MBHS Presents Annual “College Knowledge Night” To Students

On Thursday, Oct. 16, MBHS hosted the fifth annual College Knowledge Night. During this event, MBHS students of all grade levels were invited to attend presentations about the most popular college systems in the US. In total, about 80 people attended, with many students bringing parents and family members. 

Students of all grade levels were invited to attend this event; however, the counseling department targeted certain grades in particular. “Especially 11th graders,” College and Career Counselor Julia MacIntosh said, “gearing up and starting to build that knowledge and thinking about this stuff.” College Knowledge Night is packed full of valuable tools for students of all grade levels. “It had important information that you would need to learn, it’s information that isn’t really told to us a lot,” said senior Jude Moore.

Representing the University of California college system was Phillip Mona from UC Davis. He emphasized the importance of the Personal Insight Questions, the four essays required for the UC application. Mona briefly touched on requirements for UC admissions, deadlines, and similar logistical aspects of the UC application process. 

Mona highlighted the tuition guarantee for all UC students and campuses, which guarantees that a student’s tuition will not change for the first 6 years of their enrollment at their campus. He also spoke on some of their financial aid programs, including the Blue and Gold program, which allows students whose families make $100,000 or less annually to expect to pay zero tuition. Additionally, he emphasized some of the UC financial aid statistics; 67% of their undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid through scholarships and grants, and 54% of CA undergraduate students pay no tuition, all because of scholarships and financial aid. 

From the California State University system, MBHS alumnus Jazmin Perez represented Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Speaking on behalf of the entire CSU system, she opened with CSU system statistics, highlighting the system’s 91% overall acceptance rate. Perez opened with the benefits of the CSU system, focusing on the hands-on approach to learning and the focus on job placement post-graduation. 

Cuesta College sent Academic Counselor Nolberto Marroquin to present on their school, talking about the transfer opportunities that come with attending Cuesta College. He spoke on transfer requirements, “You’re going to community college for 2 years, to build your foundation for transfer to a four-year university,” he said. 

Marroquin also touched on transfer competitiveness, mentioning a high GPA and number of general education classes as features that make for a competitive transfer student. He also spoke on the Associate Degree for Transfer program at Cuesta, which guarantees transfer admission to at least one CSU campus. Additionally, the Transfer Admissions Guarantee through the UC system guarantees admission to all UC schools except for UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UCSD.

Finally, Berenice Lopez, a SLO High School graduate, spoke on behalf of schools outside of CA. She opened with the difference between UC/CSU system admission requirements and the requirements for out-of-state public universities, and then moved into the differences in tuition for in-state and out-of-state schools. Opening the conversation on costs and financial aid, Lopez asked her audience, “Beyond that out-of-state tuition, what kind of out-of-state fees exist?”

Lopez highlighted that private schools, especially out-of-state private schools, do not always result in a higher cost of attendance. “While the sticker price can initially shock [students], there is also a lot of aid that can come with that,” she said. She also spoke on the Western Undergraduate Exchange program, explaining the program involving students along the West Coast. 

College Knowledge Night hosted dozens of curious students and parents, with our MBHS counselors jumping between many presentations. Principal Scott Schalde and Assistant Principal Will Wallace also attended to support MBHS’ college-bound students.