2023 BSD Virtual College Conference
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 6 p.m.
Students and families from all BSD high schools are welcome to join!
The BSD Virtual 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.
- Download the Conference Program (PDF)
- Download the Poster: English (PDF)
Pre-Conference Event – College Application Process 101
Tuesday February 7, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
College Application 101 Workshop
- How to Prepare for College Admissions
- Researching Colleges and Finding Your Fit!
- Washington Guaranteed Admissions Program (GAP)
- Using Naviance for the College Application Process
- College Application Timelines
- Tips for Families
Virtual College Conference Schedule
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
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Welcome and Keynote Speech: 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
- Welcome by Dr. Art Jarvis, Interim Superintendent, Bellevue School District
- Keynote Speaker: Andrew Brewick, Director of Admissions, Washington State University
- For an optimal technology experience, parents are encouraged to join sessions using their student’s BSD account.
- Sessions marked with an Sp will have Spanish translation.
- Keynote speaker 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).
- All sessions will be recorded and posted on this page.
Panel Sessions
Public Universities in the State of Washington: Trends and Opportunities Sp
All Sessions
Public universities in Washington 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: Sam Dillon, Admissions Counselor, Washington State University
Jacob Jones-Poulton, Admissions Counselor, Western Washington University
Amie Kennedy, Admissions Counselor, Central Washington University
Yvonne Chiu, Admissions Counselor, University of Washington Seattle
Garick Sherburn, Admissions Counselor, University of Washington Bothell
Canadian Colleges: Application Process and Opportunities in Canada
All Sessions
Universities in Canada offer a wide variety of programs. In this session you will learn about the application process, trends in admissions practices, new program offerings and unique characteristics of the colleges presenting.
Moderator: Tom Duenwald, Director, Instructional Technology, Bellevue School District
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/Universities
Sessions A & B
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.
Moderator:Heather Erickson, Counselor, Newport HS, Bellevue School District
Presenter: Angela Scates, Outreach Specialist, New York Film Academy Sharon Starling, Director of Admissions, Cornish College of the Arts Dean Lastoria, New Students Advisor, Simon Fraser University School of the Contemporary Arts
Admission Process at Private Colleges/Universities
Sessions A & B
Representatives from various selective colleges will provide an overview of how their admissions teams evaluate applications and will also take questions from students and families regarding the application review process.
Moderator: Mary Beth Smith, Counselor, Bellevue HS, Bellevue School District
Presenter: Anna Aegerter, Admissions Counselor, University of Redlands Becky Stockton, Senior Admissions Counselor, Gonzaga University Andrea Frangi, Senior Associate Director of Undergraduate Recruitment, Seattle University
4-year, 2-year, Transfer and Tech Programs
All Sessions
Starting your college career at a community or technical college can be a great plan. Our community and technical colleges offer strong programs, many 4-year degrees and transferring to a four-year university can be done smoothly. Learn about the new 4-year bachelor’s degrees now offered.
Moderator: Melinda Breeze, Counselor, Sammamish HS, Bellevue School District
Presenters: Ricky Bar, Program Specialist, Welcome Center, Bellevue College
Christopher Maund, Director of Admissions and Outreach Services, Seattle Central College
Will Smith, Outreach and Recruitment, Coordinator, Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Eastside Youth Coalition – ‘Get Your College On’ University Of Washington Admissions Black Student Recruitment
Sessions A
Nelson Wynn, Admissions/Multicultural Outreach & Recruitment, Office of Minority Affairs, University of Washington.
Presenter: Nelson Wynn, Admissions/Multicultural Outreach & Recruitment, Office of Minority Affairs, University of Washington
Eastside Youth Coalition – ‘Get Your College On’ BSD Black Alumni Panel
Sessions B & C
Sessions B & C – A panel of Black Bellevue School District Alumni will share what they experienced attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs).
Moderator: Shomari Jones, Director of Equity and Strategic Engagement, Bellevue School District
Organizer: Michelle Williams-Clark, Executive Director, Eastside Youth Coalition
Presenters: Edil Scego – Bellevue High School, Graduate, University of Washington, Junior
Jeremy Mumba – Interlake High School, Graduate, Eastern Washington University, Senior
Aisha Cora – Bellevue High School, Graduate, University of Washington, Junior
Rahsaan Corbin – Sammamish High School Graduate, Florida A&M University, Senior
Nkumbu Chisebuka – International High School, Washington State University, Graduate
Alyssa Watts- Williams – Sammamish High School, Florida A&M University, DePaul University, Graduate
Malik Milion – Interlake High School, Graduate, North Carolina State University, University of Washington, Junior
*NEW Session* College Opportunities for Students with Learning Differences
Sessions A & B
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
Pilar Lopez, OLS Program, Bellevue College
Julie Pollard, Accessibility Services, Highline College
Xingyao Chen, ROAR Program, Assistive Living Advisor, Washington State University
Matthew Jeffries, Director, Campus Climate and Community Building, Washington State University
College Application Topics
Putting Yourself on Paper: Writing the College Essay
All Sessions
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.
College Entrance Exams: SAT & ACT – Why? When? Which? How Do I Prepare?
All Sessions
Both the ACT and the SAT are still used in the college admissions process. You will learn about their differences, as well as which tests are required or recommended and strategies to prepare for these exams.
College Admissions for students with IEP’s and 504’s–Setting Students up for Success
Sessions B & C
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.
Finding the Right Fit**
All Sessions
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.”
Military Options in College Education: ROTC scholarships, Academy applications
Sessions B & C
Learn about scholarship opportunities for college via ROTC or one of the prestigious Service Academies. Earn your college degree and a commission as an officer in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, or Coast Guard. The information session is for high school students grades 9-11, who want to learn more about this college scholarship opportunity. The five Federal Services Academies include: US Air Force Academy; US Military Academy (West Point): US Naval Academy; US Coast Guard Academy; US Merchant Marine Academy.
Sports Recruiting in a Covid World
Sessions B & C
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.
Career and Technical Education (CTE)- Connecting Students to Post-Secondary Options
Sessions A & B
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.
Financial Aid
*NEW Session* Financial Aid- What it is, Myths and How to Get Started Sp
All Sessions
Financial aid matters! Nationally, seniors who complete a financial aid application are 84 percent more likely to enroll in postsecondary education. The rate is even higher for students from lower-income families (wsac.wa.gov). Information will be provided on the types of financial aid, debunk myths about who qualifies for financial aid and the cost of college, as well as what you can do now to be ready to apply for aid when the FAFSA opens on October 1.
Save Thousands on the Cost of College
All Sessions
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.
Materials and videos from the 2022 Virtual College Conference can be found at www.bsd405.org/cc2022