Career and College Advisor Notes for September 2025

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year, students and families! 

Great opportunities for teaching and learning are already happening, both in and outside the classroom, and I look forward to all the ways we will continue to learn and grow together 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 2026…

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 Beth Anderson and new LBHS counselor Tara Madsen about your future plans. (We’re very 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! Beth 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 (2024 tax documents, information about assets, etc.). The 2026-2027 FAFSA application (the correct version for the Class of 2026) is scheduled to open on October 1. I’ll update you as the date gets closer! 
  • Attend Paying for Post-HS Education Night in the LBHS Library on Monday, October 6, 6:30pm

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

Friday, October 3: Western Washington University Preview Day

Wednesday, October 15: 2025 NCW Career Expo at Okanogan Agri-Plex

Thursday, October 30: Construction Career Day at Spokane Fairgrounds

Other College/Career Events

Monday, October 6: Paying for Post-HS Education Night, 6:30-7:30pm, in LB Library & on Zoom

Tuesday, October 21: SAT for registered seniors (testing will begin at 8:24am in LB Library)

Tuesday, October 28: PSAT for all juniors (testing will begin at 8:24am, location details to follow)

So Your Student is a High School Senior: A Conversation for Parents on Thursday, Sept. 11, 5-6pm  (online)

Are you a parent of a senior who may be applying to selective colleges? Consider tuning in this Thurs., Sept. 11 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.

Paying for Post-HS Education (aka Financial Aid) Night 

Monday, October 6, from 6:30-7:30pm in the LBHS Library (or on Zoom – link will be shared the day of the event)

We will have the opportunity to learn from David Aramaki, a financial advisor and paying-for-college guru, about the financial aid system and paying for post-secondary educational expenses. David has joined us on a number of occasions to share his expertise, and he’ll be with us virtually via Zoom. All families and students in grades 7-12 are welcome – there will be a lot of useful information for parents of younger students who are planning for the future. Bring all your burning questions about financial aid and saving for college!

Naviance for Career Exploration 

Again during the 2025-2026 school year, students will be using Naviance during classes like AVID, 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. 

School Day SAT for Seniors on Tuesday, October 21

We’ll be offering the SAT at Liberty Bell during the school day on Tuesday, October 21. Seniors can register by signing up with Beth Anderson. Testing will begin at 8:24am and finish by lunchtime.

Students may still choose to register for Saturday SAT/ACT dates at any of the testing sites in our region. See 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 *free* online SAT and ACT prep resources:

PSAT for Juniors on Tuesday, October 28

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

Does Test-Optional Really Mean Optional?

Many colleges & universities 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! 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

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.