The Cornerstone Plan*

*Cornerstone is retiring after Class of 2024. A twenty hour block of time is a comparable package. 
This program is designed for families that are interested in ongoing support throughout the college admissions process.  For Cornerstone clients, Vinik EPS uses a series of carefully organized and designed meetings to help students manage the challenges of applying to college.  Our goal is to give students the information and support they need to make good decisions throughout the admissions process and not to micromanage them. We encourage Cornerstone clients to begin their work with us in tenth grade in order to make the most of our guidance and planning.  However, we are happy to help clients who sign on with us in both eleventh and twelfth grades.  
 
For clients who sign up with Vinik EPS in tenth grade, the process begins in the fall of sophomore year with a one-hour family meeting that provides an overview of the college admissions process, explores the student's interests inside and outside the classroom and maps out a basic academic plan for the balance of high school.  A second hour-long meeting takes place toward the end of tenth grade to review grades, create a standardized testing plan and look ahead to junior year.  During the fall of eleventh grade, we hold a ninety-minute family meeting in order to generate a preliminary list of colleges.  In a series of carefully planned meetings throughout junior and senior years, Vinik EPS helps students decide where to apply to college and provides support with the application process.

For clients who sign up in eleventh grade or twelfth grade, the process begins with a ninety-minute family meeting in order to generate a preliminary list of colleges.  This list is based on a thorough evaluation and discussion of a student's academic record, testing profile and interests.  In a series of carefully planned meetings through senior year, Vinik EPS helps students decide where to apply to college and provides support with the application process. 
 
Below is a list of the topics we cover and services we offer through our regular schedule of meetings for Cornerstone clients:
  • The evaluation of academic records and standardized testing
  • The creation of an initial college list
  • Ongoing development of the college list
  • Athletic recruiting
  • The selection of high school courses
  • Teacher recommendation choices
  • Admissions interview preparation
  • Application review
  • Essay strategy, topic selection, and review of drafts
  • The final choice of college

All students have access to Custom College Plan, a web-based program that allows them to research schools, maintain college lists and track the many pieces of their applications.