Shape your future.
Upper School students and their parents receive individualized guidance from Marymount's college counseling team as they prepare for the future. The program is carefully adapted to the needs of each student. Our guiding principle is centered around helping each student find a college community that will bring out her best qualities and allow her to thrive, setting her up for lifelong success.
Class IX
Students' focus should be on enjoying classes, working hard, developing student skills, practicing self-advocacy, and exploring a few activities of interest. At the end of Class IX, students have the opportunity to select elective courses for Class X in areas of particular interest or specialization. In Class X and beyond, there is greater differentiation in course offerings and levels of rigor – courses that will appropriately challenge students and empower them to flourish.
Events:
Events:
- Class IX Parent Coffee with the College Counselors
- Recruited Athlete Information Session
Class X
Students should continue to work hard in their classes; the IX-XII academic transcript is the most important piece of the college application. The PSAT and a practice ACT & SAT are administered. Students can begin seeking leadership positions in their clubs, and perhaps consider summer test prep. More course options are available for rising Class XI students who may continue to add elective courses in areas of particular interest or specialization.
Events:
Events:
- Class X Parent Coffee with the College Counselors
- Recruited Athlete Information Session
- Standardized Testing Information Session
Class XI
Fall semester:
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Weekly Guidance classes begin with the school psychologist who supports students as they look inward, assessing their strengths, challenges, interests and aspirations. Students use this self-reflection to weigh what types of colleges and universities might be good fits for themselves both personally and academically.
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The PSAT-NMSQT is administered. Students may be preparing for standardized tests, and some may elect to take an official SAT or ACT in the fall.
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Students create a résumé.
- Students and Parents participate in the Class XI Student/Parent College Night with the college counseling team and a college dean of admissions.
- Events:
- Class XI Parent/Student College Night
- Standardized Testing Information Session
- Recruited Athlete Information Session
Spring semester:
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Weekly Guidance classes with the college counselors begin in January as do individual college counseling meetings, followed by family meetings.
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The college counselors work with students to begin building a balanced list of schools that are a good personal, academic, and financial fit, and provide an individualized roadmap for the application process that includes conversations about Class XII course placement.
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Students research colleges and take an official SAT or ACT by spring.
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Students apply for their summer internship and typically participate in this opportunity during the summer after junior year.
- Summer is also a time to work on drafting the college application essay, continue researching colleges, and refine the college list.
- Events:
- Financial Aid Workshop
- Alum Parent Panel for Class XI Parents
Class XII
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Some students may continue to take standardized tests. All students work on their college applications, college essay and supplemental essays into the fall.
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Guidance classes continue as students continue to refine their lists.
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Early applications (EA, ED, etc) and financial aid applications are submitted in the fall and regular decision applications are submitted by early January (generally).
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Students receive all decisions by early April and must commit to a school by National College Decision Day, typically on May 1.
- Spring Guidance classes focus on gaining important life skills for independent living including financial literacy, career planning, attending to personal physical and mental health issues at college, and more.
- Events:
- Class XII Parent Meeting with the College Counselors
- Recruited Athlete Information Session
