By Jon Gambrell
Enquirer contributor

OXFORD - With college admissions becoming more competitive, many parents worry they aren't doing enough to prepare their children for college.

Wanting to help parents prepare their children for college, Miami's Community Outreach Programs brought a group of parents from Winton Woods school district to the university campus.

Touring the art museum, discussing admission policies and taking in a Redhawks basketball game, the visit was the first of its kind for both Miami and the school district.

"There are a lot of tricks of the trade that fall through the cracks for parents," said Raymond Terrell, a Miami faculty member who accompanied the group. "We needed to go directly to the source and give the information."

David McGuire, associate director of admissions at Miami, talked with parents and stressed that parents should help their children go beyond the minimum requirements of high school graduation. Saying extracurricular academic activities like band and theater were also important, he suggested extra reading at home would help the prospective college student.

"Students don't read enough," he said. "They're not putting enough in the education bank to withdraw later."

Parents also talked to a group of Miami students, with questions ranging from campus life to how to motivate their children into preparing for college.

Tour participants Sherman and Rachel Napier have five children enrolled in Winton Woods schools.

"It was an opportunity to learn the things we need to do, whether they go here or wherever," Sherman Napier said.

E-mail jgambrell@fuse.net