The college application process seems to change every year, affected by global events like COVID-19 as well as more local factors like the national economy. Universities and colleges themselves have been shifting away from (or back towards) accepting standardized testing scores, utilizing different application platforms, and refining what they’re looking for in an ideal student. Some have raised the income ceiling for what would qualify a family for fully subsidized tuition; others have seen such an increase in their applications that their acceptance rates have dropped to single digit numbers. At BASIS Independent Bellevue, we understand that the research and decision-making that goes into choosing the next step in a student’s educational career can feel overwhelming, which is why we offer a robust College Counseling program with various levels of support for both students and parents. 

This school year, we welcomed Ms. Che Angkham to establish the College Counseling program at BASIS Independent Bellevue, coinciding with our inaugural high school class. Though this is her first year at the Bellevue Campus, this is her 7th year with BASIS Independent Schools and her 17th year overall as an educator. She joins us from our network’s largest high school—the Silicon Valley campus in San Jose, California–where in addition to College Counselor, she had held the roles of English Subject Expert Teacher, Dean of Students, and Associate Head of School. Prior to joining BASIS Independent Schools, she taught elementary and middle school at other independent schools and worked as a private consultant. Her experience has given her unique insight into a student’s journey, all the way from grade 1 through grade 12—from learning phonics to walking in their high school graduation. This breadth of knowledge has served her well in building a College Counseling program from the ground up.  

What makes College Counseling at BASIS Independent Schools so effective is its holistic, collaborative approach. Ms. Angkham works closely with the School Counselor, Dean of Students, Director of Student Affairs, and Subject Expert Teachers as part of a network of support, covering not just academic achievements but also social-emotional learning, executive functioning, and life skills. Furthermore, the team of College Counselors across all the BASIS Independent Schools regularly collaborate with one another as well as meet monthly with counselors across the Spring Network. Every College Counselor also belongs to the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), which provides industry-standard training and up-to-date resources. 

This year, our grade 8 families got a jumpstart into College Counseling with their course selection in the spring. Students and families met with Ms. Angkham to learn more about our high school curriculum and receive individualized planning on their high school trajectory. Those families can enter this summer with the assurance that they have made informed decisions for their teen’s first year of high school. 

Once grade 9 begins, students and families attend a “College Counseling 101” workshop at the start of the year in which Ms. Angkham gives them an overview of what to expect with advising and counseling throughout high school. Parents also receive some tips on how to best support students, while students find out what skills and achievements they should focus on as they move through each year of high school. Ms. Angkham also shares industry norms in college admissions and dispels some commonly held myths regarding the process. 

Throughout the year, Grade 9 students have multiple touchpoints and sessions with Ms. Angkham, including the following: 

• Seattle College Fair in the fall 

• Trimester check-ins to review academic progress 

• Additional academic support for students whose grades fell below a certain level 

• Preliminary major and college research 

• Aptitudes and interests assessment 

• Activities and achievements tracking 

• Reflection and goal-setting 

• Essay writing practice 

• Course selection advising 

Parents, along with students, are invited to workshops that review best practices on how to choose an impactful summer experience; financial planning for college; and tips for success on the end-of-year AP tests, finals, and beyond. 

Looking ahead to grades 10 and 11, students and families will continue with similar support, but of course scaled to that specific year in high school. Additionally, we will offer standardized testing practice and visits with college admissions representatives so that students can make individualized connections and find out more about a school’s application process, beyond what can be found online. Grade 11 students can begin their college applications in earnest, including receiving counseling and essay feedback throughout the summer leading up to senior year. 

Grade 12 is where students and families become deeply immersed in College Counseling with open access to the counselor through family meetings and drop-in office hours. Additionally, seniors will have a daily college counseling class with Ms. Angkham during trimesters 1 and 2 in which they will continue with visits from college admissions representatives, learn how to best approach different essays, broaden their knowledge of colleges in general, figure out what financial aid is available to them, and build a balanced college list based on their strengths and interests. Students will also receive robust one-on-one application review and essay feedback.  

After the culmination of the application season, the College Counseling class will pivot to Life Skills where students will learn material that will benefit them in college and beyond, such as university resources and how to be a good roommate. 

During trimester 3 of senior year, students may continue meeting with Ms. Angkham as needed. While they wait for college acceptances to continue rolling in, they will focus on their Senior Research Projects in earnest. This project may have actually started as early as grade 11, depending on whether a student is continuing a passion project or whether they are introducing a brand-new proposal their senior year. Students will spend the trimester doing hands-on original research, writing blogs to update us on their progress along the way, and completing their papers. Those students completing their Senior Projects through the AP Research course will also defend their papers to the College Board. Each senior will then present their findings at an end-of-year conference in which all students, staff, and family members will be invited to be amazed, proud, and humbled by the ingenuity of our soon-to-be graduates.  

As a growing high school with only grade 9 students this year, we have a lot to look forward to. We have been delighted to share in the successes of our sister high schools: BASIS Independent Brooklyn, Fremont, Manhattan, McLean, and Silicon Valley. Students at all campuses received acceptance to their schools of choice. Our industry standard of ensuring students apply to schools based on fit means that BASIS Independent graduates are not only excited to enroll in college; they are also well-positioned to have a satisfying college experience and success in their future classes. They will graduate college with the education and maturity to become the next generation of leaders. Read all about our students’ acceptances in this blog.  

We have amazing students here at BASIS Independent Bellevue. We look forward to seeing them learn and grow over the years, and we cannot wait for our first graduating class to celebrate their achievements in 2028!