On Friday, Mar. 7th, Poly welcomed Ann Marano as the fourth speaker of the Heinz Ethics speaker series this year. Marano serves as the executive director of Colleges that Change Lives, a non-profit dedicated to a student-centered college search process. With more than 30 years of experience as a college counselor at various high schools, Marano has helped approximately 4,000 students—65% of whom are first-generation college students—with their college process.

“Every year, I want the College Counseling Department to participate in the Heinz Ethics speaker series because the college process tells a lot about society and how it treats people from different backgrounds,” shared Director of College Counseling Mark Rasic. “I have known Ann for 24 years, so when I saw her at a conference this fall in Austin, Texas, I thought of asking her to come to Poly.”

Marano’s talk emphasized the importance of an individualized approach to the college admissions process, urging students to follow their interests instead of only aiming for the most selective schools. The event catered to a diverse audience of parents and students who are themselves either going through the college process or will be soon.

“I learned that treating the college application as a mere ‘checklist’ is ineffective and diminishes both the experience and the individuality reflected in one’s application,” said junior Anastasia Arrieta. “This realization has helped me appreciate the extracurricular activities I’ve pursued throughout high school, recognizing them not just as steps towards college admission but as meaningful opportunities for personal growth.”

“When it comes to college, apply for those that align with your passions,” said Rasic, summarizing Marano’s advice during her presentation. “If you’ve done that, you will get the ones that are right for you.”