“Where do we begin?” The College Search and Visit Process Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life

Gathering Information  Get an overview of your choices  Develop a ‘short list’  Find out more about your student’s short list  Internet, guide books, college fairs, teachers, family/friends  Call the College/University  Schedule an appointment with your student’s counselor.  Talk with relatives / friends / mentors who have gone through the process. Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life

What’s Important to You?  Surprise! Students and parents have different priorities sometimes.  Honest discourse about higher education.  Location  Cost  Size  Academic programs Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life

Characteristics to Consider…  Public vs Private  School & Class Size  Faculty  Geographic Location  Distance from Home  Athletics  Diversity  Social Activities/Clubs Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life  Admission Criteria  Areas of Study  Cost  Financial Aid  Housing  Academic Rigor  Graduation & Retention Rates

Why visit? Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life  Confirm your research  Demonstrate an interest  See physical surroundings  Make important connections  Get a true ‘feel’ for the school  Before applying vs. after admission

Planning a College Tour  Ideal: “Visit as many schools as possible!”  Identify potential “hurdles”.  Transportation  Finances  Vacation  School Absences  Reality: “Visit the school(s) you want to most likely consider.” Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life

Types of Visits  Campus Tour – most common  Information Sessions  Open Houses (Large vs Small)  Interviews  Day Visits  Overnights  Athletic Visits  “Drive throughs”  Internet “visits”  Meet professors / coaches  Key: Understand what type of visit is most effective for you! Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life

Prep Time: “Preparing for Your Visit” Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Encourage your student to take control of this process. How?  Research of the basic information  Confirm reservations and get directions  Start to think about important questions  Know what they’re looking for during a visit. What are the goals?  A prepared student will bring a resume and/or transcript. Unofficial transcripts can be obtained in the high school guidance office.  Relax…

Brainstorm: What to look for?  General University/College Information  Student body, admissions criteria, financial aid  On-Campus Living/Food Service  Residential life, cafeteria, parking, etc.  Student Life/Athletics  Clubs & organizations, social life, recreation, etc.  Academic Life  Classrooms, professors, course offerings, etc. Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life

Arriving on Campus Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life  Check-in first!  Gather printed information: Course catalogues, viewbooks, fee waivers, post graduation reports, etc…  Follow the outlined program  Self-guided tours

The Campus Tour Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life  Stick to the front of the group and ask your important questions- even if you are embarrassing!  Tour Guide = Student  Picture your student on campus. Picture yourself on parents’ weekend.  How comfortable do you feel on campus?

Afterwards…  Were your questions/concerns addressed?  Do you have new questions?  Who were the people you met with?  Did you make any other significant contacts?  How do you “feel” about the school? Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life

Other Tips & Suggestions  Follow up with counselors / professors / students  Keep a journal  Take pictures/video  2 visit limit/day  Eat on campus  Enjoy the neighborhood Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Questions?

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Applying for Admission

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life P.E.A.C.E. Participate Educate Agree Communicate Enjoy Source : ApplyWiseLLC(applywise.com)

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life How many colleges should my child apply to?

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Working with your child’s counselor Partnership Schedule an Appointment Start Early Monitor homework

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life The Application Institutional vs. Common Application Application Processes –Early Decision –Early Action –Single Choice Early Action –Regular Decision Rolling Admission vs. Deadline

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life The Transcript Typically the most important document Official record of all course attempted and grades received Rigor of courses Number of core subjects Senior year courses Attendance

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life The Essay Important component Opportunity for school to learn more about the applicant Brainstorm about possible topics with your child Offer to proofread his or her essay Don’t be overly critical – the essay is an expression of your child, not you

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Standardized Tests Types –SAT –ACT –Subject Tests –TOEFL When to take them? How many times? Test optional institutions

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Letters of Recommendation Secondary School Counselor Teachers Other Educators Employer Community Figures, Church Leaders

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life The Resume In what activities has your child been involved? How long has he/she participated in a particular activity? Significant leadership roles Special recognitions Unique talents and abilities

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life How Do Colleges Make Their Decisions? Different schools may take different approaches Multiple reviews Admission committee Holistic approach Demonstrated interest Strength of application vs. enrollment objectives

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Questions?

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life How Do I Decide?

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Decisions – When will I know? Early Action/Early Decision – December –Admit –Defer –Deny Rolling Decision – Notified as Decisions are made Regular Decision – April –Admit –Conditional Admit –Waitlist –Deny

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life What Now? Visit and Re-Visit –Campus Tours and Information Sessions –Class Visits –Open House Programs –Overnight Visits

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life What should I ask? Academic Program & Support Residence Life Life outside the classroom Athletics Outcomes

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Financial Aid Process Most financial aid deadlines fall long before you will hear about a college’s decision, so don’t wait to complete the necessary financial aid forms! Colleges assume that the first responsibility for paying for college falls to the student and his/her parents. However, colleges have millions of dollars in aid available to help families with this daunting task.

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Applying for Financial Aid FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid – –Student and Parents must register for PIN number –File after January 1 – many colleges require family to submit by some time in February

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Applying for Financial Aid CSS Profile Form – –Additional form required by some private schools –More comprehensive – includes more assets but also allows for more allowances –Can be filed after October 1

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Determining Financial Need Cost of Attendance – Total cost to attend school – Tuition, Room and Board, Expenses Expected Family Contribution – Based on an analysis of all data, measure of how much a family can contribute to a student’s education

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Financial Need Cost of Attendance (COA) Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Eligibility for Need-Based Aid How that need is met will vary from college to college – hence the importance of comparing financial aid packages

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Types of Financial Aid Gift Aid –Grants –Scholarships –Aid that a student does not have to work for or pay back, but there might be some conditions on a scholarship (participation in an activity or academic program)

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Types of Financial Aid Self Help Aid –Student Loans –Parent Loans –Work Study Grants –Students will work for this aid or be obligated to pay back any money borrowed.

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Additional Documentation Tax Returns – Students’ and Parents’ –Used to verify information provided in the FAFSA and CSS Profile Forms Business Supplements Divorced/Separated Parent Information

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Non Need Based Aid Merit Scholarships –Offered by college or outside agencies –Policies will vary by school and organization Athletic Scholarships –Generally offered at NCAA Division 1 schools at discretion of coach –Certain academic criteria must be met

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Questions?

Fairfield University Education For An Inspired Life Contacts Fairfield University Office of Undergraduate Admission 1073 North Benson Rd Fairfield, CT Lindsay Slattum Associate Director of Admission Nakia Noble Associate Director of Admission