College Counseling

Our Philosophy

The MPH College Counseling office is dedicated to empowering students to navigate the college search and application process with authenticity, intention, and agency. We believe that “fit” outweighs prestige and strive to guide each student towards colleges and universities where they can thrive academically, socially, and personally. Our individualized approach begins in ninth grade, fostering strong counselor-student relationships built on understanding each individual’s unique strengths, aspirations, and learning style. We provide comprehensive resources, personalized coaching, interactive workshops, and opportunities to connect with college representatives, equipping students with the knowledge and confidence to take ownership of their college journey. We aim to foster not just college acceptance, but also the development of essential life skills such as self-assessment, decision-making, and effective communication, preparing students for a successful transition to higher education and beyond.

Central to our philosophy is the belief that the college application process is a valuable opportunity for self-discovery and growth. We encourage students to approach this journey with curiosity, embracing the exploration of diverse academic interests and personal values. We emphasize the importance of honest self-reflection, helping students articulate their unique narratives and aspirations throughout the college process. While academic excellence is valued, we recognize that a holistic approach, encompassing extracurricular pursuits, character strengths, and demonstrated interest, is crucial for a successful college experience. Our commitment is to support each student in crafting an authentic and compelling presentation of themselves, ensuring their application reflects their true potential and aligns with their vision for the future.

Upper School Timeline:

Grade 9 
Ninth graders take our Upper School Seminar, an opportunity to set new expectations, refine study habits, and build community. Along with learning skills that will help them inside and outside of the classroom, 9th graders will also interact regularly with our Director of College Counseling to learn about the college process and how their grades and activities play a role in their search and application processes. This is a time to focus on the transition to Upper School while keeping in mind that transcripts do begin in 9th grade.The first two years of high school are foundational years when students are best served by being curious, learning to self-advocate, and engaging with their peers, teachers, and mentors.

Grade 10
10th graders at MPH continue to build relationships with the college counseling process through class meetings with the Director and their first foray into standardized testing. Students will complete their first PSAT and the PreACT and learn about the role that testing plays in the college application process. Most importantly, they learn about the ways that their grades and activities will impact their applications and receive encouragement to continue pursuing the courses and extracurriculars that they find interesting and meaningful. 

Grade 11
11th grade marks the start of the college counseling process in earnest. Juniors are encouraged to attend any of the dozens of college representative visits that take place on campus at MPH that they find interesting. Parents will meet with the Director during the Fall semester’s teacher/parent conferences and the Junior College Night will give families the opportunity to hear from local college representatives. During that event, parents and students also gain access to Naviance where they can start to manage and track the schools in which they are interested. At the end of junior year, students will submit their requests to teachers for letters of recommendation. 

Grade 12
In the first meetings of the fall, counselors help students trim their long list to a short list of strong options—largely based on campus visit reactions and interactions with visiting college representatives. We work with students and families to create a plan to remain organized and focused during the fall as they move through the application process. Twelfth grade students meet with the Director whenever they have questions or need advice. After students submit applications, counselors submit school documents, including teacher recommendations, and follow up with phone calls to the admissions office.

View our Class of 2023 College Acceptance List & Matriculation List.

Student Resources

• College Planning Guide for Freshman
• College Planning Guide for Sophomores
• College Planning Guide for Juniors

The MPH College Admissions Handbook

The MPH College Admissions Handbook contains valuable information for MPH Juniors and Seniors as they navigate the college admissions process.

Parent Resources