May 24, 2018
As the 2017–18 school year comes to an end, we’re sharing the college choice stories of several members of the Class of 2018!
In what grade did you come to MPA? I came to MPA in kindergarten and I’ve loved it ever since. I had two older sisters who had attended MPA since before I was born, so this school has always been a big part of my life. When I was a baby, my mom used to stand me up on her lap in the car while we waited for my sisters in the lower school pick-up line. I would wave to kids and teachers (many of whom still work at MPA!). My family has been a part of MPA for 22 years.
How did you come to choose the college that you did? My sisters both attended UW Madison, so it’s always been on my radar as an option. It came down to the Clark Honors College at the University of Oregon and UW Madison. In the end, I couldn’t pass up being a Badger!
What are you most excited about as you embark on your college experience? I’m most excited to grow and change as a person. Being on my own will be a huge change for me, but I’m looking forward to it. I’m really excited to continue my work with graphic design and journalism next year. I know I’ll change my major a million times, but for now with all my yearbook work at MPA, graphic design seems like a great start.
What did you appreciate most about the college counseling process at MPA? My favorite part of the college counseling process was working with Ms. Pederson. She was so generous with her time, she was always kind, helpful, and supportive. We’re lucky to be able to work with her. She made the process much easier by spreading out the assignments and work that needed to be done throughout junior and senior year. I spent so much time with her this year- I took every open time slot she had at the beginning of the year. It was a wonder she was still smiling when she saw me by the end of the year!
What about your MPA experience has best prepared you for college? I don’t really know yet! All MPA graduates say it’s prepared them more than they ever could have hoped. My involvement with extracurriculars at MPA have been especially helpful with my leadership skills. For example, yearbook has taught me more than anything how to be a good leader. The visual arts department inspired me to start my own photography business. All of this has helped me figure out what I want to study and where I want to go in life.
What is your advice for the Class of 2030 (kindergartners)? Cherish the time you have at MPA while you can. There’s really no place like it—the friendships, the teachers, the opportunities… they’re all unique to MPA. I’m in the 13 year club, and some of my best friends are people I met in kindergarten (and even before) at MPA. Enjoy the time you have at MPA!
Insights from Ms. Pederson, Director of College Counseling:
It was a delight to work with Annika, whom I’ve been greeting in our hallways since she was just a little girl. I can’t believe she’s now a graduating senior about to unveil the new yearbook as one of the editors-in-chief! The chance to get to know entire families is one of the things I most treasure in my job. I first heard about Annika from her oldest sister, who was thrilled to attend UW-Madison partly because she would be close enough to remain part of Annika’s life as she grew up. The challenge for Annika in her college search was to balance her own longtime Badger devotion with a more recent desire to explore new territory. After visits, research and a lot of soul searching, Annika is following her head and her heart to Madison. I’m confident she will chart her own unique course there, and expand her horizons even further through study abroad.
The 51 seniors in the class are going to 30 different universities and colleges in 18 states, including Washington D.C.! Learn more about MPA’s College Counseling program here! >
