Demystifying the College Admissions Process

1. Demystifying the College Admissions Process

2. 4 steps to Demystifying the College Admissions Process Step 1. Identify reasons for going to college, and what type of college/university is right for you Step 2. Follow a College Admissions Timeline Step 3. Understand College Admissions Process and Evaluation Measures Step 4. Make an Informed Decision

3. Step 1- Why? • Identify your reasons for going to college: • Opportunity to expand knowledge of self and the world around you • Opportunity to meet new and different people • Increase earning potential • You take control of what you want to study- and begin learning about your future career • You’ll have opportunities to be apart of different organizations and activities

4. Financial Benefits of an Education Source: College Board- Education Pays 2006

5. Where Should I go? • Trade/Technical • Focus on a specific skill or talent • 2 Year Community/Junior Colleges • Popular option for students unsure of area of study • Often a smart financial option for these students • Many students transfer to 4 year institutions • 4 Year Colleges & Universities • Typically have more available • Research Opportunities are growing • Some require living on-campus for 1st year

6. Find Your Fit! • Large • Publics • Receive funding from their state • Often admit more In-State students • Tuition lower for In-State students • Offer more academic programs • More social/professional organizations • More students • Privates • Medium to Small • Funded privately • May offer no preference to Residency • Tuition rates the same for all students (often is often higher than publics) • Fewer academic/social offerings • Often Liberal Arts centered • More tailored feel

7. Other Types of Schools • Religious Schools • Historically Black Colleges & Universities • Same Gender Schools • Technical

8. Visit every school you can Take an unofficial transcript with you Schedule a meeting with an admissions counselor Sit in on an academic class and eat in a residence hall How to find the right fit? VISIT! • Take a structured campus tour • Meet with general departments • Ask current students questions about the school

9. What should I consider when choosing a college? What’s Important to you? • Academic Reputation and Programs • Admissions requirements • Selectivity • Cost & Financial Aid • Career Preparation & Opportunities • Diversity/Student Profile • Sophomore Retention Rates • Campus Activities/ Organizations • Location • Graduation Rates • Size • Student teacher ratio/class size

10. How do I narrow my list of colleges? • Research college websites • Talk to High School Counselors & Teachers • Attend College Presentations & Fairs • Talk to admissions counselors, faculty, students, and alumni from a particular school • Visit College Campuses • Register for a tour and sit in classes • Attend events (i.e. social, academic)

11. Step 2: Follow a College Planning Timeline Freshman Year • Meet with high school counselor and select courses that meet college requirements • Take challenging courses • Sophomore Year • Research colleges and careers on the internet • Utilize your summers • Junior Year • Research admissions requirements • Continue extra-curricular involvement -- seek leadership positions • Develop a resume • Senior Year • Fall-obtain admissions applications from your top schools • Complete those applications by the deadline! 10/1/2011 for selective schools

12. Step 3: The Admissions Process and Evaluation Measures Types of Admissions Policies • Rolling • Regular Notification • Early Decision (You’re obligated and should only apply to one) • Early Action • Early Response • Check all deadlines!

13. Elements of An Application • High School Transcript • Curriculum • Testing • Extracurricular Activities • Essay(s) and short answer responses • High School & Teacher Recommendation

14. Standardized Tests • PSAT- • Pre-SAT score prediction and diagnostic information • In Junior year, used for National Merit qualification • ACT- • More curriculum/knowledge based than SAT I • For in-state and many midwest publics - may be all that is required • At some colleges also used as a placement exam • Essay is optional, so check college’s requirements • Will be the State of Michigan’s junior year competency exam beginning in 2007

15. Standardized Tests • SAT-More often required by selective privates • Includes essay portion since March 2005 • Now on a 2400 point scale • SAT Subject Tests (formally called SAT IIs) • One-hour subject tests best taken as soon as you complete the appropriate course • Only needed if applying to some selective schools • Advanced Placement Exams • Usually not “officially” considered in college admission process – but schools will see scores if you report them • Used for credit by most (but not all) colleges and universities – often scores of 3-5, sometimes only 4-5

16. Resume/Extracurricular Activities • Keep track of activities and accomplishments from freshman until senior year • Look for leadership & deeper service opportunities in junior & senior years • Include competition/honors on regional & national level • Work experience • Commitment in activities The longer the list does not guarantee the better the list!

17. The Essays • Answer the question! • If you recycle your essays-have more than one person proofread it. • Plagiarism is unacceptable. • Essays are an opportunity to learn more about you.

18. Ask for recommendations at least a month before you need it Ask teachers in classes where you’ve been most active/interested Get to your know your counselor-Their input is critical Get recommendations from employers, organizations, etc H.S. Counselors provide information about the educational environment: Strength of curriculum (inc. availability of AP, IB, honors) Average SAT I and/or ACT scores Percentage attending 4-year colleges Competitive grading system in high school Competitiveness of class Teacher & Counselor Recommendations

19. Colleges and universities will consider other characteristics and attributes Personal Background • Alumni connection • Cultural awareness/experiences • First generation to go to college from family • Low economic family background • Personal disadvantage • Professional diversity Geographic Considerations • In state resident • From school with few or no previous applicants

20. Completing the Application Process • Submit application online and request that transcripts & recommendations be sent to college/university • Advantages of web applications • Clean, neat – no white out needed! • Data integrity • Ability to proof & correct • Speed of processing Managing the Application Process for any College is the student’s responsibility—Be Proactive!

21. Common Application • https://www.commonapp.org • Use to apply to multiple schools with only one application • List of schools is on website (i.e. U of M, Albion, Hillsdale, Notre Dame, Harvard) • Special process for sending transcripts on Docufide

22. Step 4: Making a Decision • Rejoice in acceptances • Weigh financial aid/cost • Final visits • Balance of challenge & support • Accept disappointments

23. Inform Schools of Your Decision • Notify all the schools that you have been accepted to of your decision • Reserve your space as a freshman by paying your enrollment deposit by school’s deadline

24. The Cost of a College Education • Tuition, which will vary by school • Room and board, which will also vary by school and location • Books, lab fees, supplies • Travel expenses • This would depend on where the school is located and how often a student comes home

25. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • Available in December online @ www.fafsa.gov • Determines a student’s eligibility for need based and non-need based federal and state aid CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE • Can be found on the CollegeBoard website • https://profileonline.collegeboard.com • At many schools, the CSS PROFILE determines eligibility for nonfederal, student aid funds

26. Four Types of Financial Aid Loans Grants • Gift funds • Based upon financial need • Can come from University or government funds • Do NOT have to be repaid • Funds which must be repaid, with interest • Can be subsidized or unsubsidized • Subsidized loans require financial need and unsubsidized do not Scholarships Work Study • Gift funds • Commonly based upon academic achievement or special talents • Merit scholarships are usually based on high school GPA, class rank, & standardized test scores • Do NOT have to be repaid • Based upon financial need • Students work part time for eligible employers • Can earn wages up to the amount award for work study in the financial aid package

27. Financial Aid Tips • Private scholarships are excellent opportunities for financial aid and usually have their own criteria • The more local the scholarship  the smaller the application pool  a better chance of winning • Visit your local library • Most local libraries have sections with books on funding college, financial aid information, and various scholarships offered to students • Some libraries have created special resource sites for students who are considering college • Scholarship Wall

28. Important Websites • FAFSA • www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov • CSS PROFILE • https://profileonline.collegeboard.com • Scholarship information for Michigan residents • http://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid

29. NCAA Requirements • Division I and Division II colleges have course requirements to be eligible to play college sports. See Programs of Study or website below • Meet with your counselor to make sure you are eligible • Register on: www.eligibilitycenter.org

30. Docufide • Online transcript delivery system