College & Financial aid planning

Transcription

1 University of New Haven A PARENT S GUIDE TO College & Financial aid planning

2 CHOOSE Your path Programs at the University of New Haven college of arts & sciences college of business Arabic (Minor only) Art Digital Art & Design Museum Studies Biology Biochemistry Education General Biology Pre-Medical Pre-Dental Pre-Veterinary Biotechnology Chemistry Education Chinese (Minor only) Communication Mass Communication Dental Hygiene Education (5-year BA/MS program) Elementary Secondary English Education Literature Writing Environmental Science Foreign Languages (Minor only) Global Studies Graphic Design Multimedia Studies History Education Interior Design Pre-Architecture Liberal Studies Marine Biology Aquaculture Biotechnology Conservation Forensics Journalism Law Enforcement Photography Policy Technology Mathematics Applied Mathematics Computer Science Education Statistics Music Music Industry Music & Sound Recording Nutrition & Dietetics Political Science Pre-Professional Pre-Dental Pre-Law Pre-Medical Pre-Veterinary Psychology Community-Clinical Forensic Psychology General Russian (Minor only) Spanish (Minor only) Theatre Arts Acting/Performance Arts Administration Design/Production Undeclared Accounting Entrepreneurship (Minor only) Finance Hotel & Restaurant Management International Business (Minor only) Criminal Justice Corrections Crime Analysis Forensic Psychology International Justice & Security Investigative Services Juvenile & Family Justice Law Enforcement Administration Victim Services Administration Fire & Occupational Safety (AS) Chemistry Computer Science Engineering Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering General Engineering Management Marketing Sports Management (Management of Sports Industries) Tourism & Event Management Undecided (Business) henry c. lee college of criminal justice & forensic sciences Fire Protection Engineering Fire Science Fire Administration Fire/Arson Investigation Fire Science Technology Forensic Science Biology Chemistry Legal Studies Dispute Resolution Paralegal Studies Public Affairs Undecided (Criminal Justice & Forensic Science) tagliatela college of engineering Mechanical Engineering System Engineering Information Technology Network Administration & Security Web & Database Development Undecided (Engineering)

3 WElcome University of New Haven Dear Prospective Students and Parents: Thank you for your interest in the University of New Haven. You are about to choose a college or university to attend, one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. You have more than 4,000 choices in the United States alone. We hope this booklet will help you make your decision. Since 1920, the University of New Haven has been providing unique opportunities for our students. Today, UNH offers nearly 100 distinct bachelor s degree programs and concentrations to its nearly 3,600 fulltime undergraduate students. We hope you will become a part of this truly exceptional institution. In addition to our outstanding level of personal attention for our students, we have many new initiatives and programs that will help our students stand out when they enter the job market. These include the Tegrity Learning System, which allows students to download professor s lectures to their personal computer or ipod; extensive study abroad opportunities such as our Freshman Semester Abroad program, where students can spend their first semester in Seville, Spain, or Florence, Italy; and our Bachelor s Plus Program in Education, where students can get a bachelor s degree in their area of study in addition to a tuition-free master s degree in education. One of the most significant concerns for prospective students and parents is the cost of higher education. While many of our innovative majors attract students from all over the world, UNH also offers several types of scholarships and grants that generate even greater interest. It is our goal to assist you from the time you apply for admission and financial aid until the time you set foot on our campus for the first day of class, and we will continue to support you during your years at UNH. Please take a moment to review the information in this booklet. We believe you will find it to be very helpful. We sincerely hope to see you at the University of New Haven in the near future! You will find a listing of our campus visit options on our Web site; please visit us any time. Thanks again for your interest and good luck with your college search! Sincerely, Kevin J. Phillips Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Today, UNH offers nearly 100 distinct bachelor s degree programs and concentrations to its nearly 3,600 full-time undergraduate students. UNH 3

4 University of New Haven School Highlights Overview The University of New Haven (UNH) is a private, comprehensive university located in West Haven, Connecticut. UNH offers a rich variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in a wide range of fields within four undergraduate schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business, the Tagliatela College of Engineering, and the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences. UNH has a full-time undergraduate enrollment of nearly 3,600 students with approximately 75 percent residing on campus. They are joined by more than 450 part-time undergraduate students. Our Graduate School enrollment exceeds 1,700 day and evening graduate students. The student to faculty ratio is 15:1 and the average class size is 20. Academics UNH offers nearly 100 undergraduate degree programs and more than 25 graduate degree programs in innovative fields such as management of sports industries, nutrition and dietetics, forensic science, music and sound recording, engineering, computer science, fire science, criminal justice, biology, and dental hygiene. Every college at UNH boasts a dedicated and experienced faculty, made up of more than 190 full-time and 200 part-time faculty members. Of our faculty members, 90 percent hold a PhD or terminal degree in their field. UNH stands apart from other institutions of higher learning because it invests in the process of experiential learning, bringing practice into the classroom to educate its students. The faculty of UNH have an enthusiasm for teaching that includes giving their own lectures, bringing students into their research labs, and looking for ways to support the students outside the classroom. Campus Life Our 84-acre main campus sits on a hillside overlooking the city of New Haven and Long Island Sound and is located within easy driving distance of both New York City and Boston. We offer the advantages of a semisuburban atmosphere combined with the excitement of city life. The breakdown by gender is approximately 50 percent men and 50 percent women. Our student body hails from 40 states and 53 countries. Nearly 20 percent of our student body represents minority groups (all categories). UNH hosts more than 100 extracurricular student-run clubs, as well as a selection of professional networking and honor societies. The University of New Haven s athletics program makes up one of the most respected and successful NCAA Division II programs in the country. The university offers 17 varsity sports that compete as NCAA Division II members: men s and women s basketball, cross-country, indoor and outdoor track, soccer, and volleyball; men s baseball, football, and golf; and women s lacrosse, softball, and tennis. Study Abroad UNH students have access to more than 145 international programs in destinations such as London, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Florence, and Rome. Most majors will allow you to experience study abroad while remaining on track to graduate within four years. Enroll in one of the approved UNH study abroad programs and all of your financial aid will travel with you. Undergraduate students have the option to travel abroad in their first year through UNH s Freshman Semester Abroad program. Imagine living and studying in Europe your freshman year! This program affords you the opportunity to study in Seville, Spain, or Florence, Italy, for one semester. The cost is comparable to studying at our West Haven campus. Financial Aid and Scholarships UNH offers a comprehensive financial aid program, providing aid in the form of grants, scholarships, student loans, and part-time employment. Funds are also available from federal and state governments, private sponsors, and university resources. Approximately 85 percent of our students take advantage of some form of financial aid. Most financial aid awards are based on need. Merit-based financial aid is available to students who have exceptional academic records or athletic ability. KeyFacts Contact Information University of New Haven Office of Undergraduate Admissions 300 Boston Post Road West Haven, CT Web site: Admissions Office Phone: (203) or toll-free at (800) DIAL UNH ( ), ext Fax: (203) adminfo@newhaven.edu 4 UNH Financial Aid Office Phone: (203) or toll-free at (800) DIAL UNH ( ), ext financialaid@newhaven.edu Quick Facts Institutional control: Private, comprehensive, nonprofit Setting: Semi-suburban, minutes from downtown New Haven Number of undergraduate students: 3,600 Number of graduate students: 1,763 Cost of Attendance Undergraduate in-state tuition (academic year): $29,500 Undergraduate out-of-state tuition academic year): $29,500 Average room and board (academic year): $12,774 Financial Aid Grants offered: Yes Scholarships offered: Yes Loans offered: Yes Organizations Number of registered organizations: 100+ Number of honor societies: 7 Most Popular Areas of Study 1. Criminal Justice and Forensic Science 2. Music 3. Marine Biology 4. Sports Management 5. Fire Science 6. Business 7. Engineering

5 Table of Contents University of New Haven 3 Welcome 4 SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS 16 Faculty and Student Profiles College Search 6 Introduction: Step-by-Step College Search and Key Milestones Learn the key steps in the college search and admissions process. Use the reference calendar to remind your students of milestones that they must meet to get into their college of choice. 9 Finding the Right Fit: Your Teen and College How do you sort through the thousands of colleges and universities in the United States to find those that are a good fit for your student? Start with your student s personality and goals, and use the factors listed in this article to make a short list of suitable matches. 10 Making the Most of a College Tour This article provides readers with helpful tips to make their campus visits productive, from the timing of the visit to important places to see on each campus. 11 Finding Your College Niche Ready to take on the challenge of adjusting to life at college? Here are some tips for settling into your new home. 12 Online Chats Bring the Admissions Office to You Can t get to campus for an interview or visit just yet? Or maybe you have a visit scheduled next month, but you re anxious to learn more now. Look for an opportunity to chat online with admissions officers, financial aid representatives, or even professors or students. Colleges are using online chat technology to reach out to students and sell their schools. Check out UNH s chat dates! Academics 13 Study Abroad and Learn about a Country, Its People, and Yourself Studying abroad is about more than studying; read this article to learn about the life lessons students can gain by broadening their educational horizons. 14 You re Not in High School Anymore: Learning to Study for College Courses You may be shocked by the amount of homework and studying there is in college compared to high school. This article helps prepare you for the difference between studying in high school and studying in college and gives you tips on making the study transition. 15 The Tech-Savvy Campus Colleges strive to keep pace with their students love of technology, and you ll many features on campus that satisfy your tech cravings. Read about some popular programs here. Student Life 17 Help Your Student Survive the First Year of College Worried about your student being unhappy at school? Learn what parents can do to help their children successfully transition to college and have a positive college experience. 19 Stay in the Game College students have many opportunities to play sports, from varsity to intramural to club teams. Read on to discover which level is right for your student. Financial Aid 20 Financial Aid Calendar Use this timeline to help manage the financial aid process and all the milestones that should be met on a monthly basis. 21 Scholarship Opportunities at UNH See what scholarships you may qualify for at UNH. 22 Filing the FAFSA Know the ins and outs of the FAFSA so your students get all of the need-based aid possible. 23 Education on Loan Become familiar with the loans available to determine whether your students qualify. 24 Picking the Best Financial Aid Package Make sure your students are getting the best financial aid deal possible with the tips in this article. 25 How Am I Going to Pay for a College Education? Worried about funding your student s education? Learn how parents can use scholarships, loans, grants, and work-study programs to help tackle the expense of higher education. 26 I Can t afford College and other financial Aid Myths This article debunks five common financial aid myths that parents and students encounter. The truth is that with a little work and planning in advance, affording college doesn t have to be such a daunting prospect. 28 Do Some Digging to Get College Financial Aid The article provides families with basic financial aid information and advice for tackling the costs associated with higher education. 30 Five Tips for Paying for College Here, readers will understand how to think in relationship to finding financial aid thinking ahead, thinking federally, thinking locally, thinking categorically, and thinking corporately. Featured Authors Christina Couch is a freelance writer based in Richmond, Virginia, and Chicago, Illinois. She is the author of Virginia Colleges 101: The Ultimate Guide for Students of All Ages (Palari Publishing, 2008). Her byline can also be found on AOL.com, MSN.com, Yahoo.com, and Wired Magazine. Kimberly Hardy, MSW, LGSW, has been a clinical school social worker for many years. She has studied at Morgan State University, The Ohio State University, and The University of Chicago. Rose Rennekamp is the vice president of communications for ACT. She is a mom and has a Master of Education in guidance and counseling. For more college and career-planning information, visit Jane Schreier Jones is a freelance writer whose work includes hundreds of articles in the field of education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English/ journalism from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. Heath Stephens graduated from Miami University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. He currently resides in Washington, DC. Michelle Taute has written for USA Weekend, Better Homes and Gardens, Woman s Day, and many other publications. Read her latest work at Sally Wood is a freelance writer and editor from Marionville, Missouri. She worked as a high school counselor in the Aurora R-VIII School District in Aurora, Missouri, from Our Publishing Partner Copyright Hobsons All rights reserved worldwide. Copyright University of New Haven All rights reserved worldwide. Hobsons, the Hobsons logo, KeyFacts, and CollegeView are trademarks of Hobsons. All other trademarks are owned by their respective owners. Hobsons US Office 50 E-Business Way, Suite 300 Cincinnati, OH (513) UNH 5

6 College Search Introduction: Step-by-Step College Search By Sally Wood The senior year is exciting for parents and students alike. As that long-anticipated end nears, you and your student realize why that final ceremony is called commencement. After the ceremony and the graduation party, you realize it s only just begun. You know the next step is college. Choosing the right college can seem overwhelming. Taking one step at a time those Key Milestones outlined on the following pages can make it exciting and fun. Follow the steps here to help your student transition to college smoothly. See your student s counselor early and often. The counselor s office has a wealth of information to help with every step of the decisionmaking process. Picture your student s ideal college. Go to Once you and your student have decided on important factors, use this site to find which colleges meet those requirements. Narrow or broaden your search criteria as needed. Take virtual tours. At CollegeView, you ll find KeyFacts and a link for each college that may be a possibility for your student. That link takes you to the college s site, where you can take a virtual tour of the campus. Visit the colleges. Virtual tours are helpful initially, but you and your student also need to visit the campus. If admissions and financial aid personnel meet you, you ll be more than a piece of paper when your student s applications reach their desks. Walking around campus on your own is as important as taking a guided tour; let your student decide if it feels right. Stress that your student take admissions tests. Do your student s selected colleges prefer the ACT or the SAT? Be sure your student applies early. Many colleges have early deadlines; some offer scholarships to those who apply before a certain date. Help your student stay focused. Not only must your student select colleges, they must also succeed in the college-preparatory courses required for admission. The best advice for you and your student is: Don t procrastinate. Begin early. Using this issue as your guide, take one step at a time and have fun! Walking around campus on your own is as important as taking a guided tour; let your student decide if it feels right. 6 UNH

7 College Search Key Milestones By Sally Wood Use this handy reference calendar to remind your student of milestones that they must meet to get into their college of choice. Freshman Year Fall Term Plan ahead. Your student should schedule time to meet with their guidance counselor and plan a strategy of courses that will meet college entrance requirements. Sophomore Year September Your student should speak with their guidance counselor about taking the PSAT/NMSQT and the PLAN in preparation for the SAT and ACT. October Your student should take the PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN. Sophomore-year PSAT/NMSQT scores will not count toward the National Merit Scholarship Competition, but it is good practice. December Receive results of PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN. They should consult with their guidance counselor to investigate ways to improve scores on standardized tests. Freshman Plan strategy to meet college entrance requirements. Sophomore Take PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN in preparation for SAT and ACT. Junior Review course plan with guidance counselor and plan senior schedule. Start search for financial aid. Visit colleges of interest. Take SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test, and/or ACT. Junior Year September Map out a testing schedule for the coming year, including the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT. Pick the test dates that will work with your student s schedule, taking into account family events, extracurricular activities, and holidays. Have your student register for the October PSAT/NMSQT. They should meet with their guidance counselor to review their course plan for the school year and plan their senior schedule. Check your student s course transcript. Are they on track to complete all the credits required by schools they are interested in applying to? Begin to establish criteria for the college search: Is your student interested in a small rural college or a large urban campus? Visit some local colleges to learn what they do and don t like. October They should take the PSAT/NMSQT. Scores are important, as they are used to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition and the National Achievement program; plus, it s good practice for the SAT. Start doing a search for financial aid. Options include grants, loans, and scholarships. December Receive results of the PSAT/NMSQT. Your student should consult their guidance counselor to consider whether an SAT prep course would be a good investment. February They should contact the colleges they are interested in to find out if they prefer the ACT or the SAT. Spring Break Visit schools that interest them. April They should consider registering for the May and June SAT and ACT test dates; it s not too early to start testing. They should re-evaluate their list of potential schools and eliminate those that no longer interest them. Begin searching for financial aid. May If they re enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, your student will take the appropriate AP tests. They should continue to visit colleges. Call ahead and ask for appointments with the departments of financial aid and admissions, academic advisors, professors, and students. Continued on next page >> UNH 7

8 College Search Key Milestones continued Senior Year September Continue to research financial aid options. Make sure your student has all applications required for financial aid and admission. Check admission and financial aid deadlines for the schools they plan to apply to. Have your student register for the fall ACT and/or SAT test dates as needed. Your student should obtain letters of recommendation and plan college visits. October Have your student meet with their guidance counselor to review their final list of colleges. File early decision applications if they have made a decision. Your student should attend college fairs to further investigate the colleges where they would like to apply. Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to the colleges on their short list. November They ll need to start writing and editing their application essays. Have your student complete their college applications (make copies before mailing). December Mail all applications. They should schedule their college admission interviews. January Your student should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1 as possible. They can file the form online at or request a paper form by calling (800) 4-FED-AID ( ). Have your student talk to their counselor about special forms your state might require. Your student should request that their school send their grade reports/transcripts to the colleges they applied to. Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible. Contact the colleges to see if they require any other forms. If so, your student should contact the schools financial aid offices or their counselor. They should contact the colleges and confirm that all application materials (transcripts, recommendations, and financial aid forms) have been received. February Your student will receive their Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks of completing the FAFSA online (longer for the paper application). Review the SAR, make any necessary corrections, and return it to the FAFSA processor. If they have not received their SAR and more than four weeks has passed, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center. Scholarship applications should be completed. April Review acceptances and compare financial aid packages. May By May 1, your student should make their decision about which college they will attend and send in their acceptance of the school s offer along with any other necessary paperwork. Notify other prospective colleges that your student has selected another school. If their first-choice college placed them on a waiting list, they should let them know that they are still interested in attending the school. June Your student should ask their counselor to forward their final transcript to the college of their choice and let them know of any additional financial aid they will receive. Finally, have them contact the school and determine when fees are due for tuition and room and board. Senior Set up college interviews and visits. Review final college choices with guidance counselor. File early action or early decision applications. Take the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test, and/or ACT and send results to colleges. Obtain federal and state financial aid forms. Send all application materials to colleges. Review acceptances, and then make a decision. 8 UNH

9 Finding the Right Fit: Your Teen and College College Search By Rose Rennekamp You can check out all of the slick college brochures, college Web sites, and college-planning resources you wish, but choosing the right college for your teen boils down to a few things: primarily personality and goals. For many teens, it seems to be an easy choice they just want to go to the nearest college or the one their friends are planning to attend. However, finding a college that s the right fit often isn t that easy. It takes a lot of homework and legwork, and your teens may need your help. The secret is in finding a college that meets the academic, social, and career goals of a student. So, what should you consider when choosing a college? According to the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, the top qualities college freshmen seek in a school include: Academic reputation Availability of financial aid College size Job placement success In today s brand-conscious world, academic reputation has become important to families. But just because a college has a stellar academic reputation doesn t mean it s the right one for your students. Thousands of colleges provide students with a quality education even if they don t make national ranking lists. Your students need to answer many questions before a decision is made, and the decision should be based upon solid information. A good place to start is the college s location. This will affect the number of choices you have. Is the college close enough to home? Your newly independent students might still want the family close enough for weekend visits. The size of the college may be a factor. One of the reasons students drop out of college is because they don t feel as if they fit in. A small-town student who graduated from high school with 100 seniors may suffer from culture shock in a large university, or he might enjoy the educational or cultural offerings never experienced before. When considering size, look at the instructor student ratio. How accessible are the instructors? Do they take an active interest in their students? Also, class sizes vary greatly. For example, at a large university, a freshman American history class might have 300 students, while at the same institution, a freshman English class may be limited to 30 students. Does the school offer academic support services for students, particularly freshmen who are adjusting to college courses? Also consider the rigor of the courses taught. College is an adjustment for all students, and you need to know the level of academic challenge your students are ready to handle. Visit with their school s counselor for more information. Academically, it s important that the college has a strong offering in your children s chosen major. Find out the academic requirements for that major and what learning opportunities are available. What job-placement services does the college provide? And, of course, teens will be interested in the nonacademic and social life. Are there social and extracurricular activities that appeal to your students interests? Find out the availability of athletic, social, academic, and recreational clubs. Last, but not least, consider cost. College is expensive, but almost all colleges have scholarship awards, loans, work-study programs, and other types of aid to help ease the financial burden. Contact the college s financial aid office for more details. Before your students apply, visit the campus. It s the only way to get a true picture of the atmosphere and to answer some of your questions. Talk to current students (and graduates, if possible) and faculty members, look at housing, attend classes, and spend some time in the community. College catalogs, Web sites, and videos are fine starting points, but they won t tell you if the school is known for a party atmosphere, if students leave campus on the weekends, if there is diversity among faculty and students, or if the town is welcoming to students. Colleges want to recruit students who will thrive on campus. Armed with the right information, your children will make a good choice. The secret is in finding a college that meets the academic, social, and career goals of a student. UNH 9

10 College Search Making the Most of a College Tour By Rose Rennekamp Can you imagine buying a home or a used car after just seeing a photo in a newspaper ad or on the Internet? Most of us hesitate to make a major purchase or decision without some investigation. One of the first major decisions for a young person is selecting a college, and it shouldn t be made solely on information such as the school s reputation, a guidebook, or a Web site. In order to find out what a college is really like, students should take a personal tour of the campus. A campus visit can be exciting and informative, but not all teenagers will want to share the experience with their parents. My son insisted he visit colleges on his own, saying it was his decision, not ours. My daughter, on the other hand, permitted me to tag along on half of her campus visits. Whether they re heading out on their own or with you, here are some helpful tips to get the most out of the visit: Call ahead. Most colleges and universities prefer about two weeks notice to set up a tour. Set up a meeting with an admissions counselor, with a professor or advisor in the major the student plans to study, and if possible, meet with a student from your hometown or with the same major. Visit while classes are in session. Observe how the faculty and students interact. Are the teachers engaging and interested in the students? Are students satisfied with the classes? Give yourself enough time and take notes. One or two campuses a day is enough. It s also a great idea for students to carry a note pad to write down comments, observations, and questions to help them make a decision later. Visit important places on campus. Tour a couple of dorms. Eat lunch in a dining hall. Get a true feeling of how students live. A young woman I know was having a hard time convincing her parents that a university three states away was right for her. But one visit to the hands-on journalism school, a talk with the advisor, and a journalism student from her home state convinced everyone that she had found the right school even though it meant a more expensive plane ticket home. Find out what services are offered to students. More than a third of the students who took the ACT in 2003 said they needed help deciding their educational and occupational plans. Ask what kind of advising or career counseling services the college offers. Many also said they need help with study skills. Does the college offer tutoring or courses to help with this? Talk to everyone you meet on campus. Encourage your students to talk to as many students as they can. If you go along on the tour, urge your teenagers to walk around on their own a little and ask questions they really want answered without a parent around. Most college students will be more than willing to tell a prospective student why they love (or hate) their alma mater. Of course, not every family has the time or money to visit distant colleges. To help students narrow down their choices, there are things they can do from home to get an in-depth look at a campus. Take a Virtual Tour. Many colleges and universities now offer virtual tours on their Web sites, including pictures and sometimes video. Remember that the admissions offices design the tours, so they won t always show you a complete picture. Most college students will Be more than willing to tell a prospective student why they love (or hate) their alma mater. 10 UNH a student or faculty member. Most admissions counselors would be happy to put prospective students in touch with faculty members or students in their major. Don t stop there. To get a true picture, contact someone independent of the admissions office. Look for names in an online version of the campus newspaper, or check out the Web pages of student clubs or groups. The purchase of a car even some homes can pale in comparison to the expense of a college education. If you can spend the time and money to do so, a good way to avoid buyer s remorse is to visit the lot and take the school for a spin before signing on the dotted line.

11 College Search Finding your College niche By Heath Stephens Welcome to college. We ll be taking you out of your home. We ll be taking away most of the friends you ve grown up with. We ve even thrown you into a dorm full of complete strangers. Now, make new friends and figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life. It all seems a little overwhelming, right? Definitely. But it doesn t have to. College is one of the greatest times for anyone in his or her life to do one of three things: 1. Figure out who you are. 2. Figure out who you want to become. 3. Reaffirm who you ve always been. Embracing these challenges means coming to a stronger sense of self. And getting comfortable in your own skin is the key to facing any challenge confidently. Homesickness is common when moving away for the first time, and missing friends should be expected. But if you build a strong foundation that s focused on loving who you are, you ll be able to face anything and everything college throws your way. The good news is that any college will offer its students an ample number of opportunities to play who do I want to be. What is even better is the fact that clubs and organizations on any campus are great for giving you a test run and building your résumé. If you build a strong foundation that s focused on loving who you are, you ll be able to face anything and everything college throws your way. Look into any of these resources to help in carving out your niche and finding out who you want to be on your campus: Academic Advisors: You are at school to get an education, after all. Check in from time to time to make sure that you re on the right educational path. Personal Advisors: If your school doesn t provide someone for you already, consider taking on an RA or professor, someone who meshes with your personality. Activity Fairs: Every school organization with an Uncle Sam recruitment mentality wants YOU. An activity fair is a great way to bring these organizations to you. Service Organizations: Bring out your inner philanthropist. Find something that helps others. Occupational Organizations: School newspaper, political groups, theater, musical or artistic interests; there are dozens of groups that do specifically what you re looking to do. Social Organizations: Fraternities and sororities are almost always an option but most certainly not the only one. (Insert Your Group Here): Don t see something you like? Well then start your own. Most schools will help to sponsor any new clubs or organizations you d like to create. UNH 11

12 College Search Online Chats Bring the Admissions Office to You By Michelle Taute Chat live with current UNH students and admissions counselors! Log on to to begin your chat! All chats take place from 7 9 p.m. EST unless otherwise noted. CHARGER CHATS (for students and parents) Sunday, August 29, 2010 Sunday, February 20, 2011 Sunday, October 24, 2010 Sunday, April 24, 2011 Sunday, December 12, 2010 Sunday, May 15, 2011 Sunday, January 23, 2011 Sunday, June 6, 2011 Interactive Virtual Open House Winter 2010 and Spring 2011 CollegeWeekLive Online College Fairs Standardized Test Prep September 23, 2010 Fall College Fair November 3 4, 2010 Spring College Fair March 23 24, 2011 Webinars to help with your college search! Frequent online presentations on topics such as: The Application Process College and Financial Aid Planning General UNH Information Sessions Log on to for dates and times! You ve whittled your college list down to a few top choices, and you can t wait to set foot on each campus. Unfortunately, the days seem to be creeping by until your visit next month. What s a soon-to-be college freshman to do? Tide yourself over with an online admission chat. Whether it s time or money standing between you and a real-life visit, online chats are a great way to get a better feel for any college. You can interact with everyone from admissions and financial aid staff to current students. It s an opportunity to ask a few of your most burning questions and find out what s on the minds of potential classmates. Step One: Find Your Chat Colleges want you to learn more about life on campus, so they make chats easy to find. Simply log onto a school s official Web site and plug online chats into the search box. This often turns up a schedule complete with dates and times. Can t find what you re looking for? Try calling the college s toll-free admissions number and asking about online chats for prospective students. Take a close look at your options. Many schools offer chats on a range of topics, everything from student life to financial aid. You ll need to decide what you re most curious about and who you want to talk with most. If you re still in the application process, you might want to chat with admissions staff to ask about your GPA or test scores. Worried about how you ll fit in on campus? Current students can tell you whether it s a soccer playing paradise or a budding actor s dream. Step Two: Do Your Homework You wouldn t show up for an important test without studying, so it s only natural to spend a few minutes preparing for this virtual conversation. First, check to see if the school s Web site includes an archive of past chats. Reading through these exchanges can give you a better idea of how these chats unfold and may even answer some of your questions beforehand. Depending on how long a chat lasts and how many students log on, you may only have the chance to ask one or two questions. This makes it key to think about what you want to know ahead of time. Spend 10 or 15 minutes brainstorming a list of questions then take another few minutes to rank them by importance. Keep this list in front of you once the chat starts, and you ll be one step closer to moving into the dorms! 12 UNH

13 Academics Study abroad and learn about a country, its people, and yourself By Ann Bezbatchenko Studying abroad can be an exciting part of any college career. It is an opportunity to see beyond what a tourist usually sees and understand another country s culture, economy, and people all while learning about yourself. However, before you embark on your trip, there is a lot to consider so you can make the most of your experience. First, you need to decide what kind of program you would like to do full immersion or island program. For a full immersion program, you enroll in a foreign university, and classes will be taught in your host country s language. In an island program, you may be at a foreign university, but you take courses taught in English with other Americans. The length and cost of a program are also important to consider. Programs can be as long as a year or as short as two weeks. Some people find that they can only be away from home a few weeks, while others need a few months or a year to immerse themselves in the culture. You may think that a shorter program is cheaper, but this is not always true. For instance, the cost per day of a summer program can be higher than a semester program. Review all costs to see what a program includes. Programs may seem cheap, but they may actually include very little. Where you live while abroad may have the biggest impact on your experience. The two main options are living with a host family or at a university (probably with other Americans, depending on the program). Living in a dorm may afford you more freedom, but living with a family is a unique way to experience a country s culture firsthand. Also, if you are in a country where the first language is not English, it will help you learn or improve your speaking abilities faster. It is important to consider how the classes you take abroad will meet degree requirements. Your university may have the perfect program for you, or you may need to take courses through another school or a study abroad program. Even students in non-traditional study abroad majors, like engineering or science, may be able to participate in a study abroad experience. It is best to meet with your academic advisor or a study abroad advisor to find a program that will fit your academic needs. Everyone has different needs while studying abroad. However, most students experience what is called the W-curve. You will be excited, then frustrated, and then happy after adjusting to your host country s culture. The second part of the curve is the up and down of returning home. Many students will find knowledge of the W-curve comforting as they experience the ups and downs associated with being in a new culture. To make the most of your experience abroad, try your best to immerse yourself in the culture and people. It may be comforting to spend a lot of time with Americans, but you may limit your experience if you do. It is best to strike a balance between the familiar and the unfamiliar. Keeping a journal of your experiences is an interesting way to see how you grow while abroad and to remember all the exciting experiences and people you encounter. To learn more about Study Abroad programs at UNH go to A limited number of first year UNH students take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad at Roehampton University in London their first semester as a part of our groundbreaking Freshman Semester Abroad program. UNH 13

14 Academics You re Not in High School Anymore: Learning to Study for College Courses By Sally Wood For many college freshmen, the difference between studying in high school and studying in college is shocking. Even in honors high school classes, teachers remind students of upcoming tests, give daily assignments, and work with them individually. But college involves large classes and few daily assignments; midterms and finals are a large percentage of the course grade; and the class syllabus may be the only reminder of due dates. Studying is a challenge. No matter what your reason for going to college, making decent grades and passing your classes are a must. So from the beginning you must approach your studies seriously. Here are a few tips to help you make the transition: Find a quiet, distraction-free place where you can concentrate. Try the library. Your dorm room may also be okay, especially during designated quiet hours. Use a daily planner to keep track of due dates and exam dates. Set a daily schedule. Devoting two hours of study for every hour spent in class will help you avoid waiting until it s too late to start researching for a major paper, reading the many chapters covered on the next test, or studying for a major exam. Choose a course schedule that allows an hour between classes. Reviewing prior notes or reading corresponding chapters just before class helps you understand the lecture or discussion. Or immediately after a class with the material fresh on your mind review lecture notes, revise notes that you jotted during class, and read corresponding text material. Consolidate text notes and lecture notes. Lectures and reading material usually supplement one another; on exams, you must demonstrate your understanding of all the information. Ask for help. Getting to know your instructors and other students in your class makes it easier to ask questions. Attend study groups; it s amazing how much students learn from one another. Make flash cards out of index cards. Write the word or question on one side; write the definition or the answer on the other side. Look at the word or the question, trying to answer as if it were a test question. Turn the card over and check your answer. Those you answered correctly go in your success stack; if your answer was wrong, put the card in your review stack. Your notes will be more manageable and less overwhelming, especially right before a test, when you re concentrating on especially difficult material. Take time to relax. If you spend all your time studying, you ll burn out and maybe even drop out. Find a balance between studying and having fun. By following these steps, you ll have no problem transitioning into a successful, enjoyable college career! Don t get behind. You ll be expected to read more than 100 pages weekly for each lecture course. Don t procrastinate, and read carefully when you read. Don t just highlight points in the book; taking notes will help you concentrate, and you ll be more likely to remember the information if you write it down. Take good lecture and reading notes. Focus on important points that may be covered on the exam. No matter what your reason for going to college, making decent grades and passing your classes are a must. 14 UNH

15 Academics The Tech-Savvy Campus By Jane Schreier Jones To check out a list of frequently asked questions and tips about computers on our campus, go to Chances are, you ll be applying for college online and a few years later, you ll be using the computer to your graduation date to family and friends. In between? Absolutely, you ll be using computer technology as part of your daily life on campus. You ll find that technology is part of the active learning of your college experience, and a great way for students, professors and information to come together. Here are some of the ways colleges are using technology to interact with students: Admissions process. Most aspiring college students find it s faster and easier to apply for admission online. On the college Web site, navigate to the admissions page and read the procedure about how to apply online. Tip: print out the application guidelines and check them off as you complete them. Personal computer. While your college may not require you to own a computer, having one is a big plus. Make the choice that seems right for you, keeping in mind the programs you ll need to run and the logistics (desktop computers usually have bigger screens and often cost less, while laptop computers are smaller in size and travel well but are more easily damaged or stolen). Many students find it helpful to take notes in class on their laptop computer. Each faculty member will set guidelines for use of computers during class. Computer labs. There are computer labs on campus that students can use at no additional charge. These also are a convenient place to access printers. account. You will have a college account you can use to communicate with people on campus, friends back home, family virtually anyone. Professors also have accounts, and often communicate with students via . Some may let you turn in assignments via . Shared disc storage. Like a disc on your own computer, you will have access to storage space on the college computer system, a space that s frequently backed up. This is a good place to store coursework, papers in progress, or other important files. Your space is available through the use of a password anywhere on campus. Keeping up with the latest. The college Web site is a valuable place to get campus news, find sports scores, and get up-to-date schedules. Via the computer, you can register for classes, check grades, find out billing information, and more. Networked campus. Your campus has its own computer network for communication between faculty, staff, and students. Students use their computers to access the network via a wired connection in their residence hall or by wireless access elsewhere on campus. Wireless campuses. Accessing the campus wireless local area network (Wi-Fi) takes only a valid student ID and password. You must be in a defined area where the signal is available. Online course notes. Some professors put their lecture notes online, as well as syllabi, assignments, quizzes, and other course content material. Students access these via special Web sites available to class members. Podcasts. Sometimes, a professor will record a lecture and then make it available as a podcast, for students to listen to on their own time, one or more times if they wish. All you ll need is a portable media player. Online classes. Some classes are available to take online. In some cases, all students are online at the same time attending the class; with other courses, content is posted and students have a wider timeframe in which to review the material. Blogs. A blog is a web-log written by a person sometimes to record information, sometimes to give opinions. Occasionally, professors have students create blogs as part of class work. University-based social networks. A social network is a Web site that people use to talk about themselves, their interests and often their academic life. (Facebook, known worldwide, got started as a campus social network.) You will see opportunities to join university-based social networks; you can create your own page and update it as often as you like. UNH 15

16 University of new haven Faculty Profile: Carmela Cuomo Alumni Profile: Brian Reader How long have you taught at UNH and what courses do you teach? I have taught here since January of I teach a variety of courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Here is a sampling: Introduction to Environmental Science, Introduction to Marine Biology, Marine Seminar, Marine Invertebrates, Marine Ecology, and Marine Conservation and Management. What is your education background? I have a PhD from Yale University in geology and geophysics. How would you describe your role as an advisor and mentor? Students call me mom! I am a mom with tough love. Students need room to explore with some parameters. Students become independent by the time they are seniors. Our relationship evolves from maternal to junior scientists with a professor/mentee relationship. What are some fun facts about you? I am a rabid Yankees fan!!! I am such a diehard fan I have a chair from the 1976 remodel of the stadium. I can play the piano and guitar. I am also learning to play the banjo. I collect Mr. Potato Heads. I am a HUGE Bruce Springsteen fan and I will go to any concert I can. My favorite place to go is the mountains, specifically Colorado and Estes Park. I have a wirehaired dachshund named Misha. I was once a sea anemone for Halloween! What advice would you give to parents of prospective students? Let your students be who they are. Trust what you have put into them and let them find their way and that they will make good decisions. Talk to them! Encourage them and don t be worried of they change or add a major it will work out! Graduation year: 2008 Degree: Dual Bachelor of Science in Fire Science with program concentrations in Fire Administration and Fire/Arson Investigation, including a minor in Criminal Justice. How did UNH prepare you for life after college? A wide array of class offerings and top-notch instructors allowed me to build a solid educational foundation in which to harness my abilities and search for more opportunities to further my education, both in and out of the classroom. On-campus services allowed me to build personal skills, such as leadership, and professional skills, such as résumé writing, time management, and organization. What are some of your favorite memories about your time at UNH? RUSH Week. The event-filled week offered fraternities and sororities the opportunity to build membership and gave students a chance to meet the Greek organizations and find out if they had what it takes to become Greek. While being able to partake in different activities every night (bowling, kickball, speed dating, and game night just to name a few), I was able to branch out and meet people that I would have only seen in passing on my way to class or other campus functions. What advice would you give prospective students and their families? Take the time to figure out exactly what you desire and make a set of goals in order to achieve that decision. It is important to remember that a decision made may not always be the correct choice, but having a solid framework, a network of friends and colleagues, and a little help from home will always allow for fluctuation and adaptation. College is a big step in life, but it is a step that will help you to figure out what your strengths are, what your weaknesses are, and, most importantly, who you are deep inside. 16 UNH

17 Help Your Student Survive Student life the First Year of College By Rose Rennekamp I m dropping out. No parent wants to hear those three words. But, unfortunately, thousands of parents hear them each year. Too often, parents watch excited college freshmen leave their homes in August, only to have them return disillusioned and dejected a few short months later. According to national data compiled by ACT, more than one out of four college freshmen doesn t return to the same college for their sophomore year. Some enroll at another institution, and some take a break before returning to school and many never return to college at all. Students leave college for many reasons. Whatever they are, dropping out is damaging to a young person s self-esteem, tough on parents hopes for the future, and hard on everyone s wallets. There are several things you can do to help your students make a successful transition to college: Choose a college that s a good match. Not many people would choose a home just by looking on the Internet or reading a brochure; students shouldn t choose a college that way either. And parents need to remember that the college choice is the student s not theirs! It s important that your teen visits campuses and asks a lot of questions. Help your students get connected to people at the college. Students are more likely to succeed when they feel connected to others. During college visits, your students should meet faculty members of departments in which they re interested. Encourage them to attend all orientation events so they get to know academic advisors, housing staff members, and other college officials. Keep encouraging them to get out and meet others on campus. Promote involvement in campus life. Not only do students need to feel connected to others, but also they need to feel connected to their schools. If they become involved in campus organizations, attend events, or work at a job on campus, they become invested in their own college experience. Know and understand campus support services. Colleges offer many different kinds of services to aid students in adapting to college life. Continued on next page >> UNH 17

18 Student life Help your student survive the first year of college continued You can become familiar with these services by attending parents orientation, reading brochures, checking the college Web site, or calling campus staff members. That way, you can provide knowledgeable advice and point your students in the right direction if they appear to need help. Reshape your relationship. This may be the hardest transition that you and your children will ever make. By reshaping your parent-child relationship into a parent-young adult relationship, your teens will develop the freedom to make their own decisions about college and the future, as well as the confidence that comes with knowing that you are always there to help when needed. As my husband and I sent each of our children off to college, they had their own unique transitions and challenges. We had ours as well. However, the most important contributions that we made to their successful transition to college started long before they even entered high school. From their earliest years, we allowed our kids to make independent decisions appropriate to their ages and then held them accountable for the results. For example, when our children had homework in grade school, we didn t constantly remind them nor did we do projects for them. When responsibility for completing homework is the student s, they learn valuable timemanagement skills that serve them well into college and beyond. Our children received modest allowances beginning in kindergarten. They learned to allocate their money and to save for bigger purchases. College students who aren t used to budgeting and managing finances may soon find themselves seduced by readily available credit cards. We didn t impose curfews on our children. Rather, we asked when we could expect them to be home and counted on them being there. Quite frankly, I think they set earlier curfews for themselves than we might have established and they made good choices that were their own. Preparing academically for college begins many years before students take college admissions exams. And, in the same way, preparing for the independence of college living takes place over many years. As the wise saying goes, parents need to give their children both roots and wings. If, in the end, your students do decide to drop out of college, keep it in perspective. Dropping out is not an irreversible decision. Sometimes a student s first-time college experience simply doesn t work out. Help your students step back, re-evaluate, and start a new journey. Remember, there are many paths to success. Colleges offer many different kinds of services to aid students in adapting to college life. 18 UNH

19 Student life Stay in the Game By Christina Couch While your student may be the star of their high school sports scene, in college, it could be a different story. The fastest, strongest, and fiercest competitors from high schools around the nation will be trying out for a coveted few positions, and not everyone can make the team. Even without being the next pro pick, there are myriad ways that your student can stay in the game. Varsity Teams From archery to ice hockey to sailing, colleges offer a wide array of sports far beyond the typical basketball-baseball-soccer high school trio. No matter what sports your student chooses to try out for, expect rigorous practice schedules and little to no weekends off during play season. Members of the varsity teams are expected to train hard together, uphold a reasonable standard of conduct and academic performance, and travel during the season to other colleges and universities to compete. Unlike high school after school practices, some varsity sports teams practice up to six or even seven times per week, sometimes twice per day, in order to stay at their physical best. Athletic scholarships, work-study programs, and generous financial aid packages can help ease the economic pressure of higher education, but balancing class and practice can still be tricky. If your student chooses to try out, check into how much of a time commitment the team requires. Intramural Teams A great place to meet people, intramural teams are the laid-back counterpart to varsity sports. Designed for fun, intramural teams provide an opportunity for students, and sometimes faculty and staff, to get their kicks through sports. With no try-outs, no coaches, and considerably less time commitment, intramural teams are about playing much more so than winning. With activities such as dodge ball, aikido, inner tube water polo, and paintball, intramural teams are more about having fun, meeting friends, and getting fit than competition. Intramural teams play against each other and do not involve a rigorous practice or travel schedule. Rules of participation and team formation vary from school to school. Club Teams Somewhere in the middle of varsity and intramural levels are club teams. Athletic-minded freshmen typically begin at the club level, and then work their way up to varsity. Club players are subject to less rigorous social and academic expectations, but are not eligible for athletic scholarships or work-study placement. Club teams typically require tryouts and have a competitive edge but do not require the same practice or travel time as varsity teams. Teams can be either student- or coach-run, and travel is restricted to a local or state level. The rules and restrictions of club players vary tremendously from school to school, so do your research by contacting your student s college athletics department. UNH 19

20 Financial aid Financial aid calendar By Kimberly Hardy, MSW, LGSW Your student is poised to start the next phase of their education, and you re there to help as soon as you figure out what a COA is and how the EFC on your SAR impacts your student s eligibility for funding through FSEOG. (Confused? Don t worry, we re here to help see the sidebar to this article for definitions of these terms.) The financial aid process is complicated, and the best way to learn is to start with an overview of the key steps. Use the timeline below for guidance. From September December, your student should: Narrow their college choices down to several finalists and collect cost information from each school. Gather information about scholarships offered at the colleges on their short list and note any they might qualify for. Research scholarship opportunities with community organizations in their hometown. Go online to find more sources of funding; try or Attend financial aid workshops wherever available. Apply for scholarships and grants and investigate student loans. You and your student can request a Personal Identification Number (PIN) online at You ll need your PINs to file the FAFSA (more on that below) electronically. In January and February, your student should: File the FAFSA and other required forms; you can help them fill out the FAFSA online at Receive and review their Student Aid Report (SAR). Complete any essays required to apply for financial aid offered through their university. Submit corrections to the FAFSA if needed once tax forms are complete. In March and April, your student should: Contact the financial aid offices of the schools they applied to and ask if all materials have been received; send any outstanding materials in promptly. Review financial aid packages; they ll look something like this: Award Letter Scholarship $ 750 College grant 3,000 State grant 640 Student loan 3,500 Employment 560 Total package $8,450 In May and June, your student should: Accept and return the financial aid package from the school they ve chosen. File the Master Promissory Note if taking out Stafford Loans. Contact the financial aid office to determine the details of any work-study arrangements, if necessary. Acronyms Abound! There are a lot of big terms in college financial aid, and you ll need to learn the acronyms that represent these big concepts. Here are a few to get you started: COA Cost of Attendance, the total cost of one year s education, including tuition, room, board, books, and fees. EFC Expected Family Contribution, a dollar amount determined by the information you provide on the FAFSA this is the amount your family is expected to be able to pay out of pocket for college expenses. SAR Student Aid Report, the report you get after filing the FAFSA that includes your EFC. FSEOG Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, a grant program for undergraduate students with exceptional financial need. 20 UNH