Eighteen Mount St. Mary students, along with two staff members, spent February 23-26 touring a handful of college campuses in Texas during the school’s annual College Trip. The four-day road trip – which included visits to a total of seven universities in the Lone Star State – provided students with the opportunity to explore a variety of campuses, speak with school admissions representatives, and learn about some of the different postsecondary options that exist in the region.
“Despite the weather, we had a really great trip this year,” Whitney Smotherman ’03, MSM college counselor, said. “I think all of the girls really enjoyed getting a peek into college life and learning about the differences that exist from campus to campus. They left the experience with a better idea of what size, type, and overall culture they prefer for college.”
Melissa Angtuaco’s daughter, Gabriella ’23, participated in this year’s trip. She agreed the experience was a worthwhile one. “It really helped Gabriella understand what she is looking for in a college and what it means when you describe a college type, such as different campus settings and sizes – especially seeing firsthand the benefits and drawbacks of larger or smaller schools and the level of resources available,” she said. “It was a very useful trip and offered a great bonding experience with some classmates.”
The annual college trip ultimately aims to help Mount St. Mary students find success during the college search and application process by introducing them to the process before their senior year. “Visiting different types of colleges and universities prior to a student’s final year at Mount helps her narrow her college search, prepare for the application process, and understand the importance of her GPA and extracurricular commitments in high school,” Mrs. Smotherman said of the annual trip.
This year’s itinerary included visits to the following schools, all to which MSM students regularly apply and are accepted: Texas A&M University, Texas State University, St. Edward’s University, University of Texas at Austin, Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, and Texas Christian University. During the last trip in 2020, students visited campuses in Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee.
Mount St. Mary Academy, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, develops young women with a moral and intellectual foundation rooted in Catholic tradition. Mercy-minded and college-prepared, our students meet the future with wisdom, compassion and integrity.