College Counseling Updates – Kris Nilsen’s All Things College

• Finish YouScience Assessment if haven’t already
• Sign FERPA Release and Waiver
• Send Recommendation requests to chosen facilitators (Go to the “My Colleges” tab. In the top right corner click on “Application Documents”. Then click on “Teacher Recommendations”.
• Research colleges on your list
• Move colleges from “Following” or “Suggested” to the applying column if applying and then applied
• Keep up with application deadlines.

• Apply to your California State University (CSU) campuses right now. Use your transcript in your Pathways Student Portal for reference purposes.
• Finish your Common App for your chosen EA/ED schools and submit. Do NOT report your SAT/ACT scores on your Common App because then you’ll forfeit your right to apply test-optional to some places…that is, if you plan to go test-optional at designated places.
• Make sure your letter-writing facilitators are identified in SCOIR.
• You and your folks should complete the FAFSA. You will not be informed of Early Admissions financial aid until after you’ve completed this step, so do it now.

Check to see if any of your private colleges also require completion and submission of the CSS/Profile. You most likely have some.

Click on the link below for important information about the FAFSA and CADAA:

FREE MONEY FOR COLLEGE

Where: The Village room in lower school

Time: 8:30 am – 1:30 pm

Proctor: Mrs. Nilsen

Cost: $60 (Cash or Check made out to SCVi)

Limited Seating / First Come First Serve

Email kris.nilsen@scvi-k12.org to reserve a spot

HOW TO ANSWER THE UC PERSONAL INSIGHT QUESTIONS

Oct 9th, 16th, & 23rd

Saturdays | 2:00-4:00 pm PT (5-7:00pm ET)

Register Here

Need Help With Your College Applications?

How to Write a Successful Common App Activities List: You get 10 spots and 150 characters to describe each of your extracurricular activities. How do you make the most of that space? This in-depth guide (with examples) may help.

How to Use the Additional Information Section: This is probably the most underutilized section of the application. Though optional, it provides an important opportunity for some students to provide context for their application.

The College Essay Guy YouTube Channel: I’ve spent a ton of time the last 9 months recording tons of new videos, from my full guide to the “Why Us?” essay, tips on the UC personal insight questions, to reviewing some of my favorite essay examples of all time. Subscribe if you’d like to get notified; I publish a new video each week.

The Dangers of Getting Personal Statement Feedback From Too Many People: A helpful lesson from Pete the Cat.

How to Write a Super Essay by Combining Essay Prompts: If you’re writing separate essays for all your supplemental essays, this one’s for you. Write better essays and save hours drafting by finding opportunities for overlap among your college essay prompts.

The College Application Hub:Okay, I lied. I had a few more resources come to mind that I wanted to share as I wrote this email, so here’s my College Application Hub, which has pretty much all the things, organized by category.

Each week, Mrs. Nilsen will provide insight into unique college options for learners & families:

• Fiske Guide to Colleges 2021 – an annual comprehensive catalog of diverse universities here in California and nationwide.
• Colleges That Change Lives – 44 liberal arts colleges that support the goal of every student finding a college that develops a lifelong love of learning and provides the foundation for a successful and fulfilling life beyond college.
• Colleges that Create Futures – looks beyond the usual “best of” college lists to highlight 50 schools that empower students to discover practical, real-world applications for their talents and interests.

This Week: Whitman College / Go Blues!

345 Boyer Avenue, Walla Walla, Washington

Click here for Admissions Info

Click here for Tuition & Financial Aid Info

Enrollment: 1,529

Undergraduates Only!

Acceptance Rate: 56%

Male/Female: 43/57

Private

Test Optional

Strong Programs: Biology, Psychology, Economics, Politics, Environmental Studies, English, Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology, Astronomy.

“Indeed, when asked what kind of person should come here, the first thing a Whitman student is likely to say is, ‘If you’re not willing to get involved, don’t bother to come here.’ By involved that student would mean in one’s studies, with one another, with teachers, and in campus life.”

~Colleges That Change Lives

Details:

• 9:1 Student-to-faculty ratio
• Average class size: 18
• 77% of students receive financial assistance
• Whitman is an independent, co-educational, non-sectarian, residential, liberal arts and sciences undergraduate college
• Historic Walla, Walla, recently named ‘Friendliest Town in America,’ is in the scenic sunny southeastern corner of Washington, 3 hours from Spokane, 4 from Portland and 4.5 hours from Seattle
• 98% of full-time faculty hold the most advanced degree in their field; there are no teaching assistants
• 51 majors
• 3 combined programs
• Engineering (with California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Columbia University,Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Washington)
• Oceanography (with University of Washington)
• Forestry and Environmental Management (with Duke)
• 75% of students live on campus; freshman and sophomores are required
• 70% of students volunteer
• More than 22 music groups and ensembles; 8 theater productions stage per year
• NCAA Division III, Northwest Conference, 8 varsity teams for men and 9 for women
• Social life revolves around on-campus activities
• 35% men and 34% of women go Greek (Fraternities and Sororities) “Greek life at Whitman is very relaxed”
• In good weather, students gather on Ankeny Field to study, toss a Frisbee, or relax, and watching the sun set over the wheat fields is a popular pastime
• Everyone looks forward to the annual basketball rivalry game against Whitworth University (the “Battle of the Whits”)
• The Walla Walla are is small and quaint
• Autumn is gorgeous, winter sporadically snowy, and spring delightfully warm.
• Hiking, biking, and backpacking are minutes away
• White-water rafting and rock climbing are popular on weekends

“If you are choosing a liberal arts school in the Northwest,” says a student, “choose Whitman”!