Finding the right college for YOU: Understanding a college profile As you may notice, people have different criteria when selecting the college that is right for them. One size does not fit all. College/ universities are businesses that are trying to sell a product. It is very important to research many colleges to see if what they offer meets your criteria. There will be several colleges/ universities that will visit us in the upcoming months. They are all distinct in their own way, so you will have to research and evaluate them yourself, just as you would do any product that you buy at the store. The best way to do this is by understanding how to read a college profile. For this reason, today we will be focusing on: Finding the right college for you: Understanding a college profile

What is a college profile? An overview of a particular college and what it has to offer. This information can be found in various forms such as: Brochures College website College Information websites: collegeboard.org Videos So what is a college profile? Does anybody have any ideas? Brochures: These may range from one page overview to more in depth books about a college. For those of you who have taken the PSATs, you may already be receiving these in the mail. Another form is a College website: Colleges usually have an admissions section on their website that contains an overview of their campus. There are many college information websites that offer this college knowledge. One of he main ones is collegeboard.com. College profiles come in a variety of media. It is up to you to do the research.

What are some important categories of a college profile? Location Size Major/ Area of Study Cost: Tuition and financial aid Admission Criteria Campus Life and Housing Support Services Type of Colleges Let’s take a look a some of the categories that colleges deem important in their profiles. Although there are many, we will only cover some essential ones.

Location of School Where is this school located? Ask yourself: Urban area, rural area, suburban How many miles away from home? Climate Sunny, hurricanes, below freezing winters Ask yourself: Am I okay spending four years in this area? Am I okay with not going home every weekend? Will I get home sick? Why is it important to consider location? The location of the school may say a lot about a college. It speaks to the community of the surrounding area, available resources, and even the people that you will interact with. It will determine how often you come home (whether it’s every weekend, every holiday, or just once a semester. Not all colleges have accessibility to public transportation. So, if your parents don’t have a car, it may mean that you probably will not be coming home as often. On the other hand, if the school you select is too close to home, this could mean living at home, your sibling bugging you while you are trying to write your papers, and maybe not interacting with many of your peers.

Size How many students attend this university? Some things to consider: Big school vs. small school Size may impact: Personal attention you may receive. Majors Extracurricular activities (sports, clubs) OR The number of undergraduates at a college can have a big impact on your experience there. It affects the Amount of personal attention you'll receive. (small vs. big). Range of majors offered. (small vs, big) Extracurricular possibilities such as variety of academic facilities like labs, libraries and art studios. Or even the range or activities and sports it may offer. However, when looking at a college’s size, be sure to consider more than just the total number of students attending. For example, if you choose a small academic program within a large college, your experience might be very much like attending a small college. Investigate not just the number of faculty members, but also how accessible they are to students.

Area of Study/ Major Does the school have what you would like to study? Some things to consider: Do they have your major? What if you are undecided? Make sure you research to see if your school of choice offers what you would like to study. Some college profiles usually provide you with a list of the majors they offer. This is important because not all schools offer all majors, and you do not want to end up at a school that does have what you want to study.  
If you're undecided, that is perfectly okay. Did you know that many college students change their majors about three times? If you are unsure of what you want to study, pick an academically balanced institution that offers a range of majors and programs. This way you have options. And did you know, most colleges offer advising to help you find a focus.

Cost: Tuition and Financial Aid Can I afford to attend this college? Tuition: cost of education Financial Aid: monetary help to pay for college Temple Tuition: 13,596 Room and Board: 10,276 Books: 1,000 Other Fees 4,237 Total 29,109 Drexel Tuition: 36,090 Room and Board: 14,175 Books: 2,000 Other Fees 3,900 Total 56,165 Today's college price tag makes cost an important consideration for most students. That said, keep in mind that almost every college works with its financial aid office to make sure that academically qualified students can attend. When looking a college profile, make sure you look at the total cost of attending and how many students, and how many students received financial aid. This is usually a good forecaster . Let’s take this example: (compare and contrast the COA for both colleges) Notice the different in prices, particularly in tuition? Ivy Leagues: Harvard, University of Pennsylvania, Yale

Admission Criteria What do I need to get into ______ college? What to look for: Selectivity (How hard is it to get in?) Realistic vs. Reach schools GPA Is it witihin your range? SAT/SAT II/ACT What is required to apply? Recommendation Letters Personal Statements You should consider what the colleges you are interested in require for admission. Do you want to attend a college that accepts the majority of its applicants, or one that accepts just a small percentage? Some colleges require a minimum grade point average (GPA), while others are more flexible. Find out if the colleges that are a good fit for you match the your admission tests, such as the SAT.

Deadlines Consider deadlines Early decision Early action Binding Are you ready to commit to school if you get accepted? Positive: if you get accepted, you may qualify for scholarships. Early action Non-binding Gives you an opportunity to apply before the crowds Generally, this requires that you submit your application and materials at a much earlier date

Type of School What type of school is it? The TYPE of college/university determines many factors like: Degrees offered Activities offered Interaction with staff Opportunities When looking at a college profile, you want ask yourself, what type of school is it? Why is this important? Colleges are generally either two-year or four-year. It is important to know what type you would like to attend because they both offer different types of degrees. For example, at two-year colleges, you can earn an associate degree and certain certifications. So if you want to be a plumber, administrative assistant, or even a cosmetologist, you can do this in 2 years. Whereas, there are other professions that require more extensive education in which you have to attend four-year college, where you can earn a bachelor's degree. Colleges are also categorized as either public or private. Public and private colleges vary in size and available resources. Public colleges are funded by state and local governments, and usually charge lower tuition prices for students who live in their state. That means that the ones in your state may be more affordable for you. But on the other hand, private universities, although more costly, may have more resources and individualized education. Another thing to consider is if you want to attend a co-ed or single sex college.

Test your knowledge… What school is this? What type of school is it? Temple (State- Related) State-Related: Gets funding from the state, but is still governed by its own policies

What path will you take? The path that you decide to take may determine the type of school you attend: Short Term: 2 year college Technical/ Vocational programs Long Term: University/ College University/ College High School Technical School Community College Military

So, what types of schools are there? Two-Year Colleges Four-Year Colleges Universities Public Colleges/Universities Private Colleges/Universities Military Academies Single-Sex Religious Historically Black Colleges

Two-Year Colleges Can be community college, junior college, or technical Usually award certificates or associate degrees May allow guaranteed transfer to four-year colleges or universities Have limited housing if at all Are often significantly cheaper and close to home Ex: Community College of Philadelphia (CCP)

College vs. University What’s the difference? Is there a difference? http://www.kidsinthehouse.com/teenager/education/applying-to-college/the-different-types-of-colleges

Four-Year Colleges Award bachelor degrees More expensive than two-year colleges Can offer associate degrees Some are cheaper than universities Some offer housing and a more university-like experience

Universities Same as four-year college, but also have graduate school . (A collection of different schools. Ex. Law school, Business school, School of Education, and so on) Competitive admission requirements More expensive than two-year colleges

Public vs. Private PRIVATE PUBLIC Lower cost for in- state students Usually give preference to in-state residents Secular (no religious affiliation) PRIVATE Usually cost more than public universities No preference for in-state or out-of-state students Some are associated with religion

Military Academies West Point Co-ed: Both men and women High standards for admission Military service required upon graduation Tuition is free Less freedom than other schools and incorporates physical training and discipline West Point

Single-Sex Colleges and Universities Over 90 all-female two- and four-year colleges Can offer a comfortable and supportive environment Very few all-male schools (Ex: Morehouse College) Bryn Mawr College

Religious Colleges and Universities Focus on a particular faith Students may or may not practice religion to attend. Religion and theology incorporated into curriculum. Some may have behavior rules.

Historically Black Colleges Over 100 predominantly Black colleges Can offer academic and social communities that promote success. Tuition may be lower than at comparative schools.

Think…. Start thinking about the pros and cons of each type of school. How does each school fit with your goals and needs?

Rank the Categories Ask yourself: Rank You’re the Categories What aspects of college do you find most important? Knowing what to look for in a college will help you select a college more easily Rank You’re the Categories Rank Categories 6 Type of Institution 4 Size 3 Other (Location) 1 Area of Study 5 Cost 2 Admission Criteria The worksheet in front of you lists the categories we just reviewed. To the far left of the worksheet, there is a “Rank” column

Finding the right college is a PROCESS https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/find-colleges/how-to-find-your-college-fit/how-to-find-a-college-that-fits-you

Sample College Profile Cornell University http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_video_tour.jhtml?schoolId=1571