Gwynedd Mercy College Gives College Entrance Advice

Gwynedd Mercy College participated in the Feb. 21 Greater Norristown Regional College Fair. The college, located at 1325 Sumneytown Pike in Gwynedd Valley, has been involved since the event’s inception, three years ago, according to Susan Jaskelewicz, a Gwynedd Mercy College representative.

“I always recommend to start sooner rather than later,” Jaskelewicz said.

Jaskelewicz said that students as early as eighth grade should constantly be scouting colleges, to see what future learning environment will best fit their interest and needs. She points out that Gwynedd Mercy College is a private, Catholic college that emphasizes small class sizes and solid values with student education.

“So, you are a name, and not a number here,” Jaskelewicz said.

The Greater Norristown Regional College Fair, hosted by Montgomery County Community College and Greater Norristown Police Athletic League (GNPAL), invited eighth-grade students from the Norristown School district to meet with the college representatives in the afternoon, while the general public was invited to attend the night sessions.

Jaskelewicz noted that eighth-grade students were interested in what the college experience is like, while the high school students in the evening had a good grasp of what they like to do in college, but may still need guidance on the particular details of applying to colleges.

She said that college-bound students should use all resources available to them when researching a college, including the college’s website and speaking with college representatives, such as at college fairs.

Other college representatives at the fair suggested visiting the colleges before applying, or asking if their high school guidance counselor could arrange a meeting at their school.

Jaskelwewicz added that college-bound students should keep in mind a college’s application deadline, or if the college has a rolling application, such as at Gwynedd Mercy.

The Greater Norristown Regional College fair hosted over 30 universities and colleges from throughout Pennsylvania. Aside from the eighth-grade Norristown School District students who attended the afternoon classes, high school students from throughout the Montgomery County area came to the event at GNPAL.

According to Ken Fennal, GNPAL Programs director, the college fair is an important opportunity for youth, particularly in the Norristown area.

“Our mission is to serve the youth,” Fennal, GNPAL Programs director, said. “If we can bring education accessibility to Norristown, then we can give the youth accessibility to the community through education, because if you’re going to college, you’re going to grow.”