Guidance

Carolyn Dwyer
Director of Guidance
617-254-8383 x239

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College Financial Aid Night

The Guidance Department will host a College Financial Aid Night for parents of juniors and seniors on December 7 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 38.

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   Senior College Application Process

• Decide to apply to five or six colleges.
• Obtain applications/catalogues.
• Set up interviews and tour campuses.
• Send thank-you notes for interviews.
• Obtain two recommendations from teachers who have had you in class. See Mrs. Dolan for the recommendation form to give to teachers. Teachers will give your recommendation to guidance to be included with your application.
• Complete the senior guidance form and give it to your guidance counselor so she can write your guidance recommendation.
• Plan to complete one application per week, you will feel less overwhelmed if you try it this way.
• Proofread all essays. Have an English teacher read your essays before doing the final draft.
• Applications should be typed or completed on line. However, if you are going to handprint them – use black ink.
• Please note: the last day we will accept transcript requests before Christmas Vacation is December 14. If you have an application that is due by January 1, be sure to request your transcript by December 14.  No one will be here during Christmas Vacation.
• Two days before you intend to mail, pick up a transcript request form in guidance, fill it in, and give it to Mrs. Dolan.
• The day you are mailing your application, bring your large manila envelope to guidance first thing in the morning. Do not put on postage – we will weigh your envelope and apply the proper postage. Your application/application fee (or confirmation that your application/fee was submitted on line) must be enclosed. We will put your transcript, report card and recommendations in the envelope. In addition, we will include a postcard, which you will have addressed to yourself, so that you know that each college has received your application packet.  A fee of $3.00 per transcript is charged to cover expenses (including mailing costs).
• Thank you – If you have any questions, please speak with Mrs. Dolan

 

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Senior Year Timeline of Events
September/October/November 

•  Register for SAT.
• College representatives visit MSJA.
• Read senior news.
• Request a letter of recommendation from two teachers.
• Take the SAT (and ACT if required)
• Register for PROFILE (a supplementary financial aid form required by most private colleges).  Register when you have finalized your list of colleges.  Note: this process costs money.
• Complete PROFILE. Note: your parents will need to help with this.
• Take SAT Subject Tests (SAT II) if one of your colleges requires them.
• Make a calendar of DEADLINES FOR APPLICATIONS.
• If you are applying for early action or early decision consideration, speak with your guidance counselor ASAP.

During the course of this year, the Guidance Department will provide periodic updates on college and scholarship information we receive in the mail, which may be of interest to you. Keeping on top of this information will be a difficult but important task this year.  Please visit the Guidance pages on the school Web site, especially the Senior News page, at least once a week.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to come to the Guidance Office for additional information.

  For more scholarship information, visit Weekly Scholarship Alert.

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 SATs and ACTs 

Most seniors took the SATs once, when they were juniors. Everyone should take it at least once during senior year. Colleges will consider your highest Verbal and your highest Math score…even if they were not on the same day.

SAT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

SAT SUBJECT TESTS:  Some schools require you to take 3 subject tests in addition to the SAT Usually these 3 subjects include English Literature, Mathematics, and one other. Examples of schools in Massachusetts that require SAT Subject Tests (for some programs or for all applicants) are: Boston College, Boston University, Brandeis, College of the Holy Cross, Harvard and Radcliffe, MIT, Tufts, Williams College. Please check the College Handbook or admission materials to be certain whether you need to take SAT II Subject Tests.

The ACT is another test which can be used for admission to colleges. The ACT is given more frequently in southern and midwestern states but is growing in popularity in the northeast. Local test centers include Boston Latin Academy and Catholic Memorial. If you find that your SAT scores do not coincide with your performance in high school, you might want to take the ACT and see if your scores are better. ACT registration packets are available in the Guidance office. Sign up for the ACT with Writing. The ACT can be used as a substitute for the SAT I and SAT Subject Test.

ACT Test Dates and Registration Deadlines

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  Class of 2010 Graduates on May 26

Congratulations and best wishes to our newest graduates.  The members of the Class of 2010 received their diplomas at Commencement on May 26.  Valedictorian, Kara McSweeney and Salutatorian, Catherine Dello Russo spoke eloquently about their experience here at the Mount and of their love for their sisters in the senior class.  This year's seniors were accepted at a wide range of colleges and universities across the country and received some impressive scholarships and awards.  We wish them well as they look forward to attending these collegesin the fall.