11th Grade

Now that students have their Upper School academic goals set, students and their parents attend formal evening sessions with the college counselor and begin their search in earnest. Students build out their resumes and work in conjunction with the English department to start writing drafts of their college essays and crafting the stories that will set them apart in the pool of applicants. Students regularly meet with visiting college admissions representatives from leading universities and explore resources in the college counseling library at the high school. As a class, they visit the University of Virginia and the College of William and Mary for tours and information sessions. During their spring break, students visit colleges further afield and specific schools that speak to their needs. Additionally, students complete in-class preparation for the PSAT and participate in the National Merit Scholarship competition. Students also take the SAT or ACT in the spring, and any Advanced Placement tests required.

12th Grade

Meetings with the college advisor become more frequent as the long list of schools is narrowed down to at least five schools where the student will apply. Students take the appropriate college entrance exams (e.g., SAT, ACT, AP exams, SAT Subject Exams, and TOEFL). Students can carve out a portion of their days to work on college applications and revise their college essays. Students solidify their college essay narratives and their decisions throughout the year, depending on the individual college path. Senior year is an important year for students. They learn the importance of meeting deadlines, asking teachers for recommendations, and submitting merit scholarships and financial aid applications, if needed. As a college-prep school, we make sure to recognize our seniors' hard work by announcing college acceptances and scholarship awards during our weekly assemblies and proudly displaying their achievements in the reception area and the local newspaper.