College Counseling - The Frederick Gunn School

We know what it takes.

When you look back, you will agree that just about every aspect of your time at The Frederick Gunn School prepared you well for college. From the moment you step on campus, we will help you develop an individual college strategy that empowers you to take control of your Gunn journey. It starts with a rigorous and personalized academic program that works in partnership with our Center for Citizenship and Just Democracy to ensure that your values are put into action in meaningful ways that constantly build your Gunn narrative and ultimately set you apart in the college application process.

Kate McMann

Dean of College Counseling

Martha

Class of '26

Logan

Class of '26

Ashleen

Gunn Alum - Tulane '27

Colleen Fink

Director of Athletics and Dean of Co-Curricular Programs

A BETTER APPROACH

More than 120 college representatives visit our campus each year and our team is constantly on the road visiting the most competitive colleges in the world. Through these visits, the most frequent takeaways that we hear are that our students know what they stand for, listen to all points of view, are able to persuade, are willing to change theirs minds and are ready to make a difference in their communities. In a word, colleges tell us over and over that our students are authentic and sure of who they are. This is what colleges want and this does not happen by chance - instead it is the result of our four-year Center for Citizenship and Just Democracy program where we teach these skills and importantly partner with our College Counseling Office to build every student's narrative. It ensures an intentional experience on our campus and drives a college application process that will make you stand out.

essays that will set you apart

College essays are the opportunity to tell your story and to make yourself memorable to a college admissions officer. At Gunn, we approach this differently than your typical school as we offer every student 1-1 access to a College Essay Specialist that will help you craft one of the most important pieces of your college application.

Our College Essay Specialist helps students contemplate personal statements and supplemental essays for their college applications. By brainstorming ideas and refining drafts, the specialist helps students identify and tell authentic stories that highlight their unique character and values. This role encourages students to use previous reflections from their "My Gunn Portrait" portfolios, such as their Junior Speeches, to deepen their narratives. Ultimately, the specialist empowers students to share personal dimensions of themselves that test scores and transcripts alone cannot capture.

24 x 7 support

Let's be real - the college application process will be stressful at times and we are here to always support you. No question is too big; no question is too small. Because we are a boarding school, we are here for you at all hours of the day.

What we believe is a bit counter intuitive - and what we mean by that is start thinking about your process early. This might mean thinking about crafting your narrative earlier than others suggest, it might mean doing test prep before your friends, or it might mean just having family conversations about college sooner than what feels natural. Without question, we want you to be a teenager and to have some fun, yet what we have learned is that if you start a bit earlier than the conventional wisdom the process is less stressful because you are ahead of the curve. Whatever your approach; we are hear to help!

Four-Year Plan

9th Grade

foundations for your success

Our First Year Program is a multifaceted approach to guiding students during their transition to high school. The program eases the step up to high school by strengthening study skills and establishing wellness disciplines. We will help you develop the tools and provide you with the support to be the strongest student you can be.

Start making lifelong friends.
Build your study habits through our First Year Program.
Learn to balance your academic work with your other interests.
Understand how your transcript will be presented to colleges and what is important.
Acknowledge that most colleges look at GPAs from 9th to 12th grades
Step out of your comfort zone to pursue your interests and build your Gunn story.
Work with your advisor to build the right sophomore year schedule for you and your goals.
End the year with a vision for taking full advantage of your time at Gunn.
Make a plan for a producive summer.

10th Grade

Building Purpose

The 10th grade year is a period of time where students should establish strong foundations that build their Gunn story and create the roots of an experience narrative that will set your college application apart in the future. At Gunn, our CJD curriculum works in partnership with our College Counseling Office to make this purposeful and positive - and through it all the College Counseling team and your academic advisor will be ready to provide all the support you need. Beginning the process of developing your strategies in the 10th grade will best prepare you for the process and will ultimately lessen the stress that students often feel during the 11th and 12th grade years.

Start the year by reviewing your course to ensure they support your college goals.
Identify co-curriculars that mean the most to you.
Discover opportunities for future leadership moments on campus.
Take the PSAT and evaluate test prep strategies that will help you raise yoru scores.
Attend College Counseling workshops to start understanding the application process.
Encourage your guardians to attend Family Weekend events hosted by College Counseling.
Start exploring what type of colleges might be the right fit for you.
Explore summer internships.

11th Grade

Own Your Journey

The 11th grade year is when you start to bring together your story - the one that will set you apart in the college application process. It is when you start to reflect on your Gunn moments - the ones that allowed you to grow, to find your voice and to act on your convictions. Much of this work continues to be done in partnership with our CJD program, a 4-year curriculum that colleges continuously applaud as delivering some of the most authentic applicants that they see in their vast application pools. Own your journey, put in the work and trust that our program will set you apart.

Formally begin to work 1-1 with your College Counselor on a frequent timeline.
Strategically develop a plan that aims high and plans for multiple scenarios.
Meet with any of the 100+ college representatives visiting our campus.
Take the PSAT to further refine testing strategies that might help you lift your scores.
SAT and ACT tests are offered on campus during the Winter and Spring Terms.
Continue to join your family to hear from our College Counseling team at Family Weekend.
Commit time to your favorite co-curricular areas and pursue leadership opportunities.
Receive a list of colleges for your consideration during the winter and again in June.
Check-in with our Essay Specialist before heading home for summer.
Select two teachers to write recommendations for you.

12th Grade

Ready For What’s Next

The moment has finally arrived for when all of your hard work comes together to form your college application. The Fall will be a period of intense work and deadlines, yet because you have been strategically preparing for this moment since stepping on our campus, you will confidently know that you are ready for what's next. And when that good news arrives on decision day, you will know that you are not only prepared for college, but that after Gunn you are ready for life.

Return to campus with essay drafts and begin working with our Essay Specialist.
Attend our biweekly College Seminars where our team guides you through the process.
Finalize a personal statement that will allow you to stand out.
Take the SAT or ACT one last time to Superscore your results.
Strategically consider Early Acceptance opportunities with your College Counselor.
Finalize your college list that aims high and plans for multiple scenarios.
Review your college acceptances and make an enrollment deposit by May 1.

Representative College Acceptances

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