Connecting Rural Students with College
Rural Counselor
Colloquium (virtual)
Intended audience: Western Slope High School Counselors
Each year at the Rural Counselor Colloquium admissions representatives from colleges and universities and other experts present workshops for high school counselors. Please join us, your fellow Western Slope high school counselors, and college representatives to discuss current trends and topics in post-secondary planning. Use this unique opportunity to build upon your knowledge to bring back to your students and families and get all your questions answered directly by college admissions officers.
* Please note: the above page is password protected. If you are a counselor or educator and do not have the password, please contact us and we would be glad to share it with you!
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Who: Colorado Western Slope high school counselors and other educators.
What: Seminars hosted by college admissions officers and other experts noted below.
When: annually in April 29.
Where: From wherever you are! This virtual event offers flexibility. Tune in for one session or multiple sessions. We will provide a registration link for counselors as the event approaches.
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(Below is the 2025 Rural Counselor Colloquium Schedule)​
9:00 a.m. — 9:15 a.m.
Keynote Session:
Rural Student Success: Integrating College and Career & Technical Education
9:15 a.m. — 10:00 a.m.
Session 1:
What Do Admissions Officers Think Today about These Trending Topics:
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Rigor: AP/IB/Dual Enrollment/Online — Which one?
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Outreach by high school counselors — When and how to reach out?
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Enrollment cliff — Is it real? For all colleges?
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Deferrals/waitlists — understanding the business needs of college acceptances, deferrals, waitlists and rejections.
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Testing: How and when are test results being used in 2025? Administering the digital tests?
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Using AI in college admissions.
10:00 a.m. — 10:15 a.m.
(break)
10:15 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.
Session 2:
How Can You Engage All Students, Specifically Two Challenging Cohorts:
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Reaching all students: Engaging first generation students early and often.
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Shifting the rural student mindset: From "I'm just going to work" to understanding the power of education in career and tech educational opportunities.
Paying for College with Private Scholarships – Myths and Realities.
11:00 a.m. — 11:15 a.m.
(break)
11:15 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.
Closing Session: Ask the Experts Anything
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Federal financial aid today – Understanding what may happen if the U.S. Department of Education no longer oversees student loans
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Your school and students’ rights – What schools should know about ICE enforcement actions
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(More topics to be added based on counselor survey feedback)
* Please note: the above page is password protected. If you are a counselor or educator and do not have the password, please contact us and we would be glad to share it with you!