Academics
College Counseling
Welcome to College Counseling
At the Vermont Academy College Counseling Office, we strive to help our students find the colleges that match their abilities and interests and where they can be successful. From the moment they join our tight-knit community, we work closely with our students to determine the right balance of academic challenge and extracurricular activity to serve them well on the road ahead. Finding the right college fit is an important journey in self-awareness and one that asks our students to seek direction. We are committed to providing them with the expertise, guidelines, and resources to make that process run both smoothly and effectively. If you are interested in the resources our college preparatory school offers or if you'd like to meet with a member of our team, we encourage you to contact us today!
The College Counseling Process by Each Grade Level
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9th Grade
- Develop good study habits
- Work with your teachers and advisor to get good grades
- Look into the various extracurricular programs available and of interest to you – volunteer experiences, work, clubs, sports, performing arts, etc.
- Keep a list of any awards and honors you have received, and activities or community service you have been involved in
- Participate in summer activities that keep your academic skills fresh
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10th Grade
- Talk to your advisor or the college counseling office to make sure you are on track to satisfy VA graduation and college admission requirements
- Take the most challenging courses you can reasonably manage
- Take the PSAT on campus
- Start to think about fields of study and careers you might be interested in. Take electives that reflect your career goals if possible.
- Continue extracurricular activities and update your list from ninth grade. Also continue tracking any honors and awards you receive.
- If you aspire to play Division I or II athletics, familiarize yourself with academic qualification and register with the NCAA eligibility center
- Visit a college or two that are close to home
- Choose enriching summer activities such as getting a job, volunteering, participating in an academic enrichment program/camp
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11th Grade
ACADEMIC YEAR- Take the most rigorous courses you can reasonably manage
- Maintain good grades
- Ensure that you are signed up for the ACT or SAT tests in the spring. You may want to take them again in the fall of your senior year. Prepare for the standardized tests; look for tutoring as needed
- Think about the clubs, activities and work experience you have had and also what you need to add to your profile to be a stronger college candidate
- Attend College Seminar classes and meet with your college counselor
- Use available resources to develop college lists and to learn more about the schools on your list. Rank the features of colleges that are most important to you
- Narrow your list of colleges of interest and determine what it takes to be accepted. Your list should contain 8-12 colleges
- Research financial aid options as needed
- Use vacation times to visit schools – register online for info sessions and tours
- Review your ACT/SAT test scores when they arrive to see areas where you might want to improve
- Ask two of your teachers for letters of recommendation.
- Add any new awards or honors to your file
- Create a common application account
Take AP exams (if applicable)
SUMMER- Explore summer activities related to your career goals. If possible, you may also want to explore potential internships
- Participate in an academic enrichment or leadership program, camp, college, etc
- If you will be looking for accommodations in college, most will require current (within three years) cognitive and achievement testing for LD/ADHD accommodations; take these over the summer
- Visit colleges and go to interviews
- Maintain contact with your college advisor
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12th Grade/Postgraduate
- Maintain good grades and stay focused
- Take the most rigorous courses you can reasonably manage
- Meet with your college counselor to provide college updates
- Talk about ED/EA with your college counselor
- Finalize college essay
- Check deadline dates on all college applications
- Submit applications by November deadlines
- Continue to research and apply for scholarships
- Submit applications for December deadlines
- Work with family to complete Financial Aid Forms
- Submit applications by January deadlines
- Submit college deposit by May 1
- Take AP exams (if applicable)
- Notify College Counseling office of final decisions
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Matriculation List
Matriculation List (2021-2026)The Vermont Academy College Counseling team strives to create an explorative space that supports students through their college application process and beyond. Our self-discovery and growth oriented programming is designed to support students and families to make healthy and confident decisions regarding their futures as they are simultaneously developing healthy excellence on our campus. Below is a sampling of our diversified 100% college acceptance rate list.*Number of students attending in parentheses
For College Admissions Representatives, click here to schedule a visit or virtual tour.
Meet the College Counseling Team
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Vermont Academy is a coed college preparatory boarding and day school in southern Vermont, serving grades 9-12 plus a postgraduate year.
