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College Counseling at Liberty Bell
Sharlene Cardoza and Linda Kimbrell
Our philosophy
In keeping with the school district's mission of lifelong learning, the college counseling office encourages all students to pursue post-secondary education. We strive to help each student find the best fit for his or her academic and personal needs. We meet with students beginning in seventh grade and continuing through senior year -- guiding them through the process of preparing for post-secondary study, searching for schools, applying to colleges, and securing financial aid. Our goal is to ensure that all Liberty Bell graduates have the opportunity to pursue post-graduate education at colleges or universities that best suit their academic and personal goals.
Who we are
Sharlene Cardoza - Guidance Counselor
Sharlene Cardoza graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in English and a teaching certification for grades K-8 and English 9-12. She taught adult education ESL classes to Portuguese speakers in Half Moon Bay, CA. She was the first teacher hired by Little Star Montessori School for opening day March 22, 1982. Wanting to become a counselor, she returned to school and received a M.Ed in Counseling with school counseling certification. She went on to work for the Methow Valley and Brewster school districts for a combined 10 years as the family empowerment counselor. In 1997, Sharlene was hired as the Liberty Bell Jr/Sr guidance counselor. Her three children began their education at Little Star Montessori School and graduated from Liberty Bell High School.
Linda Kimbrell - College Advisor
Linda attended Bowdoin College in Maine, then transferred and graduated from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR in 1986. There she studied Environmental Science and Mathematics, earning her secondary teaching certificate in both areas. Since that time, Linda has taught at the secondary and elementary levels, in public and private schools, and in both the US and Costa Rica. She has been working in college counseling since 2005 and will earn her graduate Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA in 2010. Linda is also a member of the National Association of College Admissions Counselors. This is Linda's second year at Liberty Bell, where her position is funded by the Public School Funding Alliance and the Methow Valley Community Foundation.
Resources
There are many books and websites that can help you with your college search and application process. Check out the list below:
Books (available in the counseling office)
The College Handbook - from College Board
Fiske Guide to Colleges - Edward B Fiske
Colleges That Change Lives - Loren Pope
College Match - Steven R Antonoff
Get Into Any College - Kelly and Gen Tanabe
Scholarship Handbook - from College Board
Getting Financial Aid - from College Board
Creative Colleges - Elaina Loveland
America's Best Colleges for B Students - Tamra B OrrWebsites
Websites
www.collegeboard.com
for SAT information and registration
for college searching, application, and financial aid information
www.act.org
for ACT information and registration
www.commonapp.org
for using the common application to apply online
www.princetonreview.com
for college searching, standardized test prep, financial aid information
www.gocollege.com
for college searching, standardized test prep, financial aid information
www.collegedata.com
for college searching, application advice, financial aid information
www.ctcl.org
for information about small liberal arts colleges
http://collegeprowler.com
for reviews by students of colleges, college searching, scholarship info
www.nacacnet.org/EventsTraining/CollegeFairs/Pages/default.aspx
for information about college fairs
www.hecb.wa.gov
for information on WA state financial aid
www.gearup.wa.gov
for college planning for middle and high school students and parents
www.fafsa.ed.gov
for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid info and application
https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp
for the CSS Financial Aid Profile information and application
www.finaid.org
for information about financial aid
www.meritaid.com
for information about scholarships
www.fastweb.com
for information about scholarships
scholarshipmillionaire.wordpress.com
for information about scholarships
www.ncaa.org
for information about NCAA athletics
www.eligibilitycenter.org
for NCAA eligibility requirement and registration
www.fairtest.org
for a list of schools that do not require SAT or ACT for admission
Finances
It is very important for parents and students to determine how they will finance the cost of college before the first bill is due. First, become familiar with some of the terminology:
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
EFC - expected family contribution (what schools expect you can pay)
Need-based aid - financial aid based on parents' and students' income and resources
Merit-based aid - financial aid that is based on a student's merit (academic, athletic, artistic, etc.) and not on finances
Grants - money that is given and does not need to be repaid (as long as conditions for the grant are met)
Scholarships - money that is given and does not need to be repaid; often these are renewable for up to four years
Loans - money that is borrowed and needs to be repaid; usually payments start after four years
Work Study - on-campus job opportunities for students receiving financial aid
The federal government offers many differing forms of financial aid: Pell Grants, PLUS Loans, Perkins Loans, Stafford Loans, TEACH Grants, SMART Grants, Academic Competitiveness Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.
In addition, each state has its own financial aid programs. Washington has numerous available, under the title of Washington Opportunity Pathways. Click on the list at: http://www.hecb.wa.gov/FinancialAid
Of particular note is Washington's College Bound Scholarship, for which a student must register when he or she is in junior high. For those who are eligible, this scholarship covers the amount of tuition (at public university rates) that is not covered by other state financial aid, plus $500 for books! It can be used at two- and four- year public and private colleges and universities in Washington.
Parents should also talk with their tax advisors about planning for college costs. There are numerous ways to save (such as 529 and other student savings plans, GET tuition credits, HOPE Scholarships and Lifelong Learning tax credits, and more). A professional tax advisor can help with any of these.
Financial Aid offices at colleges and universities can also provide a wealth of knowledge and help. One important thing to remember is: the early bird gets the worm, or the early applicant gets the money! Don't waIt until the last minute to apply. Beat the deadline and apply for financial aid as early as possible.
Check out Benjamin Kaplan's book, How to Go to College for Almost Free. While in high school, Ben received (through hard work and creativity) numerous scholarships totaling over $90,000 to finance his college education. After graduation, he wrote this book to help others navigate the often confusing sea of financial aid.
Check out the following websites to get more information about financial aid.
https://profileonline.collegeboard.com/prf/index.jsp
http://scholarshipmillionaire.wordpress.com
Individual institutions also offer their own financial aid to students. Check out each school's offerings of need-based and merit-based aid on its website. Make sure to follow application guidelines clearly!
Private scholarships offer another option for financing college. These can be national, regional, or local. Websites such as Fastweb provide information about national scholarships and contests. For regional and local scholarships, check with the counseling office.
Minimum College Admissions Criteria
Beyond satisfying graduation requirements, college-bound students need to be aware of course requirements for college attendance. In Washington, the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) sets the minimum college admission standards and the College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADR):
Through 2011 15 credits in subject areas as listed below:
English - 4 credits (including 3 credits of literature and composition)
Math - 3 credits (including algebra, geometry, and advanced math)
Science - 2 credits (of laboratory science - including 1 credit of algebra-based biology, chemistry, or physics)
World Languages - 2 credits (of the same language)
Social Science - 3 credits
Arts - 1 credit (fine, visual, or performing arts)
Beginning 2012 15 credits in subject areas as listed below:
English - 4 credits (must include 3 credits of college preparatory composition or literature)
Math - 3 credits (Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II, or Integrated I, II, and III)
Math - senior year credit (during the senior year of high school, students must earn a credit in a math-based quantitative course, e.g. statistics, applied math, or higher level math beyond Algebra II or Integrated III); this requirement does not mean a student must take 4 years of math, as long as he/she is taking a math class during the senior year
Science - 2 credits (of laboratory science - including 1 credit of algebra-based biology, chemistry, or physics)
World Languages - 2 credits (of the same language)
Social Science - 3 credits (history or other social science)
Arts - 1 credit (fine, visual, or performing arts)
Meeting the minimum college admission standards does not guarantee admission to the public institutions in Washington. These are requirements for application. (However, if a student does not meet them all, e.g. no foreign language, he or she may go through a more comprehensive application and review process to earn admittance to one of the state schools.)
Detailed information on the CADRs and higher education in Washington state is available on the HECB website: www.hecb.wa.gov
