May & June Newsletter

Advising Updates

The end of May is here and I know everyone is busy with academics, sports, theater, exams, college tours, and end of the year tasks. Thank you for continuing to keep your appointment dates! This is going to become more important for the fall.

Keeping your appointments and completing your work on time is critical for the fall. This time of year is packed with fun, homework and advising tasks to complete. If you have not found a way to track information, dates, and deadlines yet please talk to your parents about how to organize your tasks and make sure you’re completing the things assigned to you.

Your homework can be found in recap emails and on your homework tracker. I also set up alerts to remind you of the tasks I have asked you to complete. If there is something I can do to help you track information please let me know. I am here to help!

Seniors - Congratulations! Knowing each of you, I am sure you’re finishing the year strong! If you have not updated me on where you’re going, please send me an email. I have a gift I college themed gift would like to send your way.

Juniors - Thank you for attending the resume workshops and for all of your work on your resume. Continue to work on your resumes as we move into the summer. I’ll be setting deadlines for drafts your resume at our next meeting.

Next up, we’ll be tackling the “Why Us” essay, your resume, balancing your college list, and thinking about affordability. If you have not scheduled your Why Us meeting or your third Family Meeting with me yet, please reach out.

Sophomores - It’s been wonderful meeting you and getting to know you better through your career assessments. This summer is a great time to visit college campuses! Check out your Digital Binder to find resources about campus visits (setting them up, questions to ask, etc.). Look at areas you’re traveling to with your family and see if there are any college nearby that you can check out. Do an official tour and even sit in on an information session - you can learn more about the colleges you might visit using your Custom College Plan portal.

Summer Office Closure
June 15 - July 15th

Every year, I close my office for one month during the summer before diving into the application process in Mid-July. During this month I will be checking my email twice a week, but will be available via phone and text message for urgent situations.

Recent College Visits

In April and May I have been visiting campuses in Washington state and on the East Coast. I like to visit campuses to get a sense of what the area looks like, to learn about programs, and to meet the admission representatives who work with my students. These visits inform suggestions I make to you when putting together your list or have questions about a specific college.

This spring I have visited these schools:

  • Whitman College

  • Washington State University

  • University of Washington

  • Yale University

  • US Coast Guard Academy

  • Pace University

  • Fordham University - Lincoln Center

  • New York University

  • US Military Academy at West Point


You can find photos from my campus visits located on the Walberg College Counseling Facebook Page.

In the Media

Read, listen, and learn about the college admission process and latest news in higher education. These articles and podcasts can help you understand some of the nuances of the application process.

Yale University, 2024

May-June Reminders

Graduating Seniors:

- Do your best on your finals - avoid senioritis!
- Notify colleges that you will not attend via email.
- Send thank you notes to those who wrote letters of recommendation for you.
- Have your final transcript sent to your college of choice.

Rising Seniors:
- Resume Drafting
- Why Us Essay Drafting
- Complete all sections of CommonApp except: College Tab, Activities Tab
- Plan summer college tours
- Register and prep for an SAT or ACT

ACT-July 13th,
Register- June 7th

SAT- August 24th,
Register August 9th

Rising Juniors:
- Make plans for a productive summer.
- Investigate summer programs, jobs, and internships.
- Tour colleges.
- Prepare for fall ACTs or SATs.

All students:
- Finish the year strong!

College Knowledge

  • Your teen may be academically ready to move on to college, but are they prepared emotionally and psychologically? Read about the eight components that are considered predictors of college success. Continue reading…

  • This ailment happens to seniors every year. Mid-term grades have been sent to colleges and acceptances have been received. During the last quarter of high school, apathy can set in. Seniors need to remember that their acceptance is contingent on their continued successful performance. Continue reading…

  • As the school year ends, the college application season begins. Summer is the perfect time to unwind from a busy school year, but is also a good time to begin brainstorming ideas for your college essay. Continue reading…

  • Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and Dual Enrollment

    offer a competitive edge to applicants; however, there are differences between the levels of rigor, work, impact on GPA, and attainment of college credit. Continue reading…

  • Understanding educational tax benefits can help offset the cost of college. After reading this article families should consult with an accountant or tax consultant and decide on the most beneficial tax benefits for them. Continue Reading…

  • Students who will begin college in the fall semester should receive their tuition bill a few months before the term begins. There are different options for paying tuition, such as tuition payment plans, taking out a home equity loan or line of credit, Parent Plus loans, and credit cards. Continue reading…

  • Art is a field that allows students to explore different cultures and perspectives while also equipping them with 21st-century skills needed for the rapidly changing workforce of the future. Continue reading…

  • Data Science is an interdisciplinary field where students learn to combine statistics, computer science, and knowledge about systems. This article offers information on the varying fields of knowledge that students can pursue. Continue reading…