CAREER AND COLLEGE ADVISOR NOTES FOR 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

College and Career Advising Notes for Summer 2024

Hello, Students and Families:

Summer is nearly here! We heard moving and funny speeches and celebrated the incredible Class of 2024 during their commencement ceremony last Friday, and now students are turning in their last assignments, teachers are calculating final grades, and we’re all looking forward to a change in routine for the next couple months.

As many of you know, my personal last-week-of-school tradition is to leave you all with a few ideas for post-high school planning. Obviously your first priority for the summer should be to de-stress, decompress, and be outdoors as much as possible! But summer is also a great time for students to: take on a part-time job where you can learn new skills, reflect on your learning experiences and think about goals for next year, and dream about what the future holds. These are just a few resources to help you along the way...

Local Summer Job Opportunities

Many employers in the valley are still looking for seasonal help in food service, retail, housekeeping, construction, farming, and more. A lot of students find jobs by word-of-mouth or through friends and family, but the Methow Valley News Classifieds can also be an excellent way to see what jobs are available! Either find a paper copy of this week’s paper or use the link above and select “Employment” from the drop-down menu to see the current list of open positions at local businesses.

Rising Seniors

The summer months are a good time to get a head start on post-high school planning tasks. 11th graders (a.k.a. rising seniors!) and their families are encouraged to review the attached slideshow, which contains suggestions and links to resources related to planning for senior year and beyond.

The list below is basically a condensed version of the slideshow; all these things can be accomplished on your own time, at your own pace!

❏ Complete the Game Plan survey using your Naviance account (to log in, click the “Student” icon and then choose the “Continue with Single Sign On” option to sign in with your methow.org Google account).

❏ Make a list of potential careers and the education/training you’ll need to achieve your goals (use Naviance, paper & pencil, or whatever app works best for you).

❏ Brainstorm topics or even write a rough draft of your personal essay. Your summer work will make early scholarship/college application deadlines more doable in the fall.

❏ Gather information related to financial aid—the 2025-26 FAFSA should be available on October 1, 2024, and we’ll plan a financial aid night for families around the time of its release. Note: you’ll use 2023 tax data to complete the 2025-26 FAFSA application.

If your plan includes applying to 4-year colleges...

❏ Create a Common App account and start entering some of the basic information.

❏ Read “The Checklist for College-bound Juniors,” by Patrick O’Connor – good (and brief) advice for navigating the 4-year college application process. You can also consider whether test prep will be on your list of summer tasks. There are many test-optional colleges and universities, and if you choose to apply without submitting test scores you can focus your energies on excelling in rigorous coursework and writing stellar essays. However, the decision to test or not to test is ultimately personal; Ms. Anderson and Mrs. Spellman are available to discuss your options. We are planning to offer another School Day SAT in October 2024.

TIps for using Naviance Career Exploration Resources

Both Erika Spellman and I recommend that students do one or two assessments of their strengths and skills during each year of middle/high school in order to notice how their interests evolve over time – the Self-Discovery tab in Naviance has a number of options, and most of the assessments can be repeated as many times as a student wants. Students have used Naviance during Advisory this year, and the summer is a great time to look back and reflect AND do additional career research.

Our student Naviance link is: https://student.naviance.com/lbjsh. All LB & ILC students in grades 7-12 have accounts associated with their methow.org Google login, so they need to click the "Student" backpack icon and then click the "Continue with Single Sign On" button rather than creating a new account (even if it’s the first time they’ve used Naviance).

Virtual College Admissions Resources

Both 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities offer a number of virtual resources to help students navigate the admissions process. Here are links to those offerings for a range of schools:

Washington Wednesday Webinar Series - specific to the UW, exploring a range of admissions topics

Whatcom Community College Information Sessions - learn more about specific programs at WCC

Reed College Virtual Admissions Events - helpful for understanding selective college admissions

Montana State University Virtual Visits - explore MSU’s degree options or meet with an admissions rep

Renton Technical College Virtual Welcome Center - great workshops & links to online advising

8 of the Best Colleges Virtual Programs - virtual dates coming soon; good resource to interact with a

number of selective liberal arts college admission representatives in one place

The University of Chicago Virtual Events - range of admissions topics, some involve other universities

ReadyWA - Career Exploration Resources for Students & Families (Grades 7-12)

Ready Washington is a coalition of more than 20 state and local agencies, associations, and advocacy organizations focused on providing career planning resources for all students in Washington state. Click these links to see their suggestions for having conversations with high school and middle school students about high school and beyond.

Whether you’re a graduating senior or a continuing junior high or high school student, feel free to email me with any questions or concerns or interesting updates about your lives, even after this school year ends and before the next one begins. :)

Have an amazing summer!

All the best,

Beth

Beth Anderson

College and Career Advisor, Methow Valley School District

Career & College Advising Webpage, email: banderson@methow.org

CAREER AND COLLEGE NOTES FOR MID-MARCH THROUGH MID-APRIL 2024

Hello Students and Families,

There are some awesome things on the horizon, including the Trades Fair at TwispWorks on March 20 and a College & Career Fair at LBHS on April 22 (organized by our CLIMBS students!). Let me know if you have questions about any of the opportunities listed here.

Scholarships!

Seniors, keep checking the Scholarships 2024 Google Classroom page for new scholarship opportunities and updates to deadlines, etc. One opportunity to highlight – the Methow Valley Education Foundation now has four distinct programs (with one universal application): MVEF General Scholarships, Trade/Vocational School Scholarships, the Tom Zbyszewski Memorial Scholarship, and the new Arnold R. Campbell Memorial Scholarship(s). The MVEF scholarship committee especially encourages students who are interested in trade or technical education/training to apply.

SAT Prep for Juniors

Ms. Anderson will be offering a test prep series during Advisory on Tuesdays & Thursdays starting on March 19, leading up to the School Day SAT at Liberty Bell on Thursday, April 25.

Because of the new digital format of the test, our test prep will be mostly online. But I encourage all juniors to attend the advisory prep sessions in person for two reasons: 1) having time set aside and a group of colleagues to practice with provides accountability and motivation, and 2) I'll guide you through the resources and show how to use them effectively. 

If you're interested, here's a recent NY Times article about the new digital SAT. According to students who have already taken the digital SAT this spring, the shorter testing time is a real game-changer!  

Many (but not all) colleges and universities plan to continue their test-optional admissions policies next year. You can check out a current list of test-optional schools at FairTest: The National Center for Fair and Open Testing. 

Summer Essay Workshop at The Bush School, Mazama Campus

The week of June 24-28, Hilary Kaltenbach (MVSD parent and former Bush School teacher) and Jasminé Smith from The Bush School will be offering a writing retreat designed to support rising seniors as they tackle the writing components of college applications. MVSD juniors are invited to register as day students – you’ll attend from 10am-3pm each day – for a cost of $50 (and financial aid is available). Check out the attached flyer for more details, and see Beth Anderson with questions. 

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

Wednesday, March 20 — MVSD Trades Fair at TwispWorks

The second annual MVSD Trades Fair is sure to be an awesome experience! From 11:30am-1:00pm on March 20, tradespeople from the Methow and nearby communities will set up outside at TwispWorks, in front of our MVSD Welding and Auto shops. There will be demonstrations of tools and equipment, and students will have the opportunity to ask the representatives from different trades about the qualifications and experience needed to work in their fields. See Beth Anderson, Wyatt Southworth, or Grant Storey if you want to attend – we will arrange transportation from LBHS to Twisp and back.

Monday, April 22 — College & Career Fair at LBHS

The 7th-8th and 9th-10th CLIMBS classes are planning a whole-school College & Career Fair that will be held during JH/HS Advisory and lunch on Monday, April 22. Representatives from colleges and local businesses/employers will be on hand to answer questions and give students information about opportunities in their industries/schools. 

Thursday, April 25 — School Day SAT

Juniors are encouraged to sign up with Debbie in the main office (no later than March 25) to take the SAT at Liberty Bell on April 25, starting at 8:20am. This opportunity is free and during the school day – please take advantage of it!

Ongoing — Finish the FAFSA

Seniors & families: there’s still time to complete your FAFSA application in order to receive scholarships and financial aid at many post-secondary institutions for the fall of 2024. Remember: even if you’re not planning to continue your education next year, I’d encourage you to fill out the FAFSA because it will give you the opportunity to access the funds you need if you change your mind!

Be well,

Beth/Ms. Anderson

Beth Anderson 

College and Career Advisor

Methow Valley School District

banderson@methow.org

Career and College Advisor Notes for February 2024

Hello Students and Families,

It’s the beginning of a new semester! Let’s get started strong and make the most of the second half of the school year. Now would be a great time to suggest spring field trip destinations – let me know what ideas you have!

Scholarships!

Seniors, keep checking the Scholarships 2024 Google Classroom page for new scholarship opportunities and updates to deadlines, etc. There are already a number of statewide/regional listings posted, and you are especially encouraged to use the eligibility quiz tool for the Community Foundation of North Central Washington database to see which of CFNCW’s 130+ scholarships you are eligible to apply for (deadline is March 1). 

***Occupation Exploration Opportunities for Students & Families ***

During the month of February, NCESD and Career Connect Washington will be hosting two opportunities for students in grades 6-12 to learn about careers directly from people working in those industries. (More details about the two events can be found on the attached flyers.)

Careers in Mental Health: Wenatchee Valley College on Wednesday, February 7, from 5:30-7:30pm.

Each clinician will discuss a case example that is similar to the work they do and the people they work with. Clinicians will discuss specifics like symptoms, management, diagnosis, and treatment. What their role in treatment looks like and how they support people in their unique journey. They will share why they entered into mental health as a career and the schooling involved.

Careers at the Chelan PUD: Rocky Reach Dam on Thursday, February 29, from 5:30-7:30pm.

Learn more about Chelan PUD careers and the work they do to maintain and repair fish ladders, turbines, generation units, and other equipment through welding, rigging, fabrication and crane operation and see if this pathway is right for you. See Ms. Anderson if you’re interested in this event but need transportation!

Scrubs Camp in Omak on Friday, March 8

Scrubs Camp is a one-day workshop for high school students to explore health careers through instruction and interactive activities designed to increase awareness, interest, and understanding of health careers. Students will hear presentations from health care professionals and/or educators, and participate in hands-on activities including drawing blood, listening to heartbeat, experiencing technical stimulation, conducting spirometry assessments, and practicing massage techniques.

Space is limited, and MVSD has been allotted five spots for the March 8 camp in Okanogan! See Beth Anderson ASAP if you’re interested in attending – we will arrange school transportation to the event.

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

Wednesday, February 7 — Mental Health Occupation Exploration at Wenatchee Valley College

Thursday, February 29 — Washington State Opportunity Scholarship Application Due

Another great funding opportunity for seniors who are planning to major in healthcare or STEM fields at a 2- or 4-year college or university in Washington. Income limits are quite high—a student from a family of 4 with an income of $150,500 or less would qualify for the award. See Ms. Anderson with questions about whether your chosen program qualifies for this funding.

Thursday, February 29 — Chelan PUD Occupation Exploration at Rocky Reach Dam

Friday, March 1— Community Foundation of North Central Washington scholarship deadline

Most of the 100+ scholarships available through CFNCW’s universal application have March 1 deadlines. This is one you don’t want to miss, seniors! Create a profile and CFNCW will match you with the awards you’re eligible to apply for, submit the general application, and then add any additional materials requested by individual scholarships.

**Friday, March 8 **— Scrubs Camp

Ongoing — Complete the 2024-25 FAFSA

Seniors & families: there’s still plenty of time to complete your 2024-25 FAFSA application in order to receive scholarships and financial aid at post-secondary institutions for the fall of 2024. The redesigned FAFSA continues to present issues for families, but please be persistent and reach out for support when you need it! I may not be able to fix the problem, but I might have some insight about whether others are experiencing the same glitch. 

The latest FAFSA news (as of January 30) is that the Department of Education is not ready to share FAFSA data with colleges yet – they now estimate data sharing will take place in early March, meaning most colleges will not be able to award financial aid to students until mid-late March at the earliest. Though the delay is not great, the reason for it is positive – the FAFSA formula will be readjusted for inflation and students should therefore qualify for more aid. Silver linings!

Be well,

Beth/Ms. Anderson

Career and College Advisor Notes for December 2023

Dear Families & Students,

It is hard to believe 2023 is already coming to an end! Unlike past years, this December has turned into our de facto financial aid month – see below for details on upcoming events to support families and students.

First and foremost, Financial Aid Night is happening TOMORROW, Tuesday, December 5, from 6:30-7:30 pm in the LBHS Library or on Zoom**. **We will have the opportunity to learn from David Aramaki 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 in helping families navigate the options for funding their children’s educational pursuits post-high school. All families and students in grades 7-12 are welcome, and seniors/senior families are encouraged to attend. Bring all your burning questions about financial aid and saving for college!

Update on FAFSA release + FAFSA Help Nights in January

We are still waiting for the official release date of the 2024-2025 FAFSA! We know it will happen by December 31, likely during the MVSD winter break. When we return from winter break, I’ll be hosting one or more FAFSA Help Nights for families who would like to fill out the application in the supportive environment of the LBHS Library. The first opportunity will be on Friday, January 5, from 5-7 pm. These help nights will be informal, drop-in sessions – parents are welcome to stop by to ask questions during the BB games or stay as long as they like and complete the entire FAFSA. Other dates will be scheduled based on student/family interest.

A Few Important Scholarship Opportunities

Montana State University WUE Scholarships - Applications Due January 3

MSU will be offering a very limited number of Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) scholarships to new freshmen enrolling in the fall of 2024. The WUE application is open, and instructions to apply can be found on MSU’s Nonresident Scholarships page. The deadline for WUE scholarship consideration is January 3, 2024. Due to the high value of WUE and the volume of applications, the scholarship is limited and extremely competitive. Students are encouraged to apply early and to complete the application carefully. Students will be notified in mid-February if they have been awarded WUE.

Okanogan County Bar Association Scholarship - Application Due January 15

The Okanogan County Bar Association Scholarship Committee will award a $1,200 scholarship to a student who will enroll in a two or four-year college for the Fall of 2024. To apply, students need to write an essay of up to 1,000 words about their plans for higher education (where will you go, what will you study, and why) and how they intend to use their degree to impact the legal field. Submissions must be emailed by January 15, 2024, to the Okanogan County Bar Association: OkanoganCountyBarAssociation@​gmail.com.

Washington State University General Scholarship Application - Due January 31

Like many other institutions, WSU uses a general application to award dozens of different merit-based scholarships. Prospective students need to fill out the scholarship app no later than January 31, 2024, even if they have not yet committed to attending WSU.

Happy Holidays! Please let me know how I can help you this month!

With gratitude,

Beth/Ms. Anderson