Preparing for Higher Education Mrs. Carrier 2011

How many colleges/universities can you name?

What is college?/ Why go? Usually 4 years of higher education leading to a Bachelor’s Degree in a specific area. Usually 4 years of higher education leading to a Bachelor’s Degree in a specific area. Provides opportunity for in-depth study in a particular area of interest (major) Provides opportunity for in-depth study in a particular area of interest (major) Allows student to more fully develop intellectually, socially and perhaps spiritually Allows student to more fully develop intellectually, socially and perhaps spiritually Helps young people become more independent and self-sufficient Helps young people become more independent and self-sufficient

Types of Colleges/Universities Public Public state-supported: generally lower cost for in-state residents; state-supported: generally lower cost for in-state residents; often large: 20,000 + students often large: 20,000 + students Private Private Independent: generally higher cost but often provide more financial help; Often smaller: 1, ,000 students Sometimes religiously affiliated

What can I study there? At first, take required courses for a well- rounded academic experience At first, take required courses for a well- rounded academic experience Choose a major in most any academic area Choose a major in most any academic area Name some: Name some:

Another option to consider: Seminary Seminary What is it? What is it? A college or branch of a college that specializes in the training of priests. A college or branch of a college that specializes in the training of priests. Some seminaries are independent; some operate within other universities. Some seminaries are independent; some operate within other universities. There are undergraduate programs for young men straight out of high school; there are graduate programs for men who have already graduated from college. There are undergraduate programs for young men straight out of high school; there are graduate programs for men who have already graduated from college.

If I go to a seminary, am I committed to the priesthood? NO. NO. Students in seminary are discerning (deciding) if the priesthood is truly their vocation. Students in seminary are discerning (deciding) if the priesthood is truly their vocation. They are studying theology and philosophy and taking other college courses. They are studying theology and philosophy and taking other college courses. If they decide not to become priests, their education is still valid and applicable to whatever they decide to do in life. If they decide not to become priests, their education is still valid and applicable to whatever they decide to do in life.

How do I choose a college? Factors to consider: Location: distance from home, urban, suburban Location: distance from home, urban, suburban Size Size Major field Major field Public, Private, Catholic, Independent Public, Private, Catholic, Independent Campus atmosphere: residential, college town, commuter campus Campus atmosphere: residential, college town, commuter campus Cost Cost Academic reputation, admission requirements Academic reputation, admission requirements Athletic opportunities Athletic opportunities

How can I narrow the search? Talk to your family and friends Talk to your family and friends Pray for direction Pray for direction Visit a variety of schools, sizes, types to get a feel for them Visit a variety of schools, sizes, types to get a feel for them Check the academic requirements for admission Check the academic requirements for admission Look at the cost Look at the cost Note: This is a very individual process with very personal answers. Note: This is a very individual process with very personal answers.

What is evaluated for admission? Academic factors Academic factors Rank in class Rank in class Strength of curriculum Strength of curriculum Grades earned Grades earned G.P.A. G.P.A. SAT/ACT scores, perhaps SAT II SAT/ACT scores, perhaps SAT II Personal factors Personal factors Activities Essay/personal statement Teacher evaluation

What can I do now? Choose a strong curriculum Choose a strong curriculum Take solid, college-preparatory classes Take solid, college-preparatory classes Complete requirements: e.g. if you want to study science in college, you need to take Physics in high school. Complete requirements: e.g. if you want to study science in college, you need to take Physics in high school. Work hard in school; do your very best each day. Work hard in school; do your very best each day. Hone your test-taking skills Hone your test-taking skills Improve your writing skills Improve your writing skills Prepare to take SAT/ACT Prepare to take SAT/ACT

What can I do now? Get involved in activities Get involved in activities Choose carefully Choose carefully Choose a number that you can manage successfully Choose a number that you can manage successfully Choose those that highlight a talent or interest Choose those that highlight a talent or interest Colleges like to see awards and recognition Colleges like to see awards and recognition Engage fully Engage fully Colleges like to see active involvement Colleges like to see active involvement Colleges like to see commitment Colleges like to see commitment Colleges like to see leadership positions Colleges like to see leadership positions

What can I do now? Develop good relationships with teachers. Develop good relationships with teachers. A teacher does not have to write a recommendation for you. A teacher does not have to write a recommendation for you. Be a good student; have a positive attitude. Be a good student; have a positive attitude. Help teachers by giving them deadline and college information. Give them a few weeks to write the letter and meet the deadline. Help teachers by giving them deadline and college information. Give them a few weeks to write the letter and meet the deadline. Recognize that the recommending teacher is helping you and be appreciative. When the time comes, write a thank-you note. Recognize that the recommending teacher is helping you and be appreciative. When the time comes, write a thank-you note.

What can I do now? Begin to research colleges Begin to research colleges Learn admission requirements Learn admission requirements Look at major possibilities Look at major possibilities Evaluate size, location Evaluate size, location Plan a visit to experience campus life—Can I see myself here? Plan a visit to experience campus life—Can I see myself here? Where do I look to find information? Where do I look to find information? Ask trusted adults, older students. Look in college books Look on internet Watch college athletics College fairs College reps who visit SJHS

Can we look at a public college? Indiana University—Bloomington statistics Indiana University—Bloomington statistics 31,626 undergraduates, 8,728 graduate students 31,626 undergraduates, 8,728 graduate students Middle 50% range G.P.A. for admitted students: Middle 50% range G.P.A. for admitted students: Middle 50% range SAT score on Critical Reading and Math: (possible 1600) Middle 50% range SAT score on Critical Reading and Math: (possible 1600) Middle 50% range ACT composite score: (possible 36) Middle 50% range ACT composite score: (possible 36)

How much does it cost? IU costs IU costs Tuition and fees for Indiana resident: $8,613/year Tuition and fees for Indiana resident: $8,613/year Room and board based on double room with full meal plan: $7,646-$9,640/year Room and board based on double room with full meal plan: $7,646-$9,640/year Estimated total paid to school: $16,259-18,253 Estimated total paid to school: $16,259-18,253 Books and supplies estimate: $ /year Books and supplies estimate: $ /year Personal and transportation expenses: $2,400- $2,950/year Personal and transportation expenses: $2,400- $2,950/year Estimated total cost: $19,309-21,950/year Estimated total cost: $19,309-21,950/year

What scholarships are available? IU Excellence: $36,000 total ($9,000/year) IU Excellence: $36,000 total ($9,000/year) The IU Excellence Scholarship is awarded to the best and brightest students in the state of Indiana who meet each of the following criteria: The IU Excellence Scholarship is awarded to the best and brightest students in the state of Indiana who meet each of the following criteria: Indiana resident Indiana resident Minimum SAT of 1340 or minimum ACT of 30 Minimum SAT of 1340 or minimum ACT of 30 Minimum 3.80 on 4.0 scale Minimum 3.80 on 4.0 scale

What scholarships are available? IU Prestige: $16,000 total ($4,000/year) IU Prestige: $16,000 total ($4,000/year) The IU Prestige Scholarship is awarded to students who meet each of the following criteria: The IU Prestige Scholarship is awarded to students who meet each of the following criteria: Indiana resident or out-of-state student Indiana resident or out-of-state student Minimum SAT of 1220 or minimum ACT of 27 Minimum SAT of 1220 or minimum ACT of 27 Minimum GPA of 3.70 on 4.0 scale Minimum GPA of 3.70 on 4.0 scale

What about a private school? University of Notre Dame statistics University of Notre Dame statistics 8,372 undergraduates, 3,444 graduate students 8,372 undergraduates, 3,444 graduate students 70% of freshmen were in top 5% of high school class 70% of freshmen were in top 5% of high school class 87% of freshmen were in top 10% of high school class 87% of freshmen were in top 10% of high school class Middle 50% range SAT score on Critical Reading and Math: (possible 1600) Middle 50% range SAT score on Critical Reading and Math: (possible 1600) Middle 50% range ACT composite score: (possible 36) Middle 50% range ACT composite score: (possible 36)

How much does it cost? ND costs per year: ND costs per year: Tuition and fees: $ 39,920 Tuition and fees: $ 39,920 Room and board: 10,870 Room and board: 10,870 Bill from school:$ 50,790 Bill from school:$ 50,790 Estimated costs: Estimated costs: Books and supplies:$ 950 Books and supplies:$ 950 Personal expenses: 1,000 Personal expenses: 1,000 Transportation: 500 Transportation: 500 Estimated total costs:$ 53,240 Estimated total costs:$ 53,240

What about financial aid? Notre Dame awards financial aid based on need. To have the family contribution analyzed, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service PROFILE by Feb. 15 of senior year. Notre Dame awards financial aid based on need. To have the family contribution analyzed, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service PROFILE by Feb. 15 of senior year.

Another example? Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY Bellarmine University, Louisville, KY 2,331 undergraduates, 550 graduate students 2,331 undergraduates, 550 graduate students 51% of students ranked in the top 25% of their high school class 51% of students ranked in the top 25% of their high school class Middle 50% range SAT score: Middle 50% range SAT score: Middle 50% range ACT composite score: (possible 36) Middle 50% range ACT composite score: (possible 36)

How much does it cost? Bellarmine University costs per year: Bellarmine University costs per year: Tuition and fees:$ 27,800 Tuition and fees:$ 27,800 Room and board: 8,400 Room and board: 8,400 Total bill:$ 36,200 Total bill:$ 36,200 There will still be the estimated costs of books, travel and personal expenses. There will still be the estimated costs of books, travel and personal expenses.

How can I pay for this? Bellarmine University states: Bellarmine University states: “Don’t overreact to the price of an education, but focus on its much lower actual cost to you, and its enormously high value as an investment in your future. We provide more than $5 million in institutional scholarships and grants to freshmen each year.” (Bellarmine University website)

What are examples of scholarships? Bellarmine Scholars Bellarmine Scholars Award: full tuition Award: full tuition Requirements: application and essay Requirements: application and essay Past winners statistics: ACT >29, GPA > 3.4 Past winners statistics: ACT >29, GPA > 3.4 Monsignor Horrigan Scholarship Monsignor Horrigan Scholarship Award: varies Award: varies Past winners statistics: SAT 1140; ACT 25; GPA 3.0 Past winners statistics: SAT 1140; ACT 25; GPA 3.0 Requirements: maintain 3.0 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment status Requirements: maintain 3.0 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment status

What should I remember? The time to prepare for college is NOW. The time to prepare for college is NOW. Work hard in class each day so that your high school record is as strong as it can be. Work hard in class each day so that your high school record is as strong as it can be. Begin to research colleges. Begin to research colleges. Consider majors. Consider majors. Weigh various factors: size, location, costs, etc. Weigh various factors: size, location, costs, etc. The more you learn about college opportunities the better. The more you learn about college opportunities the better. Pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit. Pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit.