News Graphic 05/16/2013

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News Graphic / Page A6 Thursday, May 16, 2013SOUTHERN OZAUKEE

For those of us with a few years (and pounds) under our belts,it will not be a revelation to state that as we progress through life,our choices and options tend to become increasingly restricted.The decisions we make in our younger years, both consciouslyand unconsciously, often follow us as the years accumulate. Thebright side, though, is that when we are young, our options aremuch more plentiful. As the old saying goes, “The world is myoyster.” These words are most appropriate for high schoolstudents as they begin their college search.

In my work with students and families, I predominantlyencounter individuals whose initial thoughts on possible schoolsseldom reach beyond the borders of our state and the Universityof Wisconsin system. This, of course, is not a bad thing, but is itthe best approach? In no way does this column intend todenigrate our state’s public universities. In addition to it beingmy “bread-and-butter” for approximately 30 years, the UWsystem is one of the premier public higher education systems inthe nation. With its 26 campuses and approximately 185,000students, it is one of the largest state systems in the nation,especially considering Wisconsin’s modest overall population.The “Wisconsin Idea,” in which the UW system pledges to use itsresources to solve societal problems and improve the quality oflife of all the state’s citizens, was conceived nearly 110 years ago,and has served as the philosophical model for numerous otherpublic university systems. Our flagship campus, UW-Madison,enjoys a high pedigree nationwide and even internationally.

So why is this column titled “Expand Your Universe(ities)?”Simply because exploring all your options is the wise way toproceed, especially for something as life-changing and “life-decisive” as where you will attend college. As alluded to earlier,many students and families are fixated on attending UW-Madison, yet for all students, especially the higher-achievingones, there is so much more out there: they owe it to themselvesand their families to expand their horizons. Just withinWisconsin, there are numerous private colleges and universities,whether in our neck of the woods such as Alverno, CardinalStritch, Carroll, Concordia, Marquette, MIAD, MSOE, MountMary and Wisconsin Lutheran, or in other parts of the state, suchas Beloit, Lawrence, Ripon and St. Norbert. (For a complete list

and information on all these schools, see the website of theWisconsin Association of Independent Colleges andUniversities/WAICU at www.waicu.og) It is understandable thatfor reasons of cost alone, many students and families only look atthe UW system. However, when accounting for both need-basedand merit-based financial aid, plus a good degree of tuition“discounting,” most individuals are surprised to learn that thebottom-line cost of a private school education is often quitesimilar to that of the UW system. Whatever you do, NEVER allowthe “sticker price” of a school to deter you from consideration.Simply apply, complete the various financial aid forms (FAFSA,etc.) and await the admissions decision and financial aid package.If the school does not meet your needs or budget, move on.

Although I only have spoken about schools within Wisconsin,the true expansion of one’s “universe(ities)” is to looknationwide and, perhaps, beyond. Our world is growingincreasingly interdependent and our nation more diverse andone could argue that the overall demographics of Wisconsin’scolleges and universities do not yet, despite progress, reflect thesetrends. Breaking out of the cocoon and learning to interactskillfully and sensitively in the wider world should be at the heartof every student’s college experience, and this can best be done inan environment that surrounds students with counterparts fromdifferent states, regions, nations, racial/ethnic groups,socioeconomic classes, etc. That said, I am not a huge proponentof out-of-state public universities because of the increased non-resident costs (often 2 1/2 times a resident) and the significantresources and choices within the UW system. Nevertheless, thereis a vast array of private colleges and universities throughout thenation, and my earlier words regarding financial aid and bottom-line costs apply here, too. A number of reputable college searchengines exist to assist you in identifying possible schools andtailoring your search. Again, do not allow the list price to frightenyou off. Just do your due diligence and research, submit yourapplications and let the cards fall where they may.

My column last month was titled “If I had only known thenwhat I know now ...” Do not allow your college search to berestricted by undue limitations, thus having this phrase describeyour college search five, 10 or 20 years down the road. High schoolstudents’ choices are many at this stage of their lives. Takeadvantage of them so you never have to look back and wonder“what if.”

Tom Tonnesen of Cedarburg, the director of CollegeAdmissions Pathways (CAPs), works with students and theirfamilies on the entire college search, admissions, test preparationand financial aid processes. He is a member of the NationalAssociation for College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Contactinformation: tonnesen@caps2college.com; 377-0302(home/office); (262) 389-4588 (cell); or www.caps2college.com.

THE INS & OUTS OFCOLLEGE ADMISSIONS

TOMTONNESEN

Expand Your Universe(ities)

First place first and second grade: Syndey Footit,Cedar Grove Belgium Elementary School

First place third and fourth grade: Jolie Waddell, Girl ScoutTroop 3279/Oriole Lane Elementary School, Mequon

Grand Prize poster winner: Lilly Clark,Saukville Elementary School, Saukville

First place fifth and sixth grade: Gracie Dimmer,ThomasJefferson Middle School, Port Washington

Honorable mention, Katherine Wasserman,Donges Bay Elementary School

First place kindergarten: Makenna Gall, Saukville Elementary School

Poster winnersGrand prize poster winner: Lilly Clark, Saukville Elementary School,SaukvilleKindergarten:First place, Makenna Gall, Saukville Elementary School; secondplace, Madeline Prom, Saukville Elementary School; third place,Madelynne Knapp, Saukville Elementary School; honorable mention,Katherine Wasserman, Donges Bay Elementary School, MequonFirst/second gradeFirst place,Syndey Footit,Cedar Grove Belgium Elementary School;second place, Faye Sulaiman, Lincoln Elementary, Port Washington;third place, Gracie McNabb, St. Paul Lutheran School, Grafton;honorable mention, Hailey Footit, Cedar Grove BelgiumElementary SchoolThird/fourth gradeFirst place, Jolie Waddell, Girl Scout Troop 3279/Oriole LaneElementary School, Mequon; second place, Colleen Klocko,WilsonElementary School, Mequon; third place,Abbie Ravanelli Girl ScoutTroop 3279/Oriole Lane Elementary School; honorable mention,McKenzie Sullivan, Saukville Elementary

Fifth/sixth gradeFirst place,Gracie Dimmer, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, PortWashington; second place, Mackenzie Dvoran, Thomas JeffersonMiddle School; third place, Riley Pierringer, Thomas Jefferson Middle School; honorable mention, Hank Bell, Rosemary School,FredoniaPoetry WinnerMackenna Schueller, fifth grade, Rosemary SchoolPhotography winnersIsabelle Clark, fifth grade, Rosemary School; Brianna Szczerbinski,sixth grade,Rosemary School; Jenna Schueller, fifth grade,RosemarySchool; Heather Saltzmann, fifth grade, Rosemary SchoolVolunteer AwardsSue Burback, Becky Trilling, Laurie Gross, Maureen Duenkel,WayneSchmidtKind Kid AwardsGirl Scout Troop 8354, St. Joseph Parish Student Council, GraftonHumane HeroesStephen Zen, Patricia Mace, Officer Steve Bzdusek, Louise and TikoMacky

Winners

Open Hearts and HomesThe Wisconsin Humane Society

Ozaukee Campus kicked offNational Be Kind to Animals Weekby hosting a BKA AwardsCeremony May 5. Every year, theWHS Ozaukee Campus takes thisopportunity to honor people in thecommunity who have shown anexceptional dedication to animalwelfare. Award categories includeHumane Educator of the Year andthe Kind Kid Awards.

Be Kind to Animals Week wasstarted in 1915 by the AmericanHumane Association. The societyjoins other humane organizationsfrom around the country inrecognizing the important rolethat animals play in everyone’slives.

Photos submitted

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