Planning for College Presented by: Carolyn E. Karno Manager Early Awareness and College Planning

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation AGENDA Admissions Facts College Entrance Exams The College Search Financial Considerations The College Application College Decisions Special Circumstances Advice From Experts

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Admissions Facts Top Factors in Admissions Process –Grades in college preparatory courses –Strength of curriculum –Standardized admission test scores –Overall high school grade point average –Application essay –Class rank Source: “State of College Admission: NACAC, Aug. 2007

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Admissions Facts Is it harder to get into a 4-year college? –The most selective schools have gotten even more selective Juilliard School accepted only 8% of its applicants Harvard accepted only 9% of its applicants –More than 80% of 4-year colleges accepted more than 50% of its applicants Granite State College accepted 100% of its applicants

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Admissions Facts College Enrollment –17.3 million students were enrolled in postsecondary institutions – % increase from 1990 Projected increase of 15% through million were enrolled in public institutions –Community colleges have seen unprecedented growth 10% growth between Sources: “State of College Admissions: NACAC, Aug “Community College Enrollment Boom:” Inside Higher Education, Aug. 22, 2008

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation College Entrance Exams Reasoning Test: Mathematics, Critical Reading, Writing Scoring: per section/2400 cumulative Basic cost = $45.00 Some colleges may also require subject area tests SAT

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation College Entrance Exams English, Reading, Mathematics, Science and Writing (optional) Scoring: 1-36 Reported by the ACT Cost: $31.00 for basic Cost $46 w/ writing ACT

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Upcoming Test Dates TEST DATEDEADLINE SAT Oct. 4, 2008Sept. 9, 2008 Nov. 1, 2008Sept. 26, 2008 Dec. 6, 2008Nov. 8, 2008 ACT Sept. 13, 2008Aug. 22, 2009 Oct. 25, 2008Sept. 19, 2008 Dec. 13, 2008Nov. 7, 2008

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation College Options Technical Schools –Specialized training for a particular occupation Community Colleges –Open-enrollment –Certificate or Associate Degrees –Most affordable option 2-Year Colleges –Many offer career oriented programs Colleges and Universities –Broad range of degrees and programs –Wide price range

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation The College Search How far from home is too far? What type of environment is important to you? How important is diversity to you? What degree of challenge is best for you? Questions to ask yourself:

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation The College Search What major or career direction will you take? Are you interested in internships or study abroad programs? Is cost a concern for your family? Questions to ask yourself:

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Keep In Mind The best indicator of future success is not where you attend college but what you do at the college you attend

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation The College Search Coordinate Your Search –Talk with your counselor –Go online –Look at some college guides –Attend college fairs –Visit Schools

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation The College Search Reach Schools Good Match/Target Schools Likely Admit Narrow Your Search

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Financial Considerations Tuition and fees in Connecticut range from $3,000 to more than $39,000 per year –Community Colleges - $2,984 –UConn - $9,318 –CCSU - $7,042 –Wesleyan - $38,894 Don’t forget other costs College Costs

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Financial Considerations Types of Financial Aid Gift Aid = Grants and Scholarships Self Help = Loans and Work programs

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Money Saving Ideas Community college and transfer State colleges and universities New England Regional Program – Merit scholarships Canadian and overseas colleges and universities

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation The College Application Paper or electronic –In 2006 colleges received an average of 58% of their applications electronically Answer all questions Keep copies Source: “State of College Admission: NACAC-Aug. 2007

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation The College Application Select a topic Start early Stay between words Ask a teacher or counselor to review it The Essay

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation The College Application Teachers Counselors Coaches Employer Club Advisor Other Recommendations Tips Teachers must teach an academic subject Don’t send too many Only from people who know you

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation The College Application Art Students –portfolio Music Students –CD of performance Athletes –Video of Game Supplementary Materials

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation The College Application Your high school sends: –Transcript –School profile –Mid-year grades –Final grades Test scores sent by: –The College Board for the SAT –The ACT for ACT Submitting Your Application Find out what procedure your school follows

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Types of Admission Plans Early Decision –Student applies early to a school with the understanding that the decision to accept is binding –Deposits are due early Early Action –Student applies early to a school – decision is non-binding –Deposits are due in May Rolling Decision –Admissions office acts on applications as they come in Regular Application –Students apply by stated deadline and will receive a response in the spring

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation The College Application Deadlines –Early Plans Nov. 1, Nov. 15, or Dec. 1 –Second Round Dec. 15 to Jan. 31

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation College Decisions Admit Deny Wait List

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Special Circumstances Athletes –Division I and II required to complete NCAA eligibility form Artists/Musicians –Prepare portfolios and auditions Section 504/IDEA –Students may still qualify for some services while in college

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Advice from Experts Work closely with your counselor Stay focused Thank people who have helped you

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation CSLF Can Help Hotline – Free Services –College Planning Assistance –Help with Financial Aid Applications –Advice on Financing Options

Connecticut Student Loan Foundation Good Luck!