College Counseling
Meet our College Counselor
Hannah Vandyke
Director of College Counseling + International Student Programs
Mrs. VanDyke's role as college counselor is to guide and support Vanguard students through every step of the college admissions process, including academic advising, college list development, essay coaching, and application review. Over her 8 years at Vanguard, she has counseled over 300 seniors, providing individualized strategies tailored to academic goals, personal interests, and financial need. Mrs. VanDyke writes detailed letters of recommendation, hosts parent and student workshops, and facilitates communication between students and institutions. She provides guidance on standardized testing, scholarships, and financial aid and collaborates with faculty and administration to support student growth and postsecondary success. In the team led 11th grade College Prep course, 11th graders hone their skills for taking college entrance exams, essay writing, resumes, interviewing skills, college and major research, scholarships, financial aid, etc.
Admissions representatives from colleges and universities come to Vanguard regularly for information sessions with all juniors and seniors.
Vanguard has produced 49 National Merit Semifinalists in the past 17 years. Forty-two of them were selected as National Merit Finalists.
One-hundred percent of Vanguard graduates attend a college or university, many of which are highly selective institutions such as Rice University, Stanford, New York University, Princeton University, the University of Chicago, Georgetown University, Davidson College, Duke University, Vanderbilt, Yale, and Harvard.
The 55 members of the Class of 2024 received more than $10 million in academic scholarship offers to colleges and universities around the nation.
Vanguard has been named to the 2024 AP School Honor Roll as a Platinum member of the Honor Roll! This is the top recognition a school can receive.
An independent school’s value proposition should not be judged primarily by its matriculation list—where graduates enroll in a college—oversimplifies the quality and impact of the education provided. More important, this perspective undervalues the comprehensive educational experience that independent schools offer. The true measure of a school’s value lies in how well it prepares students for their future, fostering skills like critical thinking, resilience, and creativity, rather than merely where students are admitted to college.
Vanguard focuses on preparing students for college and beyond with tremendous focus on rigor, respect and responsibility. The soft skills along with being academically prepared are key for students success in life.
The College Process
Although freshmen, sophomore and junior students are not yet applying to colleges, these years should be used to assess academic interests, explore new subject areas, and begin to take tests (when appropriate) that will accompany college applications.
During this time students should work closely with their academic advisor to plan a course of study that is appropriately challenging and diverse.
Additionally, extracurricular activities like sports, debate, performing and visual arts, community service, publications, and student government provide other avenues for students to develop specific interests and skills that may eventually influence their college list. For seniors, the information below will be of help in managing the process.
College Counseling Tools
9th Grade College Prep
10th Grade College Prep
11th Grade College Prep
2025 Vanguard Seniors
2024 Vanguard Seniors
2023 Vanguard Seniors
2022 Vanguard Seniors
2021 Vanguard Seniors
2020 Vanguard Seniors
Our graduating seniors enroll in four-year colleges and universities. The 2009-2024 classes of a combined 422 graduates have received over $68.9 million in academic scholarships.
Vanguard Viking Acceptances - Past 5 Years
