September Newsletter

Advising Updates

September is here and all of you are back in class! How fast the summer went, right? I hope that everyone is getting back into the swing of things. If you have scheduling questions or issues, don’t hesitate to reach out!

Course Schedules
Remember you want to be taking 5 solid classes, even in your senior year. This ensures that your schedule is rigorous and is meeting college entrance requirements. These areas are considered solid (core) by colleges:
- Math
- Science
- English
- Social Science
- Foreign Language

If you have a question about course options and if your schedule is lining up with your college plans, please reach out!

Fall reminders
Keeping your appointments and completing your work on time is critical right now. 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!

Link your Custom College Plan calendar with an external calendar
You can link your CCP calendar to your personal calendar by following the steps outlined in this article::
https://support.collegeplannerpro.com/hc/en-us/articles/9209671395739-How-do-students-view-their-CustomCollegePlan-events-in-an-external-calendar

Seniors - Congratulations! You’ve arrived - it’s your senior year! There’s a lot to get done this fall, but you’ve got this!We have set up bi-monthly check-in meetings to make sure you’re completing your applications and essays on time. Each of you have written a great main essay and I am looking forward to learning more about you through your supplemental essays too. See my fall reminders for you linked in the “College Knowledge” section of this post.

Juniors - You’ve arrived too! Your main task is to complete your criteria building college visits. We’ll talk more about these during your first family meeting. I am really looking forward to your college research and getting to know you better as the fall progresses. See my fall reminders for you linked in the “College Knowledge” section of this post.

Upcoming College Fairs

Fall is when the biggest college fairs of all happen in our area. There are three large fairs happening in the Puget Sound area and one in the Portland-Vancouver area. College fairs are a free opportunity for you to connect with your admission counselor. This is a great way to demonstrate interest, get your specific questions answered, and meet the person who (likely) will be reading your application. These are especially important events if you are looking at colleges that are not in our region. Register for the fair you plan to go to - it will make it easier for you to share your information with colleges - this is how you demonstrate interest!

Nervous about the fair? Here is a handout with helpful tips and advice for college fairs. This handout is also located in your digital binder.

Upcoming College Fairs in our area:

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.

Whitman College, 2024

September Reminders

Upcoming College Fairs:
Admission counselors will be coming to your area. See the information about dates and cities in this newsletter.

Seniors:
- Order the following things to be sent to your colleges:

  • Transcripts

  • Letters of Recommendation

  • Test scores (if sending)

- Make scheduling changes if necessary
- Attend the college fair in your area
- Finish main essay and pivot to supplementals and college sections on the CommonApp

Juniors:
- Make scheduling changes if necessary
- Complete your criteria building college visits
- Register and prep for an SAT or ACT
- Attend the college fairs in your area

College Knowledge

  • School is back in session and I am sure everyone is off and running! This time of year always feels like a sprint – but I hope that each of you finds your rhythm and you can find a comfortable pace to take things as they come. Continue Reading...

  • School is back in session and I am sure everyone is off and running! This time of year always feels like a sprint – but I hope that each of you finds your rhythm and you can find a comfortable pace to take things as they come. Continue Reading...

  • High school can be a time of excitement, transformation, and social and academic challenges. This article offers tips to help teens navigate the process successfully. Continue reading…

  • Understanding how financial aid factors into applying Early Decision or Early Action is something families should understand when creating an application plan. Continue reading…

  • Science-oriented students who are fascinated with food should explore the different components of studying food science. The variety of studies includes methods of food harvesting and evaluation of nutritional values to the sensory aspects of food. Continue reading...

  • Massive Open Online Courses, otherwise known as MOOCs, are a way to explore topics beyond the traditional high school curriculum. You may not receive credit for these classes. but learning something new without the pressure of grades can feel liberating. Continue Reading...