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

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

3. Choosing a Major: What are you interested in?
Do you want to work with people?
Undecided? Go to uakron.edu and search for Focus2

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
Cost
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 student body
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, Tri- C
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. Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline
ACT
Reading, Math, English, and Science
Test Date
April 14, 2018
June 9, 2018
July 14, 2018
Registration Deadline
March 9, 2018
May 4, 2018
June 15, 2018
Late Registration Deadline
March 23, 2018
May 18, 2018
June 22, 2018

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
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:
FAFSA
Grants
Student Loans
Subsidized
Unsubsidized
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. Aid Distribution Academic Year $11,000 Fall Semester $5,500
Spring Semester
Merit Scholarship: $1,000
$500
Pell Grant: $1,500
$750
SEOG: $1,500
Sub Stafford: $2,500
$1,250
Unsub Stafford: $1,500
Total Aid: $8,000
$4,000
Total Due: $3,000
$1,500

14. 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

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