beyond the in school practice, write at least one sample essay based on current Common Application prompts.

• Get to know college counseling. You will meet in the fall and spring with the Mount Vernon College Counseling Office as we map out your action plan for the college process.

• Use the tools set before you. Utilizing Naviance Family Connection will help you stay current and help us better serve you.
• Re-take the Personality Profile assessment and explore the college major/occupations information at the end of the test. Did it change from last year?
• Submit all necessary forms.

• Make your summer significant. Items on your resume and talking points in an interview are not limited to what you did just during the school year. Explore spending the summer in an internship, taking a mission trip, going to a collegiate summer program, or working at a camp that has a strong significance to you.
• Check the “opportunities” board outside the college counseling office and refer to the college readiness website.
• If you are seriously considering a specific type of program or honors college at a school, check to see if they have a summer opportunity. It always helps to meet people at the places you will be applying next year.

• Manage your college folder! By this point, you will be receiving huge amounts of college material. Keep all material from the same school together and organize those that you are seriously considering.

• Junior year PSAT testing counts as a qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship.
• Practice tests are available online with College Board.
• Want a leg up? Read for fun! Reading is a huge part of standardized testing.

• Register for and take the SAT Subject tests for any AP courses completed junior year.
• Take the ACT or the SAT (or both!) in the spring. You can use your PSAT results to help you study to strengthen your weaknesses.
• Take advantage of test prep available through Naviance, Methods Test Prep, or private tutoring. The Mount Vernon College Counseling Office has resources that can help.

• If you are in any AP courses, take the AP tests seriously. They could count for college credit.

• Invest in Mount Vernon and stay active in the organizations that you join. Make sure you take on leadership roles.
• You can update your resume in Naviance Family Connection with clubs and organizations, service hours, honors awards and summer experiences. Update this resume often so things are fresh on your mind.
• See a gap in what Mount Vernon offers? If Mount Vernon does not have a club or organization to fit your need, consider starting one!

• College Visits: Representatives visit Mount Vernon
• Check your emails daily for emails from college counseling and always check for when colleges and universities are visiting campus (the bulletin board in the overlook and school calendar will have the dates).
• College visits to campus are a great way to get to know your recruiter and start to make an impression with schools that interest you. Attend as many as you can.

• College Visits: Students go offsite to visit colleges
• Juniors have one college visit day available. Consider using the Interim college trips, school vacation days, and other days off to visit a campus.
• Often schools have “Preview Days” designed specifically for juniors and seniors.
• Visit when they are in session so that you can experience a true reflection of campus life.
• CALL AHEAD and schedule an official tour and admission appoint. You can often do this online on a school's’ admission website.

• College Fairs are a great time to sign up to receive information from schools you might be interested. Especially those that are harder to get to for visits to their campus.
• Attend the NACAC College fair in Atlanta and the Colleges That Change Lives Fair.
• Lovett College Day is also in mid-September - students will attend as a group.
• In late spring, there is a College Case Study event in Atlanta, where students can gain insight into how colleges review applications.

• Say it in style. Write a handwritten thank you note to any admission representative you come in contact with.
• Try everything! You should take both the ACT and the SAT to see where you test better.
• Make sure that you fill out and submit all the junior questionnaires so that college counseling meetings can be as effective as possible.
• Make the ask. Go ahead and ask teachers to write your letter of recommendation so that you give them plenty of time to perfect it over the summer and you are ready to apply first thing when your senior year starts.
• Send your transcripts and test scores. Most schools allow you to send your application in parts, so go ahead and have your ACT or SAT scores sent to the schools in which you are interested. Mount Vernon can also send your transcript over the summer if we have your request.
• On the ACT/SAT you may list schools to send your scores free of charge. Additional scores may be sent to other schools for an extra fee. Refer to the testing agency’s website for specifics.

Senior Year

• Confirm your schedule. Do you have all the classes you need for the schools to which you are applying? Your load should be rigorous and show effort on your part.
• Retake the SAT and/or the ACT if you do not yet have the score you were aiming to achieve.
• Make sure you know what your schools require. Take the writing portion of the SAT and Subject Tests if required.
• Create a calendar with important deadlines including but not limited to: testing dates, college visits, application deadlines, and college counseling meetings.
• Deadlines can be found in Naviance under the college searches.
• Continue your involvement in school organizations, having as much leadership as possible.
• Update your resume in Naviance.
• Attend the Senior Boot Camp and cookout.
• Work on a finalized list of where you are applying.
• The Common Application opens on August 1.

• Attend the Senior Retreat.
• Meet with your college counselor to review your application list. You should apply to at least six schools: we suggest at minimum two schools where you are likely to be admitted, two where you may be admitted and two that would be a bit of a stretch if you were admitted. Eight applications would be ideal.
• Check the College Counseling calendar for recruiters visiting campus. It is important that you attend these meetings! The representatives may be the ones making admission decisions on your application so come prepared with meaningful questions.
• Visit the schools on the top of your list in early fall and go beyond the basic visit. Consider staying overnight in a dorm and/or sitting in on a class to help find your best fit.
• Arrangements must be made in advance if you are to miss class.
• Seniors are allowed two visit days.
• Do not forget to write your thank you note!
• Resumes are due to College Counseling by September 15.
• All transcript requests for Early Action/Decision schools is September 15.
• Attend college fairs in the area.
• Prepare college applications, essays, and personal statements. Seek advice from your English teachers and/or feel free to come by the College Counseling office to have us review materials.
• When asking a teacher to write you a recommendation, be sure to provide them with your resume.
• Athletes interested in playing a college sport should register (if you have not already) with NCAA for eligibility requirements.
• Check on the financial aid and scholarship process where you are considering. Check to see if your college requires the CSS Profile Financial Aid Application. If so, complete the form as soon as possible. The CSS profile can be done in the fall. Most schools require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for scholarships. The application cannot be submitted until January 1, but you can set up your account early and register to receive your PIN- it can take ten days to receive it and it might save you time later.

• All regular decision or rolling-admission transcript and letter of recommendation requests should be submitted by November 1.
• Attend the MVPS Financial Aid Forum.
• Make an appointment with your college counselor to review graduation requirements.
• Retake the SAT and/or the ACT if you do not yet have the score you were aiming to achieve.
• Continue to attend college recruiter visits on campus.
• Visit any schools to which you applied but have not yet visited.
• Athletes must submit ALL transcripts from any school they have ever attended to NCAA for eligibility.
• As you complete applications and submit them online, print a copy for yourself and for your college counselor.
• Prepare for and complete college interviews. Not all require them, but if they do, schedule an interview and meet with college counseling to go over mock interview questions.

• November 1 is the deadline for all transcript and recommendation requests.
• Keep your Family Connection in Naviance updated. Especially concerning college admission decisions and scholarship information.
• Continue your search for scholarships to those outside of the school. Look for scholarships based on interests, geography, parent’s workplace, church, etc. College Board’s Fast Web is a great resource.
• If you were waitlisted or deferred to a school based on grades, talk to you teachers about strategies for better performance next semester.
• If you were waitlisted or deferred to school based on test scores, check SAT and ACT testing dates and retake the test

• Gather all financial information needed in order to file the FAFSA. It opens January 1.
• Give a copy of any and all decision and scholarship letters to college counseling office.
• Students accepted to colleges under Early Decision must notify all other colleges and withdraw applications

• File the FAFSA. Note that completed Income Tax returns or W2 forms are required.
• Update your grades, honors, and awards in Family Connection. Feel free to also update your colleges with any new honors you may have received.
• Mount Vernon will automatically send mid-year grades to all schools to which you have applied.
• Keep focused. Acceptances are conditional on senior year grades.

• Complete the FAFSA by March 1 at the latest.
• College decisions will continue to come in- as they do give the college counseling office a copy.
• Go to Georgia College 411 to create an account. This is a key step in applying for the HOPE scholarship. In late February the Georgia Student Finance Commission begins matching registrants with grades reported from MVPS.
• Complete any and all scholarship application.

• Evaluate the schools for which you were accepted. Evaluate financial aid packages (which should begin arriving in mid February). Make sure you bring copies of all scholarship awards to the college counseling office.
• If you are ready to knock a school off of your list, notify them immediately via phone or email. Doing this may allow another student to be considered.
• Make sure your AP exam registration is complete.

• May 1 is National Decision Day. You must notify one (yes, only one) college by this date that you intend to enroll and pay the required enrollment deposit.
• After you have notified the school you plan to attend, contact all other schools and withdraw your application.
• Log on to Georgia 411 and give a college decision. This will require no further action on your part in regard to the HOPE scholarship.
• Study for your AP and final exams.
• Complete your final transcript request and senior survey.
• Prepare for GRADUATION. Congrats-- you did it!