College Planning

1. College Planning What’s the Next Scene

2. The Scenes in Planning • Determine the next scene. • Prepare yourself for the next scene. • Investigate the scene’s options. • Applying for the next scene. • Making the scene a reality.

3. Scene 1 Determine the Next Scene

4. Institutional DifferencesTypes of Stages to Choose From • Private vs. Public Institutions • Private schools are mainly supported by private funds (organizations, religious affiliations). Example is Lindenwood University. • Public schools are mainly supported by public funds (state, federal). Example is University of Missouri.

5. Institutional DifferencesTypes of Stages • Two-year, Four-year or Trade/Technical Schools • Two-year schools include private schools such as Sanford Brown or public schools such as St. Charles Community College. • Four-year schools include private schools such as Lindenwood University or public schools such as University of Missouri. • Trade/Tech School programs prepare students for direct entry into the workforce. Ranken Tech., Lewis & Clark Career Center, Vatterott

6. Types of DegreesTypes of Stages • Certificate/Licenses – In general, certificates and licenses take about two years to earn. May receive these from a Technical School, Community College & some college or universities. Example – electrician or teaching certificates.

7. Types of Degrees Types of Stages Undergraduate Degree • Associate’s Degrees are usually earned in two years, often at a community or vocational college, and generally require 60 credits. • Associate of Arts (AA) a liberal arts program that includes studies in languages, math, science, social science, and the humanities. • Associate of Sciences (AS) is also a liberal arts program with a greater emphasis on math and sciences.

8. Types of Degrees Types of Stages Undergraduate Degree • Bachelor’s Degrees are earned in four, and sometimes five, years, usually at a college or university. • Bachelor of Arts (BA) focuses on critical thinking and communication in a wide variety of liberal arts areas, including languages, math, science, social science, and the humanities. • Bachelor of Science (BS) focuses on critical thinking, too, with an emphasis on sciences such as technology and medicine.

9. Types of DegreesTypes of Stages Graduate Degree Master’s Degree are usually earned in one or more years depending on the field of study. They are generally sought to improve a person’s expertise in their given field, and usually earn the graduate a higher income. A few types of Master’s Degrees: Master of Arts (MA) Master of Sciences (MS) Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

10. Types of DegreesTypes of Stages Graduate Degree • Doctorates generally take three or more years depending on the field of study. There are professional doctorates, a few of which are: • Doctor of Medicine (MD) • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) • Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) or Law

11. Institutional DifferencesTypes of Stages • Religious or Secular • Religious schools are usually based on a specific religious denomination or belief and may require some type of religious studies course as a graduation requirement. St. Louis University or Missouri Baptist University would be considered religious institutions. • Secular schools are not based on religious denominations. An example of this would be any of the Missouri state universities.

12. Institutional DifferencesTypes of Stages • Co-Ed or Single Sex • Co-Ed where male and female attend schools together. • Single Sex institutions have only one sex attending. In Missouri, Stephens University is the only female institution to this date. In the past, Westminster used to be only male and William Woods only female but they both went co-ed several years ago.

13. Admission StandardsTypes of Stages • Open Admissions – Basically all applicants with a high school diploma or their equivalent (GED) are accepted. Example St. Charles Community College. • Liberal - While most two-year colleges will accept any student with a high school diploma (or GED), some popular or difficult programs within those colleges are more selective. Such as the Nursing program at SCC.

14. Admission StandardsTypes of Stages • Selective - The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 25 percent of their high school graduating class. UMSL, MIZZOU • Highly Selective - The majority of freshmen accepted are in the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class. In Missouri, Truman University fits these guidelines.

15. Selection PrioritiesHow are you picking the stage? • Prestige – how well is the school known for the program you wish to pursue? • Selectivity – is the school highly selective in who they allow to attend their institution? • Legacy – does the school give a preference to a student because their parents, grandparents or siblings attended? • Where your friends are going?

16. Selection PrioritiesHow are you picking the stage? • Size – how many students attend the school? Some schools only have a few hundred others may have twenty thousand. • Location – do you want to stay close to home, move away, be in the city, be in a more rural area? • Cost – based on things such as private or public, location, etc. may determine how expensive the school will be. • Academic Programs – do they actually have the program you want to study to pursue Your Life- The Movie? • Atmosphere – what is the campus like, do the students and teachers seem friendly and open to you approaching them or are they cold and distant and difficult to approach for help?

17. Scene 2 Prepare Yourself for the Next Scene

18. What do Colleges Review? • Your high school performance. • Some schools look at ACT or SAT (all four-year institutions will want these scores; St. Charles Community College does not require the ACT or SAT for admissions). • Some colleges may require letters of recommendations or a personal essay (in Missouri this is not as common as in other states).

19. Compare the ‘Core’

20. ACT TestRemember not required at SCC or some other two-year schools • ACT is a curriculum-based test required by most four-year institutions for admissions. • Four required sections on the ACT

21. ACT TestRemember not required at SCC or some other two-year schools • Writing Test is optional and depending on the college of choice may not be necessary. • Scoring of ACT: each section is scored separately with the highest score being 36. Each section is averaged to calculate the student’s composite score, again the highest possible score is 36. The national average is between 20-21.

22. SAT Test Remember not required at SCC or some other two-year schools • Test required by some schools for admissions. Most schools in Missouri will accept ACT or SAT. The ACT is the most common admissions test taken in Missouri. Most people only take the SAT if headed out of state . You should check with the school of choice to see what is required.

23. Scene 3 Investigate the Scene’s Options

24. Investigate and Compare

25. Investigate and Compare • Surf the Internet • Take a virtual tour as well as a ‘real’ tour of the campus. • Apply for admissions & financial aid on-line. • Access course catalogs (these books tell you what classes are required for various programs). • Visit academic divisions (this will give you detailed print material on specific divisions and their requirements, future outlooks of careers, etc.). • Sign up to have information sent to you, set up a campus tour or receive a call from an admissions representative.

26. Investigate and Compare • Visit the campus • Come prepared with questions. • Check out the school’s website before you visit (take a virtual tour). • Talk to students (they will give you the real picture). • Try to visit more than once (every school looks nice on a sunny day, in May).

27. Investigate and CompareTypes of Questions to Ask • Academic • What are the admissions requirements? • What academic support services are available (writing, math labs, etc.)? • Are computers available for students & how accessible are they? • What will be the size of my classes? • Are there quiet places to study on campus? • What types of courses will I take for my program?

28. Investigate and CompareTypes of Questions to Ask • Cost • What is the total estimated cost for one academic year, including living expenses? • Do I need a parking permit? How do I apply & how much will it cost ? • How do I apply for financial assistance? • What is taken into consideration for financial aid? • What scholarships are available?

29. Investigate and CompareTypes of Questions to Ask • Extracurricular • Are there athletic & events I may participate in or be part of? • What kind of cultural opportunities are available on campus? • What kind of clubs & organizations exist on campus & where do I find out about them? • What is there to do on the weekends? • What activities are available in the area (shopping, movies, etc.)

30. Investigate and CompareTypes of Questions to Ask • Housing & Other Services • What are the differences among the different residence halls? • May I choose my roommate? • Is there a career center? What services does it offer? • How safe is the campus? • Do I need a car on campus? Are basic services close to campus? • What type of services are available for students with learning or physical disabilities? • Why do I need my student ID and what does it allow me to do?

31. Scene 4 Applying for the next scene

32. Applying to CollegesHow to Start • Choose your school(s) of choice and complete the application(s) as early in the fall of your senior year as possible. • Submit all documents required, transcripts, test scores, etc. Most applications are not complete until all documentation is received. • Take ACT as early in the school year as possible (if possible start your junior year taking the test as you may wish to take it a couple times).

33. Applying to CollegesHow to Start • Apply for Scholarships – many schools have December 1 deadline dates for institutional monies. • Return the Housing Application – ASAP • Submit the FAFSA – as early after January 1 of the senior year as possible • Submit any Enrollment Fees required – check for deadline dates

34. Scene 5 Financing Your Education How will you pay for your next scene?

35. Ways to Pay for School • Scholarships - Monies are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award. For example: academic, art, music, sports, writing, etc. Normally do not need to be repaid. • Grants – monies awarded that do not need to be repaid. These could come from private donors or federal or state monies.

36. Ways to Pay for School • Loans – monies that may be taken out at the college/university or private funds but they must be repaid. • Employment – off campus or sometimes based on student need a student may get a job on campus such as clerical, housekeeping, etc.

37. Ways to Pay for School • First ALWAYS complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) – this is the trigger to many grants and loans. • To complete the FAFSA you will need copies of you and your parent’s federal tax return information. • Financial Aid Offices at college/universities are very willing to help answer questions regarding this form.

38. Ways to Pay for School • Keep copies of everything you submit and receive (even if they ask for a signature and want you to send it back). • Open and READ all the mail. • Use FREE scholarship search engines • Fastweb.com • Scholarships.com • Wiredscholar.com • Apply for EVERY scholarship, even if you don’t think you will receive it.

39. Scene 6 Making the Scene a Reality

40. Learn to Succeed Budget your time (as well as money)

41. Learn to SucceedHow will you make the scene a reality? • Go to class – everyday and be on time. This is your job! • Do not be afraid to ask questions or seek clarification. Chances are good that other students need the additional clarification, too. Asking questions is not a sign of ignorance. • Take advantage of helpful services – academic, career guidance services, health services, etc. • Belong to something – get involved in clubs, sports, organizations; develop relationships.

42. Learn to SucceedHow will you make the scene a reality? • Time Management - Schedule study time just like you would work, dates, class. Get a calendar, phone, computer whatever system works for you to keep track of times, appointments, when homework is due. • Get to know several faculty and staff members (networking) • Take responsibility for yourself – teachers do not hunt you down or give you extra time for late assignments • Take good physical care of yourself – sleep, eat, exercise • NEVER, NEVER resort to cheating • A reason to be in college

43. Actually it’s just the beginning!

44. Investigate and CompareChoose two schools to investigate

45. Investigate and CompareChoose two schools to investigate

46. Practice completing an application • Go to stchas.edu • Click on Admissions • Click on Forms & Application • Click on Application for Admissions (small print under title Application for Admissions) • Click on Step 1 Create Your Account and complete information • Click on ‘Go to the Form’ (right hand column) • Click ‘Online Application for Admission’ • Complete Application