Finding the Right Fit

What college fit is right for you? College fit factors start with: majors campus size location facilities programs cost College fit factors also include: academic culture school spirit religious affiliation residential life internship opportunities support services study abroad career prospects Gallup Survey* from 2015 College graduates were surveyed on their general well-being and job satisfaction--and how these are connected to their college experience Those with the highest levels of happiness and job satisfaction had these college experiences in common: A professor who knew their name. A faculty mentor. Engagement in meaningful academic work. Learning with people from diverse perspectives. *Gallup-Purdue Index Report: Great Jobs, Great Lives: The Relationship between Student Debt, Experiences and Perceptions of College Worth

5 colleges will be presented - names withheld College Fit Activity 5 colleges will be presented - names withheld Listen to the descriptions Students: choose 1 or 2 colleges that seem like a good fit for you Parents: choose 1 or 2 colleges that seem like a good fit for your child

School #1

School #1 Location: Midwest, small town Public university Enrollment: 8000 undergraduates (10,000 total enrollment with graduate programs) Athletics: Division 2 ACT requirement: 21 or higher with GPA of 2.75 or higher 63% acceptance rate Largest majors: nursing and education. High quality academic programs at a reasonable cost. School combines digital life and learning: each student receives both a laptop and iPad as part of tuition. Diverse campus culture with many academic and social/emotional resources to support students.

School #2

School #2 Location: Midwest, rural Public university Enrollment: 16,300 undergraduates Athletics: Division 1 Middle 50%ile: 25-30 ACT (28 average) 65% acceptance rate Considered a ‘Public Ivy’--an Ivy League collegiate experience at a public school price. Engages high achieving, intellectually curious students in liberal arts education with ample undergraduate research opportunities. Campus culture: Strong sense of community, lots of individual attention from professors, strong career preparation.

School #3

School #3 Location: Southwest, urban setting Public university Enrollment: 41,800 undergraduates on 5 campuses (80,000 total enrollment with graduate programs) Athletics: Division 1 Middle 50%ile: 23-28 ACT (25 average) 63% acceptance rate Comprehensive public research university. School has 5 campuses including a main campus, an engineering campus, a liberal arts campus, a medical school and a premier journalism school. Also has a prestigious Honors College. Urban setting affords students many opportunities for internships and jobs.

School #4

School #4 Location: Midwest, urban setting Public Liberal Arts College Enrollment: 5958 Students Athletics: Division III 89.5% acceptance rate (ACT range 20-25 and top 40% for class rank) Student to faculty ratio 22:1 74% students receive financial aid with 2.1M awarded in scholarships Voted a “Best Midwestern College” and “Best Value” Not too far away from the cities yet far enough to establish independence Most common majors include; Agriculture, Business Management, Education and Communications.

School #5

School #5 Location: Midwest, urban setting Public university Enrollment: 34,800 undergraduates (51,000 total enrollment with graduate programs) Athletics: Division 1 Middle 50%ile: 26-30 ACT (28 average) 45% acceptance rate Comprehensive public research university. School has premier programs in engineering, health science and business. Students participate in high quality research, scholarship, athletic and artistic activities. Has a medical school and law school. Urban setting affords students many opportunities for internships and jobs.

College Fit Discussion Please take 5-10 minutes to discuss which of these 5 colleges seems like the best fit for you-- explain why-- and discuss what college fit you are looking for

School #1 - Winona State University Location: Midwest, small town Public university Enrollment: 8000 undergraduates (10,000 total enrollment with graduate programs) Athletics: Division 2 ACT requirement: 21 or higher with GPA of 2.75 or higher 63% acceptance rate Largest majors: nursing and education. High quality academic programs at a reasonable cost. School combines digital life and learning: each student receives both a laptop and iPad as part of tuition. Diverse campus culture with many academic and social/emotional resources to support students.

School #2 - Dunwoody Minneapolis, MN Location: Midwest, rural Private, Non-Profit Enrollment: 1,502 students 76% acceptance rate Dunwoody prepares graduates to enter the diverse, performance-oriented, and modern workplace by requiring students to take Arts & Sciences courses in addition to technical curriculum. Dunwoody’s close relationship with local industry professionals means that students have direct interaction with standard industry practices as well as innovations in the field through field trips, internships and guest speakers.

School #3 - Arizona State University Tempe, AZ Location: Southwest, urban setting Public university Enrollment: 41,800 undergraduates on 5 campuses (80,000 total enrollment with graduate programs) Athletics: Division 1 Middle 50%ile: 23-28 ACT (25 average) 63% acceptance rate Comprehensive public research university. School has 5 campuses including a main campus, an engineering campus, a liberal arts campus, a medical school and a premier journalism school. Also has a prestigious Honors College. Urban setting affords students many opportunities for internships and jobs.

School #4 - U of W, River Falls Location: Midwest, urban setting Public Liberal Arts College Enrollment: 5958 Students Athletics: Division 3 89.5% acceptance rate (ACT range 20-25 and top 40% for class rank) Student to faculty ratio 22:1 74% students receive financial aid with 2.1M awarded in scholarships Voted a “Best Midwestern College” and “Best Value” Not too far away from the cities yet far enough to establish independence Most common majors include; Agriculture, Business Management, Education and Communications.

School #5 - University of MN - Twin Cities Location: Midwest, urban setting Public university Enrollment: 34,800 undergraduates (51,000 total enrollment with graduate programs) Athletics: Division 1 Middle 50%ile: 26-30 ACT (28 average) 45% acceptance rate Comprehensive public research university. School has premier programs in engineering, health science and business. Students participate in high quality research, scholarship, athletic and artistic activities. Has a medical school and law school. Urban setting affords students many opportunities for internships and jobs.

What can you do to help find the right fit? Understand who you are as a student. Do some self-reflection: What are your skills/strengths? Interests/passions? Challenges/limitations? Use online tools to investigate college facts and culture...to learn admissions requirements...to look at curriculum requirements for your intended major...to see what careers you can do with particular majors...to read what current and former students say about their experience at the school...to learn the actual cost of attending. Visit colleges. Experience schools beyond what you see on their websites. Talk to students. Sit in on a class. Eat in the dining hall. Meet a professor.

Begin Building a College List In MCIS, begin adding schools to “Colleges I am Applying To” Once they are here they are saved and you can add or delete schools on your list as you need. Investigate data about these schools in MCIS. Explore the admissions process and criteria for the schools.