College Planning Michele Stasitis- The University of Akron, Office of Admissions

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Planning for College: Discussion Topics  Value of education  College options  ACT and SAT tests and how results are used  College search and campus visits  College application process  Developing a plan to finance your education  Different types of aid  Making the final decision  Final reminders…

Lifetime Earning Potential Source: ACT College Planning

Average Annual Earnings by Educational Level  Earnings by degree Professional degree- $103,411 Doctoral degree- $88,867 Master’s degree- $69,958 Bachelor’s degree- $57,026 Associate degree- $44,086 Some college- $40,556 High school graduate- $34,197 Source: US Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Tabulations reflect the average annual earnings of full-time, year round workers 25 to 64 years old.

College Options After High School  Community Colleges  Public four year colleges and universities  Private four year colleges and universities

Community Colleges  Technical Colleges  Transfer Degrees and Coursework  Partnership Programs  Costs  Proximity to home

Public Colleges/Universities  13 public universities in Ohio  Wide range of academic programs Broad range of student life experiences and opportunities Diverse types of institutions to choose from: ○ Metropolitan, Urban, Rural settings ○ Selective, Moderately Selective and Open Admissions ○ Large, Medium and Small campuses more…

Public Colleges/Universities  Affordable tuition options  Financial assistance (merit and need based)  Ability to transfer credit from community colleges  Opportunities for graduate and professional studies  Regional campus options  Major sports programs and campus activities

Private Colleges/Universities  Small size of classes  Low faculty/student ratio  Faculty promoted and given tenure based on teaching abilities  Opportunities for student leadership  Strong financial aid and scholarship opportunities  Wide range of locations, affiliations and costs

ACT Test ACT – Multiple choice tests in english, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning Optional writing test Upcoming test dates: April 9, register by 3/4/16 June 11, register by 5/6/16 Test dates are also available in September, October, December The registration deadlines will be posted on ACT’s Web site sometime in March. ACT fee is $39.50, with the writing test it is $56.50

SAT Test SAT – sat.collegeboard.org Tests in Critical Reading, Writing, and Math New version of the test coming in March 2016 which includes four parts- Reading, Writing and Language, Math and an Optional Essay. SAT Subject tests – optional, cover specific test areas (i.e. foreign language, math, etc.) Upcoming test dates: May 7, register by 4/8/16 June 4, register by 5/5/16 Anticipated dates for Fall October 1, November 5, December 3, SAT fee is $43. SAT with essay is $ Subject tests are an additional charge.

 Learn appropriate test-taking strategies.  Use test preparation resources at or  FreeRice.com- Web site with free vocabulary drills. For each correct answer, 10 grains of rice are donated to end world hunger.  Check out the apps on the respective test taking sites  See your local library for other test preparation materials. Tips to Prepare for the ACT or SAT Exam

Advantages to testing during your junior year  You’ve probably completed the coursework corresponding to the test material.  You’ll have your test scores and other information in time to influence your senior year curriculum.  Colleges will learn of your interest in them and will start to contact you.  You will have test scores that can be utilized in early fall of your senior year to start the college application process.  You’ll have the opportunity to retest if you feel your scores don’t accurately reflect your ability.

How Colleges Use ACT and SAT Results  To make decisions regarding admission (along with using GPA, class rank, curriculum completed in high school, essays, recommendations, etc.). Some colleges may require that test scores be sent electronically from the testing source as part of the admission process.  For course placement during your freshmen year.  For academic advising and career counseling.  To consider students for scholarship opportunities.

Getting Ready for College… Register to take a college entrance exam- ACT and/or SAT. Plan to take the test more than once! Of the students who took the ACT more than once:  57% increased their composite score  21% had no change in their composite score  22% decreased their composite score Source: ACT Web site

The College Search  Prepare a college comparison checklist  Weigh advantages and disadvantages  Keep track of important deadlines  Contact the Office of Admissions  Schedule appointments for your campus visits

Checklist for a Campus Visit  Meet with an Admission Counselor  Verify admission requirements and deadlines  Determine actual college costs  Ask about financial aid opportunities  Take a campus tour more…

Checklist for a Campus Visit  Investigate your academic program(s)  Attend a college class  Talk with students and faculty  Discuss your chances of success: Admission Graduation Placement

Advice for the College Visit  Consider the type of visits offered - Perhaps, your first visit is a visit day and then do a personal visit.  If the colleges you are interested in attending visit your school, attend their session (if you are able to miss class). It’s a good way to meet the representative and learn more about the college.  Get to know your Admissions Representative - Colleges often arrange this by high school or county  Make sure you visit at least once when school is in session- either spring or fall semester

Source: ACT College Planning Guide

Is Getting Into College Difficult?  Open Admissions Almost all students are accepted.  Selective Admissions Certain GPA’s, ACT/SAT scores are required. Also, an essay and/or interview are often required.  Highly Selective/Competitive Admissions Space is very limited. High School course selection, test scores and extracurricular involvement are evaluated very carefully.  While schools can have open admission…some may have competitive or selective majors Nursing, Architecture, etc.

Apply for Admission  Observe deadlines  Narrow your choices  Review college and admission test requirements  Know admission application fees, required admission materials and deadlines Know whether the major you are considering requires an additional application, interview, audition/portfolio review or scholarship application.  Know scholarship requirements  If you are applying to an Honors Program/College as part of your campus experience, know the process required to be considered for this opportunity. Is there an additional application required? more…

Apply for Admission  Submit application materials Paper or electronic ○ Application for admission ○ High school transcript ○ Recommendations ○ ACT or SAT test results ○ Other requirements based on the school When should I apply for admission? Generally, early fall of your senior year. Please take note of the admission deadline of schools that interest you.

Recommendation Letters  Clear and comprehensive recommendations can make a difference in admissions decisions.  Recommendations can come from teachers, counselors, coaches, advisors, employers, etc.  Be courteous: Provide 3-4 weeks notice for a recommendation to be written.  Provide a “brag sheet” to the person writing the recommendation.

Extracurricular Activities  Commitment, level of accomplishment, initiative, and leadership are most important.  Offices of Admission will ask the following questions when reviewing student resumes/activity lists in an application: ○ How much time does the student devote to this activity? ○ Is there evidence of leadership—is the student an officer or leader in the organization/sport? ○ Balance is best—do not limit involvement to one type of activity. ○ Volunteerism is very important.

College Essay  Brainstorm  Make an outline of ideas- especially for your intro, body and conclusion  Be creative  Be honest  Get feedback from others  Proofread, Proofread, Proofread! Not all colleges require an essay for admission.

Keep accurate records!

Develop a Plan to Finance Your Education  Determine ALL college costs  Investigate ALL possible resources Parents Savings Summer earnings Financial Aid: grants, loans & work study Scholarships: college specific, local and national Other sources more…

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) You can apply on-line using FAFSA on the Web: Be sure to visit the correct Web site. You should never pay to complete your FAFSA on-line.  The FAFSA online is available each year after October 1 st. This is new starting with the school year.  FAFSA will be completed using Prior-Prior Year (PPY) FAFSA information. As a high school senior, consider attending College Goal Sunday for assistance completing the FAFSA-

Types of Financial Assistance: FAFSA  Sources of financial aid: Federal and State Government o FAFSA  Grants- non repayable awards based on need  Student Loans- available through private lending institutions, colleges and the federal government. Must be repaid.  Work-Study- jobs that allow students to earn money toward their expenses while they are enrolled in school. 

Types of Financial Assistance: College and University Scholarships  Academic, leadership, athletic, fine arts scholarships  Each school distributes scholarships in a unique way  Please research deadlines and requirements to apply for scholarships

Develop a Plan to Finance Your Education  Apply for financial aid as early as possible! It’s recommended to submit the paperwork soon after October 1 st of your senior year.  Utilize resources like the Net Price Calculator and Financial Need Estimator to get a better understanding/estimate of what you can expect to pay Many institutions also have calculators on their Web sites  Secure necessary forms and note deadlines Please research deadlines and requirements to apply for college specific scholarships. Each college is different. Don’t forget to investigate local/community scholarships as well.

Making the Final Decision…  Narrow your choices in colleges  Schedule another visit More personalized visit Overnight visit with a host student or a day where you attend classes with a student

Review and Finalize Your Plans  Students show initiative and be assertive…this is going to be your experience!  Talk with your parents and counselors  Select a college that meets your needs and preferences  Follow up with colleges to which you have applied but don’t plan to attend

College Success Factors Test scores and high school grades are important. However, they measure only part of your potential.  ACT Test Scores  High School Grades Additional Success Factors  Study Habits  Motivation  Course Selection  Placement  Interests  Commitment Source: ACT College Planning Guide

College Fair Opportunity Spring 2016 NACAC Cleveland College Fair Sunday, April 17, to 4 p.m. Location: FirstMerit Convention Center of Cleveland (formerly the Cleveland Convention Center)

Thank you! Good luck with your college planning! Michele Stasitis