Introduction
My name is Noelle Essig and I am the College and Career Counselor at West Bloomfield High School. I work in tandem with your school counselor to assist you with your college and career planning. I host a variety of educational sessions, push into classrooms and meet with students to assist in career planning.
For those of you who haven't met me yet, I have 15 years of experience as a high school counselor and 9 years of professional higher education experience. I worked as an Assistant Director of Admissions at Central Michigan University and residence hall director at Bowling Green State University and Truman State University. My experience from the “other side of the desk” has been extremely valuable in my role here at the high school. I am a parent to 4 boys…three that are in college and a high school junior. Thus, I am humbly “walking the walk” with you and I have felt the same nervousness that many of you are feeling as you anticipate the college/career selection process. I’ll break down my information into various topics below:
Breathe and balance- I cannot stress this enough… please breathe and know that you are not alone. Our counseling team is here to help and we care about our students. I ask that you remember the importance of “balance” as you select your courses and activities each year. Please be more concerned about your mental health, sleep, and appropriate academic schedule, than doing things only because you think they might “look good” on a college application.
As a former admissions professional, I can tell you that colleges are more impressed with you participating in activities in which you have passion and purpose than a laundry list of clubs in which you just attend meetings. Find a club and become an officer… lead a special event or fundraiser… fail at organizing an activity and learn from it. It is those “in-depth” experiences in which you will learn, grow, and develop leadership and communication skills.
Stay informed- We work really hard to provide you with important information in a timely manner and we try to not overload families with numerous emails. We have streamlined our source of communication into a few tools. Thus please take the time to read our information so you don’t miss out!
WBHS Counselor Connection - Throughout the year, I send out the WBHS Counselor Connection. This newsletter provides valuable information from our counseling department. We send this out to high school students and parents' email addresses. We also post the newsletter on our website which can be found here: https://www.wbsd.org/west-bloomfield-high-school/counseling-office/counselor-connection-newsletter
If you are the parent of a high school student and are not receiving the newsletter, you may need to update your email address with us, or you may have placed some “blocks” in PowerSchool that you need to have removed.
College and Career Center in Canvas - This is a MUST-read resource for you and your junior/senior. Please spend some time exploring these pages with your junior or senior. Here you will find many videos and links to valuable resources on ALL topics related to post-secondary education.
Instagram - We have a pretty active Instagram page and I encourage you to check us out at wbhscollegeandcareer .
WBHS Counseling Website - Our counseling website has the answers to many of the questions you may have. Check us out by clicking here: https://www.wbsd.org/west-bloomfield-high-school/counseling-office
Career Exploration- As I talk with students about their career plans, too often I find that students have worked hard in school but really haven’t taken advantage of exploring their career interests. Back in “my day,” it was common to “go to college and then figure it out.” Well, this still may hold true, but honestly, college has become so expensive that I hope you will take advantage of all of the free career exploration opportunities we have at WBHS. I’ve worked in several high schools, and WB by far has the most extensive course curriculum for students to select from. I encourage students to dabble in a variety of subjects to explore their career interests.
Let me also fill you in on another “secret”.... Most high schools in Michigan have students taking 6 classes each semester. Because of our block scheduling, we are able to offer 7 classes to students. This is the perfect way for you to explore different electives! Take advantage of this FREE opportunity! And yes, you may still change your major in college, but at least you will go into college with a little more direction than many of us started out with.
Finances - College has become very expensive. I tell my friends with young children to start saving money TODAY as if their child was starting college TOMORROW. Skip the fancy birthday parties and expensive holiday presents, and put the money into an investment account. I am not a financial advisor, so I won’t begin to pretend to tell you how to invest your money, I just know that saving money today will greatly help tomorrow.
Please start having honest discussions as a family about the cost of education and how much parents can (or cannot) financially assist. I always ask students about the affordability of the colleges in which they are applying...most shrug their shoulders in a manner that shows they haven't given it much thought and most admit they have no idea how much, if any, money their parents can assist with....most seem to think by filling out the FAFSA, the money will appear....which for many families, unfortunately, doesn't always happen.
Net Price Calculators- Each college has a tool called a “net price calculator (NPC)." You can find it easily by doing a Google search for the name of the college with net price calculator. Here you will be asked to enter in some basic financial information and the student's academic stats. It will then give you an estimate of your cost of attendance at that college. I find that they can be a close predictor of your child’s aid but they aren’t always correct so use it as a tool only.
Scholarships - Seniors show up on my doorstep in March frantic about looking for scholarships.... this often is too late.... start now. I’ll go into this more in upcoming videos but know that the best place to find scholarships is with the college itself. Consider applying to colleges where your stats are above the average of admitted students. Colleges like CMU, GVSU, and Oakland University give merit aid to students for their grades in high school. If your child is applying to highly selective colleges, know that most of the aid there is linked to having demonstrated financial need. Again, not always, but many times. Check the College and Career Center Canvas pages for lists of scholarships and read the Counselor Connection.
Scholarship Club - Please have your senior consider joining my Scholarship Club. We typically meet weekly after school on Wednesdays in the iCenter. I teach students where to find scholarships and how to create a resume. We work weekly to fill out applications and I'm proud to say our students have been successful in obtaining scholarships. It takes work and persistence!
Keep an open mind- Please be cautious of your words…. Remember that your (or your child's) “safety school” might be another student's “dream school.” I often hear parents say, “I just want my kid to get into a good college.” When I hear this statement, I cringe. We are so fortunate in the state of Michigan to have amazing choices for all students. What defines a “good” college? To every person, it is something different. Be careful of your words. I often ask my husband, who hires staff for his company, how much weight he puts into where the applicant earned their degree. He shrugs his shoulders and emphasizes that he’s more concerned with their work ethic, experience, knowledge, and communication skills. Click here for a great article about college choice.
Know your odds...Common Data Set- Most colleges share data about last year's freshman class in a report called the "Common Data Set. To find the report, do an internet search with the name of the college + Common Data Set. Look in section C. Here you can see applicant and admissions statistics that cover how many people applied, were accepted, and enrolled, as well as basic facts about the school’s admissions procedures, requirements, and standards. This is helpful to see where your stats compare to last year's freshman class. If you plan to apply to colleges where your stats are on the lower end of last year's class and/or highly selective colleges, be sure you apply to a few match schools so you have options if you do not get admitted.
Debt- If you read any news articles, you know that the student loan crisis is real. When students come into my office, they many times have no understanding of how loans work and the implications of compounding interest. I pull up this link and show them how interest works. https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/loans/student-loans/student-loan-calculator/?trk=nw_gn1_4.0
Be open-minded about going to a college that will give generous merit scholarships. If you don't qualify for much in terms of aid, consider attending a local college where you can commute from home or consider a carefully navigated plan at a community college.
Compare all offers - In reality, just because one college might have a higher “sticker price,” it doesn’t mean that in the end, it will cost more. I have seen situations where the private college is cheaper than the public college. I give an example of a new car purchase. Ten of us can all buy the same new vehicle, but all ten of us have probably paid something different for that vehicle. You need to carefully compare the financial aid package of each college before making a decision.
Standardized Tests: In the past few years, many colleges have gone test-optional/test flexible/test blind. As always, check the college website for the most accurate information. I am finding that many colleges are test-optional for admission but base some merit-based scholarships on test scores.... again, this changes, and you should always check the college's website for more accurate information.
We encourage students to do some test preparation so that they are comfortable with the format of the test. WBHS offers the SAT to all juniors sometime in April. Khan Academy offers free SAT test prep for students and can be extremely helpful.
If your student is a senior who plans to take the test in the Fall, they should register quickly because test centers fill. Likewise, make sure the test scores would be back in time for application deadlines.
Consider the Trades - In the next 5 years, the state of Michigan will desperately be seeking qualified tradespeople to fill the gap of their retiring staff. I have attended numerous information sessions about the opportunities available in the trades. Many of them start paying right away along with a pension and health benefits. The salaries of many of these trades may exceed some of the salaries that those with a 4-year bachelor’s degree will earn. Be open-minded and willing to consider this as an option.
Well, I think I’ve given you enough information to get you thinking. Know that we at WBHS are here to help you!
Noelle Essig, M.A.
College and Career Counselor
Financial Aid Night & Workshops - If you missed the Junior Parent Financial Aid Night, you can view a recording by clicking here. If you would like to attend a live presentation you can sign up for one by visiting this website and registering for the session that works for you. https://www.oakland.edu/financialservices/understanding-financial-assistance/events/
The FAFSA is changing this year. We anticipate that the FAFSA will open up for the Class of 2024 around December 1, 2023. We will host hands-on workshops where families can fill out the FAFSA and obtain help as needed. More information to follow.
Junior Parent Night - College 101 - Mrs. Essig and the counselors hosted a Junior Parent Night in December. If you missed the presentation, you can watch the video here.
Google Slides from the presentation
Junior Year College Prep Checklist
Senior Year College Application Checklist
Junior Counselor Meetings - Following Junior Parent Night, students met with their counselors and received information on college, trades, and planning for life after WBHS.
11th Grade College Prep Workshops - Mrs. Essig hosted a variety of college prep workshops for students.
Senior Seminars- Each fall we cover the basics of the college application process, sending transcripts, using Common App, applying for scholarships, and more.
College App Boot Camp- This workshop will be held on August 13 and/or August 14th. Students pick which date they would like to attend. The event is staffed with counselors, teachers, and recent graduates. Students attend presentations and get individual help on applications, the college list, and essays.
Essay Writing Workshops- These workshops are designed to help students select a topic, draft, and edit college essays.
Appointments & Walk-In Help Hours- Juniors and seniors can meet with Mrs. Essig to discuss colleges and careers and seek help for last-minute application questions. Parents are welcome to join in via Zoom if they are interested. Click here to schedule an appointment
Military Lunch Tables- Students can meet representatives from every branch of the military and connect with recruiters.
On-Site Admissions Day- At this optional event, seniors receive immediate admission decisions from many Michigan area colleges and universities. This is held in October of the senior year.
College Admission Presentations- Each fall we connect 11th and 12th-grade students with admissions representatives from around the country live or via Zoom in our College and Career Center.
The WBHS College Application Boot Camp is an annual event at WBHS. This workshop will be held on August 13 and/or August 14th. Students pick which date they would like to attend.
The event is staffed with counselors, teachers, and recent graduates. Students attend presentations and get individual help on applications, the college list, and essays.
This program is for students at all phases of the college application process! We show you how to navigate the Common App, how to invite your recommenders, where to enter your essay and how to select your colleges in Common App. We will make sure you know how to order SAT/ACT scores, use Parchment, work on essay writing and discuss how to create your resume. This will be a very productive, hands-on experience! We have workshops for all phases of the process.
This is an event your senior does not want to miss!
WBHS College and Career Center
College and Career Counselor
Email: Noelle.essig@wbsd.org
Website: https://www.wbsd.org/west-bloomfield-high-school/counseling-office
Location: 4925 Orchard Lake Road, West Bloomfield Township, MI, USA
Phone: (248) 865-6768
Twitter: @WBHSCounseling