Help your student navigate the college selection process

Help your student navigate the college selection process September 22, 2014

What you need to know… Kinds of Schools Checklist The Information College Environment Admissions Prep Requirements Curriculum Application Cost Checklist of College

Kinds of Schools Technical Colleges Community Colleges Universities Military Academics Propriety Schools What are the differences? What does this mean for my student?

College Selectivity Open Admission Colleges o Accept virtually all applicants who have a high school diploma or its equivalent o ACT scores generally range from 16 -22 Selective Colleges o Offer Admission to all or most applicants who meet minimum admission requirements o ACT scores generally range between 20 -26 Highly Selective Colleges o On average, these colleges admit less than 60% of their applicants o ACT score are usually above 24

So many choices, how do we decide?

Evaluate Yourself What How do you really like to do? do you learn best? What have you been involved in?

Evaluate Yourself What are your strongest and weakest subjects? What Have is your high school rank? you taken a college prep class schedule?

Evaluate Yourself What kind of college would you like to attend? How well did you do on your College Admissions Test?

Evaluate Yourself The Ultimate Questions Do your expectations and preparation match? Are you being honest? Do your answers make sense?

How do colleges differ? Majors and Programs Location Size Cost Reputation Assistance Accreditations

Prepare a checklist May sound cliché, but a checklist will be very useful! Gather information from all colleges your student is interested in Weigh the differences between each of the colleges Contact Admissions Offices & ask questions! Visit Campus How much?

College Costs 2014 -15 estimated costs for one year (MN Resident)

College Costs Additional costs to consider Books and supplies Spending Money Additional fees o Athletic events o Laptops/Tablet o Library Transportation

Financial Assistance Types of assistance available Pell Grants College Work Study Institutional Aid Loans - Public vs. Private

Financial Assistance Application procedures Fill out the FAFSA form Release data to the schools you are considering Apply early (Before mid March) Tax returns may be required This is FREE!!

Picture yourself as a… Let your student experience the college experience! Be student Eat the food Talk to current students Participate in campus events

Other Important Things To Do on Campus Take a tour Take to faculty members Visit the academic departments Make a list of questions and ask them Encourage your student to participate in these activities at all schools he/she is interested in. It does make a BIG difference when choosing a college!

Help ensure your students chance of college getting into

College Prep Curriculum Minimum List of High School Classes to Take: English 4 Years Mathematics 3 years Science 3 years Social Science 3 years Foreign Language 2 years Additional classes to take: More math, science, or social science classes IB, AP, and/or Honors classes Post-Secondary classes

Applying for Admission What is Needed: The ‘right’ curriculum Admission Tests • ACT/PACT, SAT/PSAT, AP/CLEP Know the deadlines General deadline and specific program deadlines Complete application form Double check to ensure completion ‘Sign’ the application Send required materials Follow up!

Be in the know on how decisions are made Academic Performance in High School o GPA, Class Rank, Course Distribution/Rigor Test Scores o ACT, SAT, PSAT High School Courses Interview o Admission Officer, Alumni, Student References o Who will write a recommendation letter for your student? Personal Qualifications o Skills, Motivation, Leadership Essays and Applicant Statement o Proofread, Proofread

What To Do Right Now Summer/Winter of Junior Year: o College Information, review your high school courses, and continue to visit campuses Spring of Junior Year: o Take ACT (Feb, April, and June), Begin comparison process, and continue visits Fall of Senior Year: o Apply to 2 or 3 colleges, make housing plans, and schedule an ‘intensive’ visit to the schools applied to Winter of Senior Year: o Apply for Financial Aid, Confirm housing plans, check on placement testing requirements, and check on scholarship applications Spring of Senior Year: o Reciprocity forms, and registration procedures

Admissions Your turn! You be the admissions officer!!

You decide!! Case #1 Female Student 3. 4 G. P. A ACT 26 H. S Rank 30/200 Involved in Theatre and Soccer program at school. Received a letter of recommendation from Biology Teacher as a hard working student.

You decide! Case #1 Male from IL. Big School 2. 8 GPA 208/358 58% Test scores: ACT = 26 SAT = 1360 6 credits of PSEO classes Interview comments: “He’s a bright kid. He probably could be successful here, but he’s screwed around a lot in school.

You decide!! Case #3 Male student G. P. A 2. 9 ACT 19 No HS Rank Upward Bound student Jr/Sr in HS 3. 6 G. P. A IB classes throughout Strong student in Science and Math. Comment: Student struggled first 2 years of H. S. First generation student. He has worked 25 hours a week while still being involved in upward bound.

You decide!! Case #4 Female Student G. P. A 2. 3 ACT 29 HS Rank 110/175 Comments: Student took all AP classes. Did well in English but D’s in Math and Science.

Questions? ? ? Any questions? ? ?

Good luck with your college search! Thanks for listening! Pedro Renta, Admissions Counselor, University of Wisconsin - River Falls