College and Career Counseling

Beth Anderson, College & Career Advisor

Be sure to watch for announcements with reminders about the various opportunities and deadlines mentioned below.

Career & College Advisor Notes

Mid-March to Mid-April 2023

Hello Students and Families,

Apologies for the late newsletter this month! Now that registration for 2023-2024 is in progress, there’s more space for me to think about what’s ahead this spring. And there are some awesome things on the horizon, including Construction Career Day in Spokane on March 30 and a College & Career Fair at LBHS on April 13 (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 2023 Google Classroom page for new scholarship opportunities and updates to deadlines, etc. One opportunity to highlight – the Methow Valley Education Foundation has three distinct programs (with one universal application): MVEF General Scholarships, Trade/Vocational School Scholarships, and the Tom Zbyszewski Memorial Scholarship. 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 on Wednesday afternoons starting on March 15 from 1:30 – 3 p.m., leading up to the School Day SAT at Liberty Bell on Tuesday, April 25. More details, including a full schedule of sessions, will be sent to juniors and their families after mid-winter break. Students may also choose to take advantage of the wide variety of SAT (and ACT) prep resources available online and in the library to start studying now on their own:

  • Khan Academy offers free SAT prep and practice tests.
  • Online ACT prep resources are also available.

Many colleges and universities plan to continue their test-optional admissions policies. You can check out a current list of test-optional schools at FairTest: The National Center for Fair and Open Testing.

Be well,
Beth/Ms. Anderson

College and Career Advisor
Methow Valley School District
banderson@methow.org
(509) 996.2215, x4175

Office Hours:
Available at LBHS or ILC from 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. on M/Tu/Th/F
Available remotely on Wednesdays
 

 

Upcoming Events & Deadlines

Construction Career Day! • Thursday, March 30

One of the highlights of the year is our annual trip to Construction Career Days at the Spokane Fairgrounds. Students in grades 9-12 have the opportunity to operate heavy machinery, demonstrate construction skills (or learn new ones!) in a variety of mini-competitions, and talk with industry professionals about career opportunities related to both residential and commercial construction. Please let Beth Anderson know if you’re interested in joining the trip – permission forms are due by March 20.

College & Career Fair at LBHS • Thursday, April 13

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 Thursday, April 13. Representatives from colleges and local businesses/employers will be on hand to answer questions and give students information about opportunities in their industries/schools.

School Day SAT • Tuesday, April 25

Juniors are encouraged to sign up with Debbie in the main office (no later than March 24) to take the SAT at Liberty Bell on April 25, starting at 8 a.m. 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 2023. 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!
 

Helpful Resources

Application Process

  • College Board
    The College Board website provides you with all the information you need for applying to college. It allows you to compare colleges. It provides you with GPA and SAT information to how you compare with other students. It provides financial information about the cost of schools and how they distribute their financial aid. This website also has a Expected Family Contribution and a Net Price Calculator available.
  • Common Application
    Start your Common Application.

Career Exploration

  • Naviance
    Career and college research tools available to all LBHS/ILC students. (*Coming soon* – sign in with your methow.org Google account!)
  • ReadyWA
    Career exploration & financial aid resources for students and families.
  • Find Your Grind
    Research careers based on your lifestyle assessment; free to all LBHS students.

Financial Aid & Scholarship Information

  • FAFSA Checklist & Financial Aid Timeline
    FAFSA checklist and timeline displayed in an easy to follow format.
  • FAFSA
    Official site for the 2023-2024 FAFSA. Opens October 1, 2021.
  • Washington Student Achievement Council – financial aid resources for all Washington families, and the new home of the WASFA (Washington Application for State Financial Aid), which is the financial aid application for WA residents who do not qualify for federal aid due to immigration status.
  • Fastweb
    “Leading online resource for finding scholarships to help you pay for school.”
  • Scholarship Training Guide – Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF)
    “Twenty-six years ago, members of Washington’s tree fruit industry formed the Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) to develop, promote and manage the industry’s charitable works. The foundation has increased support for college-bound students annually. This year 310 students are on college campuses with help from $1 million in WAEF scholarships.”
  • The College Solution – “Guide for Finding the Right School at the Right Price” by Lynn O’Shaughnessy (website & Book)
  • Unigo/Scholarship Experts
    “Sign up to get matched to scholarships that are perfect for you.”
  • WashBoard
    “Looking for scholarships? We connect Washington students of all types with Washington scholarship providers….for FREE.”
  • Western Undergraduate Exchange Tuition Reduction
    List of all schools in the Western Undergraduate Exchange. Students who are residents of WUE states are eligible to apply for a reduced tuition rate of 150% of resident tuition at participating schools.

School Lists & Virtual Tours

Testing

  • Fair Test: National Center for Fair & Open Testing
    FairTest lists all of the colleges that do not use SAT/ACT scores for admitting students.
  • Test Optional
    In the wake of pandemic-related disruptions, many colleges and universities have decided to make standardized testing.
  • ACT
    Register for the ACT.
  • ACT Prep
    Online ACT prep resources.
  • SAT
    Register for the SAT.
  • Khan Academy
    Free SAT prep and practice tests.
  • SAT Test Prep Google Classroom See Ms. Anderson for access to the Google Classroom site. You can also ask her for a printed copy of a full-length practice SAT.

 

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.

← Back to Counseling & Support Services

Our Mission

To expect, encourage and facilitate the pursuit of excellence in our students, preparing them for a world in which life-long learning is critical to their success and happiness.

A Vision for Methow Valley Schools

Working in partnership with our families and community, we develop curious, creative, compassionate, competent, action-oriented citizens prepared to change the world.

×

Spring Break: Monday, April 3rd - Friday, April 7th - All MVSD schools and the district office will be closed to the public.