Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School review by University of Notre Dame student.
I was on the advanced track in my time at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School (MICDS). That meant I was taking advanced math, advanced sciences, and AP history beginning in 10th grade. There were 20-30 kids in my class of 150 on a similar track, so needless to say, I probably had a class with 30-40% of my class by the time I graduated. Within my advanced track, there was a good deal of competition, but students would also frequently review notes and help each other a lot. From what my friends told me of a more regular or even the less challenging track, competition was non-existent. I felt incredibly well prepared by my courses for college, I emerged from MICDS with all my college calculus complete and excellent writing skills. The one weakness which the school is working to address is fine arts. The band program is terrible, 90% of the kids in it are there because it's (1) an easy A and (2) required. It really holds back the few students who want to become great musicians to have people constantly playing on their phones or talking during rehearsal. Band was the biggest class I had because there was only one band, but I never had a class of more than 20. In fact, my junior and senior Latin classes were only 8 students. MICDS is by no means an exam factory. Some of the teachers wouldn't give exams if they weren't required and had confidence that their students had learned the material. The teachers are really the greatest strength of the school which is unfortunate because since I started freshman year, less than half my teachers still remain there. I never had a teacher who wouldn't answer a late night email or meet at an extra time and I frequently return to just chat with them as I have become great friends.
The college counseling department is great. From the start of freshman year, students are exposed.... Get the real inside story on college counseling at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School as experienced by former pupil and University of Notre Dame student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
Sample insights on college counseling
They have contacts at most of the major universities and feel perfectly comfortable picking up the phone and advocating for a student to get accepted somewhere they feel is a good fit for that student. However, these counselors are certainly not magic bullets. They cannot guarantee that a student will get into an Ivy League university...
For those wishing to move on to Oxford or Cambridge, the provision is second-to-none. In the months running up to application and interview, every subject faculty offers classes (often run by former Oxbridge tutors) exploring further areas of their subject as well as offering advice on personal statements, interview technique and more...
I was admitted in 7th grade and I took the ISEE test. This is pretty.... Get in-depth insights and personal advice on admissions to Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School by former pupil and University of Notre Dame student — Login or Sign Up to access full review
Sample insights on admissions
For the interview, dress conservatively. Try to be very clean and put together. Also, I was a tour guide for two years and at the end of every tour, we were asked to evaluate the candidate so if you think the tour is not apart of the process, you are very wrong. Ask questions and be interested. Also, tip for the parents: the kids speak on the tour. Do not ask their questions for them...
Most younger siblings have an easy time in the admissions process. I can only think of one case of a younger sibling not being admitted. About half of the students who entered with me had come from public schools. The remainder came from private K-6 schools, or had transferred from other New York private schools The Elizabeth Morrow School and St. Bernard were two of the larger feeder schools...
I never regret my time spent at MICDS, in fact I'd welcome going back. Between going to the dining hall with friends and getting the famous Chicken Farm, or just sitting on benches talking during study hall, MICDS was one of the best times of my life. The school is very safe and in one of the best parts of St. Louis. While the student body is becoming more socio-economically diverse, most students still are white and wealthy which reflects the neighborhood. ... Get the real inside story on quality of school life and extracurricular offerings at Mary Institute and Saint Louis Country Day School as experienced by former pupil and University of Notre Dame student — Login or Sign Up to access full review