Program helps Bellevue students through college application process

A program used throughout the Bellevue School District helps students organize their college applications, and provides guidance with identifying interests and career choices, preparing resumes and finding funding for college. It also includes an online SAT prep course.

September 5, 2014 1:31 pm
Amelia McDermott finds that the Naviance program helps her match her interests to schools.
Amelia McDermott finds that the Naviance program helps her match her interests to schools.

By Ronna Weltman

Amelia McDermott is going to start applying to colleges in a few short weeks. Although she confesses to feeling anxious, she is remarkably composed about the whole college application process. Much of the credit goes to Naviance, a web-based college and career program designed for students and parents.

Thanks to funding from the Bellevue Schools Foundation, every secondary student in Bellevue School District now has access to Naviance. The program helps students organize their college applications, and provides guidance with identifying interests and career choices, preparing resumes and finding funding for college. It also includes an online SAT prep course.

“If I didn’t have Naviance,” Amelia explained, “I think it would be a lot harder.”

Amelia doesn’t know what she wants to major in, so Naviance’s tools for matching interests to schools has been particularly helpful in matching those interests to majors at different schools. “I can see different schools that have a variety of majors and things I’m looking for in a school, things I might be interested in.”

Applying to college also involves the nerve-wracking process of figuring out which schools are likely to say yes. It is important for students to understand that so they apply to at least a couple schools that will admit them. Amelia is grateful that Naviance collects data on college acceptance rates that include test scores and grade point average so she can compare her data to those of other students from her school who have been admitted. This helps her more effectively gauge her chances of admission.

Amelia’s father, Dave McDermott, is also a fan of Naviance, and appreciates that the family-friendly platform makes it easy for him to stay involved. When Amelia’s older sister applied to college, it was difficult to gauge whether she had a handle on the process.

“Naviance puts the college exploration and application process all in one place. Best of all, it helps with communication with my teenager, “ he said. “I can open Naviance on my tablet and easily start a conversation with her about what she is learning and thinking about college. We even get reminders of approaching college visits, deadlines, and other messages from her high school counselor.”

College and career readiness is an important district goal for every student, and therefore Bellevue Schools Foundation trustees were enthusiastic about providing this support – and then thoughtfully monitoring its effectiveness. So far the results have been promising. Superintendent Tim Mills is enthusiastic.

“Our aim is to provide the exemplary education every student needs to be successful in college, career and life,” he explains. “The college application process is intimidating for both students and parents.  Bellevue Schools Foundation’s support has enabled us to provide students and their families with tools that help them to identify their strengths and interests, identify which colleges would be a great fit for their goals, and – crucially – help them along every step of the admissions process. We are seeing more students apply to college than ever before. This is a remarkable accomplishment.”

Ronna Weltman is a community volunteer and vice president of marketing for the Bellevue Schools Foundation.