1. The University of Akron
Planning for College
Chris Stimler
Assistant Director of Admissions
The University of Akron

2. Discussion topics: Consider College Characteristics
Academic Preparation and ACT and SAT tests
Schedule Campus Visits
Apply for Admission
Develop a Plan to Finance Your Education
Review and Finalize Your Plans

3. Options after High School:
Community colleges
Public colleges and universities
Private colleges and universities

4. Consider college characteristics:
Majors
Location
Cost & financial assistance
Size
Admission policy
College affiliation and accreditation
Campus activities
Support services

5. Community Colleges: Advantages: Technical degrees
Transfer degrees and coursework
Partnership programs
Costs, proximity to home
Almost half of all U.S. college students attend community colleges

6. Public Colleges/Universities:
Advantages:
Wide range of academic programs
Affordable tuition
Broad range of student life experiences and opportunities
Major sports programs
Diverse types of institutions from which to choose
Metropolitan, urban, rural, selective, moderately selective, open, large, medium, small

7. Private Colleges/Universities:
Advantages:
Small size of classes
Low faculty/student ratio
Opportunities for student leadership
Strong financial aid and scholarship opportunities
Wide range of locations, affiliations, and costs

8. Is Getting into College Hard?
Open Admissions:
Almost all students are accepted
Example: Stark State, Wayne College
Selective Admissions:
Certain GPAs, ACT/SAT scores are required. Also, an essay and/or interview may be required.
Examples: The University of Akron, College of Wooster
Competitive Admissions:
Space is very limited. High school course selection, test scores, and extracurricular involvement are evaluated very carefully.
Examples: The Ohio State University
Competitive Majors:
Examples: Nursing, Education

9. SAT www.collegeboard.org
ACT
Multiple choice tests in English, math, reading, and science reasoning
Test dates:
June 10, 2017
September 9, 2017
October 28, 2017
December 9, 2017
SAT
Tests in evidence based Reading and writing and math
Test dates:
June 3, 2017
Also offered in
October
November
December

10. College and University Visits:
Contact the Admissions Office to schedule a campus visit
Make arrangements to attend an information session, take a campus tour, schedule an interview, visit classes, and meet with faculty
If possible, visit when school is in session
Types of visit opportunities:
Large open house visit programs
Bus tours to campuses
Individual visits
Overnight visits

11. Applying for Admission:
Narrow your choices:
Review college admission test requirements
Know application fees and deadlines
Know scholarship requirements
Application for admission:
Most schools have an online application/common application
High school transcript
Admission test results (ACT or SAT)
Essays/Recommendations

12. Develop a plan to finance your education:
Sources of financial aid:
Federal and State Government:
FAFSA
Grants, Student Loans, Work-Study
College and University Scholarships:
Academic, leadership, athletic, fine arts scholarships
Each school distributes scholarships in a unique way
Please research deadlines and requirements to apply for scholarships

13. Review and Finalize Your Plans:
Show initiative and be assertive
Open communication between parents and students
Follow up with colleges to which you have applied:
Orientation
On-campus Housing
Financial Aid

14. What can you be doing now?
Take practice tests: PSAT
Think about college characteristics
Request information
Get Involved!
Know your college counselor
Have a PLAN! What courses will you take?

15. Questions? Chris Stimler Assistant Director of Admissions
The University of Akron