Help your student navigate the college selection process

September 22, 2014

What you need to know…

Kinds of Schools

Checklist Information

The College Environment

Admissions Requirements

Prep Curriculum

Application Checklist

Cost of College

Kinds of Schools

Technical Colleges

Community Colleges

Colleges

Universities

Military Academics

Propriety Schools

What are the differences?

What does this mean for my student?

College Selectivity

Open Admission Collegeso Accept virtually all applicants who have a high school

diploma or its equivalento ACT scores generally range from 16-22

Selective Collegeso Offer Admission to all or most applicants who meet

minimum admission requirementso ACT scores generally range between 20-26

Highly Selective Collegeso On average, these colleges admit less than 60% of their

applicantso ACT score are usually above 24

So many choices, how do we decide?

Evaluate Yourself

What do you really like to do?

How do you learn best?

What have you been involved in?

Evaluate Yourself What are your strongest and

weakest subjects?

What is your high school rank?

Have 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 betweeneach of the colleges

Contact Admissions Offices &ask questions!

Visit Campus How much?

College Costs2014-15 estimated costs for one year (MN Resident)

Tuition Room/Board Total River Falls 8,552 6,385 14,937 Mankato 7,574 8,042 15,616 Madison 13,196 8,600 21,796 U of M 13,626 8,554 22,180 St. Thomas 36,682 9,200 45,882 Carleton 47,460 12,363 59,823

College Costs

Additional costs to consider Books and supplies Spending Money Additional fees

oAthletic eventso Laptops/Tableto 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 getting into

college

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’ curriculumAdmission Tests• ACT/PACT, SAT/PSAT, AP/CLEP

Know the deadlinesGeneral deadline and specific program

deadlinesComplete application form

Double check to ensure completion‘Sign’ the application

Send required materialsFollow up!

Be in the know on how decisions are made

Academic Performance in High Schoolo GPA, Class Rank, Course Distribution/Rigor

Test Scoreso ACT, SAT, PSAT

High School Courses Interview

o Admission Officer, Alumni, Student

Referenceso Who will write a recommendation letter for your student?

Personal Qualificationso Skills, Motivation, Leadership

Essays and Applicant Statemento Proofread, 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.AACT 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 2.3ACT 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