College Planning 101

** FREE GIFT FOR ALL ATTENDEES! **

Applying to college admissions is competitive and the process is changing all the time. Most families refer to it as... "Mysterious"! So let's DEMYSTIFY it together!

Did you know you can build confidence, gain insight and realize your BEST self while exploring collegiate opportunities? You absolutely CAN. Access College America has a plan!

Topics Include:

• Getting Organized!
• College Admissions Trends!
• Academic Planning for STEM!
• Understanding the SAT & ACT!
• Building a BALANCED College List!
• Three Tips for Writing the Main Essay!
• Bring our questions, there's a LIVE Q&A too!

Presenters:

Melissa Wood, M.Ed.

College Consultant Associate

Access College America

Melissa is a licensed school counselor with Bachelor's and Master's of Music Degrees from Sam Houston State University, a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Texas State University, and a School Counselor Certification from Angelo State University. She has worked her entire career in public education, serving her campus community for 23 years in various roles, and has served as a school counselor for the past 5 years. Melissa has a true calling for assisting scholars in finding their chosen career path while also guiding them through the admission process to highly selective schools in Texas and across the country.

 

Melissa has served in roles ranging from band director to College & Career Transition Coordinator to Academic Guidance Counselor. She has a broad range of experience assisting everyone from those who are undecided in their major to those applying to some of the most selective colleges in the country with the intention of securing a STEM major. As Transition Coordinator & Guidance Counselor, Melissa has successfully assisted scholars through the course selection process for dual credit, Advanced Placement, the International Baccalaureate programs, along with numerous Career & Technical Education programs.

Julie Gooden, M.Ed.

College Consultant Associate

Access College America

Julie brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role as College Consultant Associate with Access College America. With an impressive 29-year career in public education, Julie's journey has evolved from the elementary school classroom to various impactful roles, including Lead Counselor, AP (Advanced Placement) Coordinator, Advanced Academics Coordinator, and AVID Counselor and Administrator. She also spent many years working in the admissions office of Austin Community College and an Academic Counselor.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development, as well as a Master’s in Education with a focus on Psychology/School Counseling, both earned from The University of Texas at Austin, where she proudly holds a Life Membership with the Texas-Exes. Her certifications span Elementary School Teaching, School Counseling, and Principal/Administration. In her role as a College Consultant Associate, Julie possesses a unique gift for working with individual scholars, helping them discover their passion and forge a path toward a productive and independent future within the community.

Access College America is proud to present its college planning series FREE for the community. CLICK HERE to visit a full listing of upcoming free events to help your scholar prepare, apply & achieve! Not able to attend this event but want information about college planning services? Click here to schedule a 30-minute discovery call today! Learn more about Access College America! Visit www.AccessCollegeAmerica.org!