“Where do we begin?” The College Search and Visit Process

1. “Where do we begin?” The College Search and Visit Process

2. Gathering Information • Get an overview of your choices • Develop a ‘short list’ • Find out more about your student’s short list • Internet, guide books, college fairs, teachers, family/friends • Call the College/University • Schedule an appointment with your student’s counselor. • Talk with relatives / friends / mentors who have gone through the process.

3. What’s Important to You? • Surprise! Students and parents have different priorities sometimes. • Honest discourse about higher education. • Location • Cost • Size • Academic programs

4. Characteristics to Consider… • Public vs Private • School & Class Size • Faculty • Geographic Location • Distance from Home • Athletics • Diversity • Social Activities/Clubs • Admission Criteria • Areas of Study • Cost • Financial Aid • Housing • Academic Rigor • Graduation & Retention Rates

5. Why visit? • Confirm your research • Demonstrate an interest • See physical surroundings • Make important connections • Get a true ‘feel’ for the school • Before applying vs. after admission

6. Planning a College Tour • Ideal: “Visit as many schools as possible!” • Identify potential “hurdles”. • Transportation • Finances • Vacation • School Absences • Reality: “Visit the school(s) you want to most likely consider.”

7. Types of Visits • Campus Tour – most common • Information Sessions • Open Houses (Large vs Small) • Interviews • Day Visits • Overnights • Athletic Visits • “Drive throughs” • Internet “visits” • Meet professors / coaches • Key: Understand what type of visit is most effective for you!

8. Prep Time: “Preparing for Your Visit” Encourage your student to take control of this process. How? • Research of the basic information • Confirm reservations and get directions • Start to think about important questions • Know what they’re looking for during a visit. What are the goals? • A prepared student will bring a resume and/or transcript. Unofficial transcripts can be obtained in the high school guidance office. • Relax…

9. Brainstorm: What to look for? • General University/College Information • Student body, admissions criteria, financial aid • On-Campus Living/Food Service • Residential life, cafeteria, parking, etc. • Student Life/Athletics • Clubs & organizations, social life, recreation, etc. • Academic Life • Classrooms, professors, course offerings, etc.

10. Arriving on Campus • Check-in first! • Gather printed information: Course catalogues, viewbooks, fee waivers, post graduation reports, etc… • Follow the outlined program • Self-guided tours

11. The Campus Tour • Stick to the front of the group and ask your important questions- even if you are embarrassing! • Tour Guide = Student • Picture your student on campus. Picture yourself on parents’ weekend. • How comfortable do you feel on campus?

12. Afterwards… • Were your questions/concerns addressed? • Do you have new questions? • Who were the people you met with? • Did you make any other significant contacts? • How do you “feel” about the school?

13. Other Tips & Suggestions • Follow up with counselors / professors / students • Keep a journal • Take pictures/video • 2 visit limit/day • Eat on campus • Enjoy the neighborhood

14. Questions?

15. Applying for Admission

16. P.E.A.C.E. • Participate • Educate • Agree • Communicate • Enjoy Source : ApplyWiseLLC(applywise.com)

17. How many colleges should my child apply to?

18. Working with your child’s counselor • Partnership • Schedule an Appointment • Start Early • Monitor homework

19. The Application • Institutional vs. Common Application • Application Processes • Early Decision • Early Action • Single Choice Early Action • Regular Decision • Rolling Admission vs. Deadline

20. The Transcript • Typically the most important document • Official record of all course attempted and grades received • Rigor of courses • Number of core subjects • Senior year courses • Attendance

21. The Essay • Important component • Opportunity for school to learn more about the applicant • Brainstorm about possible topics with your child • Offer to proofread his or her essay • Don’t be overly critical – the essay is an expression of your child, not you

22. Standardized Tests • Types • SAT • ACT • Subject Tests • TOEFL • When to take them? • How many times? • Test optional institutions

23. Letters of Recommendation • Secondary School Counselor • Teachers • Other Educators • Employer • Community Figures, Church Leaders

24. The Resume • In what activities has your child been involved? • How long has he/she participated in a particular activity? • Significant leadership roles • Special recognitions • Unique talents and abilities

25. How Do Colleges Make Their Decisions? • Different schools may take different approaches • Multiple reviews • Admission committee • Holistic approach • Demonstrated interest • Strength of application vs. enrollment objectives

26. Questions?

27. How Do I Decide?

28. Decisions – When will I know? • Early Action/Early Decision – December • Admit • Defer • Deny • Rolling Decision – Notified as Decisions are made • Regular Decision – April • Admit • Conditional Admit • Waitlist • Deny

29. What Now? Visit and Re-Visit Campus Tours and Information Sessions Class Visits Open House Programs Overnight Visits

30. What should I ask? • Academic Program & Support • Residence Life • Life outside the classroom • Athletics • Outcomes

31. Financial Aid Process • Most financial aid deadlines fall long before you will hear about a college’s decision, so don’t wait to complete the necessary financial aid forms! • Colleges assume that the first responsibility for paying for college falls to the student and his/her parents. However, colleges have millions of dollars in aid available to help families with this daunting task.

32. Applying for Financial Aid • FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid • www.fafsa.edu.gov • Student and Parents must register for PIN number • File after January 1 – many colleges require family to submit by some time in February

33. Applying for Financial Aid • CSS Profile Form • www.collegeboard.com • Additional form required by some private schools • More comprehensive – includes more assets but also allows for more allowances • Can be filed after October 1

34. Determining Financial Need • Cost of Attendance – Total cost to attend school – Tuition, Room and Board, Expenses • Expected Family Contribution – Based on an analysis of all data, measure of how much a family can contribute to a student’s education

35. Financial Need Cost of Attendance (COA) Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Eligibility for Need-Based Aid How that need is met will vary from college to college – hence the importance of comparing financial aid packages

36. Types of Financial Aid • Gift Aid • Grants • Scholarships • Aid that a student does not have to work for or pay back, but there might be some conditions on a scholarship (participation in an activity or academic program)

37. Types of Financial Aid • Self Help Aid • Student Loans • Parent Loans • Work Study Grants • Students will work for this aid or be obligated to pay back any money borrowed.

38. Additional Documentation • Tax Returns – Students’ and Parents’ • Used to verify information provided in the FAFSA and CSS Profile Forms • Business Supplements • Divorced/Separated Parent Information

39. Non Need Based Aid • Merit Scholarships • Offered by college or outside agencies • Policies will vary by school and organization • Athletic Scholarships • Generally offered at NCAA Division 1 schools at discretion of coach • Certain academic criteria must be met

40. Questions?

41. Contacts Fairfield University Office of Undergraduate Admission 1073 North Benson Rd Fairfield, CT 06870 203-254-4100 Lindsay Slattum Associate Director of Admission lslattum@fairfield.edu Nakia Noble Associate Director of Admission nnoble@fairfield.edu