College Counseling
Juniors and seniors, do you know Phil Trout? Our College Counselor is a key contact for your post-secondary planning and college search. He has personally toured hundreds of campuses and looks forward to sharing important insights with you.
It has often been said that the college search is a match to be made, and not a prize to be won. I’ll help you find the right fit. Phil Trout, the College Guy
Mr. Trout has a distinguished career as a College Counselor, and is now in his 16th year at Minnetonka. He previously served as the Director of College Counseling at Mounds Park Academy (St. Paul), Shattuck-St. Mary’s (Faribault) and the Illinois Math and Science Academy. He also has worked in college admissions at the University of Minnesota and the College of William and Mary. He is a Past-President of the Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling, and he served on the Minnesota ACT Council.
He served as President of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) during the 2015-2016 school year.
To make an appointment, please email collegeguy@minnetonkaschools.org or
call 952-401-5746
College Entrance Testing
Do you have questions about college entrance tests?
- Why should I take the PSAT?
- What’s the difference between the ACT and SAT?
- When should I take the ACT/SAT?
- How many times should I take the ACT/SAT?
- How can I prepare for college entrance tests?
-
What colleges have adopted a test-optional policy in admissions?
These questions vary based on each student and their situation. It’s a good idea to have a conversation with your counselor about testing.
For general information, please visit the Testing and Assessments webpage.
Information for Your College Search
2022-23 Schedule
All in-person sessions will be held in the MHS Forum, unless otherwise noted. Presentations or handouts and links to recorded webinars are posted below when available.
Date | Time | Event |
August 25 |
7 p.m. |
College Admissions 101 |
August 29 | 7 p.m. | Selective College Admissions: Five Important Tips Download the Selective College Admissions: Five Important Tips PowerPoint |
August 30 | 3:30 p.m. |
Completing a College Application – Practical Advice for Seniors |
August 31 |
4:30 p.m. | College Admissions 101 Download the College Admissions 101 PowerPoint MHS Forum |
September 7 | 4 p.m. | Selective College Admissions: Five Important Tips Download the Selective College Admissions: Five Important Tips PowerPoint |
September 8 | 7 p.m. | Completing a College Application – Practical Advice for Seniors MHS Forum |
September 9 | 12 p.m. (noon) | College Admissions 101 Webinar Watch the College Admissions 101 Webinar |
September 13 | 12 p.m. (noon) | Selective College Admissions: Five Important Tips Webinar Watch the Selective College Admissions Webinar |
September 14 | 7:15 a.m. | Completing a College Application – Practical Advice for Seniors MHS Forum |
September 19 | 7 p.m. | Senior Parent Night Program Download the Senior Parent Night Program PowerPoint |
September 20 | 4 p.m. | Admission to Big Public Flagship Universities Download Admission to Big Public Flagship Universities Webinar |
September 27 | 7 p.m. | Admission to Big Public Flagship Universities Download Admission to Big Public Flagship Universities Webinar |
September 29 | 12 p.m. (noon) | Admission to Big Public Flagship Universities Webinar Watch the Admission to Big Public Flagship Universities Webinar |
October 3 | 7 p.m. | College Admissions and the Student Athlete Download the College Admissions and the Student Athlete PowerPoint |
October 4 | 4 p.m. | College Admissions and the Student Athlete Download the College Admissions and the Student Athlete PowerPoint |
October 10 | 4 p.m. | Touring Colleges Download the Touring Colleges PowerPoint |
October 13 | 12 p.m. (noon) | Touring Colleges Webinar Watch the Touring Colleges Webinar |
October 17 | 7 p.m. | A Closer Look at Community and Technical Colleges Download the A Closer Look at Community and Technical Colleges PowerPoint |
October 18 | 4 p.m. | A Closer Look at Community and Technical Colleges Download the A Closer Look at Community and Technical Colleges PowerPoint |
October 25 | 4 p.m. |
Financing a College Education
Guest presenter: Cheryl Dooley, Financial Aid Office, Hamline University Download the Financing a College Education PowerPoint |
October 25 | 7 p.m. | Financing a College Education Guest presenter: Cheryl Dooley, Financial Aid Office, Hamline University Watch the Financing a College Education Webinar |
January 10 | N/A | Looking for Scholarships Download the Looking for Scholarships PowerPoint |
February 6 | 7 p.m. |
Junior Parent Program - A Kick-off to the College Search Process |
February 9 | 12 p.m. (noon) |
Virtual Junior Parent Program - A Kick-off to the College Search Process |