Standardized testing has long been a cornerstone of the college admissions process in the United States. Exams like the SAT and ACT have provided a uniform metric to assess students' academic readiness, complementing other application components such as GPA, extracurricular activities, and personal essays. However, the landscape of standardized testing is evolving, with significant changes on the horizon — most notably, the upcoming modifications to the ACT.

The ivy covered halls of the nation’s most selective academic schools are the dreams of many high school students. What is the key for unlocking the door of admission to these schools? Is it extracurricular activities? The number of AP classes? Glowing teacher recommendation letters? How do GPA and test scores fit into all of this? We have some answers.

Deciding which college to attend is one of the most exciting and difficult decisions our seniors face each year. The MPCS college counseling department is available to guide students through this often perplexing process. From parent and student meetings starting in ninth grade to individualized sessions with juniors and seniors, college counseling at MPCS empowers our high school students to be proactive in their college search.