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The Postgraduate Year

The postgraduate year can play an important role in the academic, social, and extracurricular life of a student. It is designed for young people who would benefit from the extra time before enrolling in college. As Kristin White so aptly notes in her book about gap years, the PG year is “a year of structured independence, offering students the chance to live in a supportive residential environment while building study skills, improving grades, and gaining the maturity needed to be successful in college.”

At Mercersburg, students who enroll in a postgraduate year may do so in order to grow and mature personally, improve their academic profile, enhance their study skills and time management, and/or foster and gain exposure athletically. Not only can a PG year provide an opportunity to secure acceptance to more colleges or universities of choice, but it can also better prepare students to handle the work and independence of college life.

The College Counseling Process

Postgraduate students will begin the college counseling process shortly after enrolling at Mercersburg. All PGs are welcome to schedule a time to meet (by phone or in person) with a College Counseling representative in the late spring or early summer. This can be a time to get advice about course selection or summer activities such as standardized test prep or college visits.

During the summer, students will receive a registration email for the web-based program used to officially start the college advising process. Soon after, all PGs and their families will be asked to take surveys on the college counseling process. Upon arrival at Mercersburg, or during the first week of school, college counselors will have individual meetings with all PGs and their families.