Learning

College Counseling

Fit. A word heard time and again in the college search and application process. At St. Mary’s, we encourage all of our students to pursue higher education, from community college to the Ivy League, which is why we provide advising so that each student can find places where they will thrive.
We encourage our students to discover their interests and create paths to explore these interests further. Simply doing what we ask of our students puts St. Mary’s students on a path for success. Rather than feeding into the frenzy of college admissions madness, we encourage our students to enjoy their time here and discover their talents. No “shoulds” included. Ironically, being yourself is the best thing you can do to better your chances of admission at highly selective colleges.
We tell students that admissions officers are looking for what you bring to their campus. And what can you bring to campus that is unique? You. You and your unique perspective. Your application should be an accurate representation of you, which is a good thing when your list is filled with schools that are a good fit. You are the best you in the universe. There is not another you out there. So why would you try to be someone else? In a world filled with people trying to impress, honesty and forthrightness are refreshing. 
We recognize that there are many factors that go into the decision-making process and we help students carefully consider their options. We meet with students and parents throughout their time at St. Mary's, including presentations in classes and evening events. Students at any grade level are welcome to schedule an appointment to speak with a counselor at any time.
Students and parents are welcome to talk with any of our counselors at any time. They can pop into the College Counseling Center or schedule an appointment. We are here to make the journey to college as easy as possible!
 

Advice by Grade Level

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  • 9th & 10th Grade - Laying the Foundation

    Welcome to high school! Your first two years are a great time to try new things and cement good study habits.

    · Be engaged in your learning. Choose classes that are challenging and interesting to you. Complete the YouScience survey.
    · Get involved in campus activities and then expand your horizons to include the local community.
    · Be aware of issues facing our community and compassionate toward others. As you complete your service learning hours, work to find service that is meaningful to you.
    · Be committed to your aspirations. Dream big and make things happen. Ask your counselor for help with this!
    · Develop relationships with your teachers and get used to asking for help.
    · Consider interesting ways to fill your summers with volunteer or paid work.

    During your underclassmen years, you will take the PSAT to help prepare you for the SAT. A college counselor will meet with students to explain the results and how to utilize resources for future individualized test prep. 

    If you have the opportunity to visit colleges on a casual basis, do.

    Keep an open mind. It is most important to develop as a person, not as a future college student. If you find yourself wondering if you should do an activity, ask yourself if you'd do it if you could NOT include it on a college application. If the answer is yes, do it! 

  • 11th Grade - Preparation & Exploration

    Junior year is when classes become more sophisticated, leadership roles take shape, and workloads increase.

    · Your junior project prepares you for research papers in college. Choose your topic wisely...it will be something you will remember forever. The best projects stem from something you've already begun to explore on your own.
    · At this point you should continue the activities that you enjoy and stop doing things that are not meaningful to you. Again, if you are doing something only because 'it would look good on a college application,' consider setting that activity aside for something you truly love to do!
    · Re-engage with your service learning, continually looking for work that combines your interests and the common good. Begin considering a focus for your Senior Project.
    · Begin taking the SAT and ACT. Map out the timing around AP exams, so you are not overloaded.

    Throughout the winter and spring, our college counselors meet with juniors to explore the tools used in the college search process. The College Corner Resource Board in MyStMarys houses extensive resources! Students have opportunities to meet with college reps, practice interviews, brainstorm essay topics, and begin filling out applications. By the end of the year, students are beginning to consider a variety of colleges.  Work over the summer hones this into a useful list at the start of senior year.
     

  • 12th Grade - Application & Celebration

    Keeping an open mind and creating a list of colleges that are ALL good choices is the key to applying to college. Only apply to colleges you would be happy to attend. Make sure the college is a good fit for you—both academically and socially. If you do not feel comfortable there, do not apply.

    There are many resources available to seniors during the entire college application process.
    · Individual meetings with their college counselor to develop lists and answer questions.
    · College application workshops—some led by the counselors and others led by college admissions officers.
    · Mock interview nights with community members interviewing students.
    · Application Review night led by college admissions officers.
    · Group meetings during classes and in the dorm to go over the application process.
    · College admissions officers visit our campus.
    A great deal of support is provided to students throughout the entire process. Seniors who make thoughtful choices as to where they apply are often thrilled with the results in April.
     

General Information

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  • Financial Aid

    There is no doubt that college tuition is a significant investment.
    To get an idea of how much a particular college may cost, go online and calculate your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This is the general approximate amount that colleges will expect the family to pay for tuition each year. Beyond that, many colleges will provide need-based aid and some provide merit-based aid.

    In October, complete the FAFSA, even if you don’t think you will qualify for need-based aid. Many scholarships require it. We host a Financial Aid/FAFSA evening each October.

    Students looking for merit aid should consider colleges at which they would be in the top 20% of applicants.

    Read the financial aid pages on each college’s website  carefully and note extra applications or deadlines for scholarships. Colleges usually post their academic qualifications for merit scholarships.
     
     
     

  • International Students

    International students are encouraged to consider more than a school’s ranking. Understanding the full offerings of a college and how they intersect with your interests is important for success.

    Attention to the details of the process is important. Note the required TOEFL score at each university as well as the visa and financial documents schools may request.

    Having an application that reflects you as an authentic individual can make your application stand out! Be yourself!
     

  • What Colleges Want From Parents

    The most difficult thing in the college application process is taking a backseat as a parent. As we allow our children to complete the process on their own, we show them that we believe they are capable. It is essential that the student is the one in charge of the process. They are the one going off to college.
    Providing support, encouraging students to consider a range of schools, and reminding them of deadlines are the most helpful things a parent can do.

    Be clear with your child about the realities of your finances and what you plan to budget for college. Plain speaking early on will help guide their creation of a list.
    The one area that parents can actively help complete is the financial aid side. Be prepared to complete the FAFSA in October, and the CSS profile (if required by the college.)

    Colleges would always rather speak to the student. So let your child make the call and ask the question. It is good practice for life.
     

College Counseling Blog

List of 3 items.

  • For College Reps

    Thank you for taking a closer look at St. Mary's School. We pride ourselves on offering a rich curriculum that helps students learn how to think, rather than what to think.

    Virtual school visits may be scheduled through SCOIR or by contacting Lucinda Peterson, our Assistant College Counselor.

    We also welcome your in-person or virtual involvement in case studies, mock interviews, and application workshops.


  • For Students

    SCOIR is our software for college counseling. It holds all things college & career related. Students and parents can access test scores, perform college searches, keep track of applications, access the calendar of colleges offering virtual visits, take surveys, explore careers, and see acceptance data for St. Mary's students in the last five years.

    See the College Corner Resource Board in MyStMary's for extensive helpful information from the FAFSA to brainstorming the essay to links and downloads.

  • School Profile

Meet the Team

Director of College Counseling
Associate College Counselor
Associate College Counselor
Associate College Counselor

ST. MARY'S SCHOOL