That autumn, she attended Marywood College, but quit after six months. She then worked at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. After graduating, she spent the summer working with the Mae Desmond Players at a stock theater in the nearby community of Newfoundland. She transferred to Scranton's Central High School, where she performed in several plays. Scott attended Marywood Seminary, a local Catholic girls' school. The love of music influenced Scott's voice. Scott characterized her father as a "lifelong Republican", which influenced her capitalistic views. Her family lived in the Pine Brook section of Scranton, where her father owned Matzo Market. Several conflicting accounts have been given as to her parents' ethnic origins, with most mentioning English, Rusyn, Russian, and Ukrainian.