Demystifying the College Admissions Process

Step 1. Identify reasons for going to college, and what type of college/university is right for you Step 2. Follow a College Admissions Timeline Step 3. Understand College Admissions Process and Evaluation Measures Step 4. Make an Informed Decision 4 steps to Demystifying the College Admissions Process

Step 1- Why? Identify your reasons for going to college: Identify your reasons for going to college: Opportunity to expand knowledge of self and the world around you Opportunity to expand knowledge of self and the world around you Opportunity to meet new and different people Opportunity to meet new and different people Increase earning potential Increase earning potential You take control of what you want to study- and begin learning about your future career You take control of what you want to study- and begin learning about your future career You’ll have opportunities to be apart of different organizations and activities You’ll have opportunities to be apart of different organizations and activities

Financial Benefits of an Education Source: College Board- Education Pays 2006

Where Should I go? Trade/Technical Trade/Technical Focus on a specific skill or talent Focus on a specific skill or talent 2 Year Community/Junior Colleges 2 Year Community/Junior Colleges Popular option for students unsure of area of study Popular option for students unsure of area of study Often a smart financial option for these students Often a smart financial option for these students Many students transfer to 4 year institutions Many students transfer to 4 year institutions 4 Year Colleges & Universities 4 Year Colleges & Universities Typically have more available Typically have more available Research Opportunities are growing Research Opportunities are growing Some require living on-campus for 1 st year Some require living on-campus for 1 st year

Find Your Fit! Receive funding from their state Receive funding from their state Often admit more In-State students Often admit more In-State students Tuition lower for In-State students Tuition lower for In-State students Large Large Privates Privates Funded privately Funded privately May offer no preference to Residency May offer no preference to Residency Tuition rates the same for all students Tuition rates the same for all students (often is often higher than publics) Publics Publics Medium to Small Medium to Small Offer more academic programs Offer more academic programs More social/professional organizations More social/professional organizations More students More students Fewer academic/social offerings Fewer academic/social offerings Often Liberal Arts centered Often Liberal Arts centered More tailored feel More tailored feel

Other Types of Schools Religious Schools Religious Schools Historically Black Colleges & Universities Historically Black Colleges & Universities Same Gender Schools Same Gender Schools Technical Technical

How to find the right fit? VISIT! Visit every school you can Visit every school you can Take an unofficial transcript with you Take an unofficial transcript with you Schedule a meeting with an admissions counselor Schedule a meeting with an admissions counselor Sit in on an academic class and eat in a residence hall Sit in on an academic class and eat in a residence hall Take a structured campus tour Take a structured campus tour Meet with general departments Meet with general departments Ask current students questions about the school Ask current students questions about the school

What should I consider when choosing a college? What’s Important to you? Academic Reputation and Programs Academic Reputation and Programs Admissions requirements Admissions requirements Selectivity Selectivity Cost & Financial Aid Cost & Financial Aid Career Preparation & Opportunities Career Preparation & Opportunities Diversity/Student Profile Diversity/Student Profile Sophomore Retention Rates Sophomore Retention Rates Campus Activities/ Campus Activities/ Organizations Organizations Location Location Graduation Rates Graduation Rates Size Size Student teacher ratio/class size Student teacher ratio/class size

How do I narrow my list of colleges? Research college websites Research college websites Talk to High School Counselors & Teachers Talk to High School Counselors & Teachers Attend College Presentations & Fairs Attend College Presentations & Fairs Talk to admissions counselors, faculty, students, and alumni from a particular school Talk to admissions counselors, faculty, students, and alumni from a particular school Visit College Campuses Visit College Campuses Register for a tour and sit in classes Register for a tour and sit in classes Attend events (i.e. social, academic) Attend events (i.e. social, academic)

Step 2: Follow a College Planning Timeline Freshman Year Meet with high school counselor and select courses that meet college requirements Take challenging courses Sophomore Year  Research colleges and careers on the internet  Utilize your summers Junior Year Research admissions requirements Continue extra-curricular involvement -- seek leadership positions Develop a resume Develop a resume Senior Year  Fall-obtain admissions applications from your top schools  Complete those applications by the deadline! 10/1/2011 for selective schools

Step 3: The Admissions Process and Evaluation Measures Types of Admissions Policies Rolling Rolling Regular Notification Regular Notification Early Decision (You’re obligated and should only apply to one) Early Decision (You’re obligated and should only apply to one) Early Action Early Action Early Response Early Response Check all deadlines! Check all deadlines!

Elements of An Application Elements of An Application High School Transcript Curriculum Testing Extracurricular Activities Essay(s) and short answer responses High School & Teacher Recommendation

Standardized Tests PSAT- PSAT- Pre-SAT score prediction and diagnostic information Pre-SAT score prediction and diagnostic information In Junior year, used for National Merit qualification In Junior year, used for National Merit qualification ACT- ACT- More curriculum/knowledge based than SAT I More curriculum/knowledge based than SAT I For in-state and many midwest publics - may be all that is required For in-state and many midwest publics - may be all that is required At some colleges also used as a placement exam At some colleges also used as a placement exam Essay is optional, so check college’s requirements Essay is optional, so check college’s requirements Will be the State of Michigan’s junior year competency exam beginning in 2007 Will be the State of Michigan’s junior year competency exam beginning in 2007

Standardized Tests SAT-More often required by selective privates SAT-More often required by selective privates Includes essay portion since March 2005 Includes essay portion since March 2005 Now on a 2400 point scale Now on a 2400 point scale SAT Subject Tests (formally called SAT IIs) SAT Subject Tests (formally called SAT IIs) One-hour subject tests best taken as soon as you complete the appropriate course One-hour subject tests best taken as soon as you complete the appropriate course Only needed if applying to some selective schools Only needed if applying to some selective schools Advanced Placement Exams Advanced Placement Exams Usually not “officially” considered in college admission process – but schools will see scores if you report them Usually not “officially” considered in college admission process – but schools will see scores if you report them Used for credit by most (but not all) colleges and universities – often scores of 3-5, sometimes only 4-5 Used for credit by most (but not all) colleges and universities – often scores of 3-5, sometimes only 4-5

Resume/Extracurricular Activities Keep track of activities and accomplishments from freshman until senior year Keep track of activities and accomplishments from freshman until senior year Look for leadership & deeper service opportunities in junior & senior years Look for leadership & deeper service opportunities in junior & senior years Include competition/honors on regional & national level Include competition/honors on regional & national level Work experience Work experience Commitment in activities Commitment in activities The longer the list does not guarantee the better the list!

The Essays Answer the question! Answer the question! If you recycle your essays-have more than one person proofread it. If you recycle your essays-have more than one person proofread it. Plagiarism is unacceptable. Plagiarism is unacceptable. Essays are an opportunity to learn more about you. Essays are an opportunity to learn more about you.

Teacher & Counselor Recommendations Ask for recommendations at least a month before you need it Ask for recommendations at least a month before you need it Ask teachers in classes where you’ve been most active/interested Ask teachers in classes where you’ve been most active/interested Get to your know your counselor-Their input is critical Get to your know your counselor-Their input is critical Get recommendations from employers, organizations, etc Get recommendations from employers, organizations, etc   H.S. Counselors provide information about the educational environment: Strength of curriculum (inc. availability of AP, IB, honors) Average SAT I and/or ACT scores Percentage attending 4-year colleges Competitive grading system in high school Competitiveness of class

Colleges and universities will consider other characteristics and attributes Personal Background Alumni connection Cultural awareness/experiences First generation to go to college from family Low economic family background Personal disadvantage Professional diversity Geographic Considerations In state resident From school with few or no previous applicants

Completing the Application Process Submit application online and request that transcripts & recommendations be sent to college/university Advantages of web applications Clean, neat – no white out needed! Data integrity Ability to proof & correct Speed of processing Managing the Application Process for any College is the student’s responsibility—Be Proactive!

Common Application Use to apply to multiple schools with only one application Use to apply to multiple schools with only one application List of schools is on website (i.e. U of M, Albion, Hillsdale, Notre Dame, Harvard) List of schools is on website (i.e. U of M, Albion, Hillsdale, Notre Dame, Harvard) Special process for sending transcripts on Docufide Special process for sending transcripts on Docufide

Step 4: Making a Decision Rejoice in acceptances Rejoice in acceptances Weigh financial aid/cost Final visits Balance of challenge & support Accept disappointments Accept disappointments

Inform Schools of Your Decision Notify all the schools that you have been accepted to of your decision Notify all the schools that you have been accepted to of your decision Reserve your space as a freshman by paying your enrollment deposit by school’s deadline Reserve your space as a freshman by paying your enrollment deposit by school’s deadline

The Cost of a College Education Tuition, which will vary by school Tuition, which will vary by school Room and board, which will also vary by school and location Room and board, which will also vary by school and location Books, lab fees, supplies Books, lab fees, supplies Travel expenses Travel expenses This would depend on where the school is located and how often a student comes home This would depend on where the school is located and how often a student comes home

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Available in December Available in December Determines a student’s eligibility for need based and non- need based federal and state aid Determines a student’s eligibility for need based and non- need based federal and state aid CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE Can be found on the CollegeBoard website Can be found on the CollegeBoard website At many schools, the CSS PROFILE determines eligibility for nonfederal, student aid funds At many schools, the CSS PROFILE determines eligibility for nonfederal, student aid funds

Four Types of Financial Aid Grants Gift funds Gift funds Based upon financial need Based upon financial need Can come from University or government funds Can come from University or government funds Do NOT have to be repaid Do NOT have to be repaid Scholarships Gift funds Gift funds Commonly based upon academic achievement or special talents Commonly based upon academic achievement or special talents Merit scholarships are usually based on high school GPA, class rank, & standardized test scores Merit scholarships are usually based on high school GPA, class rank, & standardized test scores Do NOT have to be repaid Do NOT have to be repaid Loans Funds which must be repaid, with interest Funds which must be repaid, with interest Can be subsidized or unsubsidized Can be subsidized or unsubsidized Subsidized loans require financial need and unsubsidized do not Subsidized loans require financial need and unsubsidized do not Work Study Based upon financial need Based upon financial need Students work part time for eligible employers Students work part time for eligible employers Can earn wages up to the amount award for work study in the financial aid package Can earn wages up to the amount award for work study in the financial aid package

Financial Aid Tips Private scholarships are excellent opportunities for financial aid and usually have their own criteria Private scholarships are excellent opportunities for financial aid and usually have their own criteria The more local the scholarship  the smaller the application pool  a better chance of winning The more local the scholarship  the smaller the application pool  a better chance of winning Visit your local library Visit your local library Most local libraries have sections with books Most local libraries have sections with books on funding college, financial aid information, and various scholarships offered to students Some libraries have created special Some libraries have created special resource sites for students who are considering college Scholarship Wall Scholarship Wall

Important Websites FAFSA FAFSA CSS PROFILE CSS PROFILE Scholarship information for Michigan residents Scholarship information for Michigan residents

NCAA Requirements Division I and Division II colleges have course requirements to be eligible to play college sports. See Programs of Study or website below Division I and Division II colleges have course requirements to be eligible to play college sports. See Programs of Study or website below Meet with your counselor to make sure you are eligible Meet with your counselor to make sure you are eligible Register on: Register on:

Docufide Online transcript delivery system Online transcript delivery system