About
Academics
College Counseling
The school counselors are available to assist students with college and career exploration and readiness throughout their time at Mount de Sales Academy. In the spring of freshman year, students are introduced to Naviance, a tool for personal exploration and the college search. As juniors, students begin preparing for the college application process with the college counselor, which leads to a more individualized approach in senior year.
College Counseling Philosophy
Welcome to the world of College Counseling at Mount de Sales Academy. The journey in preparation for selecting a college for each student here at MDSA is a partnership venture, one in which each of us plays a vital role. Throughout the process we help students to look within themselves for clues as to what will be important in the search for an appropriate post-high school experience. Our objectives are to address individual college needs and ensure that each Mount de Sales student is an active, energetic and investigative participant in the process. By helping students realize that they have the power to define and meet their own challenges, we use the college process as an educational tool to develop skills that will be valuable even in the years beyond college. We believe that the information compiled here will help you better understand your role as well as the way the college counseling process works at Mount de Sales Academy.
The Counseling Office expectation is that we will all be active participants in this process. Regular communication between counselors, students and parents is the key to a successful experience. Although this information should provide you with answers to many of your immediate questions, we in the Counseling Office want to assure you that our office maintains an “open door” policy. We welcome your calls, your e-mails, and your scheduled visits. We urge you to take advantage of Naviance Student as well as our scheduled informational activities. Our goal is to make you educated consumers of this highly publicized, somewhat complex topic.
The Counseling Office expectation is that we will all be active participants in this process. Regular communication between counselors, students and parents is the key to a successful experience. Although this information should provide you with answers to many of your immediate questions, we in the Counseling Office want to assure you that our office maintains an “open door” policy. We welcome your calls, your e-mails, and your scheduled visits. We urge you to take advantage of Naviance Student as well as our scheduled informational activities. Our goal is to make you educated consumers of this highly publicized, somewhat complex topic.
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Transcript Requests for College Applications
Seniors receive instructions from the College Counselor at the beginning of senior year regarding the transcript request process for college applications. Transcript requests are completed online through Naviance Student. To ensure transcripts and supporting documents are submitted on time, students must add each college to their Naviance "Colleges I'm Applying To" list and indicate the application deadline and application method at least two weeks prior to the college's application deadline. Students applying through the Common Application must also complete the Naviance/Common App account matching process to ensure their application materials are properly linked and submitted.
Students with questions about Naviance Student, the Common Application matching process, or transcript requests should contact the College Counselor. -
College Visits
If you are planning to miss a day of school for a college visit, you must complete a College Visit Permission Form and obtain the required signatures from your teachers and the Counseling Office. College Visit Permission Forms are available on the door of the College Counseling Office. Seniors are permitted three College Visit Days, and juniors are permitted two College Visit Days. Junior College Visit Day is mandatory for all juniors. For the 2026-2027 school year, Junior College Visit Day will be held on November 6, 2026. More than 100 college representatives visit Mount de Sales Academy each year. Juniors and seniors are encouraged to attend these visits, which are posted on Naviance Student and the Counseling Office Instagram throughout the school year. Students who wish to attend a college representative visit at MDSA must register through Naviance Student at least 24 hours prior to the visit in order to receive a pass. -
Teacher Recommendations
All teacher recommendations must be completed through Naviance Student. We expect that each student will have a conversation with the teacher with whom they are requesting a recommendation. Students are expected to request two teacher letters via Naviance student and complete a resume in the spring of their junior year. -
Researching Colleges
Trying to figure out which colleges are right for you? Look for information online at: -
Financial Aid for College
Paying for college is an important part of the college search and decision-making process. Below is a list of websites with helpful information about financial aid, scholarships, and grants. Students and families are encouraged to speak with the College Counselor if they have questions about the financial aid process. You should also contact the financial aid offices at the colleges you are considering to learn more about the aid opportunities available at each institution. Please note that many colleges and universities offer merit scholarships that may require a separate application, interview, audition, or earlier application deadline. Be sure to review each college's scholarship requirements carefully.Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): All seniors applying to college who wish to receive any financial aid from colleges or the state (including scholarships, grants and loans) must complete the FAFSA. The FAFSA is available starting on October 1 and the deadline for completing the form in order to be eligible for Maryland state financial aid in March 1. You will need to gather your families’ tax records and financial records from the prior-prior tax year before completing the FAFSA. You can complete the FAFSA online at: https://studentaid.gov/For information on the types of financial aid available, visit the following websites:
U.S. Department of Education: Information on financing a college education as well as information on loans & grants.
https://www.ed.gov/grants-and-programs/money-college
Maryland Higher Education Commission: Information on financial aid in Maryland including state scholarships & grants, Delegate & Senatorial Scholarships, and information on colleges & universities in Maryland.
www.mhec.state.md.usRaiseMe: RaiseMe partners with universities to offer students scholarships for their achievements during high school and community college.
https://www.raise.me/
Appily: Has a directory of more than $11 billion in scholarships.
https://www.appily.com/
Mount de Sales Academy college counselor posts a scholarship listing on Naviance Student with opportunities for seniors. -
Standardized Testing
The SAT and ACT are nationally administered standardized tests that some colleges use as part of their admission review process. Most colleges will accept either SAT or ACT scores, and students should choose the test that best fits their strengths. At Mount de Sales Academy, students take practice standardized tests each fall: the PSAT in grades 9 and 11 and the PreACT in grade 10. Based on these results, students can determine which test may be a better fit and develop a testing plan. Students who plan to test officially are generally encouraged to take the SAT or ACT during the spring of their junior year and, if desired, again during the fall of senior year. Many colleges and universities have adopted test-optional admission policies. For a list of test-optional colleges, visit FairTest at www.fairtest.org.Read MoreAll juniors are given a college counseling seminar on standardized testing for college which includes a lesson on the difference between the two tests.In deciding which test to take, please refer to the following chart comparing the two tests:
SAT- Scoring: 400 - 1600 - Subscore and Cross-test Scores available
- Timing: 2 hours 14 minutes
- Sections: Evidence Based Reading and Writing: 200-800, Math: 200-800
- Guessing Penalty: No guessing penalty
ACT- Scoring: Composite of 1-36 based on average score form the 4 test sections, Subscore and Cross-test Scores available
- Timing: 2 hours 5 minutes (without optional writing and science sections)
- Sections: English: 1-36 Reading: 1-36 Math: 1-36 (science and writing are optional)
- Guessing Penalty: No penalty for wrong answers
Counseling Department Forms
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Guaranteed College Acceptance and Scholarship Program Partners
Mount de Sales Academy has forged a partnership with universities to provide guaranteed college acceptance for incoming students and annual scholarships to Mount de Sales Academy graduates who meet their requirements.
Colleges and Universities are listed below:- Marywood University
- Mount St. Mary’s University
- Saint Francis University
Mount de Sales Academy
Academic Excellence in the Catholic Tradition
