WBHS Counselor Connection

Mrs. Noelle Essig publishes this Counselor Connection newsletter once or twice a month as a way to share important information from our WBHS Counseling Department. We strongly encourage you to read the newsletter each time so you don't miss important opportunities. This is our primary means of communication with you.

If you know of someone who is not receiving communication from us, it may mean they need to update their email address with us in PowerSchool.

Happy reading!

Parents - You can view the information by being an "observer" of your student in Canvas.

Below are some helpful links for Canvas.

• Canvas Login Portal - Student/Staff
• Canvas Login Portal - Parent/Guardian
• Canvas Instructions for Parents and Students
• Canvas Parent Observer Instructions
• Canvas Sign-On Information

Every fall WBHS hosts college representatives in our building. We invite juniors and seniors to learn more about a variety of colleges and establish relationships with the college rep.

Below is a link to the visits currently set up. Please know that this list is updated daily! Please bookmark this page and check frequently for updates.

Out of respect for the representative's time, if you sign up, please make sure you attend. Remember that many times the rep hosting these meetings is also the rep reading your college application. This is a great opportunity to ask questions!

WB College Rep Visit Sign-Up

Remember, this list is updated daily!

SEPTEMBER

GRADES - As you know, the junior year is an important year for your college and career planning. As we've mentioned before, this is the last set of grades that a college will see as they make their admission decisions.

COLLEGE REP VISITS AT WBHS - Juniors have the opportunity to meet with college reps coming to WBHS. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about colleges that spark your interest.WB College Rep Visit Sign-Up

PSAT/NMSQT TEST: Look for an email in the next few weeks from administration about the upcoming test for juniors. This is the test for National Merit consideration!

ACT/SAT TESTING - Many colleges are test-optional; however, it is always best to check the website of the college you plan to apply to. We plan to administer the SAT to all juniors in the spring. If you would like to do some test prep, Khan Academy and College Board both offer free test prep for students and can be extremely helpful. Mrs. Essig has test prep materials in the College and Career Center that you can check out for 2 weeks. Stop by!

COLLEGE PREP SEMINARS - Watch for a variety of College Prep Seminars that will be offered by Mrs. Essig in February/March.

JUNIOR YEAR CHECKLIST: Check out this checklist that Mrs. Essig created for you!

Junior Year Checklist

YOU'VE GOT THIS - Navigating the college and career search process can be overwhelming. But know that you are not in this alone, and our Counseling Team is here to help!

COLLEGE REP VISITS AT WBHS - Seniors have the opportunity to meet with college reps coming to WBHS. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to learn about colleges that spark your interest. Many times the reps visiting our school are the first person reading your application. Mrs. Essig is adding colleges daily.

Check this list often and click here to sign up: College Rep Visit Sign Up Sheet

CAMPUS VISITS: If you haven't already, the fall is a great time to go on an official college tour given by the admissions office. Tours will fill up quickly so register early. All college admissions offices have information about visits on their website.

SAT/ACT: Many colleges are test-optional; however, it is always best to check the website of the college you plan to apply to Many are using test scores for merit scholarship consideration so be sure to check the college website to see if your score is sufficient or needed. Every college is different so check their website for the most accurate information. If you need help deciding if you should send your scores (or not), please make an appointment with your counselor or Mrs. Essig.

ESSAYS: In our experience, the college essay is not something most students can whip up in one night. It takes time and careful thought. Please know that many colleges do NOT require an essay.... do your homework and check their website to see if it's required!

MINI-COLLEGE APP BOOT CAMP: Prior to the start of school, we hosted 150 seniors in our College Application Boot Camp. Mrs. Essig will host one last "mini" College App Boot Camp on Wednesday, Sept.9th at 2:45 p.m. in the College and Career Center.

Students must pre-register here:https://forms.gle/oxG2koK7ZLDxkwpE7

APPOINTMENTS - After you've had a chance to view the information in Canvas, please know that your counselor and Mrs. Essig are available to meet with you. Mrs. Essig's appointments will fill up as we get closer to the November 1st early action deadline. Please sign up early!

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST: Check out this great resource from Mrs. Essig to make sure you don't miss a step. College Application Checklist

SCHOLARSHIPS: Mrs. Essig posts scholarship opportunities on the College and Career Center Canvas page and in this newsletter. Do not miss out on opportunities and watch deadlines!

SCHOLARSHIP CLUB: The first meeting will be Wednesday, September 23rd at 2:45 in the iCenter. Join Mrs. Essig as she educates you on the scholarship search process! For the first semester, we will meet weekly as there is a lot of information to share. Once we get resumes built and essays written, our goal is to apply for at least one scholarship per week! We will meet in the iCenter. No pre-registration is required. All seniors are welcome. Come join us!

APPLICATION FEE WAIVERS - Many colleges in Michigan will waive their application fees during the first week of October or for the full month. Mrs. Essig will post the fee waiver codes in the College and Career Center Canvas page.

ONSITE ADMISSIONS DAY: Our annual onsite admissions day will be held on Thursday, October 15th. Registration details will be emailed out in mid-September.

Please read the announcements in Canvas and this newsletter. We pride ourselves at WB in assisting our students with the college and career process. We are here to help!

Mini College App Boot Camp, Sept 9, 2026 at 2:45 p.m. in the College and Career Center

We had over 150 seniors participate in the College Application Boot Camp before school started.

If you missed the Boot Camp and are interested in learning about the process, Mrs. Essig has decided to host a "Mini Boot Camp" after school on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 2:45 p.m. Please do not be late! We will end by 4:30 p.m. We will meet in the College and Career Center.

Register here: https://forms.gle/oxG2koK7ZLDxkwpE7

Mrs. Essig will quickly run through the basics of the college application, how to navigate the Common App and invite recommenders, how to find scholarships, and how to create the Parchment account for sending transcripts. She will also discuss the upcoming Onsite Admissions Day.

Space is limited to the first 35 students. Please bring your fully charged laptop/device. Reserve your spot here. Walk ins will be accepted if there is space available.

Our first meeting will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 23rd at 2:45 p.m. in the iCenter. Seniors do not need to pre-register.

12th Grade - College Application Fee Waiver Codes are shared in the College and Career Center Canvas page. In October, many colleges will waive their fees. We will share the codes once we receive them. Below are a few we have. This list will grow! Also, do a quick internet search to find more!

COLLEGES IN MICHIGAN:

Central Michigan University: Central27

Calvin University: 1876

Eastern Michigan University: MBS

Lawrence Tech University: LTU1932

Wayne State University: WSU2027

OUT OF STATE COLLEGES:

Bowling Green State University: BGSU

Carthage College: BRIGHTFUTURE

Claremont McKenna College: CMC2027

Coastal Carolina University: CCU2027

College of Charleston: Charleston27

Colorado Mesa University: NEWMAV

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: GOERAU27

Jacksonville University: BEAPHIN

Kutztown University: GOLDEN

Lafayette College: LAF31

Northern Arizona University: JACKS

University of Alabama: Free if you apply through Alabama's online application (not the Common App)

University of Nebraska - Lincoln: HUSKER

University of Pittsburgh: UP1787

University of Vermont: Evergreen

Wheaton College (IL): ApplyEarly

University of Toledo: UT1872 also can use Back2School.

Additionally, college application fee waivers are available for students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. Your family needs to apply each year for free and reduced lunch. Please fill out the free and reduced lunch form by clicking here: https://www.wbsd.org/departments/nutriton-services

9th-11th Grade - If you qualify for free and reduced lunch, you can receive a code to waive your fees for the ACT and/or SAT. Please apply for free and reduced lunch first and confirm that you qualify then see your counselor

We are currently seeking high school seniors across Metro Detroit to apply for the Class of 2027. College Career & Beyond | Midnight Golf Program (CCB | MGP) helps young people gain access to college and provides continued support through college graduation.

• The deadline to apply as a student participant for the 2026–2027 program year is September 21, 2026, at 5 p.m.
• Student applicants must attend the mandatory Open House presentation on Monday, September 21, at 6 p.m. at Greater Grace Temple, located at 23500 W. Seven Mile near Telegraph Rd.

• Following the presentation, student applicants will have the opportunity to schedule an interview appointment for CCB | MGP admission.
• All interviews will take place between September 22-24 at the CCB | MGP Headquarters, located at 7441 Second Avenue in Detroit.
• We expect to announce the Class of 2027 by Saturday, September 26.

Apply NOW - https://midnightgolf.org/apply/

CMU & You Day

Join us for our largest admissions open house of the year. CMU & You Day is your all-access pass to campus life. On September 19, explore your future home, connect with campus resources, grab lunch in a dining hall and end the day cheering on the CMU Chippewas as they take on the Wyoming Cowboys. Download the agenda, and see where the day can take you.*

https://www.cmich.edu/undergraduate/visit/special-visit-events

*Please note: The agenda is subject to change. This open-house-style event offers a broad overview of academics and campus life. For a deeper look at your academic interests, schedule a daily visit.

Are you ready to drive your future forward?

If you are a collegiate woman or high school senior interested in a career in the automotive, mobility, or tech industries, you need the right connections. Join us at The Career Pit Stop, an interactive networking expo designed to empower female students, where you can skip the boring lectures and speak directly one-on-one with industry experts. Whether you are interested in engineering, design, marketing, finance, or supply chain, this is your starting line.

When: Thursday, September 17th | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Where: Madonna University | Livonia, MI

Cost: 100% Free for Students!

Here is how it works:

•Explore: Discover dozens of exciting career paths in the auto industry.

•Connect: Walk the expo floor and use our "Icebreaker" prompts to chat easily with professionals.

•Win Prizes: Grab an event passport at the door! Get your passport stamped by the professionals you talk to. Collect 10 stamps to enter our Grand Prize Raffle for:

•Premium Gift Cards

•Exclusive Automotive Gear

•A VIP Shadow Day & Lunch with an Industry Professional

•A 1-Year AWAF Student Membership

•

Space is limited! Claim your spot and register today: Registration Link

We look forward to seeing you at the finish line!

https://westpoint.edu/admissions/visit-west-point?utm_source=Instagram&utm_medium=Bio&utm_campaign=Tours

Top Reasons to Visit Colleges

1. You won’t really know how you feel about a place until you’ve been there. A college catalog, view book, or website can only show you so much.
2. The college information sessions and the campus tours will give you a much better idea of what the college is like and if you would be happy there.
3. A small investment in time now can save significant time, money, and hassles during the college application period.
4. You’ll get a sense of the college’s vibrancy, character, and facilities. Visits will provide you with a more complete picture.
5. College tours allow students to ask questions, meet other prospective students and understand the college on a deeper level.
6. How you feel about schools once you visit in person may affect the direction your college search and application process takes. College visits help you to refine your search.
7. Applying to college is a complex process and visits to campuses will serve you best if you use them as a research tool, rather than a final decision-making aid.
8. Time, energy and money are finite resources and you want to use them wisely throughout the application process. First-hand knowledge will help you to clarify your vision and narrow your list.
9. Most colleges love students who are sincerely interested and visiting colleges is one way to show this.
10. You want to be able to relax and make a fully informed choice once you have been accepted. If you’ve already visited those schools at least once, that’s just what you will be able to do.

Interested in an HBCU but not sure where to look? Check out this search tool that allows you to search by major. http://thehundred-seven.org/matchme.php

QuestBridge is a non-profit organization that connects high-achieving, low-income high school students with full four-year scholarships and admission to top partner colleges. High-achieving students from low-income backgrounds can apply for free to our college partners through the National College Match. All deadlines occur at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

*Because all of our college partners have extremely competitive admissions processes, Finalists who do not match should also apply to a range of target and likely non-QuestBridge colleges where they are confident they can be admitted.

Last reminder that the deadline for the Gates Scholarship is quickly approaching! Sept. 15th

https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/

About The Gates Scholarship

The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential.

Award

Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance* that is not already covered by other financial aid and the Student Aid Index, as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the methodology used by a Scholar’s college or university.

*Cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, books, housing and food, and may include additional personal costs.

Basic Eligibility

• To apply, students must be:

  • A high school senior
  • Pell-eligible
  • A US citizen or permanent resident
  • In good academic standing with a minimum cumulative weighted GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)
  Additionally, a student must plan to enroll full-time, in a four-year degree program, at a US accredited, not-for-profit, private or public college or university.

Ideal Candidate

An ideal candidate will have:

• An outstanding academic record in high school (in the top 10% of his/her graduating class)
• Demonstrated leadership ability (e.g., as shown through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities)
• Exceptional personal success skills (e.g., emotional maturity, motivation, perseverance, etc.)

WBHS will administer the SAT in the spring to all juniors. Students have the opportunity to take the SAT and/or ACT on the National Test Dates. Tests are offered at various test sites throughout the state of Michigan. We encourage students to develop a testing plan and register very early as test centers fill up fast. Many colleges are returning to requiring test scores for college admission and/or scholarship consideration. Check each college website for their requirements as requirements can change.

To get an estimate of your cost of attendance at a college or university, Google the name of the college with the term "Net Price Calculator." Each college has an estimator. This doesn't guarantee your cost of attendance but can be a useful tool.

WBHS Counseling Department

MRS. KELLY CASINELLI (kelly.casinelli@wbsd.org) Last Names: A - C

MS. JOANNE WEGRZYNOWICZ (joanne.wegrzynowicz@wbsd.org) Last Names: D - HOK

MS. KERI CALIXTE (keri.calixte@wbsd.org) Last Names: HOL - MOM

MR. SAM MAYERS (samuel.mayers-white@wbsd.org) Last Names: MON - SG

MR. JOHN HEPPER (john.hepper@wbsd.org) Last Names: SH - Z

Mrs. Noelle Essig - College & Career Counselor

Carla Jones - Mental Health Specialist

Administrative Staff

Mr. Eric Pace, Principal

Eric.Pace@wbsd.org

Megan Hrycaj, Assistant Principal

Megan.Hrycaj@wbsd.org

Jamie Glinz, Assistant Principal

Jamie.Glinz@wbsd.org

Dr. Stephanie Clark, Assistant Principal

Stephanie.Clark@wbsd.org

Tom DeGrand, Athletic Director

thomas.degrand@wbsd.org

Newsletter Contact:

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

Appointment with Counselor

College Rep Virtual Visits

Counselor Connection - Prior Editions

Financial Aid and Scholarships

NCAA Eligibility Center - College Athletics

Parchment- Sending Transcripts

OK2SAY

1-855-565-2729

Text - 652729

https://www.michigan.gov/ok2say

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

Text - HELLO to 741741