College Counseling

Our goal? Help students find their right fit.

At Maharishi School, we believe that the college counselor serves as a facilitator, helping the student to identify for themselves their greatest interests and personal goals and find a college that suits their unique interest. The college counselor then coaches the student through every step of the college application process.

Personalized college counseling is part of your student’s tuition and planning can begin in the 9^th grade.

The college counselor works closely with each student throughout their entire high school career.   In 9th and 10th grade, academic performance and planning is emphasized, with students filling out inventories to help them plan for their futures.  Like an attentive coach, the college counselor meets periodically with 9th and 10th graders to check on their progress and hold college planning meetings.  Starting in Junior year, all students go on two college visits a year to identify features and characteristics that fit with their individual preference.  In their second semester, Juniors take the Junior Seminar, a weekly class that introduces all of the important concepts necessary for a successful college application.

Individualized counseling is built into the school curriculum.

All seniors take our College Prep class, a one-quarter class devoted to every aspect of the college process.  College Prep is a fusion of class and guided study hall, where students learn how to submit their college applications, have individual meetings with the college counselor, and work individually on their applications.

Features at a Glance:

• The college counselor is on call on all deadline days, to assist students with any part of the submission process.
• All juniors take the Junior Seminar their second semester, which introduces the important concepts necessary for applying to college in the Senior year.
• All Juniors and Seniors visit two colleges a year, one small liberal arts school and one large university.
• College representatives visit Maharishi School each year to deliver information sessions to interested students.
• Starting in Junior year, the college counselor has periodic individual meetings with all students.
• By looking through previous tests, the college counselor helps all students plan their college testing schedules, and choose the tests that will best represent the student’s strengths.
• The college counselor helps with all college essays, providing group essay sessions, then individual assistance for Seniors.
• In partnership with ICAN, the Iowa College Access Network, Maharishi School provides multiple events each year to help families navigate the financial aid process for college applications.