Career and College Advisor Notes…September 2024

Welcome to another new school year, students and families! We’re doing it!

We’ve already had some great opportunities to build community, both in and outside the classroom,  and I look forward to all the ways we will continue to learn from and with each other this year. As always, please let me know what ideas you have about how we can explore ALL possibilities for high school and beyond.

Dear Class of 2025…

I know your senior year just started, but now is the time to take stock of your post-high school plans and build a list of tasks/deadlines that will allow you to get wherever you want to go after graduation. Here’s a rough outline, which will be especially helpful for those of you who are thinking about applying to trade & technical schools, community colleges, formal apprenticeship programs, or 4-year colleges & universities:

  • Make time to chat with Ms. Anderson and Mrs. Spellman about your future plans. (We’re super excited to talk with every single one of you!)
  • Create a list of potential post-secondary schools or training programs or career paths that appeal to you and feel free to add and subtract as you learn more about each option. Use a spreadsheet or Google doc to track your application progress and Google calendar to remember important deadlines.
  • Work on your personal essay. In October all seniors will begin an in-class personal essay unit during their Senior Seminar or ILC Advisory class. You’ll generate topics and draft personal essays during this unit, and you can continue to edit and refine your work through the fall.  Essays are an important component of many scholarship and admission applications.
  • Talk with teachers who know you well to ask if they would be willing to write letters of recommendation for you. Plan to give them at least 3 weeks of lead time and provide each teacher with background information about your academic strengths and best personal qualities so they’re able to write a compelling letter on your behalf! Mrs. Spellman needs a paper copy of this LOR packet (again, 3 weeks in advance!) in order to complete her counselor recommendations for you.
  • Get a strong start on your fall semester coursework. Some colleges will ask you to submit mid-year transcripts as part of your application, and you want to let them know you’re putting in your best effort.
  • Start searching for scholarships and gathering information related to financial aid (2023 tax documents, information about assets, etc.). The 2025-2026 FAFSA application (the correct version for the Class of 2025) will open late again this year–December 1, 2024–and I’ll update you as the date gets closer! 
  • Attend this year’s Paying for Post-HS Education Night in the LBHS Library (date TBD–Nov./Dec.)

Upcoming Field Trip Opportunities (see Beth/Ms. Anderson to sign up!)

NEW DATES! Monday-Tuesday, Sept. 30-Oct. 1: Westside College Tour (UW Seattle, UW Bothell, Skagit Valley College) 

Wednesday, October 23: 2024 NCW Career Expo at Okanogan Agri-Plex

Wednesday, October 30: Construction Career Day at Spokane Fairgrounds

Other College/Career Events (not school trips)

Fridays, October 4,  11,  18: WWU Fall Preview Days

Friday-Saturday, October 25-26: NACAC Seattle National College Fair

Tuesday, October 29: NACAC Spokane National College Fair 

So Your Student is a High School Senior: A Conversation for Parents on Thursday, Sept. 12, 5-6pm  (online)

Are you a parent of a senior who may be applying to selective colleges? Consider tuning in this coming Thurs., Sept. 12 for a general overview of the admissions process with an admissions officer from Bowdoin College. Topics will include researching schools, essay writing, application timelines, financial aid, and ways to support your student throughout the process.

Naviance for Career Exploration 

Again during the 2024-2025 school year, students will be using Naviance during classes like AVID (CLIMBS), Senior Seminar, and Advisory as a tool to support career exploration and post-high school planning. Students are also welcome to log in to Naviance on their own time to browse careers and educational pathways – just go to https://student.naviance.com/lbjsh, select “Student,” and then “Continue with Single Sign On” to log in through your methow.org Google account. 

PSAT for Juniors on Wed., October 23

Each year we offer the PSAT free of charge to all juniors. Check out the link for test prep resources, and Mrs. Spellman will send more details about the PSAT as the date approaches. 

School Day SAT for Seniors on Thurs., October 24

We’re excited to be offering the SAT at Liberty Bell during the school day again, on Thursday, October 24. 

Please register by signing up with Debbie Bair in the main office ASAP**.**  Check in with either Erika Spellman or Beth Anderson if you have any questions about what to expect or how to prepare.

Students may still choose to register for Saturday SAT/ACT dates at any of the testing sites in our region. See Mrs. Spellman or Ms. Anderson to obtain a fee waiver for outside tests (all students who receive free/reduced lunch qualify for free testing!).

There are some excellent online SAT and ACT prep resources:

Does Test-Optional Really Mean Optional?

A few selective colleges have returned to their pre-pandemic policies of requiring test scores on their applications. However, many schools have officially made  standardized testing optional, and a few have chosen a test-free policy, meaning that no test scores will be reviewed during the admissions process. Have questions about whether to test? Check out FAQs and a current list of test-optional schools at the newly redesigned FairTest: The National Center for Fair and Open Testing. 

That’s all for now! Throughout the year I’ll be on campus (either at Liberty Bell or the ILC) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and on Wednesdays during 2nd block at LB only (remote the rest of the day on Wednesdays). You are welcome to contact me anytime by email (banderson@methow.org) or by leaving a voicemail at 509.996.2215, x4175.

Looking forward to a fantastic fall and beyond!

Beth/Ms. Anderson

College and Career Advisor

Methow Valley School District

banderson@methow.org

509.996.2215, x4175

About the College and Career Counseling Program

The goal of our College and Career Counseling program is to provide students and their families with the information and resources necessary for them to make well-informed choices about their post-secondary education. Liberty Bell recognizes the diversity in our families and understands that what might be right for one student may not be a good fit for another.

Therefore, we work individually with students and their families to help them successfully develop and achieve their post-graduation goals – whether that is applying to a 4-year, 2-year or technical college, designing a productive Gap Year plan or entering the military or workforce. Some of the specific services that we offer include:

  • Educating students and parents about the post-secondary educational choices available to them.

  • Meeting individually with juniors, seniors and parents to help them with their college lists, the application process, college essays and financial aid needs, including the FAFSA, the Profile and College Bound Scholarship, as well as with SAT/ACT prep and registration.

  • Holding college information evenings for students and parents to make sure that they have all the resources and support they need to reach their goals.

  • Working with the guidance counselor to ensure that 9th and 10th graders take the necessary classes to be eligible for college admissions.

Applying to college should be a fun and exciting process; but at times it can be a bit overwhelming. If you find yourself feeling stuck, or if you have questions about any part of the application process, contact our office at (509) 996-2215.

We would like to thank the Public School Funding Alliance for their generous support of this program.