A College Guide for Parents and Students Our Publishing Partner:
Turn Your Passion for Helping People Into a Profession Career programs in the health sciences at the Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus of Montgomery College provide you with the expert hands-on training and education you need to enter some of today s fastestgrowing professions. Two-year associate of applied science programs in: Diagnostic medical sonography Health information technology Physical therapist assistant Nursing Radiologic (x-ray) technology Surgical technology The benefits add up: New Health Sciences Center on Georgia Avenue in south Silver Spring features state-of-the-art classrooms, labs, and laboratory equipment so you can practice and master your skills Clinical practice at some of the best hospitals and clinical facilities in the D.C. metro area Low student teacher ratio, with expert, caring professors who bring a wealth of practical, clinical experience to the classroom Fully accredited programs Transfer agreements with several four-year institutions MC health sciences grads are in tremendous demand by area employers. For more information on these programs, visit /healthsciences or call 301-650-1583.
v school stats Foreword Dear Prospective Students, Parents, and Families: Selecting the right college can be a daunting process. You and your child have so many issues to resolve. What type of college to attend public or private, large or small, in state or out of state how to select a major how to choose a career and perhaps the most challenging of all, how to pay for a college education. That s why I am pleased to provide you with A College Guide for Parents and Students. You ll discover a wealth of helpful articles to help you and your child navigate the college maze, select the right institution, and get the financial aid to pay for it all. At Montgomery College, we are committed to helping your child achieve endless possibilities. With three convenient campuses at Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring, your child can pursue an associate degree, prepare to transfer to a top four-year school, or gain hands-on skills and training in one of our well-respected career programs. You ll find small class sizes, faculty dedicated to teaching and learning, and affordable tuition. You can choose from programs in an array of disciplines in the arts, humanities, sciences, and technology, as well as training for such high-demand fields as health sciences, education, and biotechnology. Please take a few moments now to look over this guide to learn more about the college and financial aid process. Then give us a call at (301) 279-5000 if you have any questions about how to get started at Montgomery College, or for that matter, any college. And be sure to visit our Web site at. Whether it s a year from now, or at any time in the future, we look forward to playing a role in your child s higher education plans. Sincerely, Sherman Helberg Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management >>> Germantown Campus 3
v school stats Montgomery College montgomery College is a public, open admissions community college in Montgomery County, Maryland, with campuses in Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring, and off-site centers around the county. The college is second in the state, behind the University of Maryland, College Park, in its total number of undergraduate students. Montgomery College also serves the business community and local residents by offering noncredit courses and training programs through its Workforce Development & Continuing Education division. The college serves more than 55,000 students annually, through both credit and noncredit programs, in more than 100 areas of study. Students at Montgomery College can earn the following degrees: Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Science (AS), Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT), and Associate of Fine Arts (AFA). In addition to associate degrees and transfer opportunities to four-year institutions, Montgomery College offers an array of certificate programs. The college also offers a new Transfer Studies Certificate that paves the way for students to transfer to Maryland state universities with only 30 credits. >>> Rockville Campus School Facts Student Enrollment in Credit Programs: 22,263 total students 8,389 Full time (12 credits or more) 13,874 Part time Mean Student Age: 26.5 Median Student Age: 22 Student Population by Race: 40.5% White 28.7% Black 15.5% asian 15.1% Hispanic 0.3% american indian Student Population by Sex: 55.4% Female 44.6% male Financial Aid Going to college is expensive, but Montgomery College has many programs to help students pay their way through school. Students may finance part or all of their education through a combination of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study jobs. Did You Know Of the Montgomery County Public School graduates who stay in Maryland for college, 60 percent attend Montgomery College within the following academic year. There is no majority race among Montgomery College students. Nearly one in three students comes from countries outside the United States. More than 170 countries are represented in the Montgomery College student body. The Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus is the only place in the Washington, DC, area where students can take a college astronomy course in a planetarium. Montgomery College has one of the largest community college engineering programs in the United States. Montgomery College is the only community college in the nation that has forged an internship partnership with the Smithsonian Institution, enabling students to pursue internships at the museums and faculty members to participate in summer fellowships. 4
Table of Contents MONTGOMERY COLLEGE 03 Foreword 04 College Profile 25 At Montgomery College, You Don t Have to Go Far to Go Places 26 Get on the Career Track at Montgomery College 27 Students are the Center of Our Universe 28 Special Programs at Montgomery College 29 Learning Doesn t Stop at the Classroom 30 Endless Possibilities Start at Montgomery College COLLEGE SEARCH 06 Introduction: Step-by-Step College Search and Key Milestones Use this reference calendar to remind your students of milestones that they must meet to get into their college of choice. 09 Visiting Campus Learn how to make the most out of campus visits with tips from this article. 10 Taking the Fear Out of Standardized Tests This article explains difference between the ACT and SAT and tells students what they can do to prepare for either test. 12 Finding the Right Fit: Your Teen and College This article helps readers focus on two of the most important issues when choosing a college: personality and goals. ACADEMICS 13 You re Not in High School Anymore: Learning to Study for College Courses Preparing students for the difference between studying in high school and studying in college, this article gives students tips on seriously approaching their study habits. 14 The Dirt on Distance Learning Read this article to learn how distance learning works and what opportunities are available to through online and satellite classes. 15 What Next? This article addresses resources such as networking, career advisors, and occupation aptitude tests that are all available at career centers on campuses. STUDENT LIFE 16 Help Your Student Survive the First Year of College Learn what parents can do to help their children successfully transition to college and have a positive college experience. 19 Getting It Write: The Scholarship Essay Read tips to help your students write successful scholarship essays. 20 How Much Will College Cost? Be sure to consider all costs when setting a budget for your students education. 21 I can t afford college and Other Financial Aid Myths From scholarship scams to financial aid qualifications, the five common financial aid myths examined in this article prove that with a little work and planning in advance, affording college doesn t have to be such a daunting process. TRANSFERRING 22 Back to School Find out how a college education will expand your understanding and knowledge of the world in ways you never anticipated. 23 Expert Advice Transfer questions getting you down? Never fear: expert advice is here! 24 Tracking Your Transfer Keep this checklist handy during the transfer process to ensure you re on the right track. This guidebook is designed to assist the parents of college-bound students in the college search, college selection, and financial aid processes. Help your students embark on the journey of a lifetime! Unauthorized duplication is prohibited by law. Staff Writers: Laurie Westrich Blake whitney Featured Authors: Christina Couch is a freelance writer based in Richmond, Virginia, and Paris, France. Her writing credentials include MSN/Encarta Online, CollegeBound Teen, and Studentscoop.com. Virginia Elkins is academic director of University of Cincinnati s College of Applied Science. Kelly Frank is the associate director of admission and transfer counselor at the University of Dayton. Kimberly Hardy received her Bachelor of Science in social work from Morgan State University and her Masters of Social Work from The Ohio State University. She is currently working toward her PhD at The University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. 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 www.act.org. 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 1980 2000. CP/14k/Ww/F/Y01 FINANCIAL AID 18 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. Unauthorized duplication is prohibited by law. 5
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 students 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 students transition to college smoothly. see your students counselor early and often. The counselor s office has a wealth of information to help with every step of the decision-making process. PicTUre your students ideal college. go to www.collegeview.com. Once you and your students 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 students. That link takes you to the college s site, where you can take a virtual tour of the campus. Walking around campus on your own is as important as taking a guided tour; let your students decide if it feels right. VisiT the colleges. Virtual tours are helpful initially, but you and your students 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 students applications reach their desks. Walking around campus on your own is as important as taking a guided tour; let your students decide if it feels right. Takoma Park/Silver Spring Campus <<< stress that your students take admissions tests. Do your students selected colleges prefer the ACT or the SAT? Be sure your students apply early. Many colleges have early deadlines; some offer scholarships to those who apply before a certain date. HeLP your students stay focused. Not only must your students select colleges, they must also succeed in the college-preparatory courses required for admission. The best advice for you and your students is: Don t procrastinate. Begin early. Using this issue as your guide, take one step at a time and have fun! 6
College Search Key By Blake Whitney Milestones Use this handy reference calendar to remind your students of milestones that they must meet to get into their college of choice. Freshman Year Fall Term Plan ahead. Your students 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 students should speak with their guidance counselor about taking the PSAT and the PLAN in preparation for the SAT and ACT. October Your students should take the PSAT and/or PLAN. Their sophomore year scores will not count toward the National Merit Scholarship Competition, but it is good practice. December Receive results of PSAT and/or PLAN. They should consult with their guidance counselor to investigate ways to improve scores on standardized tests. April Have your students register for the June SAT Subject Test (formerly SAT II). June Your students should take the SAT Subject Test. Junior Year September Have your students register for the October PSAT. They should meet with their guidance counselor to review their course plan for the school year and plan their senior schedule. Check your students course transcript. Are they on track to complete all the credits required by schools they are interested in applying to? Start doing a search for financial aid. Options include grants, loans, and scholarships. December Receive results of the PSAT. Your students should consult their guidance counselor to consider whether an SAT prep course would be a good investment. February They should register for the April SAT and/or ACT and call colleges they are interested in to find out which test is required. Spring Break Visit schools that interest them. April They should register for the May and June SAT Subject Tests and the June ACT if they plan to take that test. They should re-evaluate their list of potential schools and eliminate those that no longer interest them. Begin searching for financial aid. May Your students will take Advanced Placement (AP) tests. They should take the SAT or the SAT Subject Test. 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. June They should take the SAT, the SAT Subject Test, and/or the ACT. Senior Year September Continue to research financial aid options. Make sure your students have all applications required for financial aid and admission. Check admission and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which they plan to apply. Have your students register for the November SAT, the SAT Subject Test, and/or the ACT. Your students should obtain letters of recommendation and plan college visits. October They should take the PSAT. 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. Continued on the next page 7
College Search Key Milestones Continued October Have your students meet with their guidance counselor to review their final list of colleges. File early decision applications if they have made a decision. They should register for the December or January SAT or SAT Subject Test. Your students 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 should take the SAT or SAT Subject Test as appropriate and have their test scores sent to the colleges on their list. They ll need to start writing and editing their application essays. Have your students complete their college applications (make copies before mailing). Have them obtain a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from their guidance counselor and any additional financial aid forms from the college. December Mail all applications. They should schedule their college admission interviews. January File all federal financial aid forms and apply for available state financial aid. Have your students talk to their counselor about special forms your state might require. Your students should request that their school send their grade reports/transcripts to the colleges. Complete your income tax forms as soon as possible. Contact the colleges to see if they require any other forms. If so, your students should contact the schools financial aid office or their counselor. They should contact the colleges and confirm that all application materials (transcripts, recommendations, and financial aid forms) have been received. February If they completed the FAFSA, they will receive their Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks of completing the form. 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 have 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 students 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 students have selected another university. 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 students 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. Freshman Plan strategy to meet college entrance requirements. Sophomore Take PSAT 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, SAT Subject Test, and/or ACT. Senior Set up college interviews and visits. Review final college choices with guidance counselor. File early decision applications. Take SAT or SAT Subject Test and send results to colleges. Obtain federal and state financial aid forms. Send all application materials to colleges. Review acceptances, and then make decision. 8
College Search Visiting Campus By Laurie Westrich Many students research various colleges, review Web sites, and talk to their guidance counselors, but they still don t know where they want to go to school. What should they do? The answer, of course, is to visit the campuses of the colleges on their short list. No amount of information can replace visiting a college in person. In order to make the most out of a college visit, students should: Research the college. Your students should read up on the school before they visit. Do some SELF-REFLECTION. They should think about their likes and dislikes after all, this will be their home for the next four years, and they want to be comfortable VISIT while classes are in session if at all possible. This way your students can get a realistic reflection of campus life. TALK to a variety of people on campus admissions representatives, faculty members in their area of interest, and students to hear different perspectives. Consider an admissions interview. While most schools do not require one, it is a good way to learn more about the college and its programs. No amount of information can replace visiting a college in person. Visit the dorms. Your students should stay overnight if possible to find out what it s like. eat the food. Better to find out what it s like now than after they re enrolled. Sit in on a class. Do instructors interact well with students? What is the classroom atmosphere like? Some questions to consider: Are freshmen allowed to have cars on campus? What types of student organizations and recreational opportunities are available? Are professors accessible? Do they teach their own courses, or are graduate teaching assistants used? What is the average class size? Does the school offer the academic programs that interest your students? What type of safety program does the school have? What housing options are available? What type of career planning and placement services does the school provide? What financial aid programs are available? Going to the Fair By Sally Wood During your students junior and senior years, they ll probably have the opportunity to attend a college fair. The fair they attend may be small, or it may be a larger regional event that hosts representatives from colleges statewide and even from out of state. Such fairs are helpful in the college selection process. Before the fair, have your students describe their ideal college. Have them determine the importance of the following factors: distance from hometown campus size city size majors available cost of attendance sports and activities offered Take a business card from each representative with whom you talk, or note the representative s name and phone number. If your students are serious about attending a particular college, they should stay in touch with the representative. The day after the college fair, have them send the representative a thank-you note. As soon as possible, arrange a visit to the college. 9
College Search Taking the Fear out of Standardized Tests By Sally Wood Why should students take the ACT or SAT? Four-year colleges and universities use these tests to determine applicants academic achievement and potential. As part of their admissions requirements, some colleges require applicants to have earned certain minimum test scores. Other colleges use test scores as indicators of academic ability when students grades are not high enough to meet admissions standards. ACT and SAT test scores also serve as criteria for numerous financial awards. Should students take the ACT or the SAT? Some colleges prefer one or the other exam; however, most colleges accept either. Students should check with each school individually to see if they have a preference. Students who haven t yet decided on a specific college may want to take both exams. If the college accepts both exams, students should choose the one that will most favorably reflect their abilities. The chart below illustrates the major differences. To find out more, or to register online, visit www.act.org or www.collegeboard.com What s the difference? ACT SAT Administered Six times/year Seven times/year English/Writing Optional; stresses grammar Required; essay and questions testing grammar, usage, and word choice Math Up to trigonometry Up to ninth grade basic geometry and algebra II Reading Four passages each of prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science Science Charts and experiments None Penalty for wrong answers No Yes Calculators permitted Yes (optional) Yes (optional) Sentence completion, critical reading, and reading comprehension Scoring 1-36 200 800 per section, combined for a total of 2400 possible Fees Basic fee: $29.00 Optional writing: $14.00 Reasoning Test: $41.50 Subject Test: $18.00 registration plus $8.00 $19.00 per test Continued on the next page 10
College Search What is on the tests? The ACT is made up of: English (45 minutes) 75 questions Math (60 minutes) 60 questions Reading (35 minutes) 40 questions Science (35 minutes) 40 questions Optional writing (30 minutes) one prompt The SAT Reasoning Test (formerly SAT I) is made up of: Writing (60 minutes) one 35-minute section and one 25-minute section: questions covering writing and knowledge of grammar, sentence structure, and word usage Critical Reading (70 minutes) two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section; questions have a greater emphasis on reading comprehension, and analogies have been eliminated Math (70 minutes) two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section; questions have a greater emphasis on math skills, including algebra II; quantitative comparisons have been eliminated Some colleges require SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II) as well as the SAT Reasoning Test. The Subject Tests fall into five general subject areas: English, history and social studies, mathematics, science, and languages. All tests are one hour, and most are multiple choice. How can students prepare for the tests? Students should take college preparatory courses throughout high school. Students who succeed in advanced English, math, science, and social studies tests generally do well on both the ACT and the SAT. Students should take practice tests. Students should review prior test results. If they have taken the ACT or SAT before, they may request detailed score reports for an extra charge, which can help them learn from the mistakes they made on prior tests. Also, many schools give the PLAN to sophomores and the PSAT to juniors. The PLAN is published by the same company, tests the same academic areas, and has the same format as the ACT. The PSAT is published by the same company, tests the same areas, and has a format similar to the SAT. The original test books and detailed score reports are returned, at no extra cost, to the students who have taken these tests. It is a good idea for students to look closely at these materials and learn from their mistakes. If the college accepts both exams, students should choose the one that will most favorably reflect their abilities. Students should get extra help in problem areas. High schools often offer tutoring sessions prior to the exams to help students who need some extra review. Preparation books are available at libraries and bookstores. And some private organizations offer test-prep courses; Kaplan is one such organization. Preparing for college can be strenuous at times and having to take entrance exams can add to the pressure. However, a systematic, common-sense approach to preparing for and taking these exams will ensure acceptance, and maybe even financial aid. 11
College Search Finding the Right Fit: Your Teen and College 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. The secret is in finding a college that meets the academic, social, and career goals of a student. 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. 12
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. 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. 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. No matter what your reason for going to college, making decent grades and passing your classes are a must. 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! 13
Academics The Dirt on By Christina Couch Distance Learning Christopher Mattera takes a sip of his soda, adjusts the volume on his CD player, and checks his e-mail for the sixth time in 20 minutes. Chris isn t procrastinating on an assignment; he s actually in class CD player and all. Thanks to modern technology, getting college credit is as easy as the press of a button or the click of a remote. Distance education is defined by the Ohio Learning Network as, learning that takes place when the instructor and student are separated. What was once a worst-case scenario option reserved for computer people has quickly evolved into a viable alternative form of education for students of all ages and fields of study. Now a substantial part of almost every major public and private university, distance learning options are revolutionizing the classroom. How Does Distance Learning Work? There s no simple answer to this question. Distance education is as diverse as traditional classroom learning. How it works is completely dependent on the student, the teacher, and the program. With online seminars, correspondence courses, independent studies, teleconferencing, video lectures, electronic forums, and audio recordings, the method of instruction varies tremendously from school to school and program to program. The more appropriate question to ask is what form of learning would best fit your students schedule and financial and educational requirements. Within most universities, distance learning programs operate via online studies or residential satellite classes. Online Study Through virtual classrooms set up on the Web, lectures can be viewed live, discussions can take place instantaneously, resources can be linked, and assignments can be e-mailed in without ever leaving home. Most online studies programs consist of downloadable lectures or software exercises and at least one interactive session with a professor (through discussion panels, electronic forums, instant messaging, or video conferencing) per week. Students are then expected to complete outside homework or projects to be e-mailed in by a given deadline. While material can be accessed from anywhere around the world, day or night, and assignments can be completed and sent in at the students convenience, at least two hours of study for every Being organized and keeping up with deadlines is crucial. credit hour taken is generally expected per week. Being organized and keeping up with deadlines is crucial. Satellite Classes Put simply, students attend class, but the teacher doesn t. In satellite classes, students collectively are lectured via live or prerecorded video, Internet, or streaming audio feeds. Course material is distributed via textbooks and study packs, and like a traditional classroom, students are expected to attend class regularly, complete assignments on time, and prepare for upcoming lectures at home. Students have the benefit of classroom discussion and interaction with each other, but may or may not with the instructor. In some programs, a team of tutors or advisors may be available to answer questions and provide feedback. For more information on distance learning options and to find an accredited program near you, contact the Distance Education and Training Council at www.detc.org. 14
Academics What Next? That s the question on every student s and parent s mind when graduation time rolls around. The last thing any parent wants is to finish footing the bill for college, only to pay for six months worth of unemployment. Luckily, most colleges provide their students with invaluable resources for answering this question long before it comes time to turn the tassel. Career centers and placement offices are designed to help students find, prepare for, and seamlessly transition into the profession of their choice. Read on to find out more. A World of Possibilities At career centers, students can take occupation aptitude tests, peruse job directories, have their cover letters revised, or apply for the perfect internship. Ready to take students all the way from clueless to readily employed, career centers offer material ranging from books on how to choose a major to job placement search engines to graduate school applications. Need some tips on how to market a philosophy major? Want to see some sample résumés? This is the place to find it all. Career centers also offer résumé review sessions and mock interview seminars to help students perfect their professional appearance and conduct. You ll find information on internships, co-op programs, part-time positions, work-study programs, volunteer opportun-ities, and career fairs offered in the area to give students a working taste of what the real world is actually like. By Christina Couch Career advisors are crucial in planning how education gained in the classroom can translate to marketable skills on a résumé. Meet the Advisor: Your New Best Friend Career advisors are crucial in planning how education gained in the classroom can translate to marketable skills on a résumé. A career counselor is a person who can listen to problems, make suggestions, and work within the university system to find solutions and career possibilities. During the first two months of freshman year, students should seek out an advisor through their college s career center who will be there during all four (or five or six) undergraduate years. By setting up advising early, an expert will be there to counsel through course adjustments, declaring a major, writing the first résumé, surviving the first interview, and career crises of all kinds. Having someone who has been there and done that to answer questions and make recommendations can help students plan their coursework with an eye toward future employment or grad school. Network, Network, Network As they say, it s not what you know, it s who you know and, moreover, who knows you. Many career centers set up alumni networks to make meeting people, specifically those already employed in a particular field, painless and easy. Through networking with alumni, students can get realistic answers to questions about career paths, individual companies, graduate school, employment trends, entrylevel salaries, the application process, and most important, who to contact and how to approach them. Though alumni networks are not the same as job placement services and do not guarantee postgraduate employment, they do provide a source of up-todate inform-ation and insight from people with similar educational backgrounds. 15
t Student Life Help Your Student Survive 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. Colleges offer many different kinds of services to aid students in adapting to college life. 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 broch- ure; 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. 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. Continued on the next page 16
t Student Life 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 time-management 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, reevaluate, and start a new journey. Remember, there are many paths to success. 17
$ Financial Aid Financial Aid Calendar By Kimberly Hardy, M.S.W., L.G.S.W. As seniors in high school, your students are poised to complete the next phase of their education, and you re there to help. All of the financial aid forms and deadlines may confuse you. Not sure where to start? Use the timeline below for guidance. In September December, your students should: Take the SAT or ACT, if they haven t already Visit college campuses and attend college fairs Request information packages from colleges of interest Narrow their college choices down to several finalists Research scholarship opportunities and the community in which their schools of choice are located Apply for admission to their top choices Attend financial aid workshops wherever available Apply for scholarships and grants and investigate student loans In January March, your students should: File the FAFSA and other required forms; you can help them fill out the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov Look for acceptance letters from the schools to which they applied Complete any essays required to apply for financial aid offered through their university Apply for student loans In March April, your students should: 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 June, your students should: Choose the school they want to attend Notify the admissions office of that school Accept and return the financial aid package from the school they ve chosen File student loan and/or parent loan applications, if necessary Notify other schools that they ve made a decision Contact the financial aid office to determine the details of any work-study arrangements, if necessary 18
$ Financial Aid Getting It Write: The Scholarship Essay By Kimberly Hardy, M.S.W., L.G.S.W. Essays should be polished and professional this is the students time to shine! Organizations that provide scholarships to students have stringent requirements in order for students to qualify for their limited funds. Typically, the basic information such as GPA, subjects of interest, and financial need will not be enough to narrow down the field, so the providers seek out more personal and individual information. Oftentimes, this means writing the dreaded essay. High school seniors who are accustomed to writing essays for admissions applic-ations will find that scholarship essays aren t all that different. Many admissions applications ask students why they are choosing to apply to a particular school or what their professional aspirations may be after graduation. Scholarship essays tend to differ only in that they usually ask students to write about themselves or about a life-altering situation personalization can help the committee make its final decision. Regardless of what the question may be, here are some basic tips students should consider when composing scholarship essays: Remember the topic. It is important to stay focused and answer only the question that is asked. Anecdotal stories and scenarios can be fun and add personality to the essay, but it is easy to let a story take attention away from the topic. Remember the audience. Although students may have had a touching personal experience, remember that some information is too personal. Relationships with boyfriends/girlfriends or recent arguments with siblings may not be well received by the decision makers. Essays should be aimed toward adult professionals not peers so there should be no slang or colloquialisms in the essay. Remember the purpose. Scholarship applicants are trying to convince complete strangers to award them large amounts of money. They must be persuasive and succinct. Be certain that the essay answers any questions that a scholarship committee may have, as they may not be willing or able to contact you if any questions should arise. Remember the format. Students should remember that this is an essay for scholarship money for college; therefore, they should stay on top of the basic conventions paragraphs, punctuation, proper spelling, and grammar. Essays should be polished and professional this is the students time to shine! 19
$ Financial Aid How Much Will College Cost? By Laurie Westrich The cost of attending college goes well beyond tuition. Other costs include housing, a food plan, books, transportation, and personal expenses. Be sure to consider all costs when setting a budget for your students education. Use the total cost of schools your students are considering to estimate how much you will pay for them to attend school for one year. Request a cost summary from each school to make sure you re including all information, or look at each school s KeyFacts in the college search section of www.collegeview.com. Factors to Consider: Tuition and fees Housing Food plan Books and supplies Personal expenses (laundry, medical, disability expenses) Transportation Activity fees Cell phone plan Long distance phone card Credit cards According to College Board, the average tuition rate at a four-year public college for the 2005 2006 academic year is approximately $5,491, while the annual cost at a four-year private college averages $21,235. You can assume a yearly increase of six to seven percent in order to estimate costs for future college expenses. Helpful Hints Don t miss out on financial aid opportunities by missing deadlines. The earlier you and your students complete applications and forms, the better the chance that their full need will be met. Keep a copy of all completed forms and applications. Be sure to consider all costs when setting a budget for your students education. Respond to all schools inquiries promptly and accurately. An incomplete file could result in a reduction or loss of aid. Keep in touch with the financial aid office at all schools your students are considering. Notify them immediately if there is a change in your family s financial situation. Your students will need to reapply for financial aid and some scholarships each year. Your students should be cautious when applying for and using credit cards. Debt accumulated while they re in college can haunt them for years. They should charge only what they need to and pay off the balance each month. Interest rates on credit cards are high and add up quickly. Your students can save money by sticking to their prepaid food plan and not eating at fast food restaurants. They can buy used textbooks or ask to borrow books from students who have previously taken the course. They should always ask if there is a student discount at local stores, movie theaters, and sporting events. Your students should avoid opening bank accounts that charge extra fees for using the ATM or have monthly transaction fees. They should not exceed their allotted minutes on their cell phone or long-distance phone card. 20