Choosing Universities/Colleges

26
Choosing Universities/Colleges Background Info What to think about What to do Resources

description

Choosing Universities/Colleges. Background Info What to think about What to do Resources. To Start off…. You have to be the EXPERT !. Types of Institutions. Public Private Universities : Graduate level research, includes pre-professional programs - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of Choosing Universities/Colleges

Page 1: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Choosing Universities/CollegesBackground InfoWhat to think aboutWhat to doResources

Page 2: Choosing Universities/Colleges

To Start off…

You have to be the EXPERT!

Page 3: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Types of Institutions

• Public • Private

• Universities: Graduate level research, includes pre-professional programs

• Liberal Arts Colleges: Undergraduate level research, broad preparation in academic disciplines

• Community Colleges: 2 years, general education requirements, vocational training

Page 4: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Choosing Universities• Cost & Financial Aid• Location

– Rural to Urban– Jobs/recruitment– Weather– Distance to family/friends

• Size: Under 1,000 to 60,000+• Major• Special Programs• Selectivity

– Reach (2)– Target (4)– Safety (2)

• Campus Culture

Page 5: Choosing Universities/Colleges

COST & FINANCIAL AID

Page 6: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Cost• Total cost from Up to ~$60,000

– Public: ~$20,000 to ~$52,000– Private: ~$35,000 to ~$60,000

• Room & Board – About $10,000+– Can save money by living off campus years 2-4

• Fees• Books• Travel

Page 7: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Comparative Costs

Page 8: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Comparative Costs

Page 9: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Financial Aid• US Citizens

– Eligible for• Federal Aid

– FAFSA– CSS Profile

• Institutional Aid• Private Aid

• International Students– Eligible for

• Limited Institutional Aid• Limited Private Aid

Page 10: Choosing Universities/Colleges

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

Page 11: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Where do you want to live?• City Living vs. The College Town

• Jobs– Internships– Recruitment

• FYI: Snow is cold!• Staying close to family and friends

– Where will you go on holidays?

Page 12: Choosing Universities/Colleges

SIZE ??? – BIG VS. SMALL

Page 13: Choosing Universities/Colleges

The BIG Schools• More majors and classes• Bigger classes• Research• Diversity• International name recognition• Large scale events, sports

NYU 22,000 studentsBerkeley 25,500 studentsMichigan 27,000 students

Page 14: Choosing Universities/Colleges

The Small Schools• Intimate community• Smaller classes• Easier to know your professors• Focus on teaching• Recommendations for graduate school

Claremont McKenna 1,250 studentsWesleyan 2,850 studentsBarnard 2,400 students

Page 15: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Rankings• Quality cannot be quantified• They can tell you, in general terms, about the academic

credentials of the students they attract

Page 16: Choosing Universities/Colleges

RESEARCHING COLLEGES

Page 17: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Resources• Counselor• College Visits• Internet

– Review Sites– University web sites– Naviance

• Friends and Family• Alumni• Guide Books

Page 18: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Visiting Colleges• With family, if possible• Schedule interviews, if offered• Organized tour:

Trevor Sturgeon College Tours

Page 19: Choosing Universities/Colleges

SELECTIVITY

Page 20: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Apply to a Selectivity Range• Based on 8 applications:

– 2 Safety: 95% chance– 4 Target: 35% to 75% chance– 2 Reach: Less than 35% chance

Page 21: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Are you competitive?

Page 22: Choosing Universities/Colleges

HOW COLLEGES DECIDE

Page 23: Choosing Universities/Colleges

FactorConsiderable importance

Moderate importance

Limited importance No importance

Grades in college prep courses 74.9% 15.7% 5.0% 4.4%

Strength of curriculum 61.5 24.9 8.6 5.0

Admission test scores (SAT, ACT) 54.3 30.6 10.7 4.5

Grades in all courses 52.1 34.4 9.6 3.9

Essay or writing sample 26.6 29.9 22.7 20.9

Teacher recommendation 21.1 38.3 29.7 11.0

Student’s demonstrated interest 20.9 28.7 27.2 23.3

Counselor recommendation 20.4 41.9 26.5 11.2

Class rank 19.2 33.1 32.2 15.4

Interview 11.0 22.4 30.4 36.1

Subject test scores (AP, IB) 7.8 27.0 32.7 32.4

Extracurricular activities 7.4 36.6 37.5 18.5

SAT II scores 6.7 8.2 24.4 60.7

Portfolio 6.7 7.9 34.7 50.8

State graduation exam scores 3.9 14.2 29.3 52.6

Work 1.8 16.9 41.3 40.1

Factors in the Admission Decision

SOURCE: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2008

Page 24: Choosing Universities/Colleges

APPLYING

Page 25: Choosing Universities/Colleges

Requirements (In general)

SOURCE: NACAC Admission Trends Survey, 2008

U.S.A. Canada U.K. Australia H.K./Sing. Jpn/KoreaIB Diploma (Full/Partial)

Full Diploma or Partial Diploma

Full Diploma or Partial Diploma

Full Diploma (direct entry) or Partial Diploma (foundation year)

Full Diploma (direct entry) or Partial Diploma (foundation year)

Full Diploma expected

Full Diploma helpful (Grades / GPA most important)

TOEFL/IELTS YES YES YES YES YES YES

SAT SAT (and SAT Subject Tests for selective universities)

No SAT needed if Full Diploma

No SAT If Partial Diploma, strong SAT may lead to direct entry at less selective universities

High SAT if no Full IB Diploma

SAT

Page 26: Choosing Universities/Colleges

NAVIANCE (Family Connection)