Finding Your College Fit at one of Ohio’s Colleges Jay Young, PhD, LPCC

Agenda Admissions Process vs. College Fit Process The College Fit Process

Admission Timeline Common Application ACT/SAT Recommendation Letters Personal Essay Financial Aid Early Admission or Early Decision FAFSA

Identifying everything you want in a college including major options Identifying colleges that are good at everything you want Conducting strategic visits so you can make the best choice

College Fit: KEY IDEAS Colleges are like people: Good at some things….not so good at others So, before you pick colleges to visit figure out what you want

What you want in a college Major/Minor Exploration Interests Learning Support Service Requirements Social Fraternity or Sorority Interests Varsity, Club, or Intramural sport interest Music/Band Interest Honors Interest Residential Learning Community Other Interests (e.g. clubs) Public or Private Cost Distance from home Enrollment Size / Class Size Urban, Suburban, Small Town Others

Why Ohio Colleges? Approximately 81% of Ohio’s college-bound high school seniors enroll in an Ohio college. Of those 80% remain in Ohio after graduation.

Why Ohio Colleges? The other approximately 19% … incur additional costs and are separated by greater distance PLUS over 50% won’t return to Ohio to work and live

Take Career/Interest Inventories Link: to families of majors. to Explore Reflect: Identify your favorite high school courses, interests, activities, and hobbies. Take Career/Interest Inventories Link: to families of majors. Identify: a short list Use the campus visit or other high school courses to explore

Identifying Colleges to Visit: The Sturdy 30 CBA’s most frequently recommended 4-year Residential Undergraduate Colleges and Universities in Ohio with 55% 6-year graduation rate or better

The Sturdy 30 Public Universities Bowling Green State University   Bowling Green State University Kent State University Miami University Ohio University Ohio State University University of Cincinnati

The Sturdy 30 Private Colleges Ohio’s Professional Program Specialists   Ohio’s “Big 5 Liberal Arts Colleges” College of Wooster Denison University Kenyon College Oberlin College and Conservatory Ohio Wesleyan University Ohio’s Passionately Christian Colleges Cedarville University Franciscan University of Steubenville Mount Vernon Nazarene University Ohio’s Colleges of Art and Design Cleveland Institute of Art Columbus College of Art and Design Ohio’s Catholic Universities John Carroll University University of Dayton Xavier University Ohio’s Professional Program Specialists Case Western Reserve University Ohio Northern University University of Findlay University of Dayton   Ohio’s Colleges with Niche Offerings Ashland University Baldwin Wallace University Capital University Marietta College Otterbein University University of Mount Union Walsh University Wittenberg University

For Example: University of Findlay Signature Majors Equestrian Studies Animal Science Diagnostic Sciences Children’s Book Illustration Early Admission or assurance to graduate programs in Pharmacy, OT, AT, & PT Environmental, Safety, & Occupational Health Mgmt.

Planning a Campus Visit Ask for a student led campus tour and an opportunity to visit with an admissions counselor or attend an information session.

Planning a Campus Visit Ask to visit with representatives from other campus activities of interest (e.g. band, club sport, coach, honors program, etc.)

Planning a Campus Visit Ask to visit with a faculty member from each major of interest. Tour labs/facilities. Meet student majors.

The Faculty Visit Questions to Ask Tell me a bit about the _______ major and courses I would be taking. How many student majors are there? What does your major prepare me for and what are your graduates doing now? Do your students complete internships or coops and if so, how do they find them? Are there study abroad options in the major? Is there an active student organization connected to the major? Other than you, what colleges in Ohio are strong in this major?

Cost of a Public Ohio University Not including federal financial aid Columbus State Community College Room & Board ($8-12K) $ 0 Books & Fees $ 1,500 Tuition Sticker Price $ 4,000 Less Merit Discount $ 500 Less Need Discount $ 0 TOTAL ANNUAL COST $ 5,000 Work Contribution $ -5,000 Student Loan $ 0 Ohio Public University Room & Board ($8-12K) $11,000 Books & Fees $ 1,500 Tuition Sticker Price $10,000 Less Merit Discount $ 2,500 Less Need Discount $ 0 TOTAL ANNUAL COST $ 20,000 Work Contribution $ -5,000 Student Loan $ 15,000

Cost of an Ohio College Not including federal financial aid Ohio Public University All 4 Years Total Student Debt $60,000 Monthly Payment $633/month (5% for 10 years) Sum of payments (10 years) $76,000 CSCC 1st 2 years BGSU last 2 years Total Student Debt $30,000 Monthly Payment $317/month (5% for 10 years) Sum of Payments (10 years) $38,000 Value of Difference (10 years) $55,000 (7% return) Value of Difference (30 more $420,000 years)

Tuition Cost of Ohio’s Private Colleges Ohio’s Private Colleges Known for their Professional Programs Tuition Only* Sticker: $30K-46K Avg. Net: $12K-22K Ohio’s Big 5+ Liberal Arts Colleges Tuition Only* Sticker: $44K-52K Avg. Net: $16K-28K Ohio’s Colleges of Art and Design Tuition Only* Sticker: $30K-40K Avg. Net: $15K-19K Ohio’s “Passionately” Christian Colleges Tuition Only* Sticker: $26K-30K Avg. Net: $12K-18K Ohio’s 3 Largest Catholic Colleges Tuition Only* Sticker: $36K-41K Avg. Net: $16K-22K Private Colleges with Real Strengths and Unique Offerings Tuition Only* Sticker: $21K-35K Avg. Net: $11K-18K