June 4, 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? 4th Grade
How did you come to choose the college that you did? I was looking for colleges with strong chemical engineering programs, and I greatly appreciated Notre Dame’s strong community and commitment to using one’s education to make a positive difference in the world. I also liked that Notre Dame has a synchronized figure skating team, as this sport has been a major part of my life throughout high school.
What are you most excited about as you embark on your college experience? I am most excited for the opportunity to become part of a new community and form relationships as strong as the ones I’ve made during high school.
What did you appreciate most about the college counseling process at MPA? I appreciated how Ms. Pederson and Ms. Hager were always willing to help out whenever I needed, whether reviewing application essays, answering a wide range of questions, or even letting me spend my free blocks in the college counseling office so I could have a quiet place to study.
What about your MPA experience has best prepared you for college? I believe MPA’s focus on developing well-rounded, academically motivated students has best prepared me for college. I’ve gained the math and science knowledge that will help me in studying engineering, but I’ve also gained strong communication skills, knowledge in a second language, and an appreciation for the arts.
What is your advice for the Class of 2030 (kindergartners)? My advice is to embrace curiosity and learning, as well as always being true to yourself and what makes you unique.
Insights from Ms. Pederson, Director of College Counseling:
Alissa had the benefit of a focused academic and career goal to guide her college search. Thanks to her attendance at a few summer engineering camps, she felt confident about her intended major, and then went on to consider other factors that also were important to her. Ultimately, Alissa was fortunate to receive multiple acceptances, complemented by scholarship offers from a few of her schools. In the end, the values of the community she’ll join at Notre Dame played a role in differentiating it from other strong possibilities. To help her with that, I found a local MPA alumna and Notre Dame graduate who was happy to answer any questions Alissa might have. Ms Hager and I were glad to have Alissa hang out in the College Counseling Office, just as we loved to have her and other seniors stop in to use the college-mug collection for coffee, tea or hot chocolate all year long.
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! >
