Chloe Quinn

A classic tradition is returning to Omaha after being interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

College counselor Mr. Ben Ascher has been working with the Great Plains Association for College Admissions Counseling (GPACAC) and other colleges to create an opportunity for students to communicate with potential schools.

Marian will hold the city-wide college fair on April 21 from 6 to 8 p.m in the gym. 

“The initial goal with this fair when working with GPACAC was to host it at UNO, but the dates didn’t align. So that is when I volunteered Marian,” Ascher said.

Although the fair is hosted by Marian, anyone in Omaha is welcome. “Friends, cousins, brothers, sisters are allowed to come,” Ascher said. 

The fair is a chance for younger students to figure out what they want in a college, even if it is multiple years off for them. 

For students planning on going to the fair, Ascher said, “my biggest piece of advice would be to prepare questions ahead of time to think about what is important to you and what you want from a college.”

College is not just about the education and the numbers; it is about the students, the values instilled in the institution, and what a student envisions for their future.

If unsure what path you will take for college, “think about what is important to you here at Marian.” 

Although college and high school might seem polar opposites, they consist of similar aspects and being able to determine likes and dislikes of high school can help to narrow the search for the best college later.

Ascher is excited not only “to be the host, but also see the fair come back.” Omaha used to be a hub for college fairs whether it be the College of St Mary fair for Catholic colleges or a national college fair run by UNO. 

College fairs are beneficial because students have the chance to communicate with a potential college, but also colleges are able to share with the students why they would be a strong fit. 

Overall, Ascher’s advice when picking a college is “do your best to make a sound decision…look at all the factors. You can’t just pick a school because it is the cheapest or your best friend is going there. You have to consider what is it that ‘I want to accomplish?”

There are currently more than 35 schools that will have a table at the fair. Some of the schools attending are Drake, St Louis University, Truman State, Kansas University, University of Missouri, Wichita State, Creighton, and many more. 

In addition to the presence of more than 35 schools, EducationQuest will have a table and a presentation on financial aid. EducationQuest is a free resource in Nebraska that guides families through the financial aid process. “[EducationQuest] is something that a lot of states do not have…they work absolutely for free,” Ascher said.