From MDIS to Marist: How the International Baccalaureate Curriculum Shaped my College Success
By Aiden J., MDIS C’24 and Rising Sophomore at Marist University
Unexpected events and challenges are an inevitable part of life. In times of turmoil, a place to seek refuge and to call home can be one of the greatest comforts of all. For me, that place was Maryland International School (MDIS).
My name is Aiden. I am a proud MDIS alumnus and a thriving rising sophomore at Marist University. My first year at college was met with great success! I’ve earned board positions in multiple clubs, established many new friends and connections, and even made the Dean’s List and Honors Program. I owe much of this success to the foundation that was built at MDIS.
After a difficult incident in sixth grade, I found a new beginning when I joined MDIS in seventh grade. I arrived full of my own insecurities and worries, but those feelings wouldn’t last long. My anxiety was molded into ambition over these years, giving me dreams for my future instead of fears. As a thank you to my MDIS family, I wanted to share what made my MDIS experience so exceptional, preparing me for success in college and beyond.
Mastering Long-Term Project Planning
One of my biggest takeaways after leaving MDIS was something I feared I would never overcome: time management. Upon starting college, it is one of the trickiest skills to develop. In college, every student is entrusted with a lot of free time. It’s so easy to become lost in it, be it overwhelmed with studying and assignments or distracted by activities and friends.
Thanks to MDIS, I had already developed the skills to juggle the completion of major projects with long-term deadlines. From the MYP Personal Project, CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) activities, MDIS signature events, and IB exams, I had years of experience balancing long-term deadlines alongside regular coursework. These experiences taught me how to pace myself, prioritize, and persevere, providing me with essential college project planning and time management skills.
Diverse and Global Education
One of the most underrated strengths of the MDIS curriculum is its diversity. The focus on STEM and global mindedness is a key part that diversified my learning experience, pushing me to grow both academically and socially. It gave me the confidence to pursue a major in Game Design and Development, a field that demands both analytical thinking and creative innovation.
At the same time, MDIS didn’t neglect the arts or creative expression. I found this aspect to be one of the best parts of my experience at MDIS that I happily still utilize at university. And most importantly, I feel that it led me to have an easier time with courses I did not enjoy or believe myself to be prepared for.
Small Class Sizes
Regardless of the size of a college or university, there’s an underlying sense of community. Everyone is independent yet unified, and it’s a surreal feeling to say the least, and poses its challenges. Even the biggest of universities can cause students to get swept away in a crowded sea. While the smallest institutions can make students feel isolated and pressured. Without proper preparation, either of these college settings will prove to be daunting to students.
That’s where I feel MDIS shines. The close-knit setting emphasized self-agency, accountability, and collaboration. Too many students enter college without realizing the value of self-awareness and initiative, and at MDIS, those habits were built into the culture.
Best of all? Students are better equipped to receive individualized assistance from teachers. College professors can vary drastically in methodology, but they’ll almost always be open to helping if you seek them out. New university students frequently struggle to grasp this concept. Building the confidence to establish bonds and connections is extraordinarily beneficial, especially in times of difficulty. I’m incredibly grateful that I didn’t have to wait to find out the hard way.
Preparing for College-Level Writing and Presentations
I can admit that I completely took for granted how prepared I was for college. In almost every single class, there was some kind of presentation or paper at regular intervals. For my peers, each seemed more imposing than the last, but because of the preparation at MDIS, I was ready to take on these challenges. Through the learning of rhetorical devices, creation of graphics, and experience of presenting to diverse audiences, nothing posed too much of a concern for me.
The Diploma Program (DP) courses in my 11th and 12th grade years prepared me well. There were engaging lesson plans alongside countless essays and practice assessments. All of my teachers pushed me out of my comfort zone, and I was encouraged to critically expound on my ideas, to not settle for solely surface level. In turn, I came into college with an enhanced understanding of tone, writing structure, and research skills, which helped me stand out, even among other Honors students. I’ve accomplished writing feats I had only dreamt about in great part due to my training at MDIS.
Life Outside the Classroom
College (and life) is about more than academics. It’s about exploring interests, forming connections, and discovering your identity. At Marist, I found the motivation and support to pursue new hobbies. My interests soon compounded into new endeavors. I quickly became involved in multiple clubs, took on leadership roles, and built lasting friendships.
That didn’t happen by accident. MDIS taught me how to engage with others, advocate for myself, and take initiative—all key skills that helped me thrive in the social landscape of college. These all merged together to form my current identity. Whether I was leading a group project or joining a new club, I knew how to make the most of every opportunity and feel confident in the process.
Final Takeways
No matter how I imagine my future, I can’t picture it unfolding the way it will without having the privilege to graduate from MDIS. In my time of need, I found a family and community that truly wanted the best for me. They weren’t afraid to sacrifice for my benefit. Even now, I’m having the chance to learn once more beyond my graduation, interning for the summer, gaining real-world experience. I can say with full certainty that MDIS was the place that formulated my success. I wholeheartedly know that it can do the same for other students.
Interested in learning more about the MDIS experience and how it can prepare your student for college and beyond? Schedule a Visit or sign your student up for a shadow day to explore a day in the life at MDIS!