College Counseling

Focus – How does Upper School work?

Knowledge & Empowerment

Counselors work with freshmen to understand the nuances of the grading system at Mount Vernon and the impact that honors and AP courses have on their GPA. Getting a peak behind the curtain empowers students to understand the impact of their choices.

Game-Based Learning

Counselors use games to teach students about differences in the ACT/SAT, the college application process, and other counseling and college terms they need to learn in a fun and interactive way.

Focus – How to get involved and explore opportunities for deeper involvement on Campus

Atlanta Invitational Case Studies

Sophomore families particulate in an invite-only mock admissions process with 75 top colleges from around the United States to learn in-depth about how an application is reviewed for admission.

Counselor Assignment

At the end of the year, each family is assigned a dedicated college counselor who will work with them throughout the remainder of your student’s tenure at Mount Vernon.

Focus – How to make an impact

One-on-one with family’s college counselor

To kick off the one-on-one process, each student meets with his/her college counselor to begin mapping out his/her college process.

Customized College Search Guidance

All students receive a customized list of colleges to consider based on their individual passions and preferences.

National College Fairs and College Visits

On average, 100 colleges and universities will visit Mount Vernon in the fall.

Focus – Project Management

Each student works from a customized timeline that keeps them ahead of deadlines throughout their application process. Routine 1:1 meetings with their college counselor keeps them ahead of the game.

Senior Traditions

From the Senior Retreat to quarterly breakfasts, special uniform rules, the App Map, and countless graduation season events, each moment in the senior journey is carefully crafted to make it a year to remember!

While the college counseling experience begins freshman year, all Upper School students will be assigned a college counselor in the spring of their sophomore year. This will be the student’s counselor for the remainder of their Mount Vernon experience.

On average, 100 schools will visit with students in the fall.

14 Advanced Placement Courses are offered in the Upper School:

• AP Biology
• AP Calculus AB
• AP Calculus BC
• AP Comparative Government
• AP Computer Science A
• AP Computer Science Principles
• AP English Language and Composition
• AP English Literature
• AP Environmental Science
• AP Physics 1
• AP Statistics
• AP US Government
• AP US History
• AP World History

Students can take no more than 8 AP courses during their Upper School experience. We find that most students take an average of 5 AP courses.

Since 2021, the average scholarships amassed is $8M per class, not including HOPE or athletic awards.

On average, 65% of students attend an out-of-state school.

Yes. Students have or are applying to schools in Canada, China, France, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

• Morehead-Cain (University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill)
• Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship
• National Merit
• Stamps Scholar (Georgia Institute of Technology)
• Robertson Scholar Finalist (Duke University)
• Jefferson Scholarship Semi-Finalist (University of Virginia)

Yes. In Grade 10, all students take a PrinciplesYOU assessment, which produces a 30-40 page aptitude report.