October is College Knowledge Month, and it’s the one time of year when college campuses around the state and elsewhere waive their application fees. Both Apollo and Tech counselors in District 742 are in full swing conducting one-on-one meetings with all of their seniors.
Rick Larson, guidance counselor at Apollo, says, “I love this time of year.”
Larson is referring to the constant stream of students he has in his office. Students share their goals for the future, and it gives him the opportunity to help shape their direction for the future. Especially the students who don’t quite know what they want to do after high school.
Larson has met with some students who have completed several college applications already and some who are just trying to figure out what they’d really like to do.
Ebado Muhumed is an Apollo senior meeting with Larson to review the application she’s just completed.
Muhumed explains, “It’s frustrating. You don’t know what you want to do and then you only have a year. But, as long as you have your dreams and mind set and put forth the effort, it will all work out.”
For Muhumed it was hard to figure out what she wanted. She and her family moved to St. Cloud last year from another state, but it all came together during a summer program at her previous school.
“Visiting hospitals through a summer program at my old high school,” Muhumed says, snapping her fingers, “that’s when it clicked. I knew I wanted to help people.”
With Larson’s assistance, Muhumed’s plan is to complete two years at St. Cloud Technical Community College and then finish the last two years at St. Cloud State University.
“I like nursing or something along the medical field,” states Muhumed.
Noah Kramer, another senior at Apollo, is one step ahead of the game. Kramer has already been accepted to the University of Montana Bozeman, but he’s not done applying.
“I think I want to be an astronautical engineer,” says Kramer. “That’s more like building space shuttles.”
Kramer is also applying to Stanford University and the University of Colorado Boulder. He explains that each of those schools have really good programs and work closely with NASA.
“If I can get in, Stanford is where I want to get in,” explains Kramer.
The guidance offices at Apollo and Tech are a huge resource.
“I want to be used,” laughs Larson. “There are a ton of resources that are available and school counselors are a big part.”
As a school guidance counselor, the role is to assist with filling out applications, speak with students to help determine what interests they have and to help guide them in the direction of further education after graduation, whether it is going into an apprenticeship for a trade, military or on to a four-year degree or higher. Sometimes it’s just meeting with parents and students to explain the process.
“Students come to ask for help and support,” says Larson. “There is a whole spectrum of people that have never seen an application or parents that have never been to college, to students that have a lot of parental support and . . . have already applied.”
At Apollo, there is a dedicated room for college information: a Minnesota guide to colleges and universities, booklets and pamphlets on higher education, student loans, grants and scholarships, financial aid and applications.
Ever wondered which colleges and universities have the major you’re interested in? Maybe you’re curious about the median wage for an occupation or field. You could even be wondering how long it will take you to complete your education or how far your budget goes. The Minnesota Office of Higher Education has created an entire book of all this helpful information and more.
Even more exciting for this October, FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is open for the first time to accept applications in October. No more nail-biting and waiting for W-2s to come in January to file your taxes and FAFSA forms.
Kramer says to keep in mind, “Starting in your junior year, everybody starts asking ‘what do you want to do?’ It’s kind of a wake-up call. It’s just nice to get it done earlier.”
Kramer also advises, “[To] not get caught up in the rankings or reputations [of colleges and universities]. Pick the college that is right for you. Every person has a different interest. There’s one [college] out there that matches you.”
Larson also reminds students, “Take advantage of the admissions counselors that are onsite [at Apollo or Tech]. If you’re not sure, at least go tour and see what they [colleges and universities] have to offer. See all the options and a different perspective. Don’t limit yourself. There are so many options.”
Larson adds, “If you apply in October to a school that has waived its application fee, what have you got to lose?”