By Lynn Keenan

Austin High School Counselor

Austin High School is participating in College Knowledge Month. This is an event hosted by the Office of Higher Education in an effort to raise awareness of students exploring, planning and applying to college during the month of October. Students are encouraged to review their interest inventory assessments from either NAVIANCE, an online college and career readiness program that helps to link academic achievement to post-secondary goals, the PLAN test, which students took in 10th grade or ACT test, which is a college entrance exam that students took in 11th grade.

College Knowledge Month encourages students taking virtual tours of colleges to narrow their choices or completing one of the College Match Searches on NAVIANCE. Students can take virtual campus tours through the following web site: http://www.campustours.com

College Knowledge Month also encourages students to attend College Fairs. Austin High School took more than 100 students to the National College Fair on Sept. 24 in Minneapolis. This was a great opportunity for students to speak one-on-one with college admissions counselors. Austin High School has a wide variety of military and college admissions representatives that visit our high school on a regular basis. All of these are great ways for students to ask questions and help to determine if a specific college or university is the best fit for them and their future.

College Knowledge Month also has students reviewing their official school record with their Connect teacher to make sure that they are on track to graduate. Through our Ramp-Up-to-Readiness Program with the University of Minnesota, students have opportunities to process college and career readiness on a weekly basis with their Connect teacher through this comprehensive guidance and counseling program.

Over the Education MN break of Oct. 17 and 18, it is a perfect time for students to visit some colleges and see campus in full action! Contacting the college ahead of time regarding a visit and tour will help the student get the most out of their visit.

Students are encouraged to apply to college if they have not done so already, the week of Oct. 21-25. Austin High School will be having open computer lab opportunities for students to complete their applications and request a fee waiver for their college applications, if they qualify.

The final week of College Knowledge Month has students sending thank you notes to teachers and others who have helped them along their journey.

For more information regarding College Knowledge Month, please refer to the following web site: www.ohe.state.mn.us/CollegeKnowledge.