TABLE OF CONTENTS POST SECONDARY PLANNING GUIDE: A TIMETABLE & CHECKLIST FOR COLLEGE PLANNING

Transcription

1 TABLE OF CONTENTS POST SECONDARY PLANNING GUIDE: A TIMETABLE & CHECKLIST FOR COLLEGE PLANNING FRESHMAN ADMISSION TO BACCALAUREATE AND INDEPENDENT COLLEGES. 3-8 ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID FOR TECH AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES.9 CHOOSING A COLLEGE COMPARING COLLEGE COSTS ADMISSION INDEX COLLEGE COMPARISON WORKSHEET..16 VISITING COLLEGES HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM A COLLEGE VISIT.19 QUESTIONS TO ASK COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES 20 FACTORS TO CONSIDER 21 HOW TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP CREATING AN ACADEMIC RESUME INTERNET RESOURCES FINANCIAL AID WEBSITES.29 FAFSA: STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS COMMON ERRORS ON THE FAFSA 32

2 A TIME TABLE AND CHECKLIST FOR COLLEGE PLANNING JUNIOR YEAR Time Line Activity Completed October Attend Evening of Information (check for date in Career Center.) Register for and take the P.S.A.T. Sept. June Investigate career interests, related college majors, and specialized scholarship programs such as R.O.T.C., etc. Oct. Nov. Attend the National College Fair (Portland/Seattle/L.C.C.) Oct. March Consult college handbooks and websites, visit with college representatives and learn about course offerings, size, location, admission requirements, deadlines, and the costs of each college. Jan. June Meet with your counselor to discuss the results of the P.S.A.T. and your college plans. Jan. August Develop a list of colleges to explore. Make arrangements to visit colleges. Feb. April Register for the May or June S.A.T. or A.C.T. (check date) March Plan senior course selections to enhance your college admission chances. March Attend the College Conference at Lower Columbia College March April Apply for Military Academies and R.O.T.C. Scholarships March May Prepare an academic resume to be used with application forms and requests for letters of recommendation and complete all advisory activities. SENIOR YEAR Time Line Activity Completed September Meet with your counselor if you need to consider a major change in plans and/or type of college to obtain information and applications. Sept. Nov. Submit your application by the October or November deadline if applying to Military Academies, to R.O.T.C. Programs, or for Early Decision at colleges. Sept January Register for fall S.A.T., A.C.T, and/or S.A.T. Subject Tests October Attend Evening of Information (check for date in Career Center) Oct. June Explore scholarship possibilities. Complete application process and meet all deadlines.

3 Oct. June December January March April March April March June May June Process appropriate forms for admissions and scholarships Be sure to provide a copy of your academic resume to each person you ask for a letter of recommendation. Give the person you are asking for a letter of recommendation a minimum of two weeks to prepare your letter. Have the Educational Testing Service (E.T.S.) forward your S.A.T. and/or A.C.T. score reports to all the colleges to which you are applying. Give your counselor all Secondary School Report Forms at least two weeks prior to the written deadline. Accept the responsibility for meeting the deadlines. Begin mailing in admissions applications to four-year colleges and universities. Have your parents complete the Federal Application for Student Aid and submit as soon after January 1 as possible. Use your parents last years income tax forms and update after they get the new ones. Some colleges may also require additional financial aid forms. Consider registering for the Advanced Placement tests. (See the registrar for specific dates.) Begin mailing in admissions applications to community colleges and vocational/technical schools. Check with your college choices regarding housing, financial aid, scholarships, deposits, etc. particular to individual institutions. Notify the Guidance Office of your status when you hear from your colleges. Advanced Placement tests administered. Complete proper paperwork to have final transcripts sent to the college/university of your choice. Any coursework completed at a college (such as L.C.C.) needs to have an official transcript sent from that institution.

4 CHOOSING A COLLEGE Colleges and universities fall into two categories: 1. STATE SUPPORTED - both two and four year schools. 2. INDEPENDENT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES - may be church related or totally independent of other state and church support. PRIVATE TRAINING SCHOOLS/PROGRAMS - are also available. These vary in cost depending on the length of the specific program. Most of these schools require you to sign a contract for a specific program for a specific amount of money. The school should be accredited to insure proper training. Check with your Counselor for further information or concerns. PICK WISELY: TIPS Unfortunately, there is no simple formula for choosing the college that is right for you. To find a school that fits your needs, your goals and your pocketbook takes some serious looking...but the dividends can be great. In college, you will probably choose your life s work, prepare for it, and make friends for a lifetime. All this is, of course, pretty important business. So, the time you invest in selecting wisely will pay off in your satisfaction while in college, and in the years that follow. You may think that picking a college is like any other purchase. It isn t. It s a choice that will have a major impact on your life. As a potential consumer of a college education, there are some areas you should investigate before you buy. 1. KNOW YOUR OPTIONS. Find out what s available. A way to get started with the comparison is to stop by your high school counselor s office and look through The College Handbook and other resource books and individual college catalogs. These resources are a good way to find out the basics about each college. You can also use the computer in the career center to research college on our WOIS and Kuder software programs. Talk with friends who have started college. Ask them how they re enjoying their school. Visit with college representatives when they visit your high school. Write to the schools and ask for information, brochures, catalogs, etc.

5 2. ASSESS YOUR NEEDS. Try to find out if the school is right for you. Ask yourself what you really want from a college education (i.e. if you re considering the nursing field, do some research and find a school that offers a quality program.) For most people an academic major is just one of the important considerations in choosing a college. What about the social and recreational opportunities? Does the school suit your style? How about size? Would you feel comfortable or lost in the crowd? 3. VISIT THE SCHOOL You would not think of buying a car without taking it for a test spin. In the same way, it s good to actually experience a college, too. Write to the Admissions Office and let them know when you plan to visit. Many colleges have special weekends already arranged. You may stay in dorms, eat in the cafeteria and visit classes. 4. FIND OUT ABOUT FINANCING. College, especially a private college, is expensive. Don t be scared off by what may initially appear unaffordable tuition. Go to the high schools counseling office or career center and ask what financial aid resources are available to you, and contact the college to see if you qualify for scholarships. Deadlines are very important! Look early. 5. LOOK FOR SUPPORT SYSTEMS. Find out about the commitment the schools make you. Some schools make a real effort to insure the success of every student admitted. The school provides academic and psychological counseling, career guidance faculty advisors, and a number of back-up programs to help you succeed in college. 6. FIND A STRONG, WELL-ROUNDED CURRICULUM. For most students, the best school is one that has many areas of strength academically. That s because there s a good chance that you don t know exactly what you ll be majoring in when you start college. Some studies show that 80% of all high school seniors are not sure about what to take in college. And once you re in college, don t feel locked into an original decision. It might surprise you to know that by the time to average student finishes college, they have changed their major an average of three times. 7. A WORD ABOUT CHOICES. Sometimes it s difficult to choose. Get the best information you can, look at it carefully, then make a decision. Once you choose, go to college with a good attitude. Expect to be challenged. Plan to work hard, to learn. Make the time you spend in college the most rewarding time in your life.

6 COMPARING COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY COSTS The following are basic education costs which full-time Washington resident students pay annually at the following institutions for the school year. College Tuition Room/Board TOTAL Lower Columbia College $2, NA $2, Central Washington University $5, $7, $13, Eastern Washington University $4, $6, $12, Western Washington University $5, $7, $14, Washington State University $6, $7, $19, W.S.U. Vancouver $6, N/A $7, University of Washington $6, $8, $18, Evergreen State College $4, $7, $15, Gonzaga University $26, $3, $35, Pacific Lutheran University $25, $7, $32, Seattle Pacific University $25, $7, $35, Seattle University $26, $4, $36, St. Martin s University $22, $6, $33, University of Puget Sound $31, $7, $43, Whitman College $32, $8, $42, *Allow $1, $2, for additional expenses that may include: books, lab fees, laundry, travel, pizza, spending money, etc.

7 ADMISSION INDEX COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY CONSIDERED REVIEWED Central Washington University Average SAT 500 cr 510 math 3.26 GPA 28 minimum 48 average All Others Comprehensive Review if AI not met Eastern Washington University Average SAT 480 cr 460 math 3.25 GPA 25 minimum 46 average All Others Comprehensive Review Evergreen State College Average SAT 590 cr 540 math 3.16 GPA 48 average All Others Comprehensive Review if AI not met University of Washington Average SAT 615 cr 635 math 3.72 GPA DEADLINE: January 15 th Holistic Review N/A minimum Personal Statement very Important Considerations: Core Courses A.P. Courses Honors Courses Extra Math/Science Washington State University Average SAT 545 cr 575 math 3.48 GPA DEADLINE: January 31 st Comprehensive Review N/A minimum Grades, Test, Core, Trends, Essay Considerations: Core Courses A.P. Courses Honors Courses Extra Math/Science Western Washington University Average SAT 530 cr 545 math 3.5 GPA Comprehensive Review N/A minimum Rigor and Trends Considerations: Course Pattern Leadership Unusual Circumstances

8 VISITING COLLEGES 1. First, contact the institution to arrange your visit. Don't go unannounced! Frequently schools personal are out-of-town and can cause the institution to give you less-than-first class attention and service. Get the name and title of the first institutional administrator, staff or faculty you will see. BE ON TIME! 2. Places on campus you should visit: A. ADMISSIONS OFFICE: (1) Obtain that institution's application for admission. (2) See an admission counselor. (3) Provide your official high school and college transcript(s) in SEALED envelopes. (4) Honor Students: Ask about SCHOLARSHIPS available and eligibility for "Honors at Entrance" awards. B. BUSINESS OFFICE: (1) Obtain a statement of the official college costs. (2) Seek information on how tuition is paid, when payment must be received, and if deposits on tuition must be made. Can you make monthly payments? (3) Find out about non-refundable deposits. (4) Ask about payment by credit card or deferred payments. C. HOUSING OFFICE: (1) Find out if there are dorms or off-campus apartments. (2) What are the costs for room and board? Ask about various meal plans. (3) Visit the dorm rooms. If the institution has no dorms, check the availability of offcampus apartments. (4) Ask what the students may bring: e.g. stereo, lamp, ironing board, bicycle, etc. D. DEPARTMENTAL FACULTY IN YOUR MAJOR AREA OF STUDY: (1) Determine the department's pre-requisites that must be taken prior to entry to the institution. (2) Are there quotas or limitations on the number of students who will be accepted for the next academic term in the department? (3) Are there special fees or special equipment requirements? i.e. uniforms, tools, engineering supplies, paper, scientific calculator, etc. (4) Discuss the institution's academic programs: Do they offer your program? (5) Ask about DEPARTMENTAL SCHOLARSHIPS. Eligibility criteria? How do you apply? E. VISIT ANY ACTIVITY OR ATHLETIC FACILITY YOU ARE INTERESTED IN: (1) Choir, glee, newspaper, band, orchestra, forensics, theatre/drama (2) Contact the coach of the sport in which the student wants to participate. (3) Ask if SCHOLARSHIPS are available for specific sports or activities.

9 F. FINANCIAL AID OFFICE: (1) What's available? Grants, work study, loans. (2) Obtain applications and required documents to complete. (3) Ask about financial aid application deadlines. (4) Ask about SCHOLARSHIPS based on need and not based on need. G. CLASSSROOMS: (1) Visit classrooms, especially those in your academic program area. (2) Be sure to look at the number of students in labs and lecture halls. H. CAMPUS DINING FACILITY: (1) Is the food edible? (2) Ask about various meal plans. (3) Cost versus dining off campus. 3. Walk around the campus. Does the atmosphere seem friendly? Hostile? 4. Talk with students. The more and varied types, the better. A. Pick students at random. B. Do they like it at the institution? Why or why not? C. Why did they go to that institution? D. Ask lots of questions. You'll get a "feeling" by not only what is answered, but also by how students answer or don't answer your questions. 5. If possible, stay overnight on the campus: in a dormitory, apartment, or sorority/fraternity house. 6. Get a "feeling" for the institution. A. Some institutions do well advertising their programs and campus, but are not quite so desirable when actually visited. B. Some colleges don't "sell" themselves well, but are first rate institutions. C. Some schools are very nice. These may also be VERY expensive. D. Will you feel comfortable at that institution? Did the staff seem interested in you? 7. After you've returned home from your visit, develop your own set of requirements: What are YOU looking for in an institution. 8. Weigh the PROS and CONS: Larger universities usually offer more programs and classes, bigger classes, less interaction with instructors and institutional staff. Publicly supported institutions are less expensive for state residents. Small, private colleges offer fewer degree programs, fewer sections, smaller classes, more personal contact with instructors than the larger institution do, but are usually more expensive institutions than regional and state universities, community colleges, etc. 9. After visiting several campuses, you will probably revise your checklist. Often students and parents discover that what they initially felt to be a very important criterion in selecting an institution becomes secondary or of little importance.

10 HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM A COLLEGE VISIT As a senior you will be allowed time to visit campuses. These visits must be prearranged prior to leaving. They are handled like any other pre-arranged absence and are obtained at the attendance office. It is always wise to read about the college(s) you will be visiting so that your questions are meaningful and appropriate. 1. At most campuse s, weekdays are the best days to visit, since you can best see the day-to-day campus life and the full administrative staff and faculty are on duty. 2. You should write or call the admissions office in advance, informing them of the day and time of your arrival on campus and requesting appointments and activities which you would like arranged for you. 3. Check into special programs in which you may have an interest such as honors, credit by exam, clubs, sports, or minority programs. 4. In addition, if you have a specific question about a particular program or major, request an appointment with an appropriate faculty advisor. 5. Request a tour of the campus, including the dormitories. 6. If you have questions about financial aid, check with the financial aid office during your campus visit. 7. If you would like to get an idea of what college classes might be like, ask if you could visit a class or two. In your letter, you should indicate the kind of classes in which you might be interested in observing. 8. If you would like to stay for two days, see if there are lodging arrangements available for visitors. Often inexpensive visits can be arranged in dormitories, fraternities or sororities. 9. Have fun and, if you do encounter a problem, don t be afraid to ask for help.

11 QUESTIONS TO ASK COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES 1. What are the five strongest majors at your institution? 2. When must I choose a major? 3. What types of internship/co-op experiences are available? 4. What type of high school background are you looking for in applicants? 5. Are there programs to study abroad? 6. What types of extra-curricular activities are there on campus? 7. How can I arrange a campus visit? Are there any special visitation days on your campus coming up? 8. What are the application deadlines for admission and financial aid? 9. Do you accept Advanced Placement test credit? 10. What percentage of a typical freshman class will actually graduate from your college? 11. How many of last year's freshmen returned for their sophomore year? 12. What percentage of the freshman class earned better than a 2.0 GPA last year? 13. What is the average high school GPA of the entering freshman class, and what is their average GPA after their freshman year? 14. How does your institution place students in their freshman classes? 15. How do you assign faculty advisors to students, especially those who are undecided about their majors? 16. What additional academic services do you offer to students (tutoring, career counseling, study skills workshops)? 17. How effective is your institution's honor code? What is the penalty for cheating? 18. What is the average age of your student body? 19. How many students reside on campus? What percentage of the total student body is residential/commuter? 20. Is yours a "suitcase college," where students go home on the weekends? 21. How are roommates selected? 22. What are some of the causes of students being suspended or dismissed from your institution? Is there an appeals system? 23. How safe is your school? Where can I obtain statistics about crimes on your campus? 24. Is there an escort system for students walking alone at night?

12 FACTORS FOR CONSIDERATION 1. Location, Part I *Do you want to be close to home or far away? *Are you looking for a special area for climate, or recreation, or change of scenery? 2. Size *You may enjoy more attention in a smaller school. *You may find more diversity of activities and personalities at a large school. 3. Location, Part II *Do you want to be in a city, where there s easy access to action and less restriction to campus. *Do you prefer the suburbs where there s a little more quiet but still ready access to the city? *Would you be more comfortable in a rural setting? 4. Is there a special area of study that you re particularly interest in? Then you may only want to consider school specializing in the subject area. Or do you want to pursue more general studies? 5. Are there special extra-curricular activities or sports programs that you want available to you? 6. Does the student population matter to you? *Co-ed? *All Male or Female school? *State School? (There will undoubtedly be students from other states but the number will be limited.) *Private School? 7. Do you want to combine your education with practical experience? If so, you might want to explore colleges that offer co-op or internship programs. 8. Do you want to ensure that you can study abroad?

13 3. STARTING YOUR ESSAY A. You are writing for a purpose. Be persuasive in showing the reader you are deserving of the award. Remember your audience. B. Make certain you understand the question or topic. Your essay should answer the question or speak directly to the given topic. C. List all ideas - any possibilities. Be creative; brainstorm without censoring. D. Sort through ideas and prioritize. You can't tell them everything. Be selective. E. Choose information and ideas that are not reflected in other parts of your application. This is your chance to supplement your application with information you want them to know. 4. WRITING THE DRAFT - Apply what you learned in English! A. Develop paragraphs - one idea at a time. Include topic sentence with examples of your point or convincing reasons. B. Make transitions between paragraphs. C. Select action verbs and avoid the passive voice.

14 HOW TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP 1. GETTING READY A. Start gathering material on yourself. Build a file or resume on yourself. Things to include: (1) Grade point average, class rank and courses taken. (2) Test scores - P.S.A.T., S.A.T., W.A.S.L., A.C.T. (3) School and community activities (4) Honors and awards (5) Hobbies or interests (6) Work or volunteer experience B. Take appropriate tests. Scholarship programs, especially those with national competition, prefer or require that applicants take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). This test should be taken late in your junior year or very early in your senior year. C. Continue to examine your personal goals. You may be asked to write essays on these types of topics. (1) What are your educational and career goals? (2) Where do you see yourself five years from now? (3) What are your three best characteristics? (4) What difines you as a student and a person? D. Contact three individuals to act as references. Take down their addresses and phone numbers. Check to see if they would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. So schools want you to send recommendations, others do not. 2. BEGINNING THE APPLICATION PROCESS A. Start early. Most scholarship applications require an application form, a personal essay ( words) and letters of recommendation. Allow yourself at least two weeks to complete this process. B. Complete application form - generally it is wise to answer all the questions on a separate piece of paper. Then, you can transfer or type your answers onto the application form. C. Meet with your counselor. Often a school representative, usually your counselor, will be required to complete a section of your application, confirming your academic record and perhaps recommending you. Give your counselor at least one week to complete the school's portion of your application. D. Draft your essay. Don't expect your first essay to be perfect. Allow enough time to evaluate and re-write. E. Be aware of deadlines. A late or incomplete application may automatically disqualify you.

15 INTERNET RESOURCES If you have access to the Internet, the following World Wide Web addresses provide very useful information about many issues regarding moving from high school to a variety of post-high school educational settings. Included is a title, the web site address, and a brief description of each. Peterson's Undergraduate Education Center Search alphabetically, geographically or by majors and degrees. College Choice & Admissions A rated directory of information resources on college choices and admissions. FinAid: The Financial Aid Information Page A GREAT resource!!!! Comprehensive free resource for student financial aid information of the Web. Free scholarship search, financial aid calculators, glossary, and bibliography. Adventures in Education Information about career planning, college selection, and financial aid for students, parents, and others. Office of Post-Secondary Education Includes downloadable FAFSA Express application and various listings of student financial assistance programs. Financial aid information and other important things An index page for a large number of financial aid resources including need calculations, information about various kinds of financial aid, federal programs, loan programs, scam alerts, special interest programs, bibliographies, etc. A great starting place. College Board On-line Service of Students and Parents The table of contents for a variety of College Board services including the SAT test, financial aid, and college search resources. SAT Test Prep By using the answers from the sample test which is provided in the TAKING the SAT I. By using the Reasoning Test booklet which is available in the counseling center, the student can get feedback

16 as to their areas of strengths and weaknesses as they prepare for the test. It also provides worksheets for various areas for the SAT I test. Fast Web Search through about 225,000 financial aid items from private sources and receive a listing of those which fit the characteristics given by the students. Minority Scholarships and Fellowships Scholarship information for qualified minority students. US Bank FA Home Page General Information about applying for loans. Colleges in the State of Washington College Net College Planning College Board On-Line

17 GENERAL FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION FINANCIAL AID WEB SITES 1. National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators: Site contains helpful information about paying for college and links to other web sites. 2. Mapping Your Future: Site sponsored by national guaranty agencies. Information goes beyond loans and includes links to scholarship searches and planning for your education. It also includes general college applications and a calendar to plan getting into college. 3. Financial Aid Information Page: Independent site that lists a variety of links, scholarship searches and financial aid questions. 4. College Planning Network Web Site: Includes updated scholarship guide and links to other web sites. Contains alphabetical list of college web pages from around the world. 5. Fastweb: Offers a personalized scholarship search. Links to thousands of web sites. It takes time to fill out. 6. NCAA Financial Aid Information: Lists rules and regulations for athletic scholarships at NCAA schools. Contains lists of colleges by Division I, etc. 7. CollegeNet: Its scholarship search contains over 600,000 contacts. Site also has college search and other financial aid information Colleges, College Scholarships and Financial Aid page: Contains scholarships and financial aid searches. Site includes SAT and ACT test preparation tips. 9. The College Board: Offers advice on student loans. Provides career search information, on-line SAT registration, college search information, a financial aid calculator, and college savings advice. 10. College Savings Plans Network: Contains information on state sponsored prepaid tuition and college savings plans throughout the U.S. 11. FAFSA on the Web: This is the electronic application for most federal student financial aid: grants, student employment and loans. 12. Western Undergraduate Exchange: This site contains information about the West Coast Undergraduate Exchange program.