Admission Processes at Public and Private Colleges and Universities

1. Admission Processes at Public and Private Colleges and Universities Joy Loper Assistant Director of Admission Kent State University Meredith Cannon Associate Director of Admission Baldwin Wallace University

2. We’ll answer your questions • What am I looking for? • College characteristics • How do I find my perfect match? • College research tips • What do I ask? • Checklist for a campus visit • How do I apply? • Application process • How much will it cost? • Cost and Financial Aid • What’s true and what’s not? • Myths vs. Realities • Questions?

3. College Characteristics • Majors/Academic programs • Public vs. Private • Distance from home • Opportunities for involvement • Campus environment • Class sizes • Academic Support • Networking opportunities • Cost

4. College Research Tips • College web sites • College brochures • College Fairs and High School visits • High School Guidance Counselor • Virtual Tours • Online search tools • College Navigator (http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/) • Cappex(https://www.cappex.com/) • Zinch(http://www.zinch.com/)

5. Checklist for a campus visit • Meet with an Admission Counselor (interview?) • Verify admission requirements • Determine estimated cost • Ask about Financial Aid opportunities • Take a campus tour • Schedule an appointment with a faculty member and/or sit in on a class • Meet with coaches/athletes • Spend the night • Try to get a “gut feeling” for the campus

6. Admission Process • Narrow your choices (3-4 schools) • Review admission requirements • ACT/SAT • GPA • Check on application deadlines • Early Decision vs. Early Notification/Action • Check on scholarship deadlines • Know what is required for each separate school • Essay • Recommendations • Submit your application and application materials • Common Application vs. School Application

7. Admission Process Continued… • An easy timeline to follow: • September 1 - December 1 = APPLY • December - January = YOU’RE IN! • January 1 = FILE THE FAFSA • February – March = FINANCIAL AID • March and April = REVISIT • National Candidate’s Reply Date is May 1 = DECISION TIME!

8. Cost and Financial Aid • Public four year cost average • Tuition- $9,000 to $11,000/Year • Room and Board- $7,000 to $10,000/Year • Private four year cost average • Tuition- $25,000 to $40,000/Year • Room and Board- $7,000 to $10,000/Year Private School Cost Example: 3.4 GPA/26 ACT = $12,000/Year Alumni Scholarship = +$2,000/year $14,000/year SCHOLARSHIPS Private School Grant = +$6,000/year $20,000/year GIFT AID Total Cost of $38,318/year Baldwin Wallace -$20,000/year GIFT AID $18,318/year TUITION ROOM /BOARD Public School Cost Example: Merit Scholarship = $3,000/Year Total Cost of $19,352/year Kent State -$3,000/year MERIT SCHOLARHIP $16,352/year TUITION ROOM /BOARD

9. Myths vs. Realities • All Four Year Public Universities have to admit all students. • FALSE • Private colleges are too expensive! • FALSE • Not all students can succeed in a college environment. • FALSE • Students don’t need a college education. • FALSE!

10. Questions? Joy Loper jloper@kent.edu 330-672-8885 www.kent.edu Meredith Cannon mcannon@bw.edu 440-826-8011 www.bw.edu