1. Understanding College Options: Benefits, Pathways, and Preparation
3 December 2016
Gerardo I. Velazquez
SHPE-MS Professional Chapter

2. Workshop Goals Understand the benefits of a college education
Learn the pathways to college
Learn how to prepare for college admission

3. Why Go To College? To broaden perspectives
Meet new people from diverse backgrounds and learn to be independent.
To gain more knowledge that will be helpful throughout students’ lives
To have more job opportunities
More and more jobs require education beyond high school. Many jobs rely on new technology and “brainpower.”

4. Why College? continued…
A 4-year college graduate (with Bachelor’s degree) earns almost $1 million more over his/her lifetime than a high school graduate.
- Source: U.S. Census Bureau

5. Why College? continued…
A 4-year college graduate earns about $52,200 annually on average, compared to $30,400 for a high school graduate.
- Source: U.S. Census Bureau

6. Why College? continued…
Increased education is also associated with:
Better working conditions
Longer job tenure
More on-the-job training opportunities
More promotion opportunities

7. Degrees Diploma Associate’s Degree Bachelor’s Degree
High School – 4 years
Community College – 2 years
Associate’s Degree
-An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, bachelor‘s degree-granting colleges, and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years. 
-often equivalent to the first two years of a four-year college or university degree
- high demand for people with skills that often require no more than an associate degree, such as
-lab technicians,
-midwifery, nurses,
-nutritionists,
-teachers in early-childhood programs,
-computer technicians,
-paralegals
-machinists.
University – 4 years
Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor of Arts (BA) / Bachelor of Science (BS)

8. Degrees after the BA/BS
Master’s Degree
University - 2 years or more
Professional and Doctorate Degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Law Degree
University - 3 years or more
Masters- advanced degree
Doctoral-professors, researchers,

9. Systems of Higher Education
Community Colleges
State Universities
Public Universities
Private Colleges and Universities

10. Community College Two-year public institutions
Offer transfer programs to universities - prepare students to transfer to a 4 year institution
Grant associate’s degree
Many offer continuing education
Offer technical training in specific occupations
e.g. nurses, machinists, paralegals
Most are nonresidential - students live off-campus
Students can attend part-time or full-time
Example: Hinds Community College
-sometimes called junior colleges, technical colleges, two-year colleges, or city colleges, are primarily two-year public institutions providing higher education and lower-level tertiary education, granting certificates, diplomas, and associate's degrees.
-Many also offer continuing and adult education.
-After graduating from a community college, some students transfer to a four-year liberal arts college or university for two to three years to complete a bachelor's degree.
Transfer education – The traditional two-year student who will then transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a BS/BA degree.
Career education – The traditional two-year student that will graduate with an Associate Degree and directly enter the workforce.
Developmental – Remedial education for high school graduates who are not academically ready to enroll in college-level courses.
Continuing – Non-Credit courses offered to the community for personal development and interest.
Industry training – Contracted training and education wherein a local company pays the college to provide specific training or courses for their employees.
eLearning – Distance learning occurs online using one's computer and proctored exams. Pell grants and federal aid apply to eLearning also.
Associates degrees
Preparation for entering work world
Transfer programs to universities-take basics at community college
Many in MS. Hinds community college is good example. They offer Associate in Arts degree, Associate in applied science deg, and Career Cert or Technical cert.
Also: Mississippi Delta, Comm. College

11. State University typically enroll 7,000 or more students,
publicly funded
offer both undergraduate and graduate work
Accept high school seniors and community college transfers
Provide broad liberal education
Examples: MSU, JSU, University of Mississippi, Alcorn State
-group of public universities supported by an individual state,
-single legal entity and administration, but may consist of several institutions, each with its own identity as a university
-In Mississippi:
Alcorn State University
Delta State University (Delta State)
Jackson State University (Jackson State)
Mississippi State University (Mississippi State)
Mississippi University for Women (MUW)
Mississippi Valley State University
University of Mississipi (Ole Miss)
University of Southern Mississipi (Southern Miss or USM)

12. Public Universities
Most public universities and colleges were founded by state governments to give residents the opportunity to receive public college education.
Today, state governments pay for most of the cost of operating public universities. -
Accepts high school seniors and community college transfers
Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees
Have Professional Schools: Law, Medicine, Education, Engineering, Journalism, Social Welfare…
-predominantly funded by public means through a national or subnational government, as opposed to private universities
-most public universities are state universities founded and operated by state government entities;
-States generally charge higher tuition to out-of-state students. The higher fees are based on the theory that students from the state, or much more often their parents, have contributed to subsidizing the university by paying state taxes, while out-of-state students and their parents have not.
-Public universities generally rely on subsidies from their respective state government. 

13. Private Universities and Colleges
A private college is an independent school that sets its own policies and goals, and is privately funded.
Private colleges are generally smaller than public or private universities.
The average enrollment at private colleges is 1,900 students. -
Vary in size, prestige, and cost
Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate’s, and Professional Degrees
Accepts high school graduates and community college transfers
Professional Schools: Law, Medicine, Education, Engineering, Journalism, Social Welfare…
Examples: Millsaps College, Mississippi College
-operated as educational and research nonprofit organizations
-About 20% of American college students attend private colleges
-Some private universities are closely affiliated with religious organizations
-Tuition fees at private universities tend to be higher than at public universities, though many private universities offer financial aid as well
-In Mississippi:
Private colleges and Universities
Belhaven University, Jackson
Mississippi College, Clinton
Mississippi College School of Law, Jackson
Reformed Theological Seminary, Jackson
Southeastern Baptist College, Laurel
Wesley Biblical Seminary, Jackson, Mississii
William Carey University, Hattiesburg
Millsaps College, Jackson

14. Start Preparing Now for College
READ, READ, READ
Good readers make good thinkers and good writers
“The more you read, the more you know”
Promote good study habits
Turn off the TV
Set aside a homework time and a quiet study space
Meet with your student’s teachers to learn about his/her performance
Tell the teachers that you have high expectations for your student

15. Start Preparing now for College continued…
Learn the college-preparatory course requirements
Push to get into these courses in high school
Push to get into honors and AP courses in high school, if available
What you do outside of class matters
Sports, Clubs, Work, Church, Honor Societies, and various groups
Take the PSAT by the 9th or 10th grade
It’s good practice for the ACT/SAT!

16. Start Preparing now for College continued…
Visit college campuses!
Find colleges in your area and schedule a tour
Make a college visit part of your vacation
Ask a school counselor if the school is planning a field trip to a college
Check out college websites, many have virtual tours

17. Factors to consider when choosing a college
Size: What is the total student population? How big are the typical freshman classes?
Location: How far is the college from home? Is it in a rural, urban, suburban setting? What is the area surrounding the campus like?
Academics: What majors are available? Who teaches the courses? What is the academic reputation of the college?
Social Opportunities: What clubs and teams are available? Are there fraternities and sororities? Is there a SHPE Chapter?
Cost: What is the total cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, and books? What kind of financial aid is available?

18. College admissions exams
College admissions exams are commonly used to determine college admissions and for scholarship review.
Students should begin taking the SAT and/or ACT exam during the spring of their junior year.
Students may take these exams multiple times to raise their scores.

19. Comparing the SAT and ACT exams
SAT Exam
ACT Exam
Three sections: Critical Reading, Math, and Writing
Five sections: English, Math Reading, Science, and Writing (optional)
Reasoning exam
Content-based exam
Offered 7 times per year
Offered 6 times per year
Timed test (3 hours, 45 minutes)
Times test (3 hours or 3 ½ hours with writing)
Scored on a scale of 400–1600
Scored on a scale of 1-36
Students penalized for wrong answers, guessing discouraged
Students receive credit only for right answers
Cost is $43-55
Cost is $40-59
Register at sat.collegeboard.org
Register at

20. College Search Tools ACT
FinAid: The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid
Peterson’s Guide to College
The College Board

21. QUESTIONS?