Poly’s College Counselors On the Road

Poly's college counselors, Mark Rasic and Samantha Schreiber, recently attended the Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC) conference in Las Vegas as presenters and panelists, leading thoughtful discussions in their field. Both Rasic and Schreiber were featured in multiple sessions at WACAC, engaging with peers from across the western region on current and complex issues shaping the college admissions landscape.

Mark co-created and led a session inspired by a Heinz Ethics program he hosted at Poly earlier this year. Teaming up with Ann Marano, Executive Director of Colleges That Change Lives (CTCL), and Caitlin Latta ’07, a Denison University representative and Poly alum, the trio explored the ethical complexities of the college application process—from student stress to institutional responsibility. The session emphasized the importance of student-centered, mission-driven education, spotlighting how CTCL institutions aim to transform lives during students' time on campus, not just after graduation.

Mark was also invited to join a panel organized by Ben Neely of Revolution Prep, which focused on strategies for working with students facing challenges with executive functioning. Drawing on years of hands-on experience at Poly, Mark shared the structures and tools he uses to help students manage deadlines, tasks, and the emotional weight of the college application process.

Samantha Schreiber also took the stage twice at WACAC. In the first session, co-presented with Ben Neely and Maggie Lucas of Marlborough School, Samantha contributed to “Building Your AI Toolkit,” a presentation on how emerging technologies can streamline counseling work. She spoke specifically about note-taking apps and digital tools that improve efficiency and allow her to be more present and prepared in student meetings, including a custom GPT she created to assist in essay brainstorming.

Her second session was one she designed herself. Titled “What Makes for Good Essay Feedback,” the panel dove deep into how counselors can support students through the personal statement process. Partnering with Mason Heller from University of Chicago and Alex Alvendia Wienkers from Brentwood School, Samantha presented a case study based on surveys of L.A.-area seniors. The session highlighted students' perspectives on the time they spent on their essays, who they sought feedback from, and what types of support they found most valuable. 

Beyond WACAC, Mark also hit the road for a series of campus visits, part of Poly’s ongoing effort to maintain a broad, informed perspective on institutions across the country. His first stop was Connecticut College, where he joined a counselor fly-in to learn more about the school. He praised its dedication to intellectual growth and student-centered learning.

Mark then traveled through Kansas and Nebraska, visiting four schools: the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and Creighton University in Omaha in order to assess whether the schools would be a fit for Poly students.

“At Poly, we always ask, ‘Is this a place where our students can thrive?’” Rasic said. “We’re not just looking for good schools—we’re looking for environments where students will be seen, supported, and challenged.”

Mark and Samantha are dedicated to keeping Poly students at the center of their professional practice. Their presence at WACAC and on college tours reflects a commitment to deep engagement with the field of higher education, ensuring that their advice is rooted in both expertise and firsthand experience. As Mark puts it, “We do this work because we believe in helping students find places that will help them grow, not just get in.”