College Podcast, High School Counselor, High School Students, College Admissions, College Application, Extracurricular, Applying to US Colleges, St. Francis High School, Advice for High School Students, COVID Impact, Making College List"> Podcast | MaryLynne-Rodriguez-of-St--Francis-on-College-Counseling-Making-Future-Bright-for-Students-e1g5u68

Podcast

Episode Notes | Transcript | AskTheGuest

 Hi Fives (5 Highlights)   Click for 2-Minute Listen

MaryLynne Rodriguez is the Guidance and College Counseling Chair at St. Francis High School in California.

MaryLynne is on a mission to provide guidance to all students. In this podcast she shares her insights on counseling:

  • The Process she follows starts by exploring students’ interests in the 9th grade,
  • Having students visualize colleges they would like to be at
  • About considering good colleges that may not be well known, and
  • Guiding students through the college process in these uncertain times.

Hi-Fives from the Podcast are:

  1. Why Counseling?
  2. Approach to Counseling
  3. “Good” College
  4. COVID Challenges
  5. Advice for College-bound

Episode Notes

Episode Title: MaryLynne Rodriguez of St. Francis on College Counseling: Making Future Bright for Students.

When MaryLynne was in High School, she noticed that the amount of attention students received from counselors depended on their grades.

MaryLynne Rodriguez is the Guidance and College Counseling Chair at St. Francis High School in California. On our podcast, MaryLynne shares her background, experience & insights, her approach to counseling, the COVID impact, her advice to high school students.

In particular, we discuss the following with her:

  • MaryLynne Rodriguez’s Background
  • Approach to College Counseling
  • COVID Impact on Students & Colleges
  • Advice for the High School Students

Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Introducing MaryLynne Rodriguez, St. Francis High School [0:43]
  • Hi Fives - Podcast Highlights [1:46]
  • Professional Background [3:48]
  • Why Counseling? [4:46]
  • Transition to St. Francis HS [6:22]
  • Role at St. Francis HS [7:23]
  • Approach to College Counseling [8:51]
  • “Good” but Not Well Known Colleges [11:50]
  • COVID Challenges [13:42]
  • Virtual Learning Environment [16:14]
  • College Visits to St. Francis HS [17:47]
  • Advice to College Applicants [19:55]
  • Is Test Optional here to stay? [22:41]
  • Making Things Bright for Students! [24:29]

Our Guest: MaryLynne Rodriguez is the Guidance and College Counseling Chair at St. Francis High School, Mountain View, California. Katy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Jose State University, and Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University.

Memorable Quote: “So I'm coming from a place, where my family wanted me to continue pursuing [my education] but didn't know how to support me.” MaryLynne Rodriguez.

Episode Transcript: Please visit Episode’s Transcript.

Recommended Episodes: College Experiences

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Episode Transcript

Transcript of the episode’s audio.

<Start Snippet> MaryLynne  0:15  

Get excited about the students that come in looking a little defeated. Oh, we're here from my college meeting. Okay. What are my options, you know, almost cynically, and talking with them about all of the possibilities and having them walk out with a list of, you know, 25 to 30 schools.

Venkat  0:43  [Introducing MaryLynne Rodriguez, St. Francis High School]

That is MaryLynne Rodriguez, Guidance and College Counseling Chair at St. Francis High School in California.

Hello, I am your host, Venkat Raman.

When MaryLynne was in High School, she noticed that the amount of attention students received from counselors depended on their grades.

Students with poor grades had to fend for themselves.

This is a big reason MaryLynne has been in College Counseling for almost 2 decades.

Venkat Raman  1:17

On our podcast, MaryLynne shares her background, experience & insights, her approach to counseling, the COVID impact, her advice to high school students.

Before we jump into the podcast, here are the Hi-Fives,  Five Highlights from the podcast:

MaryLynne  1:46  [Highlights - Hi Fives]

[Why Counseling]

So thinking back to my experience in high school, you know, there were certain students who certainly received attention, more so than others maybe based on their grades. And I noticed that other students who weren't receiving maybe those top grades, were not getting the attention from the teachers or the school counselor at that time and kind of left to their own wits to be able to figure it out.

[Approach to Counseling]

So freshman year is really about discovering what they enjoy, what talents they might have that are untapped from middle school, looking at different areas of curriculum that might interest them, and then planning ahead.

[“Good” College]

I would say the challenges come from that notion of a good college. And, you know, I do the, the quotes of good.

 

[COVID Challenges]

Oh, especially last year was the testing impact, where there was still this notion that I needed to have the standardized test in order to apply and even though the college was telling me that I don't need it, I need it. It was really a rite of passage, I think for families.

[Advice for the College-bound]

Start again getting yourself out there as comfortable in regards to your activities, maybe some volunteer work in the summer, maybe a part time job again, as comfortable. And then in regards to maybe community college classes too.

Venkat Raman  3:18

These were the Hi5s, brought to you by “College Matters. Alma Matters.”

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

Venkat Raman  3:29

Now. I'm sure you want to hear the entire podcast with MaryLynne. So without further ado, here's the podcast with MaryLynne Rodriguez!

-----------------

Venkat Raman  3:40  

If you're ready, maybe the best place to start is tell us a little bit about your background. How you got into counseling.

MaryLynne  3:48  [Professional Background]

Sure. So I grew up in Santa Clara, California, I've never left. I ended up going to community college for two years at DeAnza College. It was something that I needed to pay for. And back at that time. Community College was that a cost is what I could afford at the time. So I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do. I came from a small school that didn't have college counseling. And I took my first psychology class at DeAnza. And absolutely loved it and realized I want to learn more about this. I want to learn more about the opportunities I would have with this degree. And from there I ended up transferring to San Jose State received from a psychology major and then at Santa Clara University for my masters in Counseling Psychology.

Venkat Raman  4:42  

So what was it about counseling that drew you into this field?

MaryLynne  4:46  [Why Counseling?]

Yes. And so thinking back to my experience in high school, you know, there were certain students who certainly received attention, more so than others maybe based on their grades and And I noticed that other students who weren't receiving maybe those top grades, were not getting the attention from the teachers or the school counselor at that time and kind of left to their own wits to be able to figure it out. I'm a first generation college student. So I'm coming from a place where my family wanted me to continue pursuing but didn't know how to support me. And those are, I would say the main reasons I wanted to get into this profession. I wanted to support students. I've worked at a variety of high schools, and a variety of programs as well as in public school settings, too. And I just liked being that support for students when they needed it.

Venkat Raman  5:42  

So what, which schools did you do? And also what kind of experience did you get along the way?

MaryLynne  5:49  

Let's see here. I worked. I interned at Santa Clara High School in their RightStart program for students. And then I ended up working at the Children's Health Council for five years and worked with severely emotionally disturbed students. And then ended up going to Archbishop Mitty High School was at Presentation High School. And now 18 years later, of working in the field, I'm at St. Francis High School.

Venkat Raman  6:16  

What are the transition, like from some of the public schools to a school like St. Francis?

MaryLynne  6:22  [Transition to St. Francis HS]

Yes. So I was there, honestly, for a very short amount of time. But I do have colleagues that work in the public school sector. And it ranges to be honest, depending on the district, you're in the school you're at, and the level of support you'll be receiving. You know, here at St. Francis, every student has access to a counselor, it's an open door policy. So if students need your support that day, we do have availability to see them and every single student receives college counseling. I do know, from hearing from my friends that that is the case they do their best, you know, at least in the Santa Clara unified sector, they do do their best to provide college counseling, but I think it's more in group settings, versus the individual support that students receive here.

Venkat Raman  7:19  

Tell us about your role at St. Francis, what do you have to do?

MaryLynne  7:23  [Role at St. Francis HS]

Yes, so I'm the Department Chair of Counseling. So what I do is I do supervise the counseling department and I do have a caseload of students that I support for the 10th through 12th grade level, that is for post both personal guidance, you know, development, and then college guidance. And I also oversee our social emotional learning program, which is I would say, a flagship, a part of St. Francis, each student gets a mentor that they stay with for two years. And they see in a classroom setting on average, once a week, where they're discussing social emotional learning topics, which I think our students are so in need of, especially during this time, as we're going through COVID. And I also oversee our Learning Disability Support Program, we have a resource classroom for students, and a pretty robust support services to need disabling, you know, disabled support.

Venkat Raman  8:25  

Yeah, so you're able to bring all the experience you had previously into this, Yes. Nice combination of everything.

MaryLynne  8:33  

Yeah.

Venkat Raman  8:37  

So let's jump into college counseling. So maybe we could start with what's your approach? Is there a philosophy? How do you see, And you know, you and your team, how do you see that for your high schoolers?

MaryLynne  8:51  [Approach to College Counseling]

Yes. So, you know, in terms of college readiness, that really starts at the freshman year, correct. So when they're coming in as freshmen, we do have a freshman counselor that sees them through that year. And really, it's about the transition to high school. We aren't talking per se about college admissions. But we are talking about exploring the students interests.

So freshman year is really about discovering what they enjoy, what talents they might have that are untapped from middle school, looking at different areas of curriculum that might interest them and then planning ahead.

Then when we start sophomore year, again, it's more of a continuation of getting to know themselves, maybe looking a little more into cutting down the activities to the ones that truly interest them and eventually looking for some leadership positions.

As the years move forward, and then also just kind of starting to explore what they're good at in terms of their academics and then also maybe what they can push themselves in a little bit further for their schedule, junior year.

And Then for the junior year, right now we're in the throes of building the college list with the students. So in the fall, it's about getting comfortable with our school learning system, Maya. So some schools will use Naviance. You know, there's some other great programs out there. But Maya, we just adapted this year, which has been a great service. And we show the students how to navigate that. We give them personality assessments and things like that, that they can take.

And right now, our approach really is tell us, you know, what, where you see yourself and not a name, but tell us what's on that campus? What's around it, who you're learning from? What's you know, when you step outside of that campus? What does it look like? Again, don't give us a name, but give us your ideal. And so they kind of paint this picture for us. It's a really fun exercise.

And from there, we start to ask more specific questions regarding what states they're open to, and what environments they learn best in. Again, we're keeping away from the names right now, we're just trying to get the qualities down.

So when I do build that list with them, when they're there, they may get some names that they've never heard of before. And I say, based on what you're telling me, this school is a great match. I've never heard of them Ms Rodriguez. And I'm like, that's fine. It doesn't mean that it's a, it's a bad school, it means you've never heard of it. And I want you to explore more. So we're really about finding that good match for the students.

Venkat Raman  11:35  

What are the challenges in this? I mean, you know, you know, how difficult or easy to find kids sort of converge on something, have a picture of a college like you ask them to paint? Where are the challenges?

MaryLynne  11:50  [“Good” but Not Well Known Colleges]

I would say the challenges come from that notion of a “Good” college. And, you know, I do the the quotes of good. And I heard this once before, from a speaker that I love that I have to repeat. And I asked and I do this with parents actually at the Parent Night is I will ask them. How many other high schools in the United States do you think have heard of St. Francis High School in Mountain View, California? You know how many? And they'll kind of throw out some numbers? And I'll say, maybe not many. Do you feel our school is a good school? For your student to learn that? Do you feel that even maybe be the best school? And you'll hear a lot of parents say yes, yes. And I'll say so. Does it negate us being a great school, if other high schools have not heard of us will know Ms Rodriguez.

So then I say, Okay, so let's put that into action and into practice with colleges that we may not have heard of, a lot of students whose families might have gone to college and other countries certainly have kind of those big names that we've all heard of that ideal. And so working with students and families to show them other possibilities, you know, that that's a, I would say a little bit of a challenge at the forefront. But then as we work with families, they start to trust in the process a little more and see that there are other options, besides the big names that they've all heard of.

Venkat Raman  13:21  

So now, one of the, one of the challenges, obviously, over the last two years has been COVID and the impact it's had and the changes it's bringing about. So how do you, how do you first of all see that impact? And then we can talk about what does it mean for colleges? And what does it mean for students?

MaryLynne  13:42  [COVID Challenges]

So that's a big question there. Right. So what we're feeling kind of boots on the ground that I like to say, here in the office in regards to COVID. Oh, especially last year was the testing impact, where there was still this notion that I needed to have the standardized test in order to apply and even though the college was telling me that I don't need it, I need it. It was really a rite of passage, I think for families and even students to an extent that this is a part of the college admissions process and that we feel lost if we don't participate. Yet there was such a shortage of testing sites canceling. So I would say this year that is improved a bit as students are starting to trust.

For the most part, I won't throw any colleges under the bus, but for the most part, what colleges are telling us in truth that if we are test optional, we're truly test optional. We're starting to see that with some of the statistics coming out, you know, that colleges are sharing with us right now about how many students were accepted and how much of a percentage of those students actually submitted the test. So I'm starting to see their words actually have some proof behind them. Yeah. In regards to you know, some of the systems are public entity kishin systems in California, I think students are getting very fearful, especially the recent press coming from UC Berkeley. You know, I'm not sure Governor Newsom is going to sign off on that. But, you know, a lot of students are very fearful.

So what we're sharing with them is apply broadly. So if you are looking at a public institution in California, let's not just look at the top two or three, let's apply broadly to all of them and kind of see where we land, and really educating students on comprehensive review for one of our public school systems as well, just to let them know there are 14 criteria, yes, they're looking at grades, yes, they're looking beyond the A through G. But here's some other factors that they're also going to be considering. Some students think it's just a lottery, and I'm throwing my ticket in and it's very demeaning for them, but I try and explain to them, no, there's more to it, that they're going to be looking at and apply broadly.

Venkat Raman  15:48  

You know, obviously, given, given the constraints of the virtual environment, it probably cut down a lot on sort of the extracurriculars and, you know, the non academic sort of activities, how, how have colleges dealt with that? And how are students dealing with that? How was how's that sort of been?

MaryLynne  16:14  [Virtual Learning Environment]

So I think, in regards to last year's admission cycle, and what we're starting to see come out, colleges are understanding, and behind the college is a human being that has also lived through COVID, that has also seen their activities stripped away as well.

So from what I've heard from college representatives, people I've had lunch with, their understanding, and they just want to understand more about how you did spend that time, you know, there are going to be the students that, you know, had some mental health concerns arise, and maybe they weren't able to do quite a bit, and just survive, and during this time, whereas others might have taken on some community service from home or started some art projects.

But however they've spent their time we asked them to share that, especially this year, in the applications, please share in the additional info, or if you have something to share, that you want them to know. You know, maybe grandparents did stay, you know, from another country and couldn't go back? And how did that impact you? All of those things the colleges want to understand, and again, in reduction of activity that has not, from my perspective played a part in students being denied to a school last year, or from what we're seeing in the early numbers this year.

Venkat Raman  17:38  

How are colleges sort of, you know, the, the traditional, you know, visits to different schools and things like that. How's that been for you?

MaryLynne  17:47  [College Visits to St. Francis HS]

Yeah, so we had about maybe 1/3, maybe two thirds of about two thirds come to campus. We did allow at St. Francis for college representatives to come, I noticed there were some other high schools in the bay that did not allow for that. So we did allow on campus. And a lot of them, I would say were regional reps, we didn't see many that were kind of flying out from the East Coast. So a lot of them were driving in from, you know, other areas of the bay area who are regional for, you know, schools on the east. Right now, we actually had a college come visit today. So we've had a few more spring visits, scheduled as things have opened up and become more flexible. And then some college fairs are coming up where they're going to be in person. So I do see that shift happening already.

Venkat Raman  18:41  

So do you think, how much has that impacted the students, you know, in terms of learning more about colleges, and not a) not being able to visit and not being, you know, being able to meet some of the college reps in person just because of COVID?

MaryLynne  18:56  

Yeah, I would say last year's class greatly, because it was still pretty shut down. This year's class, they're going to have April break to go and visit, you know, and make some last minute decisions. So I would say this year senior class is doing pretty well in that respect, but I would say last year's class greatly suffered from not being able to visit in regards to the point of contact with the admissions officers. Again, if they attended those virtual visits, you know, they were pretty in pretty good standing and right now I am advising juniors to start taking those trips to at least see our local schools, you know, if they can.

Venkat Raman  19:41  

WIth this backdrop of whatever's been going on for the last couple of years, what what would your advice to students be, as they get ready to apply, at least the college bound crowd?

MaryLynne  19:55  [Advice to College Applicants]

I would say take a standardized test. Have that in your back pocket, we're not sure how things are going to go for the next couple of years. You know, right now there is a large number of schools, that's test optional, but I'm seeing that decline. You know, for next year, I saw somewhere statistic of like, 64%, were going to be test optional. I don't know how accurate that is.

But the following year, I'm guessing maybe half would be my educated guess. So we do recommend students take that test, have it just in case you may not need to use it.

And start again, getting yourself out there as comfortable in regards to your activities, maybe some volunteer work in the summer, maybe a part time job, again, as comfortable. And then, in regards to maybe community college classes, too, we've been telling students, if you felt that there was some sort of impact to your educational process, and you're learning during the quarantine, maybe explore some other classes, you know, at a college setting, so a dual enrollment, you know, would be great and take a class at your local community college in the summer. That course can also be sent to your to your college, you know, when that can be considered, you know, most honors point, they'll recalculate your GPA if it's transferable.

So when students are feeling a little like, gosh, this impacted my grades, well, here's some other ways if you have the time to be able to do that, and it's a free cost. We're also advising students to definitely apply broadly. Yes, look at those brand names, of course, and, you know, put those on your list if that's important to you, but but apply broadly. And look beyond your backyard, look at all of the different possibilities and opportunities, but also pay attention to how COVID, COVID impacted that college campus in particular housing enrollment there, you know, and kind of looking at grad rates too, as we start to make that final decision.

Venkat Raman  22:00  

Now, you brought up an interesting point, and I wanted to kind of ask you further there, this is, this has to do with taking the test. So, you know, this is against the backdrop of the UCs becoming Test Blind. And then admittedly, a lot of colleges are saying that test optional, at least for the time being, but I'm guessing you think that that's not going to be the case for very long, why do you feel that I saw? Isn't the movement sort of moving more towards no Tests Or not wanting these tests? Or at least making them test optional? Or do you think that will revert back or to the way it was?

MaryLynne  22:41  [Is Test Optional here to stay?]

Yeah, so I'm, I'm starting to get the feeling is that we're getting email communication from some of our more highly selective universities, you know, saying well will remain test optional, until the class of 2023 will remain test optional until the class of 2024, or what have you. And just hearing from different different representatives, I, the people who are reading the applications, from what I'm hearing, love it, love not having to have that test.

But what we are hearing from people that are kind of in those administrative positions, is that they would like to kind of start to look back at that. And again, I'm not going to throw any particular colleges under the bus. But you know, in, in theory, they say test optional. In practice, we're seeing different numbers come out. So you know, is it going to be a growing movement back to test, you know, test need, I don't think it'll be a growing movement. I think it's going to be slowly over time.

And again, there are a lot of theories out there about why UC is test blind right now and what might be under the rat works for them later on in the years to come to. So I would say we might be leaning more towards that as the years progress.

Venkat Raman  24:06  

As we sort of start winding down. I wanted to leave you with a question on, you know, you've been doing this for a while. What What keeps you excited? What, what is it about counseling that gives you that rush?

MaryLynne  24:29  [Making Things Bright for Students!]

Yes. So if we're speaking and I do both, I do both personally and college guidance, but if we're speaking on college guidance, it's very rewarding when I meet with students, you know, we I work at a it's a, a school that really prides itself on its academic excellence reign, among other things, personal growth, of course, there's also the athletic piece. There's also the Holy Cross component and how we are a family of Holy Cross family. So there's lots of components to our high school.

But again, I think sometimes students really put a lot of pressure on themselves academically. And the students I most enjoy working with, I enjoy working with all of them. But the ones that I really, really get excited about, are the students that come in looking a little defeated. Oh, we're here for my college meeting. Okay, what are my options, you know, almost cynically, and talking with them about all of the possibilities and having them walk out with a list of, you know, 25 to 30 schools that range from likely to match to selective and telling them this is your this is your possibility, this is your future, and seeing them just puffed up a little bit more.

That is the most rewarding part is letting each student know you have a bright future ahead of you. And you're all on different paths. So no matter whether that's community college, or a gap year, or a four year or studying abroad and going to another location, each of you have their own path, and it's going to be wonderful, because you're wonderful is the message that I like to send to each of my students.

Venkat Raman  26:17  

Oh, that sounds great. That sounds wonderful as I might add well. Cool. So MaryLynne, this has been very, very illuminating. Thank you so much for taking the time and sharing your views on college counseling and talking about your experiences. So sure, we want to talk again, but for now, take care be safe. And thank you so much for making the time.

MaryLynne  26:40  

Thank you for all you do. Thank you Take care

—---------------

Venkat  26:50

Hi again!

Hope you enjoyed our podcast with MaryLynne Rodriguez of St. Francis High School in California.

MaryLynne is on a mission to provide guidance to all students.

In a matter-of-fact manner, she shares her insights on counseling.

  • The Process she follows starts by exploring students’ interests in the 9th grade,
  • Having students visualize colleges they would like to be at
  • About considering good colleges that may not be well known, and
  • Guiding students through the college process in these uncertain times.

I hope students and parents find MaryLynne’s guidance valuable.

For your questions or comments on this podcast, please email podcast at almamatters.io [podcast@almamatters.io].

Thank you all so much for listening to our podcast today.

Transcripts for this podcast and previous podcasts are on almamatters.io forward slash podcasts [almamatters.io/podcasts].

To stay connected with us, Subscribe to Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify or visit anchor.fm forward slash almamatters [anchor.fm/almamatters] to check us out.

Till we meet again, take care and be safe.

Thank you!

Summary Keywords

Podcast for High Schoolers, US Colleges, College Podcast, High School Counselor, High School Students, College Admissions, College Application, Extracurricular, Applying to US Colleges, St. Francis High School, Advice for High School Students, COVID Impact, Making College List


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