Identifying best college and university matches
The college counseling program at MCDS is designed to assist students and families in identifying colleges and universities that will best match a student's strengths, interests, and aspirations beyond high school.
What Makes our Program Unique?
- Personalized Attention
- Expertise of Faculty & Staff
- Comprehensive Curriculum
Meet our College Counselor
Lynn Schweber has BA degrees from Harvard University and the University of Washington and MAs from Yale and Temple Universities. She has taught at six colleges and has served as an alumni interviewer for Yale and Harvard. At MCDS since the 2005-06 school year, Lynn draws upon her unique and varied background in academia, experience as a teacher and parent, and keen interest in each student during the college counseling process.
Getting Started
The college counseling process begins in ninth grade. Each student starts developing an extra-curriculars and awards resume and meets with the MCDS college counselor one-on-one to learn about the process of researching, selecting, and applying to colleges. Students are encouraged to attend informational sessions at MCDS with college admissions officers.
In tenth grade, students continue attending informational sessions with visiting admissions officers, take the ACT-PLAN and PSAT tests, begin researching colleges, and set goals that will prepare them for a successful transition from high school to college.
What to Expect in Grades 11 & 12
These are important years in planning for college and beyond! Beginning in eleventh grade, students meet with a college counseling group during weekly elective time. The students focus on college planning through dedicated research and guided activities. Below is an overview of what students and their families can expect during the last two years of high school at MCDS.
Grade 11
Fall:
- Attend college informational sessions with visiting admissions officers.
- Prepare for PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests.
- Take the PSAT/NMSQT.
Winter:
- Meet as a class with the MCDS college counselor to discuss results of the PSAT test.
Spring:
- Meet individually with your parents and the MCDS college counselor.
- Attend college counseling advisory meetings twice each week.
- Research and create a list of colleges to which you plan to apply.
- Take the SAT and/or ACT.
- Take SAT II Subject Tests, if required by colleges on your list.
- Visit colleges.
Summer:
- Visit more colleges.
- Begin working on college application essays.
- Continue to research colleges and refine your list.
Grade 12
Fall:
- Decide to which schools you will apply.
- Take or re-take (if desired) the SAT and/or ACT.
- Take SAT II Subject Tests, if required by colleges on your list.
- Ask teachers to write recommendations.
- Request school transcripts.
- Update extracurriculars and awards resume.
- Continue writing college application essays.
- Apply to colleges.
Winter:
- Complete financial aid forms.
- Some colleges begin mailing decisions in late December.
Spring:
- By April 1, college decisions are mailed.
- Follow up on wait list status, if applicable.
- By May 1, accept one college’s offer of admission and apply for housing.
- Sit for IB exams.
- Graduate from MCDS!
MCDS Graduates Have Been Accepted to Top Colleges and Universities
With three graduations behind us at MCDS, our eleven alumni have been accepted to top colleges and universities including the University of Chicago, Marlboro College, New York University, Luther College, and Lawrence University.
Learn more about the MCDS college application process
Madison Country Day School code for ACT, SAT, and college applications: 502-396
Helpful Information for High School Students and their Parents
Please click on the links below.
An Introduction to the Process
Advisory Activities
Deadlines--Class of 2010 & 2011
College Applications
College Information Form
College Visits
Tip Sheet for College Visits
Communicating with Colleges
Essays
Guidelines for Essay Writing
Financial Aid
International Baccalaureate
Interviews
Letters of Recommendation
Safety Schools
Secondary School Report/Counselor's Report
Standardized Tests
Student's Responsibilities
Transcripts
The End of It All (Acceptances, Rejections, Waitlists, and Deferrals)