1. Finding Your College Fit at one of
Ohio’s Colleges
Jay Young, PhD, LPCC

2. Agenda Admissions Process vs. College Fit Process
The College Fit Process

3. Admission Timeline
Common Application
ACT/SAT
Recommendation Letters
Personal Essay
Financial Aid
Early Admission or Early Decision
FAFSA

4. Identifying everything you want in a college including major options
Identifying colleges that are good at everything you want
Conducting strategic visits so you can make the best choice

5. College Fit: KEY IDEAS
Colleges are like people: Good at some things….not so good at others
So, before you pick colleges to visit figure out what you want

6. What you want in a college
Major/Minor Exploration Interests
Learning Support Service Requirements
Social Fraternity or Sorority Interests
Varsity, Club, or Intramural sport interest
Music/Band Interest
Honors Interest
Residential Learning Community
Other Interests (e.g. clubs)
Public or Private
Cost
Distance from home
Enrollment Size / Class Size
Urban, Suburban, Small Town
Others

7. Why Ohio Colleges?
Approximately 81% of Ohio’s college-bound high school seniors enroll in an Ohio college. Of those 80% remain in Ohio after graduation.

8. Why Ohio Colleges? The other approximately 19% …
incur additional costs and are separated by greater distance PLUS over 50% won’t return to Ohio to work and live

9. Take Career/Interest Inventories Link: to families of majors.
to Explore
Reflect: Identify your favorite high school courses, interests, activities, and hobbies.
Take Career/Interest Inventories
Link: to families of majors.
Identify: a short list
Use the campus visit or other high school courses to explore

10. Identifying Colleges to Visit: The Sturdy 30
CBA’s most frequently recommended 4-year Residential Undergraduate Colleges and Universities in Ohio with 55% 6-year graduation rate or better

11. The Sturdy 30 Public Universities Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Kent State University
Miami University
Ohio University
Ohio State University
University of Cincinnati

12. The Sturdy 30 Private Colleges Ohio’s Professional Program Specialists
Ohio’s “Big 5 Liberal Arts Colleges”
College of Wooster
Denison University
Kenyon College
Oberlin College and Conservatory
Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio’s Passionately Christian Colleges
Cedarville University
Franciscan University of Steubenville
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
Ohio’s Colleges of Art and Design
Cleveland Institute of Art
Columbus College of Art and Design
Ohio’s Catholic Universities
John Carroll University
University of Dayton
Xavier University
Ohio’s Professional Program Specialists
Case Western Reserve University
Ohio Northern University
University of Findlay
University of Dayton
Ohio’s Colleges with Niche Offerings
Ashland University
Baldwin Wallace University
Capital University
Marietta College
Otterbein University
University of Mount Union
Walsh University
Wittenberg University

13. For Example: University of Findlay
Signature Majors
Equestrian Studies
Animal Science
Diagnostic Sciences
Children’s Book Illustration
Early Admission or assurance
to graduate programs in
Pharmacy, OT, AT, & PT
Environmental, Safety, &
Occupational Health Mgmt.

14. Planning a Campus Visit
Ask for a student led campus tour and an opportunity to visit with an admissions counselor or attend an information session.

15. Planning a Campus Visit
Ask to visit with representatives from other campus activities of interest (e.g. band, club sport, coach, honors program, etc.)

16. Planning a Campus Visit
Ask to visit with a faculty member from each major of interest. Tour labs/facilities. Meet student majors.

17. The Faculty Visit Questions to Ask
Tell me a bit about the _______ major and courses I would be taking.
How many student majors are there?
What does your major prepare me for and what are your graduates doing now?
Do your students complete internships or coops and if so, how do they find them?
Are there study abroad options in the major?
Is there an active student organization connected to the major?
Other than you, what colleges in Ohio are strong in this major?

18. Cost of a Public Ohio University Not including federal financial aid
Columbus State Community College
Room & Board ($8-12K) $ 0
Books & Fees $ 1,500
Tuition Sticker Price $ 4,000
Less Merit Discount $
Less Need Discount $
TOTAL ANNUAL COST $ 5,000
Work Contribution $ -5,000
Student Loan $ 0
Ohio Public University
Room & Board ($8-12K) $11,000
Books & Fees $ 1,500
Tuition Sticker Price $10,000
Less Merit Discount $ 2,500
Less Need Discount $
TOTAL ANNUAL COST $ 20,000
Work Contribution $ -5,000
Student Loan $ 15,000

19. Cost of an Ohio College Not including federal financial aid
Ohio Public University
All 4 Years
Total Student Debt $60,000
Monthly Payment $633/month
(5% for 10 years)
Sum of payments (10 years) $76,000
CSCC 1st 2 years
BGSU last 2 years
Total Student Debt $30,000
Monthly Payment $317/month
(5% for 10 years)
Sum of Payments (10 years) $38,000
Value of Difference (10 years) $55,000
(7% return)
Value of Difference (30 more $420,000
years)

20. Tuition Cost of Ohio’s Private Colleges
Ohio’s Private Colleges Known for their
Professional Programs
Tuition Only*
Sticker: $30K-46K
Avg. Net: $12K-22K
Ohio’s Big 5+
Liberal Arts Colleges
Tuition Only*
Sticker: $44K-52K
Avg. Net: $16K-28K
Ohio’s Colleges of
Art and Design
Tuition Only*
Sticker: $30K-40K
Avg. Net: $15K-19K
Ohio’s “Passionately” Christian Colleges
Tuition Only*
Sticker: $26K-30K
Avg. Net: $12K-18K
Ohio’s 3 Largest Catholic Colleges
Tuition Only*
Sticker: $36K-41K
Avg. Net: $16K-22K
Private Colleges with Real Strengths
and Unique Offerings
Tuition Only*
Sticker: $21K-35K
Avg. Net: $11K-18K