Welcome to College Welcome to College Information Night Information Night
September 29, 2010
6:30pm
Chastity Sward, Guidance Counselor
Value of EducationValue of Education
Individuals with a Bachelor’s Degree earn an average of $18,540 more per year than individuals with only a high school diploma.
Over the course of a lifetime, college graduates will earn about $1 million more than high school graduates.
Cost of EducationCost of Education
Traditionally, paying for public higher education has been a shared cost between the state and student/family.
Now, the burden is shifting to the student:1970’s students/families paid 1/3 cost of college1995~ 40%2005~ 50%
The average debt load for students graduating from a 4-year college is now $17,250.27.
Cost of Attendance in Indiana for Cost of Attendance in Indiana for 2010-2011 academic year2010-2011 academic year
IU $16,298-$18,901 Tuition, Room & Board only Purdue $18,190 Tuition, Room & Board only Ball State $15,748 Tuition, Room & Board only USI $12,500 Tuition, Room & Board, fees VU $4,326 Tuition only (15 cr. Hrs.) Ivy Tech $1,568 Tuition only (15 cr. Hrs.) UE $37,186 Tuition, Room & Board, fees
Timeline for Senior YearTimeline for Senior Year
Fall Semester– Make sure schedule/credits meet graduation
requirements/admission requirements/NCAA eligibility requirements
– Register to take SAT or ACT if you have not done so– Campus Visits (September-October-November)– Submit admission applications with college
admission office *Some programs/colleges will have early
deadlines(i.e. Indiana University – Nov. 1st deadline to receive full consideration for merit scholarships; Purdue University – Nov. 15th is the admission application deadline for various programs as well as the deadline to be eligible for Purdue merit scholarships.)
Timeline for Senior Year Timeline for Senior Year (cont.)(cont.)
Spring Semester– Financial Aid Night January 2011– Complete FAFSA by March 10th receipt date deadline– Apply for scholarships of interest– Weigh admission offers and financial aid packages– May 1st typically deadline for accepting offers of
admission– Watch for summer deadlines (orientation,
registration, housing options, etc.)– *21st Century Scholars must complete and return
Affirmation letters by March 10th deadline
Choosing a CollegeChoosing a College
What is important to you?
Consider College Consider College CharacteristicsCharacteristics
Four-year, two-year, technical or trade schools, apprenticeship program
Cost Public, Private, or Proprietary Location
– Distance from home, Urban vs. Rural, Climate, Transportation costs/ease of access
Size, type of campus– Average class size– Liberal vs. Conservative, Coed, Religious affiliation
Reputation, prestige of school Activities, organizations, sports
List, Compare, and Visit List, Compare, and Visit SchoolsSchools
Be organized in your search
Research college websites
Attend college rep visits to Barr-Reeve
Make the most of your college visit days
College VisitsCollege Visits
Important to get to that school & see if it ‘fits’ for you
Every senior is allowed 2 days excused absences to visit colleges
Student/parent’s responsibility to set up college visit
Contact Office of Admissions at least 2 weeks prior to schedule visit
Obtain a pre-arranged absence form from Guidance Office prior to date of visit
What to do on a college visitWhat to do on a college visit
Admissions Office
Departments of Interest
Financial Aid Office
Attend a class, if possible
Tour campus
Eat in the dining hall
Visit a dorm
Talk to current students
What to do on a college visit What to do on a college visit (cont.)(cont.)
Anything of special interest to you
(theatre, drama, athletics, etc.)College visit is for YOU not them
Applying to CollegeApplying to College
Where to begin, when to
begin, how to begin
Applying for Admission Applying for Admission
What do colleges look for when making admission decisions?
HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT(Courses taken, grades earned, test scores)
Strength or rigor of curriculum GPA, class rank Trends in academic performance Extra-curricular involvement
*Any leadership positions held
Volunteer experiences
Applying for Admission (cont.)Applying for Admission (cont.)
If you plan to participate in athletics at a Division I or II school, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse
Must meet NCAA freshman-eligibility requirements to be deemed eligible to compete in NCAA Division I or II athletics.
How to apply paper/pencilHow to apply paper/pencil
1. Obtain application(from college, download from website or from guidance office)
2. Complete application & attach application fee
3. Turn completed application & application fee to the
guidance office in a timely manner(at least 1 week prior to deadline)
How to apply onlineHow to apply online
Access application online Fill out & submit application onlinePay application fee online May need to download Counselor’s
Signature page or request eSSR through e-transcripts
Request high school transcript through e-transcripts
Helpful Hints when filling out Helpful Hints when filling out college applicationscollege applications
Apply early (application fees may be waived if apply early…$25-$50)
Most colleges prefer online applications (application fee may be waived)
If you are 21st Century Scholar or Project Aspire student, ask about fee waivers
If you attach additional sheets, be sure to put your full name on additional sheets
Helpful Hints when filling out Helpful Hints when filling out college applications (cont.)college applications (cont.)
If you apply paper/pencil, follow up to make sure your application was sent.
If you have not heard anything from your college after 4-6 weeks, call admissions office and check on the status of your application.
Know what is on your transcript– Example: test scores updated?
Helpful Hints when filling out Helpful Hints when filling out college applications (cont.)college applications (cont.)
If you’ve taken dual credit classes, you must request your college transcript (OCU &/or VU) be sent to your university prior to registering for classes.
BE AWARE OF DEADLINES – Student’s responsibility
READ DIRECTIONS!!– (Student’s responsibility to fill out application completely)
Indiana e-transcriptIndiana e-transcriptThe preferred way to send your transcript The preferred way to send your transcript
Safe, paperless way to electronically send transcripts to colleges
Students must sign up (Click on the Secure Transcript link on Barr-Reeve’s Guidance Department web page)
Students need an email address Students will receive an email when your
transcript has been sent & received Free & available 24/7
College Admissions TestsCollege Admissions Tests
ACT or SAT
ACT or SATACT or SAT
Every 4-year institution will require ACT or SAT scores
Will want to check with other colleges or trade schools to see if they require test scores
If you haven’t taken the ACT or SAT and plan on attending a 4-year institution, you need to be taking one of these exams ASAP
Must register Test dates and registration deadlines are posted
in the guidance office, bulletin board outside the guidance office, and senior newsletters.
ACT or SAT (cont.)ACT or SAT (cont.)
May register online (preferred) or paper/pencil ACT registration materials available in the guidance
office If you are a 21st Century Scholar or Project Aspire
student, ask about fee waivers Students with disabilities may be eligible to receive
accommodations If you plan on taking the ACT, check to see if your
college requires the optional Writing portion
SATSAT
Critical ReadingMathWritingAverage score is about 500 on each
section of the testEach section is scored on the 200-800
scale, where 200 is lowest and 800 is highest
ACTACT
English Math Reading Science Writing (Optional, but required by many colleges) Average Composite Score (21.0) *The composite score is an average of the four test scores (Eng, Math, Reading, &
Science)
Each test is scored on the 1-36 scale, where 1 is lowest and 36 is highest
How do I pay for college?How do I pay for college?
Types of Financial AidTypes of Financial Aid
GrantsScholarshipsWork-study programLoans
GrantsGrants
Financial aid that you do not have to repay. Government and other organizations award
grants usually based on financial need Academic Competitiveness Grant:
– Up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study/ $1300 for second year
– Must be full-time student and eligible for pell grant– Must have successfully completed Core 40 or
AHD
Grants (cont.)Grants (cont.)
National SMART Grant:– Will provide up to $4,000 for each of the 3rd & 4th
years of undergraduate study – Must be full-time student & eligible for a Pell Grant– Must be majoring in physical, life or computer
sciences, mathematics, technology or engineering; or in a foreign language determined critical to national security
ScholarshipsScholarships
Financial aid that you do not have to repay - We LIKE these!!
May be given for academic excellence (merit-based), financial need, distinction in a certain activity (sports or 4-H), or affiliation with a religious, civic, or school organization.
May be one-time award or renewable each year Many are only awarded to incoming freshman
Work-Study ProgramsWork-Study Programs
Students work as part of their financial aid
Usually on-campus jobs
LoansLoans
Borrowed money, will be paid back…WITH INTEREST!!
Many types of loansSome are federally regulated, some
offered by private companies
How to apply for financial aidHow to apply for financial aid
Fill out your FAFSA each year(Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Must be received by Federal Processor by March
10th of each year Attend Financial Aid Night Contact Financial Aid Office at your university for
university-specific forms or financial aid applications.
Most colleges will offer ‘Early Aid Estimator’
Scholarship TipsScholarship Tips
Read Senior Newsletters and Barr-Reeve Scholarship Booklet
Check with financial aid office at individual college/university
Check with program or specific department at your university (i.e. School of Business)
Local organizations or businesses **parent’s employer
Search internet BEWARE OF SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES…NEVER
PAY $ TO GET A SCHOLARSHIP
When filling out scholarship When filling out scholarship applications…..applications…..
Remember, your application is a representation of YOU.
Read and follow directions carefully Be Neat
Type-written applications recommendedUtilize FoxIt Reader – we can scan documents so you
can type them!! Be honest and be yourself Highlight your strengths; be truthful without being
boastful
When filling out scholarship When filling out scholarship applications (cont.)…..applications (cont.)…..
Watch deadlines – financial aid offices and scholarship personnel adhere to them!
Double check yur spelling
You are responsible for making sure all parts of the application arrive on time. If letters of recommendation or transcripts are required, give the people who will provide these generous lead time.
When filling out scholarship When filling out scholarship applications (cont.)…..applications (cont.)…..
Make a copy of the application for your file
Keep a written record of the scholarships for which you applied. Make a note of the deadlines, requirements, and responses.
Recommendation letters
Recommendation Letter TipsRecommendation Letter Tips
Choose wisely Be considerate of other’s time
(ask 1-2 weeks prior to deadline) Make certain your references know you well. Even if someone has known you for years, they may
be unaware of community involvement, awards, etc. You are trying to set yourself apart from other
applicants…inform those who are writing your letters of recommendation.
Recommendation Letter Tips Recommendation Letter Tips (cont.)(cont.)
Provide resume outlining:– Extra-curricular activities, honors, awards,
leadership positions held, employment, volunteer activities, community involvement
Type resume and save to distribute throughout the year
Continue to update as year progresses Include a stamped, addressed envelope if the
recommendation is to be mailed separately Write a personal note of thanks
John Daniel Doe Address
Montgomery, IN 47558 (812) 123-4567
Objective To become a successful student at Butler and to become an excellent pharmacist.
Work Experience August 2007-Present: Student intern, Main Street Pharmacy, Washington, IN.
Fill prescriptions, run cash register, assist pharmacists June 2007-Present: Pharmacy Tech-In-Training, Williams Bros. Pharmacy, Washington, IN.
Fill prescriptions, assist pharmacists, file paperwork June 2006-August 2006: Carpenter, Wittmer Bros. Construction, Loogootee, IN.
Built houses, repaired roofs, cleaned house when completed September 2005-May 2006: Child-care provider, YMCA, Washington, IN.
Provided child-care for 5-10 year olds May 2004-Present: Cashier/Clerk, Graber Auctions, Montgomery, IN.
Run cash register, assist customers, write auction sales on tickets
Education Barr-Reeve High School, Montgomery, IN will graduate in 2010 with Academic Honors Diploma.
Senior Classes: Physics, Pre-calculus, Art IV, Economics/Government, Work Internship, English 12 Honors (dual-credit with Vincennes University)
Honors and Activities High Honor Roll; Art Club; Art Club Secretary/Treasurer; Beta Club; Spanish Club; church youth group; Varsity golf team member sophomore and junior year; Team Mental Attitude Award; nominated for: Who’s Who Among American High School Students; National Science Merit Scholarship, and United States Student Achievement Award
*Volunteer Work: Participated in Day of Caring during Junior and Senior year, AngelWorx volunteer, went to World Missionary Press for youth mission trip, went to Phoenix, Arizona for
youth mission trip, went to Belize for church mission trip
Special Skills and Abilities
Strong math, chemistry, and people skills. Excellent attendance record.
References Available upon request
I’ve been accepted, I’ve been accepted, now what?now what?
Compare/contrast colleges and financial aid packages from each school
What questions do I need to find out before making my decision?
Typically prospective students don’t have to make a decision until May 1st
Prior to May need to make housing decisions Very appropriate to contact and inform
schools if you are declining their offer of admission
Points to ponderPoints to ponder
If you are a 21st Century Scholar or Project Aspire participant, you can receive fee waivers for college application fees and SAT/ACT registration fees.
OCU, UE, Marian, Franklin cover remaining tuition not covered by 21st Century Scholars Award = full tuition!
IU & Purdue provide financial assistance for housing, if you are a 21st Century Scholar & meet eligibility requirements.
Things to rememberThings to remember
GRADES, GRADES, GRADES!!Don’t lose sight of your goalsColleges will request a final transcript in
JuneColleges have the right to rescind their
offers of admission, scholarships or change financial aid packages if your grades, diploma track, or class rank change!!
Things to remember (cont.)Things to remember (cont.)
Stay organizedKeep a calendar of important dates &
deadlinesSavor the moments working together as
a family
Questions?Questions?
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