The college application process is a cooperative effort involving students, parents, and Maur Hill – Mount Academy. Since we are dependant upon each other, it is important to understand what these responsibilities are and whose duty it is to fulfill them. Please be sure to review the College Guide Book that is assembled by the Guidance office each year and distributed to every student.
Student and Parent Consultations
The counselor is available for all students at MH-MA, regardless of their class year. A scheduled meeting in the fall of a student's junior year will take place and then again in the following fall as a senior. Students receive information via morning and afternoon announcements and on the college board outside the Counselor’s office. Parents are encouraged to call with questions or schedule a meeting with the College Counselor at any time.
Director of College Counseling - 913.367.5482 ext. 221 - cfowler@mh-ma.com
What Do Colleges Look for in Students?
This is the question most frequently asked to any College Counselor. While answers vary from college to college, the philosophy of most selective colleges may be similar to that expressed by Edward Wall, former Dean of Admissions at Amherst College: “Our ultimate goal is a class that will have an educational impact on itself~~ that is, a class which contains the richest possible variety of talents, interests, accomplishments, backgrounds, career goals, and personalities.”
The following are often important factors in evaluating candidates for selective colleges.*
- Degree of difficulty of the student’s high school course load
- School grades, GPA, class rank
- Standardized test scores (SAT, Subject Tests, ACT, TOEFL, Honors
- The application essay(s)
- The interview
- The depth of extracurricular involvement and achievement
- The student’s employment and volunteer achievement
- Recommendations
- Other factors also considered may include the following:
- reputations of the student’s high school
- geographic diversity
- student’s relationship to alumnus
- membership in a minority group and/or international student
- intended major or special talent in athletics, music, fine or dramatic arts
Depending on the college, the factors listed may be weighted differently, but each may play a part in the final decision. Your attitude toward learning, your interests, and enthusiasm, and the care with which you undertake the admissions process will have an impact on the college’s decision, so give it your best effort. The College Counselor, faculty, and the staff are all here to help you along the way.
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