College Counseling

The College Counseling office provides comprehensive guidance, support, and mentorship to students throughout their four years at Mount St. Dominic Academy. From the earliest stages of college exploration through the completion of the application process, students work closely with their college counselors to develop thoughtful goals, conduct initial research, and navigate each step of the college admissions process with confidence.

While college admission is an important goal, we believe that the college journey is ultimately about much more than acceptance. In preparation for college, students should pursue academic excellence, engage meaningfully in extracurricular activities and athletics, and develop the organizational and time-management skills that will serve them well in college and beyond. Throughout the application process, counselors help students cultivate greater self-awareness, a strong sense of responsibility, and a clear understanding of their individual strengths and aspirations.

Grounded in the Dominican pillars of Study, Prayer, and Community, our college counseling program supports the development of the whole person. We encourage our students to reach their academic potential while nurturing interior lives, and contributing generously to the Mount community. With rigorous academic and spiritual formation, students graduate prepared not only to pursue their next educational opportunity but also to enter college as confident, responsible, and engaged young women.

Our Program

To provide students with practical support throughout the college admissions process, our program offers a variety of workshops, discussion panels, and seminars. We encourage students to participate in the events that are most relevant to their individual needs and interests, and they are welcome to attend as many as they find helpful. Select events are also open to parents, providing opportunities to learn more about the college process and engage in conversation with our college counseling team.

Workshops:

Workshops provide focused, practical instructions on key components of the college admission process. Designed to guide students through each step, these workshops ensure that students understand important requirements and deadlines. Additionally, they offer hands-on support in completing forms and applications, such as the Common Application and FAFSA, and in navigating college admissions tools and platforms, including Naviance. More broadly, our workshops equip students with the skills to manage the college application process thoughtfully and independently.

Financial Aid & Scholarship Workshop

Our Financial Aid and Scholarships Workshop provides students and parents with essential information for understanding and planning for the cost of a college education. The workshop addresses financial aid options, helps families navigate the financial aid process, and introduces resources for researching scholarships and other funding opportunities. Participants receive practical guidance on identifying scholarships for which students may be eligible and understanding how and when to apply.

The Financial Aid workshop is slated on Tuesday, September 22 at 7:00PM to 8:30PM on Zoom.

The workshop is intended for Seniors and their families, but it is open to Juniors and their families.

PSAT Workshops

An important component of the college counseling program is providing students with targeted instruction and strategies to help them prepare effectively for standardized tests, including the SAT and ACT. In the fall, we offer four PSAT preparation workshops for sophomores and juniors in advance of the PSAT administration on October 14, 2026.

Taught by Dr. Chase Padusniak and Dr. Daniel Walden, the PSAT workshops familiarize students with the structure and format of the test, the types of questions they can expect to encounter, and effective test-taking strategies. Through guided practice and discussion, students develop greater confidence and a clearer understanding of how to approach the exam strategically and thoughtfully.

Schedule of PSAT workshops:

PSAT Workshop #1: Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 6:30PM-7:30PM
PSAT Workshop #2: Thursday, September 24, 2026, 6:30PM-7:30PM
PSAT Workshop #3: Thursday, October 1, 2026, 6:30PM-7:30PM
PSAT Workshop #4: Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 6:30PM-7:30PM

SAT Workshops

We recognize that effective SAT preparation can benefit from individualized guidance and practice. While students may choose to work with an outside tutor, they also have the option to work with their college counselors. Together, students and counselors can identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement, develop effective test-taking strategies, and help students approach the SAT with greater confidence and preparation.

Essay Workshops

During the second semester of junior year, students begin developing their personal statement and supplemental essays. In the targeted workshops, students will explore the qualities of an effective college essay, consider meaningful topics and approaches, and learn how to communicate their experiences, perspectives, and values with clarity and purpose.

Students will also work closely with their college counselor throughout the writing process. Counselors provide individualized guidance as students develop a compelling and authentic narrative that reflects who they are as individuals and allows their distinctive voices and experiences to come through.

College Discussion Panels:

To help students identify colleges that align with their academic interests, personal goals, and individual priorities, our college counseling program offers a series of college discussion panels. Each panel brings together representatives from approximately 10-12 colleges and universities, giving students the opportunity to learn directly about a broad range of institutions, programs, and campus communities, and admission processes.

These college panels are designed to broaden students’ understanding of the college landscape and encourage thoughtful exploration beyond the institutions with which they may already be familiar. By engaging with representatives from a diverse range of colleges, students can begin to identify the characteristics and opportunities that may contribute to their own best-fit college experience.

Beyond the Northeast: Finding Your Fit Across the U.S.

Exploring colleges in the Northeast and the Washington, D.C. area--Part I

Exploring colleges in the Northeast and the Washington, D.C. area--Part II

Catholic Colleges across the U.S.

Exploring STEM/Engineering, Healthcare, and Business Programs

College Seminars:

The College Counseling office offers grade-level seminars designed to provide students with timely information, guidance, and resources throughout their college exploration and preparation. Integrated into the school’s broader curriculum, these seminars are generally held during Community Time and are tailored to the developmental needs and priorities of each grade.

Topics progress thoughtfully from year to year, helping students build their knowledge and skills as they move through the college process. Through these seminars, students gain a clearer direction for their college search and understanding of the college application process, learn about important resources and milestones, and develop the tools they need to approach each stage with confidence and purpose.

College Visits:

Throughout the year, representatives from colleges and universities are invited to campus to meet with students. These visits give students the opportunity to learn directly from the admission representatives about a wide range of colleges, academic programs, campus communities, and admission processes. By encouraging students to attend visits, our program broadens their exposure to colleges and helps them make more informed decisions as they explore potential best-fit institutions.