Academics
College Counseling
Our expert college counselors ease the way
Two full-time college counselors guide students and their families at every step.
Our counselors provide personal attention and top-notch information that focuses on the unique needs of each student. Mayfield’s college counseling program prides itself on the caring guidance, support and advocacy of each student as she makes her way through the college admission process. We believe this process is an extension of her Mayfield education requiring solid research, self-reflection and thoughtful analysis.The college counseling program at Mayfield Senior School prides itself on the personal guidance, support and advocacy of each student as she makes her way through the college admission process. We believe this process is an extension of her Mayfield education requiring solid research, self-reflection and thoughtful analysis. This necessitates looking beyond college rankings and discovering those universities where her unique gifts will be challenged and nurtured in order for her to truly flourish during the undergraduate years.
The college counselors educate students and parents on colleges, admission standards, trends and procedures in order for students to match their personality and goals with institutional communities and offerings. We believe in savoring the opportunities each young woman has and delighting in the thrill of the search. As with all aspects of a Mayfield education, we care deeply about our students and it’s a joy to walk alongside them throughout this journey.
How well a college matches the individual student's needs is the driving force behind our search process. We get to know the students through individual and parent meetings, weekly meetings as a class during senior year, questionnaires, as well as in their leadership roles and extracurricular activities. At Mayfield, this process is a partnership between the students, their parents and the counselors. Unlike many other high schools, we choose not to split each class amongst our two counselors. Rather, every student gets the full advantage of both counselors' knowledge and experience. They meet with both of them and feel free to access either one. The college counselors guide each senior in choosing a list of potential colleges emphasizing a good "fit" — communities where she can flourish personally and academically. Fully aware that there is no substitute for a campus visit, the college counselors stay current by touring multiple colleges each year.
The college counselors educate students and parents on colleges, admission standards, trends and procedures in order for students to match their personality and goals with institutional communities and offerings. We believe in savoring the opportunities each young woman has and delighting in the thrill of the search. As with all aspects of a Mayfield education, we care deeply about our students and it’s a joy to walk alongside them throughout this journey.
How well a college matches the individual student's needs is the driving force behind our search process. We get to know the students through individual and parent meetings, weekly meetings as a class during senior year, questionnaires, as well as in their leadership roles and extracurricular activities. At Mayfield, this process is a partnership between the students, their parents and the counselors. Unlike many other high schools, we choose not to split each class amongst our two counselors. Rather, every student gets the full advantage of both counselors' knowledge and experience. They meet with both of them and feel free to access either one. The college counselors guide each senior in choosing a list of potential colleges emphasizing a good "fit" — communities where she can flourish personally and academically. Fully aware that there is no substitute for a campus visit, the college counselors stay current by touring multiple colleges each year.
— Lynn Maloney, Co-Director of College Counseling
We truly enjoy supporting our students through the process of college admissions and helping to find the right college fit. It’s so rewarding to see our Mayfield alums come back to campus and declare, “I am so happy and at home at my college! And Mayfield prepared me incredibly well for my college classes!”
College Counseling Glossary
List of 5 items.
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A Comparison: New SAT and ACT
The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school and follows high school curricula closely. The new SAT is an evidence-based test, and focuses on synthesis and analysis.Read More -
Bi-Weekly Meetings
During senior year, the college counselors meet with the entire class on a bi-weekly basis to co-teach a seminar on all aspects of the college admission process.Read More -
GPA Calculation
Cumulative grade-point-averages are calculated using all graded courses taken at Mayfield, starting in the 9th grade.Read More -
Senior Transition
As seniors are readying themselves for the college experience, Mayfield Senior School provides two meaningful programs.Read More -
Student rankings
Mayfield does not rank students because of many, many of our Seniors are highly accomplished students academically.
List of 1 news stories.
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Oh the places they will go!
Read MoreThis is the time of year when we finally get a sense of where the members of the Class of 2022 will be heading. Over the last few weeks, our recently graduated seniors wore their new school pride on painted polo shirts, decorated car windows and in sidewalk chalk. And we couldn’t be more proud! The members of the Class of 2022 will be attending 45 different colleges/universities in 18 states. 49% will attend college in the state of California and 26% will enroll at a public university in the state of California. 23% will continue their Catholic education at a Catholic college/university. Read on for more facts and stats!
The process, year by year
List of 4 items.
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Freshman Year
It’s hard to think about the college admission process when you first walk through our doors as a freshman and honestly, we don't really want you to. We do want you to become invested in the Mayfield community in and out of the classroom.Read More -
Sophomore Year
Having made a strong transition and discovered your academic footing, sophomore year is the time in which we encourage you to challenge yourself scholastically, working hard in the classroom and honing in on your interests. Now is also the moment to start deeply pursuing your passions, whether they manifest within athletic, artistic or service oriented fields.Read More -
Junior Year
This is when the college admission process begins in earnest. As soon as you take your first semester finals, we get started. The conversation opens not with the colleges, but with you. We will ask you to reflect on what it is you really want for your college experience, your strengths, challenges, ambitions and personality. The soul-searching is first.Read More -
Senior Year
During the senior year, students will have the challenge of juxtaposing two skill sets in order to work through the admission process. On one hand, you're encouraged to think broadly, deeply examining your personal strengths and needs, and doing some serious reflection, all with the goal of uncovering a balanced list of colleges that you are thrilled to apply to and that you love! On the other hand, this process is filled with details and deadlines, and you must remain fully organized and in tune to all the minute pieces that need tending.Read More
College Counseling Events
List of 3 events.
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Financial Aid Night, Part 1 (VIRTUAL)
Parents of juniors and seniors are welcome to attend this virtual event to get an overview of the college financial aid process. This event is held jointly with Westridge, Poly, Waverly, and Sequoyah. The Zoom link will be emailed to all junior and senior parents at Mayfield in September.
Helpful Links
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Summer Study Programs 2022
Summer programs are designed to give students exposure to college campuses and possible careers. They are not tied to a future college admissions decision. (Please note that this list is not an endorsement of a program nor is it comprehensive.)
- Fastweb
- Fair Testing
- FAFSA
- CSS Profile Link
- Common Application
- College Board
- ACT
Suggested Reading
The Gatekeepers
by Jacques Steinberg
Colleges that Change Lives
by Loren Pope
Letting Go: A Parents’ Guide to Understanding the College Years
by Karen Levin Coburn and
Madge Lawrence Treeger
Harvard Schmarvard: Getting Beyond the Ivy League to the College that is Best for You
by Jay Mathews
College Matriculation
Mayfield Senior School graduates are currently attending the following colleges and universities:
American University
University of Arizona*
Art Center College of Design
Auburn University
Azusa Pacific University
Barnard College
Bates College
Baylor University
Boston College*
Boston University*
Bryn Mawr College
University of California
• Berkeley*
• Davis*
• Irvine*
• Los Angeles*
• Riverside
• San Diego*
• Santa Barbara*
• Santa Cruz*
California Polytechnic State University
• Pomona
• San Luis Obispo*
California State University
• Chico
• Fullerton*
• Los Angeles
• Northridge*
• San Diego
• San Jose
• San Marcos
• Sonoma
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado, Boulder*
Columbia College, Chicago
University of Connecticut*
Dartmouth College
DePaul University*
Drexel University*
Duke University*
École Hôtelière de Lausanne
Elon University
Emerson College
Emory University*
Fordham University*
Furman University
George Washington University*
Georgetown University*
Gettysburg College
Glendale Community College
Gonzaga University*
Goucher College
Harvard University*
High Point University
Howard University*
Instituto Technológico de Monterrey
Johns Hopkins University
Kingston University, London
University of La Verne*
Lehigh University*
Lewis & Clark College*
Loyola Marymount University*
Loyola University, Chicago*
Marist College*
Saint Louis University
Saint Mary’s College of California
University of San Diego*
University of San Francisco*
Santa Clara University*
Scripps College
Seattle University*
University of Southern California*
Southern Methodist University*
Stanford University
St. Olaf College
Syracuse University*
University of Texas, Austin
McGill University
University of Miami*
University of Michigan*
University of Missouri, Kansas City
Mount Saint Mary’s University*
Muhlenberg College
Musicians Institute
The Catholic University of America
University of Chicago*
University of Nevada, Las Vegas*
Texas Christian University*
The New School
Tulane University*
New York University*
Northeastern University
University of Notre Dame*
Occidental College*
Ohio State University
University of Oklahoma
University of Oregon*
Oregon State University
Pasadena City College*
Pepperdine University*
University of Pennsylvania
Pitzer College*
University of Portland*
Pratt Institute
Providence College*
University of Puget Sound*
Purdue University*
University of Redlands
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Vassar College
United States Military Academy, West Point
United States Naval Academy
University of Vermont
Villanova University*
Wake Forest University*
University of Washington
Washington and Lee University
Washington University in St. Louis
Westmont College*
University of Wisconsin, Madison*
Yale University*
*more than one Mayfield Senior School student is enrolled
Established in 1931, Mayfield Senior School in Pasadena, CA is a Catholic, independent, college preparatory school for young women grades 9-12. Noted for its rigorous academic program, which includes 28 Advanced Placement and Honors courses, Mayfield’s curriculum is underscored by a philosophy of educating the “whole child,” which also encourages commitment to and excellence in the arts, athletics, community service and spiritual growth. The nurturing environment at Mayfield Senior School allows each student to flourish in an atmosphere of personal attention.