MAY 2021
Welcome to the last College Connection of the 2020-2021 school year! Though this year has been filled with unprecedented challenges, the Class of 2021 has proven to be the most resilient and adventurous class yet. This year we have seniors attending college all over the country and the United Kingdom and Canada. Please take a moment to preview all of our acceptances below.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
Spring is here! It’s time to start thinking about Summer Programs. Please click here for a list of programs that are popular with our students.
Is your student a budding entrepreneur?
Registration is open for the The Young Founders Institute at UNC, Chapel Hill. Be part of a selective group of like-minded Young Teen Entrepreneurs and innovators who are creating businesses. Work directly with mentors from top universities like Duke, UNC, and others.
Is your student interested in cybersecurity?
The GenCyber Warrior Academy (GCWA) summer camp is a nine-day, residential cyber academy for area high school students at the University of North Georgia’s (UNG) Dahlonega Campus. The camp is scheduled for June 10-19, 2021. The mission of the GCWA is to inspire the next generation of cyber operations and cybersecurity professionals in the north Georgia region.
Do you want to be a web developer in 12-24 weeks?
Georgia Institute of Technology is hosting their annual Coding Camp throughout the month of June. Please click here to find out how to register for this exciting opportunity. As you embark on this 12- or 24-week web coding bootcamp journey, you’ll dive into a rigorous curriculum and learn more than you thought was possible. With a virtual classroom environment and collaboration with your classmates, you will get hands-on experience in full-stack web development.
We hope you have a relaxing and festive summer break! You deserve it, we all do!
MARCH 2021
Application decision notifications for students who applied Regular Decision to college will really ramp up this month! This year, The Class of 2021 has submitted just over 508 applications to 173 schools in the US, UK, and Canada! Additionally, the Class of 2021 has accumulated over $4.7 million scholarship dollars, excluding HOPE or Zell and 100% of the senior class has been accepted to at least one school. Join us in celebrating our seniors’ accomplishments on Twitter at #mvpins
Last week we began meeting with our Innovation Diploma students to finalize their schedules for the 2021-2022 school year. This week we begin working with our rising seniors and in the coming weeks we will be meeting with our rising sophomores and juniors. We look forward to building your students schedule for next year! To learn more about the advising process and courses for next year, click here! 
As application decisions continue to roll in, we understand that many seniors (and juniors) are eager to utilize their Golden Ticket privilege to visit colleges. As a reminder, students may only use two Golden Tickets a year to visit colleges. Golden Tickets are located in the College Counseling office and must be turned in three days before the scheduled visit. A teacher’s signature is required for all the classes your student will miss and must be signed by you and your student’s college counselor.
Are you wondering which colleges are going test-optional next year?
Last year, many colleges and universities adopted a test-optional policy due to the limited access students had to standardized testing during the COVID pandemic. Many colleges are continuing to adopt similar policies for The Class of 2022. For a complete list of the 1000+ schools that implement test-optional or test-flexible admissions, please visit fairtest.org. You may be surprised by what you find!
SUMMER PROGRAMS
Spring is here! It’s time to start thinking about Summer Programs. Please click here for a list of programs that are popular with our students.
Is your student a budding entrepreneur?
Registration is open for the The Young Founders Institute at UNC, Chapel Hill. Be part of a selective group of like-minded Young Teen Entrepreneurs and innovators who are creating businesses. Work directly with mentors from top universities like Duke, UNC, and others.
Application decisions for students who applied Regular Decision to college will really ramp up this month! This year, The Class of 2021 has submitted just over 508 applications to 173 schools in the US, UK, and Canada! Additionally, the Class of 2021 has accumulated over $4.4 million scholarship dollars, excluding HOPE or Zell and 100% of the senior class has been accepted to at least one school. Join us in celebrating our seniors’ accomplishments on Twitter at #mvpins
Thank you to all our families who participated in this year’s Atlanta Invitation Case Studies Program. This year we are thrilled to report that over 800 students in the Atlanta area participated in this informative event. The results of the program were emailed to all participants last week. We have heard from families that they now have a better understanding of the holistic college review process.
This week students will begin submitting their course requests for the next academic school year. We look forward to scheduling 1:1 advising sessions with your students after Spring Break to begin building your students’ schedule. Click here to check out recordings of our rise-up session for the Upper School.
COLLEGE VISIT
The University of Alabama is conducting a virtual visit on Monday, March 15th at 10:00 AM. This year, all of our college visits will be held virtually via ZOOM. Students must register for each school visit they wish to attend on SCOIR the Friday before the week the visit is scheduled. We strongly encourage juniors and seniors to take advantage of these sessions as they begin formulating their college wish-list.
As application decisions continue to roll in, we understand that many seniors (and juniors) are eager to utilize their Golden Ticket privilege to visit colleges. As a reminder, students may only use two Golden Tickets a year to visit colleges. Golden Tickets are located in the College Counseling office and must be turned in three days before the scheduled visit. A teacher’s signature is required for all the classes your student will miss and must be signed by you and your student’s college counselor.
Are you wondering which colleges are going test-optional next year?
Last year, many colleges and universities adopted a test-optional policy due to the limited access students had to standardized testing during the COVID pandemic. Many colleges are continuing to adopt similar policies for The Class of 2022. For a complete list of the 1000+ schools that implement test-optional or test-flexible admissions, please visit fairtest.org. You may be surprised by what you find!
SUMMER PROGRAMS
It is beginning to warm up outside, which means it’s time to start thinking about Summer Programs. Please click here for a list of programs that are popular with our students.
FEBRUARY 2021
The next couple of months will be full of excitement as application decisions for students who applied Regular Decision to college begin to roll out. This year, The Class of 2021 has submitted just over 508 applications to 173 schools in the US, UK, and Canada! Additionally, the Class of 2021 has accumulated over $4.3 million scholarship dollars, excluding HOPE or Zell. Join us in celebrating our seniors’ acceptances on Twitter at #mvpins
The Southern Association of College Admission Counseling (SACAC) is partnering with StiveScan to host a virtual college fair on Friday, February 11th. This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the college process and interface with admission professionals. Check out the schedule, list of colleges, and register now!
The annual Atlanta Invitational Case Studies (AICS) takes place Sunday, February 21st at 2:00 PM. This informative, interactive event seeks to demystify the college process by exposing sophomores and their families of partner Atlanta-area independent schools and community-based organizations to the college reading process. With an understanding of how applications are reviewed, students are then able to meaningfully think about their academics, activities, and involvement. This event is 100% virtual and if you have questions regarding registration, please email Mrs. Dickerson at adickerson@mountvernonschool.org
As application decisions continue to roll in, we understand that many seniors (and juniors) are eager to utilize their Golden Ticket privilege to visit colleges. As a reminder, students may only use two Golden Tickets a year to visit colleges. Golden Tickets are located in the College Counseling office and must be turned in three days before the scheduled visit. A teacher’s signature is required for all the classes your student will miss and must be signed by you and your student’s college counselor.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
It may be cold outside, but it is never too early to begin thinking about Summer Programs. Please click here for a list of programs that are popular with our students.
FEATURED SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES
Is your student interested in cybersecurity?
The GenCyber Warrior Academy (GCWA) summer camp is a nine-day, residential cyber academy for area high school students at the University of North Georgia’s (UNG) Dahlonega Campus. The camp is scheduled for June 10-19, 2021. The mission of the GCWA is to inspire the next generation of cyber operations and cybersecurity professionals in the north Georgia region.
Do you want to know what it is like t0 take a course at Wake Forest University?
Wake Forest University has six popular courses that give students like yours a chance to see if an interest—in medicine, sports medicine, cancer medicine, psychology, bioscience, or business—is a good fit for their future.
All of our courses offer an asynchronous option, featuring online video lectures and live sessions with mentors, so students can study anytime, anywhere, at their own pace. 
Whether students are looking to earn college credit, explore possible career paths, or learn from renowned faculty, the University of Miami Summer Scholars Program provides an authentic college experience to prepare high-achieving high school students for academic success.
The program’s three-week, credit-bearing option (for high school sophomores and juniors) and two-week, noncredit option (for high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors) will be delivered in a synchronous, remote format for Summer 2021.
How to Receive a $25 Application Fee Waiver*
When students enter the "GUIDANCE" waiver code on page 5 of the application by April 30, 2021, they can:
- Reduce the cost of the application fee by $25
- Secure priority in their preferred academic
Application decisions continue to roll in. This year, The Class of 2021 has submitted just over 508 applications to 173 schools in the US, UK, and Canada!
While it is still in the process of hearing back from the colleges our students applied to, 98% of MV seniors have received at least one acceptance and 27% have enrolled in their first choice school. Additionally, not including the HOPE scholarship or athletic offers, the Class of 2021 has already accumulated over $4 million scholarship dollars. These are truly extraordinary accomplishments given the tumultuous whirlwind of the last 10 months. Join us in celebrating our seniors’ acceptances on Twitter at #mvpins
SAVE THE DATE
The Southern Association of College Admission Counseling (SACAC) is partnering with StiveScan to host a virtual college fair on Friday, February 11th. This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the college process and interface with admission professionals. Check out the schedule, list of colleges, and register now!
An email was sent to all Class of 2023 students and their families regarding the registration for the Atlanta Invitational Case Studies. This event is 100% virtual and if you have questions regarding registration, please email Mrs. Dickerson at adickerson@mountvernonschool.org
As application decisions continue to roll in, we understand that many seniors (and juniors) are eager to utilize their Golden Ticket privilege to visit colleges. As a reminder, students may only use two Golden Tickets a year to visit colleges. Golden Tickets are located in the College Counseling office and must be turned in three days before the scheduled visit. A teacher’s signature is required for all the classes your student will miss and must be signed by you and your student’s college counselor.
COLLEGE VISIT
Georgia College is conducting a virtual visit on Thursday, February 4th at 11:00 AM. This year, all of our college visits will be held virtually via ZOOM. Students must register for each school visit they wish to attend on SCOIR the Friday before the week the visit is scheduled. We strongly encourage juniors and seniors to take advantage of these sessions as they begin formulating their college wish-list.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
It may be cold outside, but it is never too early to begin thinking about Summer Programs. Please click here for a list of programs that are popular with our students.
Featured Summer Opportunity
Is your student interested in cybersecurity?
The GenCyber Warrior Academy (GCWA) summer camp is a nine-day, residential cyber academy for area high school students at the University of North Georgia’s (UNG) Dahlonega Campus. The camp is scheduled for June 10-19, 2021. The mission of the GCWA is to inspire the next generation of cyber operations and cybersecurity professionals in the north Georgia region.
JANUARY 2021
Greetings from the College Counseling Team!
Application decisions continue to roll in. This year, The Class of 2021 has submitted just over 508 applications to 171 schools in the US, UK, and Canada!
While it is still in the process of hearing back from the colleges our students applied to, 98% of MV seniors have received at least one acceptance and 27% have enrolled in their first choice school. Additionally, not including the HOPE scholarship or athletic offers, the Class of 2021 has already accumulated nearly $3.3 million scholarship dollars. These are truly extraordinary accomplishments given the tumultuous whirlwind of the last 10 months. Join us in celebrating our seniors’ acceptances on Twitter at #mvpins
SAVE THE DATE
The Southern Association of College Admission Counseling (SACAC) is partnering with StiveScan to host a virtual college fair on Friday, February 11th. This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the college process and interface with admission professionals. Please keep an eye on your inbox for registration details.
Is your student interested in attending a Christian College? Click here for a list of all the FREE upcoming virtual fairs and events for students interested in attending a religious institution.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
It may be cold outside, but it is never too early to begin thinking about Summer Programs. Please click here for a list of programs that are popular with our students.
Featured Summer Program
Is your student interested in writing?
This is your students' chance to work with award-winning authors whose work has appeared in publications like The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and SB Nation; who have published books; who care deeply about storytelling; and who love to teach.
The program runs from June 20-27, 2021. Financial assistance is available to families who qualify, and information about the program is online at reynolds.denison.edu. Applications must be submitted no later than Sunday, March 7, 2021, at 11:59 p.m.
TESTING
The deadline to register for the February 6 is January 15
The deadline to register for the March 13 SAT is February 12
DECEMBER 2020
Greetings Mustangs,
The holiday season is upon us!
Seniors who took advantage of the Early Action application deadline are beginning to hear back from the colleges they applied to. So far, the Class of 2021 has submitted just over 450 applications to 152 schools in the US, UK, and Canada! While it is still very early in the process of hearing back, 74% of MV seniors have already received at least one acceptance and 14% have enrolled in their first choice school! Additionally, not including the HOPE scholarship or athletic offers, the Class of 2021 has already accumulated nearly $1 million scholarship dollars... These are truly extraordinary accomplishments given the tumultuous whirlwind of the last 10 months. Join us in celebrating our seniors’ acceptances on Twitter at #mvpins
PARENTS OF SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS
This week the College Board began releasing PSAT scores to schools. Your student can view their score in their SCOIR account. Beginning next week, if your Grade 10 or 11 student provided an email address, he or she received an email with a unique access code to view detailed score reports online. If he or she did not provide an email address, paper scores will be mailed later this month from the College Board.
We strongly encourage you to look beyond the raw number and utilize the extensive information on the score report to understand the strengths and weaknesses and to plan for the future.
- To see a brief overview of how to interpret and utilize PSAT scores, check out this 2-minute video from the College Board.
- For a more detailed explanation, watch this 8-minute video.
- In particular, we want to draw your attention to the ability to link PSAT scores to free online test prep and videos from official College Board partner Khan Academy.
Remember, this practice test has no bearing on college admission! If you have any questions related to the PSAT, do not hesitate to contact a member of the college counseling team.
SAVE THE DATE
The Southern Association of College Admission Counseling (SACAC) is partnering with StiveScan to host a virtual college fair on Friday, February 11th. This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about the college process and interface with admission professionals. Please keep an eye on your inbox for registration details.
Is your student interested in attending a Christian College? Click here for a list of all the FREE upcoming virtual fairs and events for students interested in attending a religious institution.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 19-NOVEMBER 1
Greeting Mustangs,
So far, the Class of 2021 has submitted over 200 applications to 64 colleges—a truly extraordinary accomplishment! Please keep an eye on Twitter at #mvpins to celebrate our next round of application submissions for the November 1st, Early Action deadline.
VIRTUAL COLLEGE EVENT
SCAD Savannah Film Festival returns in its 23rd year as an all-virtual presentation Oct. 24-31, 2020. As the largest university-run film festival in the United States, this annual, eight-day celebration of cinematic excellence honors both professional and emerging student filmmakers. This year, SCAD is thrilled to welcome honored guests including Millie Bobby Brown, Samuel L. Jackson, Rachel Brosnahan, Ethan Hawke, Jennifer Hudson, and more.
Prospective SCAD students get exclusive free access to a curated selection of film screenings, all panel discussions, and "In Conversation" events with The Hive Pass. You and your students may register here.
Register now for the 2020 Southern Tour!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Yearbook Photo Deadline
In the yearbook, each senior will appear with a formal and a casual photo. Please send your casual photo, even if it was taken by the school photographer, to Yearbook Adviser Megan Lentz (mlentz@mountvernonschool.org) or upload it into this folder no later than October 30.
Senior Ads
Senior Ads are optional for families. Should you choose to create one, they must be completed by the Class of 2021 parents directly with Jostens. The deadline is November 4.
SENIOR AND JUNIOR PARENTS
As application decisions start to roll in, we understand that many seniors (and juniors) are eager to utilize their Golden Ticket privilege to visit colleges. As a reminder, students may only use two Golden Tickets a year to visit colleges. Golden Tickets are located in the College Counseling office and must be turned in three days before the scheduled visit. A teacher’s signature is required for all the classes your student will miss and must be signed by you and your student’s college counselor.
COLLEGE VISITS
We encourage all students to consider attending high school visits; typically seniors and juniors find them the most informative. Students must get a pass from the College Counseling Office and have their teacher sign it if they will miss class for the visit. All visits take place in the College Counseling Office unless otherwise noted.
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 21-OCTOBER 2
Greetings, Mustangs!
We are proud to report that we have over 38 applications submitted to colleges and 4 students have received admission decisions. This is quite an accomplishment considering how early we are in the application cycle. Be sure to follow us on Twitter via #mvpins as we near the first major college application deadline of October 15.
VIRTUAL COLLEGE EVENTS
In case you missed it, last Friday we emailed our virtual editions of our annual College Panel and Financial Aid Session. This year’s virtual panel included admission representatives from George Washington University, The University of Michigan, Elon University, and The Georgia Technical Institute of Technology. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn about the college admissions and financial aid process.
The University of California, Los Angeles is hosting a virtual Fall Open House on October 5th-10th 2020. To find out more and register for these special events, please click here. Virtually explore UCLA via social media and a series of live interactive events to include:
- Freshman, Transfer & International Admission Sessions
- Live Virtual Campus Tours
- Financial Aid & Housing Presentations
- Academic Departments & Programs
- Support Services & Live Student Panels
SCAD AnimationFest returns for a fourth year with an all-new virtual setting, offering unparalleled access to titans of animation, special screenings, insightful presentations, and a few surprises along the way. Join the digital celebration of this lively art form and experience two days of animated excitement right from your computer, tablet, or mobile device.
To get exclusive free access to all presentations. register for your passes here.
Some highlights include See the Big Picture with SCAD Animation on Friday, September 25th at Noon and Saturday, September 26th at 1 p.m. and Dive into the SCAD School of Digital Media on Saturday, September 26 at 4 p.m.
COLLEGE VISITS
This year, all of our college visits will be held virtually via ZOOM. Students must register for each school visit they wish to attend on SCOIR the Friday before the week the visit is scheduled. We strongly encourage juniors and seniors to take advantage of these sessions as they begin formulating their college wish-list.
Week of September 7
Welcome to the first College Connection of the 2020-2021 school year. We will publish this newsletter twice a month via Bloomz. The College Counseling Team will also publish a direct link to each College Connection on their Twitter accounts: @ErinMVPS. @RmayMVPS @AerialMvps
Speaking of Twitter, our seniors are in the early stages of applying to colleges offering the rolling admission decision type. Be sure to follow #mvpins to see which colleges The Class of 2021 applies to.
COLLEGE COUNSELING EVENTS
We are excited to announce the line up for our Virtual College Panel. The event will be pre-recorded and emailed to our parent community at the end of the month. Admission representatives from Georgia Institute of Technology, George Washington University, The University of Michigan, Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), and Elon University will provide insight and candor on the college application process. This webinar is ideal for families of sophomores and juniors, but all are welcome. Please be sure to fill out this Google Form to ask all your burning questions.
Our Virtual College Panel isn’t the only video arriving in your inbox at the end of the month. This year we are partnering with the Financial Aid Office at Georgia College to record this year’s Virtual Financial Aid Night. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn more about the FAFSA, CSS Profile, HOPE/Zell, and other scholarship resources. If there are any questions you want to make sure we cover, please fill out this Google Form.
COLLEGE VISITS
This year, all of our college visits will be held virtually via ZOOM. Students must register for each school visit they wish to attend on SCOIR the Friday before the week the visit is scheduled. We strongly encourage juniors and seniors to take advantage of these sessions as they begin formulating their college wish-list.
