Mariana Donahoe
she/her
Mariana Donahoe
About
My name is Mariana Donahoe and I have been a teacher for over 25 years. In addition to teaching Spanish at Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, I also teach AVID, a class designed to get students who need a little extra support and guidance into four-year colleges.
I lived in Argentina until I was 16 and finished high school at Temple City High School, in California. I attended Pasadena City College for two years, where I took advantage of their Semester Abroad Program and studied in Oxford, England. I completed my Bachelor of Arts at Cal Poly, Pomona, and attended the University of Southern California graduate school. I got my Master of Arts in Professional Writing and in Counseling Psychology. I still work in the area of mental health and support students who struggle with anxiety and emotional issues. I am an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and the proud mom of a queer child, who is now in college. I live in Southern California with my husband, my daughter, who is in high sch...
I lived in Argentina until I was 16 and finished high school at Temple City High School, in California. I attended Pasadena City College for two years, where I took advantage of their Semester Abroad Program and studied in Oxford, England. I completed my Bachelor of Arts at Cal Poly, Pomona, and attended the University of Southern California graduate school. I got my Master of Arts in Professional Writing and in Counseling Psychology. I still work in the area of mental health and support students who struggle with anxiety and emotional issues. I am an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and the proud mom of a queer child, who is now in college. I live in Southern California with my husband, my daughter, who is in high sch...
Mariana helped students get into:
California State University, Long BeachDePaul University
California State University-Dominguez HillsBoise State University
California Polytechnic State UniversitySan Diego State University
San Francisco State UniversityCalifornia State University, East Bay
California State University, Long Beach
DePaul University
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Boise State University
California Polytechnic State University
San Diego State University
San Francisco State University
California State University, East Bay
Mariana helps with…
Majors & Careers
Extracurriculars
Building a School List
UC Schools
Common App
High School Course Selection
Standardized Tests (SAT/ACT)
College Applications & Essays
Admissions Timeline
Los Angeles
10 years of experience
California Polytechnic State University – BA | Behavioral Science
University of Southern California – MA | Professional Writing
University of Southern California – MA | Counseling Psychology
WACAC
Psychology
Education
Language
Creative Writing
Special Education
First-Generation College Students
LGBTQ+ students
My process
I believe there is a college for every student! It is my passion to help students discover the places where they will fit in and where they will have a positive college experience. Knowing a students strengths and weaknesses, assessing their areas of excellence and need, and giving them a clear plan are three ways in which I work with students towards finding their best fit.
Working with me you can expect a get-to-know-you interview and an assessment of your needs. Do you need to plan your high school courses, find or deepen extracurriculars, narrow your list of potential schools? Setting a plan, whether it is a long term plan or an "I-need-to-get-my act-together-today" plan, is my main focus and I help students stick to the plan and have the best possible outcome for them.
Every student in different, every child has different needs, there is no one-size-fits all. I offer personalized guidance to students looking to get into college and have a wonderful experience once they arrive there.
Working with me you can expect a get-to-know-you interview and an assessment of your needs. Do you need to plan your high school courses, find or deepen extracurriculars, narrow your list of potential schools? Setting a plan, whether it is a long term plan or an "I-need-to-get-my act-together-today" plan, is my main focus and I help students stick to the plan and have the best possible outcome for them.
Every student in different, every child has different needs, there is no one-size-fits all. I offer personalized guidance to students looking to get into college and have a wonderful experience once they arrive there.
Mariana’s most recent videos
Los Angeles
10 years of experience
California Polytechnic State University – BA | Behavioral Science
University of Southern California – MA | Professional Writing
University of Southern California – MA | Counseling Psychology
WACAC
Psychology
Education
Language
Creative Writing
Special Education
First-Generation College Students
LGBTQ+ students