BSD College Conference Series
On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, students and families from all BSD high schools were invited to join together for the College Conference Series. This series, designed to inform, educate, and empower attendees in the college application process, offered both in-person and virtual events. Participants had the opportunity to engage with expert speakers, access valuable resources, and gain insights tailored to their journey toward higher education.
- Download the Poster: English (PDF)
Pre-Conference Event – College Application Process 101
College Application Process 101 for Parents of Juniors
Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 6:30 p.m. at Sammamish HS Performing Arts Center
Bellevue School District counselors will share valuable information about Naviance, the college search process, the role of parents in the process, and the timelines that are critical to ease the stress of the college application season (October-January). Recommended for parents of juniors, but parents of sophomores and all grade levels are welcome!
Running Start Information Session
Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 4:30 pm
Running Start is a great program where 11th and 12th graders can earn both College and High School credit at the same time by taking classes at a college campus! This mandatory info session will cover the application process, admissions, enrollment options, and graduation requirements.
BSD College Conference
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
- Welcome and Keynote Speech: 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
- Welcome by Dr. Kelly Aramaki, Superintendent, Bellevue School District
- Session A: 6:40 – 7:10 p.m.
- Session B: 7:20 – 7:50 p.m.
- Session C: 8:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Students and families from all high schools are welcome to join!
*NEW* sessions added this year include:
- University of California schools panel
- Western Undergraduate Exchange
- Out of State Flagship Universities
- WA Guaranteed Admissions (WA GAP) schools panel
- University of Washington focused session
- Bellevue College focused session
- Additional BSD Alumni panel
The BSD College Conference is highly recommended for juniors and their families but is a great opportunity for ALL high school families to learn from professionals and knowledgeable BSD staff about applying for college.
For over a decade, the Bellevue School District College Conference has provided opportunities for students and parents to learn about the admissions process from college and university representatives and experts within BSD and our larger community. This year, the 2024 BSD College Conference will be held in person at Highland Middle School. Can’t attend in person? All sessions will be livestreamed for students and parents to join remotely. Session topics range from panel discussions with admissions representatives to writing the college essay and paying for college. Several new sessions have been added for 2024 including Western Undergraduate Exchange, College Credit Opportunities in High School, University of California schools panel, WA Guaranteed Admissions Program schools panel, and sessions focusing on the University of Washington and Bellevue College.
College Conference Sessions
^ Indicates that presenters and/or panelists are joining online. For all sessions, both in person conference participants and those joining remotely will be able to ask questions during the livestream of the session.
** Keynote speaker and sessions marked with an ** are available with closed captions in the following languages:
Español, 简体中文 Simplified Chinese, 傳統漢Traditional Chinese, हिंदी Hindi, 한국어 Korean and Việt Vietnamese.
Note: Spanish and Chinese interpreters will be available at the in-person conference event at Highland.
PANEL presentations
*NEW* Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (WA GAP) Participating Schools Panel**
Session A- 6:40-7:10
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
The Washington Guaranteed Admission Program (WAGAP) guarantees admission to a Washington public, four-year college or university for students who are on track to meet requirements by the end of their senior year. There’s a place for you at Washington’s public, four-year universities and WAGAP is just one of many ways to gain admission. Hear from admissions reps of the six WA GAP schools about programs and new developments on their campus, and what makes them unique.
Presenters:
Gracie Grossman, Admissions Counselor, Washington State University
Jacob Jones-Poulton, Admissions Counselor, Western Washington University
Jacob Crowell, Admissions Counselor, Central Washington University
Jason Nunez, Admissions Counselor, Eastern Washington University
Maddie Lang, Admissions Counselor, The Evergreen State College
Erynn Littlefield, Admissions Counselor, University of Washington, Tacoma
*NEW* University of Washington, Seattle and Bothell Campus**
Session A- 6:40-7:10
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
University of Washington, Seattle and Bothell campuses are a popular choice for BSD students. In this session you will learn about admissions practices, profiles of the average first-year student on campus for the current year and the unique characteristics of each institution.
Presenters:
Yvonne Chiu, Admissions Counselor, University of Washington Seattle
Garick Sherburn, Admissions Counselor, University of Washington Bothell
Eastside Youth Coalition – ‘Get Your College On’ BSD Black Alumni Panel ^
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
A panel of Black Bellevue School District Alumni will share their high school to college experiences.
Presenters:
Ahmed Jama – Interlake High School, Graduate, Seattle University, Junior
Jeremy Mumba – Interlake High School, Central Washington University, Graduate
Aisha Cora – Bellevue High School, Graduate, University of Washington, Senior
Rahsaan Corbin – Sammamish High School Graduate, Florida A&M University, Senior
Amera Chehem – Sammamish High School, Graduate, Bellevue College, Freshman
Beza Tibebu – Interlake High School, Graduate, University of Washington, Sophomore
Mignone Ntwari – Sammamish High School, Graduate, Howard University, Freshman
*NEW* Bellevue College**
Session A- 6:40-7:10
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
Did you know that Bellevue College offers fourteen bachelor’s degrees and is the college of choice for over 19,000 students? Meet representatives from Bellevue College and find out what makes Bellevue College special. Learn about student life, financing your education, academic options available and the admissions process.
Presenters:
Izzy deGrasse, Recruitment & Admission Specialist
Melissa Johnson, Executive Director, Bellevue College Foundation
Jessica Trumble, Scholarships and Programs Manager
*NEW* University of California Schools ^ **
Session A- 6:40-7:10
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
The University of California has ten campuses, nine of which offer undergraduate degrees. Meet two admissions representatives, both joining the conference remotely, who will share specifics about their own campus and an overview of the application process for the University of California.
Presenters:
Max Traylor, Out of State Admissions Specialist, University of California, Riverside
Huma Madinawala, Associate Director, First Year Outreach, University of California, Irvine
Admission Process at Private Colleges and Universities**
Session A- 6:40-7:10
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Representatives from various selective colleges will provide an overview of how their admissions teams evaluate applications and will take questions from students and families regarding the application review process.
Presenters:
Anna Aegerter, Admissions Counselor, University of Redlands
Charlotte Low, Admissions Counselor, Seattle University
Shaun Antrim, Admissions Counselor, Pacific Lutheran University
Admissions Counselor, Saint Martin’s University
Chelsea Crist, Saint Martin’s University
*NEW* BSD Student Alumni Panel—Attending University Out of State ^
Session B- 7:20-7:50
A panel of Bellevue School District Alumni will share their experiences attending out of state colleges and universities, both public and private.
Presenters:
Reece Williams, California Polytechnic State University, graduate (Political Science & Government, Global Politics)
Robbie Ferguson, University of Wisconsin, student (Finance)
Aidan Pong, Purdue University, student (Cybersecurity)
Akshitha Vijay, University of Pennsylvania, graduate (Bioengineering)
Peggy Ferguson, University of Michigan (MA, Sustainable Systems, Mechanical Engineering)
Jamie Zimmerman, California Polytechnic State University (Architectural Engineering)
Anne Gvozdjak, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (STEM)
Washington Technical Colleges and Universities**
Technical colleges and universities offer bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, and certificates of completion in professional-technical fields. Learn from admissions reps about opportunity for hands-on training and access to unique programs.
Presenters:
Will Smith, Outreach and Recruitment, Coordinator, Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Eva Juarez, Renton Technical College, Director of Outreach and Recruitment
Kaylee House, Digipen Institute of Technology, Admissions Representative
College Opportunities for Students with Learning Differences**
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
Presenters will share information about specific programs and admissions process, how to receive support and accommodations, as well as other services available for students with learning differences.
Presenters:
Sara Gardner, Navigators Program, Bellevue College
Jessica Salak, OLS Program, Bellevue College
April Kosakoff, Achieve Program Manager, Highline College
Xingyao Chen, ROAR Program, Assistive Living Advisor, Washington State University
British Columbia, Canada Universities: Application Process and Opportunities
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
Universities in Canada offer a wide variety of programs. This session will focus on the application process and trends in admissions practices for Universities in British Columbia. New program offerings and unique characteristics of the specific universities represented will be shared.
Presenters:
Meghan Thompson, Student Recruitment Officer, University of Victoria
Tally Kirschner, International Recruiter/Advisor, University of British Columbia
Kelly Dohei, Student Recruitment Liaison Coordinator, Simon Fraser University
Fine and Performing Arts Colleges
Session A- 6:40-7:10
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Learn about the diverse types of arts programs offered in the U.S. & Canada. Understand the process for admissions, portfolios, and auditions. Find out about the future outlook for careers in the arts.
Presenters:
Angela Scates, Outreach Specialist, New York Film Academy
Sharron Starling, Director of Admissions, Cornish College of the Arts
Andrea Barbera, Director of Student Affairs for the Faculty of Communications, Art and Technology, Simon Fraser U.
J’Taiya Carr, Assistant Director of Admissions, Willamette University, Pacific Northwest College of Art
Eastside Youth Coalition – Black College Admissions Professionals Panel
Session A- 6:40-7:10
A panel of Black college admissions professionals will share their expertise in the field of college applications and admissions .
Presenters:
Zach McKinlay, College Success Foundation Manager
April Paris-Joseph, Paris Educational Solution
Humaira Ahmad Jackson, Bellevue College, Economics Professor, BSD College Corps
College Application Topics
*NEW* How College Admissions Decision are Made ^
Session A- 6:40-7:10
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Are you curious about how colleges and universities make admissions decisions? Join this session and learn more about the role of college profiles in the admissions process as well as the steps of the application review process and what is considered. The presenters will provide an overview of this information applicable to all schools and share insights particular to the size and type of university they represent. The presenters are joining this session remotely.
Presenters:
Amanda Carroll, Assistant Director of Admissions, American University of Paris
Joseph Licari, Regional Director, Undergraduate Admissions, George Washington University
Joe Johnson, Director of Admissions Operations and Systems, Lawrence University and Lawrence Conservatory of Music
Putting Yourself on Paper: Writing the College Essay
Session A- 6:40-7:10
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
The college essay can be a critical part of the college application. Strategies to respond to essay prompts will be reviewed as well as ways to avoid mistakes and how to choose a topic that is appropriate for the essay. Recommended for 10th and 11th grade students.
Presenters:
Jennifer Townsend, M.I.T., English Department Chair, Bellevue High School
Presentation Slides
Brainstorming
Fun Brainstorming Ideas
Structure in a Personal Statement
Career and Technical Education (CTE)- Connecting Students to Post-Secondary Options
Session A- 6:40-7:10
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Find out how BSD CTE career pathways lead to various post-secondary opportunities through coursework, college credit, and industry recognized certifications. Understand the various career pathways and what post-secondary opportunities are available directly from our programs. There is something for everyone! Trade school, community college, university, or apprenticeship programs, we have a route for you. Hear about our satellite and WANIC Skill Center programs, all available through Career and Technical Education.
Jess Moyer, BSD Director of Career and Technical Education Programs
*NEW* College Credit Opportunities in High School: Understanding Dual Credit
Session A- 6:40-7:10
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
Bellevue School District has a variety of options for students to earn dual credit: high school and college credit through their coursework. This session will allow families to build greater understanding of the options and think about best fit for their student.
Presenters:
Scott Powers, BSD Director of Teaching and Learning
Angie DiLoreto, BSD Secondary Science Curriculum Developer
College Admissions for students with IEP’s and 504’s–Setting Students up for Success
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
If your student has a 504 Plan or an IEP, then this session is a must. You will learn what support is available in college, the documentation you will need to provide, examples of college services and programs, and how to prepare for college while in high school. Recommended for students in all grades who have special needs
Presenters:
Sally Sue McDonald, Special Education Coach, Bellevue School District
Finding the Right Fit
Session A- 6:40-7:10
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
Strategies to find colleges that match a student’s profile and interests will be discussed. Defining student priorities and interests is an essential first step in finding colleges that “fit.”
Presenters:
Claire Nold Glasser, College Planning Help
Sports Recruiting
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
The NCAA process for student athletic eligibility will be covered. Advanced planning is essential. The speaker will address the new transfer portal and the overall numbers of high school athletes playing college sports.
Presenters:
Larry Judd, Advisor, Varsity Student Institute
Financial Aid
Save Thousands on the Cost of College
Session A- 6:40-7:10
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Learn how colleges assess your eligibility for financial aid, the aid application process, the sources of aid (e.g., scholarships and grants) and how you figure out if you are eligible for need-based aid. Colleges are discounting their cost of attendance many times by more than $10,000 per year. Learn how you can realize these discounts (even if you are not eligible for need-based aid) and how you can create a comprehensive college funding plan to minimize your net cost of college. Recommended for parents/guardians.
Presenters:
Peg Keough, Director of Education, College Aid Pro
*NEW* Western Undergraduate Exchange ^
Session B- 7:20-7:50
Session C- 8:00- 8:30
The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is America’s largest regional interstate tuition savings program through which 160+ participating public colleges and universities provide steep nonresident tuition savings for Western students. Through WUE, eligible students can choose from hundreds of undergraduate programs outside their home state and pay no more than 150 percent of that institution’s resident tuition rate. Since full nonresident college-tuition rates may exceed 300 percent of resident rates, WUE increases affordable higher-education choices for students, and minimizes the adverse impacts of student loan debt.
Presenters:
Palmer Muntz, Senior Regional Admissions Counselor, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
HBCU Virtual College Fair
Monday, February 12, 2024, 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The HBCU Virtual College Fair is being held in collaboration with Mercer Island High School. Representatives from HBCU will participate in a panel discussion. Following the panel, participants will be able to meet with individual college representatives in break out sessions.
College Application Process 101– Spanish session
Thursday, February 15, 2024, 9:00 am at Highland Middle School library
Presentation will be given in Spanish. Bellevue School District counselors will share valuable information about Naviance, the college search process, your role in the process, and the timelines that are critical to ease the stress of the college application season (October-January). Recommended for parents of juniors, but parents of sophomores and all grade levels are welcome!
International Colleges Fair
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Are you interested in attending college internationally? Take advantage of this opportunity to meet representatives from international colleges and universities.