Application Process

Application and Application Fee ($65)

The online application must be submitted no later than December 4, 2020.

Submit Transcript

Please take the Transcript Release Form to your child’s school and request transcripts to be sent after the first term of the current year.  In addition, families should request transcripts from the whole of the previous school year. Transcripts must be received no later than January 15, 2021. Therefore, please have your child's teacher or school email the form to admissions@mcdonogh.org tor fax it to 443-544-7030.  

Submit Common Referral Forms

Two teacher recommendations are required. We prefer one from your child’s current English teacher and one from your child’s current math teacher.  We recognize that due to remote learning in many schools and districts, recommenders may not have had the student physically in their class. In such circumstances, previous year teachers can be utilized as a supplement to current teachers. Please submit the Common Referral Form to all pertinent teachers after the first term. Completed forms must be received by McDonogh no later than January 15, 2021.

Please be aware that the Common Referral Form is confidential and cannot be shared with parents or students. Therefore, please have your child's teacher or school email the form to admissions@mcdonogh.org, fax to 443-544-7030.

Interview 

Once your child’s application is submitted, you will have the ability to schedule a Virtual Family Meeting and Interview with a member of the Admissions Team.  This meeting typically lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of questions you and your child have for our team is an opportunity for you to learn more about McDonogh and our LifeReady academic program.   We recommend that you explore our website, particularly our virtual tour, before this virtual meeting.

Testing

Applicants should complete the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) or SSAT by January 15, 2021. The ISEE and SSAT may be taken at any school that serves as a test site as well as at a Prometric Test Center location convenient for your family. 

Please note, new at-home computer-based testing options are also permitted; simply request that the results be forwarded to McDonogh School. Our school code for the ISEE is 210750 and for the SSAT is 4757. You may register on-line at www.iseetest.org or https://www.ssat.org. 

We encourage students to take the test in November or December as winter weather can cause test cancellations.

Optional Items

Essay
For students applying to Grades 5 through 12, an optional essay is due by January 15, 2021. Students can access the essay prompts by signing into their admissions profile page and clicking on the student essay link. There they may choose one of several prompts and respond in 200 - 400 words.

Additional Student Materials
We are also eager to have your child submit additional materials to help us better understand their community efforts or unique talents. These can be creative writing samples, artwork, links to videos of musical or artistic performances. Materials can be shared via email by January 15, 2021 to Herb Scott, Director of UpperSchool Admissions, at hscott@mcdonogh.org. 

Additional Recommendations
Recognizing the challenges of school this fall, we are committed to gathering as much information as we can about each of our Upper School applicants. We welcome an additional letter of support from an educator, coach, or community leader who has been  involved in your child’s academic and social development.