Academics
College Counseling
Our college counselors are advisors, here to guide students and families through a personalized process to find their place.
At Country Day, the college counseling process begins in the 8th grade with stage-appropriate programming for these younger students and culminates in an individualized process to help our students achieve a harmonious match between their goals and ambitions and find their college fit.
At Country Day, the college counseling process begins in the 8th grade with stage-appropriate programming for these younger students and culminates in an individualized process to help our students achieve a harmonious match between their goals and ambitions and find their college fit.
Our college counselors have backgrounds in highly selective admissions and engage in conferences and professional learning opportunities each year while also maintaining membership in several professional organizations.
A 5-Year Program
Beginning in the 8th grade, Country Day's college counseling program offers students opportunities to gain experience with standardized testing and discover areas where increased preparation would be beneficial. Students take the Pre-ACT in 8th and 10th grade and the PSAT in 10th and 11th grade. Country Day offers test preparation courses to 11th-grade students each spring semester to prepare for the official ACT in April each year. The PSAT is offered to 10th and 11th graders. Scores earned in the 11th grade may qualify students to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Beginning in the 8th grade, Country Day's college counseling program offers students opportunities to gain experience with standardized testing and discover areas where increased preparation would be beneficial. Students take the Pre-ACT in 8th and 10th grade and the PSAT in 10th and 11th grade. Country Day offers test preparation courses to 11th-grade students each spring semester to prepare for the official ACT in April each year. The PSAT is offered to 10th and 11th graders. Scores earned in the 11th grade may qualify students to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program.
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8th Grade & 9th Grades
Students are encouraged to get involved in school life and explore many interests. When scheduling courses for 9th grade, students should consider challenging themselves appropriately. College counselors meet with freshmen in small groups to build rapport and familiarize students with the college application elements. Students should work hard, immerse themselves in the community, and embrace high school. -
10th Grade
10th-grade students meet regularly with a college counselor in small groups and individually. Students should begin to narrow their interests and actively participate in them, demonstrating a deep and consistent commitment. During scheduling, students are guided on how best to challenge themselves within our curriculum to become strong candidates for college admission. College Night for sophomores and their supporters formally introduces the college admissions process and timeline.
Key Events & Milestones:- College Forum and Fair / Dean’s Panel
- PSAT (fall semester)
- Pre-ACT (spring semester)
- Practice ACT and SAT (optional)
- College Night
- YouScience: Connecting aptitudes to careers and educational pathways
- SCOIR: Students are introduced to the college research and application database
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11th Grade
11th-grade students meet with college admission representatives; over 100 colleges and universities visit Country Day's campus each fall. The College Counseling Department offers on-campus ACT preparation courses with professional tutors, specifically for juniors. College Night for juniors and their supporters and the spring College 101 course for students provide a detailed introduction to college planning and goal-setting. Students and parents are encouraged to visit college campuses during school breaks, and juniors have a limited number of days excused for this purpose.
Key Events & Milestones:- College Calendar – Detailed; Individual college meetings with students and parents (mandatory); Start visiting colleges and taking ACT and SAT several times
- PSAT, ACT, and SAT
- College 101 – 7 sessions; comprehensive college reference binder
- Naviance – SAT and ACT practice
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12th Grade
Full-length SAT and ACT practice tests are offered to students. Once students determine their testing preference, the focus is on targeted section preparation. Students continue to meet with college representatives in the fall and attend college-sponsored fairs and off-campus events. In August, seniors participate in App Fest, a one-day, hands-on workshop that includes finalizing the Common Application, essay writing, and editing, requesting letters of recommendation, and interview preparation.
Key Events & Milestones:- App Fest College Admission Workshop (Fall)
- College Night for Senior Families
- College Forum and Fair / Dean's Panel
- On and Off-Campus College Visits
- Complete and Submit College Admission Testing
- FAFSA and CSS Profiles for Financial Aid
- Paying for College Program for Parents
- Prospective College list in Naviance becomes an ACTIVE list
College Counseling Programming
The college counseling office provides many resources to students and families throughout the five-year program. Students are officially assigned to a specific counselor during their junior year; however, students and families are able to meet with a member of the college counseling team at any time during the process. Our goal is to work together with families, teachers, and students to lessen anxieties early, build confidence, and make the application process exciting and rewarding.
The college counseling office provides many resources to students and families throughout the five-year program. Students are officially assigned to a specific counselor during their junior year; however, students and families are able to meet with a member of the college counseling team at any time during the process. Our goal is to work together with families, teachers, and students to lessen anxieties early, build confidence, and make the application process exciting and rewarding.
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College 101
As juniors, students begin College 101, a seven-session course covering topics from college essay writing, interviews, and application completion to scholarship opportunities. Students receive a personalized college reference manual on all topics covered. In the spring of the junior year, students and parents meet together with the college counselors and begin working closely as a team. -
College Forum
Each fall, Country Day hosts a public college admissions forum. Representatives from a variety of colleges and universities converge on our campus to participate in a panel discussion about their schools and the profiles of students they seek to admit. -
Find Your Fit College Fair
This event is an opportunity for students beginning their college search to learn about different colleges and universities without the confusion of preconceived notions, institutional stereotypes, or common misconceptions. The fair allows students to learn about each institution's programs and characteristics. It provides college admissions representatives with a format in which to share detailed and substantive information about their schools. This "unbranded" college fair aims to get students to look beyond an institution's name to truly find schools that best fit their interests and needs without name bias.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When does college counseling start at MPCDS?
Between 80 - 100 colleges visit MPCDS annually. Students are encouraged to visit college campuses informally beginning in the 10th grade while making more formal visits in grades 11 - 12. Students are afforded five excused absences in the 11th and 12th grades for college visits.
The College Forum and Fair is an annual evening program hosting college representatives for a moderated panel discussion of college admission topics. Students meet with representatives for more specific information on the individual colleges during the college fair. -
How are MPCDS students exposed to colleges?
Between 80 - 100 colleges visit Country Day annually. Students are encouraged to visit college campuses informally beginning in the 10th grade while making more formal visits in grades 11 - 12. Students are afforded five excused absences in the 11th and 12th grades for college visits.The College Forum and Fair is an annual evening program hosting college representatives for a moderated panel discussion of college admission topics. Students meet with representatives for more specific information on the individual colleges during the college fair. -
Do 8th-grade classes count for college credit?
A few 8th-grade courses taken for high school credit are listed on the transcript with a letter grade but not equated in the GPA. Typically, those courses are Algebra I, Foreign Language, Physical Science, and World Geography. GPA is based only on courses taken in 9th through 12th grades at MPCDS and excludes PE.
MPCDS CEEB CODE
191782
191782
AFFILIATIONS
NACAC, SACAC, ACCIS, NAIS
NACAC, SACAC, ACCIS, NAIS
Information for Current Parents
FINANCIAL AID RESOURCES
STANDARDIZED TESTING RESOURCES
MULTICULTURAL RESOURCES
300 Park Road, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 837-5204
Established in 1929, Metairie Park Country Day School is a coed private school for New Orleans area students in early childhood through Grade 12. From the elementary grades through upper school, the care and cultivation of each child comes to life in our exciting academic program, creative arts, and competitive athletic offerings.
Country Day accepts qualified students without regard to race, color, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin.
