College Counseling

Trout,_Phil

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
Download the College Admissions 101 PowerPoint

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
MHS Forum

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
Download the Junior Parent Program PowerPoint

February 9 12 p.m. (noon)

Virtual Junior Parent Program - A Kick-off to the College Search Process
Watch the Virtual Junior Parent Program Webinar
Download the Virtual Junior Parent Program PowerPoint

Student Activities