Navigating the college application process can be challenging. Make sure you’re ready for the college application season by joining Mary Pat O’Neil’s webinars and interactive workshops.
Mary Pat O’Neil, owner of True Fit College Counseling and founder of the Find Your Fit program, is passionate about helping teens discover their college paths as she knows there is no “one size fits all” approach to college counseling.
Mary Pat is a community resource and is happy to answer questions about the college process. You can email her at [email protected].
I think it is important for students to take control of the college application process and know what they need in a college in order to have a better chance of success. Students need to own the process – I am here to guide them.
Mary Pat O’Neil, Independent College Counselor
We deeply appreciate Mary Pat for donating her time and expertise to support students and families in our district.
Scroll down to register for upcoming events and to view past webinar recordings.
Upcoming Events
Class of 2026 College Bootcamp: In-Person
Join independent college counselor Mary Pat O’Neil for 3 in-person sessions as she prepares rising seniors for applying to colleges. This bootcamp is suitable for rising seniors (Class of 2026); parents are also welcome to attend. Attend one, two, or all three sessions!
Before working on college applications, a student needs to have a college list. Mary Pat will walk students through the different factors to consider, along with providing a list of college search sites. She will also explain why the list should be balanced and the dangers involved with only applying to highly selective schools.
Students are welcome to stay until 1pm to work on their college list. Mary Pat will be on hand to support students and to answer questions.
Many colleges, including the University of Washington, use the Common App platform. Mary Pat will review the information that colleges will ask for including high school transcript, high school activities, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, and essays. She will explain how to students can use the information strategically to show their best selves. She will also provide resources for completing the University of California and California State application platforms.
Students are welcome to stay until 1pm to work on their Common Application. Mary Pat will be on hand to support students and to answer questions.
Most seniors are surprised at the amount of work that essays take up in applying to college. Depending on a student’s college list, some students have one essay to write while others may need to write more than thirty. College essays are written in a very different manner than high school papers. Mary Pat will teach students how to write their college essays and do a number of brainstorming exercises to help with the process.
Cost: $25 per person for all 3 sessions ($700+ value). Scholarships available, no questions asked. Please email [email protected].
Location: LWSD Resource Center, 16250 NE 74th St, Redmond, WA 98052
Webinars On-Demand
How to Create a Balanced College List: Strategies for a Successful College Application Process
Find Your Fit creator and independent college counselor Mary Pat O’Neil will walk families through the process of creating a list of US colleges. She will explain the different filters used in a search and how to make sure a list is balanced for student success. Mary Pat will also give tips on how to research colleges and why it is important to do so.
Video Recording will be available soon.
A Middle School Parent’s Guide to Navigating High School
High school brings new challenges and opportunities. Find Your Fit’s local college counselor, Mary Pat O’Neil, will explain key differences between middle school and high school, including how grades and course choices impact your student’s future. She’ll provide an overview of what colleges value and answer any questions you may have.
How to Pick Your Classes in High School
Join us for a vibrant discussion on high school class selection, where we’ll explore high school courses and credits, graduation requirements, college perspectives on transcripts, and more.
Please note that this webinar took place in January 2024, before the announcement of the transition to a 6-period day.
Global Choices: Exploring the Differences Between International & US Universities
While there are certainly similarities to applying to international universities as compared to US universities, there are also a number of differences. Mary Pat O’Neil will be joined by Cynthia Seidel from On Course College Counseling, as they discuss the differences between universities in the US, United Kingdom, Europe, and Canada.
- Academic system
- Admissions process
- Campus life & activities
- Cost of attendance
- Approach to education
- Cultural differences
Recording will be made available soon.
Future Ready: Empowering High School Students to Explore Careers & College Majors
Students who explore careers and college majors in high school may have an advantage over those who do not. In this informative webinar, Mary Pat O’Neil will be joined by Nicole Edward from Clarity Career Coaching, as they discuss:
- Identifying career interests
- Exploring careers
- How activities in high school can help with being admitted to specific majors
- What exactly is an internship, how to find them, and what to do if you don’t have an internship
- How to interview
- Do college majors matter
- Developing transferable skills
Lake Washington Institute of Technology: An Alternative to the 4-year College
LW Tech is a wonderful community resource that many people aren’t aware of. Join us to learn about:
- stackable programs including certificates, associate degrees, and 4-year degrees.
- a wide range of academic programs in business, design, education, engineering, health sciences, IT and more.
- the focus on employment and student outcomes
- hands-on learning and small cohorts
- Direct Transfer Agreements (DTA) to complete a 4-year degree
Making Dollars & Sense on the Cost of College
Surprised by the steep price tag of American higher education? Join college counselor Mary Pat O’Neil and college financial planning expert Peg Keough for an eye-opening session on the annual cost of college, need-based vs. merit-based aid, upcoming changes to the FAFSA, student loans, and proven strategies to reduce the cost of college.
How to Create a Balanced College List
Completing Your College Applications
How to Write a College Essay
College 101
Join independent college counselor and Find Your Fit founder Mary Pat O’Neil as she dives deep into explaining the college application process. Learn about the five possible parts of a college application and what colleges look at. Understand the numbers behind highly selective colleges and why students need a balanced college list. Mary Pat also explains the cost of college and scholarships.
What to Expect in High School and Beyond
We know that families may be nervous about the transition from middle school to high school. Find Your Fit creator Mary Pat O’Neil gives an overview of what to expect in terms of high school courses, high school graduation requirements, as well as the different paths and options available after high school.
Standardized Tests and the new Digital SAT
Mary Pat O’Neil and Matty Steiner discuss the current environment of the use of standardized tests (ACT and SAT) in college admissions. They also explain the impact of the new digital SAT and its impact on the Class of 2025 and beyond.
Guest Speaker: Matty Steiner, Compass Test Prep
Canadian Universities
Mary Pat O’Neil and Cynthia Seidel discuss the differences and similarities between US and Canadian universities as well as why students may want to consider attending college in Canada. Five Canadian universities are featured.
Executive Functioning Skills: What are they and why are they important?
The last two years have not been easy for students. Many students have come out of remote learning with a loss of their executive functioning skills. These include how to organize, plan, prioritize, manage time, maintain focus, self-assess, and study efficiently.
Join Mary Pat O’Neil, independent college counselor, and Nancy Colburn, certified ADHD coach, as they discuss symptoms of executive function loss, and strategies to improve skills along with answering questions from the audience.
Navigating the Emotional Side of the College Process
There is a lot of potential stress involved in the college application process which can come from both internal and external forces. For some families, the pressure begins building early. Please join Mary Pat ONeil and Sheri Gazitt for a conversation about what they see and specific things parents can do to help their teens navigate the college journey and learn more about themselves.
Paths After High School: Technical Colleges and Apprenticeships
While attending a 4-year college is an option after graduating high school, there are other paths that lead to student success.
In this webinar, Find Your Fit’s Mary Pat O’Neil will explore the benefits and opportunities offered by technical colleges and apprenticeship programs. She will be joined by guest speakers from the Lake Washington Institute of Technology and ApprenticePath.
How to Succeed in College Academically, Emotionally, and Socially
The transition to college can be difficult for teens. Join Find Your Fit’s Mary Pat O’Neil as she moderates a virtual panel discussing the things a college freshman can do to be successful in college – in their academics, their social life, and with their mental health.
Study Abroad: How to apply to colleges in Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe
Interested in attending college in Canada, the UK, or Europe? In this workshop, Find Your Fit’s independent college counselor Mary Pat O’Neil welcomes guest speaker Cynthia Seidel of On Course College Counseling to help explain how applying to international colleges differs from applying to college in the United States.
Do you have to choose a college major when you apply to college?
Not every kid is ready to pick a college major at 17, but they’re asked, nonetheless. How does this question impact college admissions? Does it matter if they change their mind? How can we help our kids figure this out for themselves? This workshop helps parents and students through this critical question.
I found the College Bootcamp very helpful! I feel much less anxious about the college application process now that I have more tools in my toolbox.
Just wanted to say you are so engaging, we are privileged to have you for this session, Mary Pat. Important information delivered in an easy and crisp manner. Kudos!!
The speaker, Mary Pat O’Neil, was very dynamic and knowledgeable. She also stayed after the presentation and took individual questions.
Very informative workshop. It certainly brightened our journey of this college process.
