Choosing the Right College: Factors to Consider and How to Apply

1. Francis Howell North High School College NightApril 26, 2016 Gavin Halpin – Millikin University Tim Eggleston – University of Missouri - Columbia

2. Agenda for Tonight Factors to Consider when Choosing a College Applying for Admission Applying for Scholarships Financial Aid Timelines College Visits and Fairs Q & A

3. Finding the Right “Fit” Individual Decision What is a good “fit” for me, might not be a good “fit” for you Visit a Variety of Schools

4. Factors to Consider when Selecting a College/University • Location • Size • Academic Programs/ Reputation • Campus Culture • Extracurricular Activities/ Athletics • Safety • Admission Criteria • Cost

5. Location, Location, Location • Proximity from Home • In-State vs. Out-of-State • Urban/Suburban/Rural • Availability of Internships, Practicums and Clinicals • Travel Expenses

6. Benefit of Staying in MO • In-State Tuition • Bright Flight* • Access Missouri Grant* • A + Program/Community Colleges • Quality, Accredited Programs of Study • Excellent Facilities • * Not guaranteed

7. Size of Campus • Does size really matter? • Average Freshman Class Size • Student-to-Faculty Ratio • Lecture Halls—most larger campuses will have freshmen and sophomore lecture halls (200+ students) • Who is Teaching my Classes? • Small campuses may not offer the variety of courses as the larger Universities

8. Academic Programs • How many Majors? (Do you have what I’m interested in studying?) • Undeclared Students? • Pre-Professional Programs • Assessing Academic Reputation • Program Accreditations • Faculty Credentials • Facilities and Classroom Technology • First to Second Year Retention Rate • Six-Year Graduation Rate • Academic and Career Advising Programs • Job Placement Rates within six to 12 months of graduation • Average Starting Salaries • Academic Support Services—tutoring, career placement offices, Accommodations

9. Campus Culture What type of campus culture are you looking for? • Public vs. Private • 2 year vs. 4 year • Religious vs. Independent • Commuter Campus vs. Residential Campus • Diversity of Student Body

10. Becoming a Student-Athlete • If you intend to be a Student-Athlete at a NCAA I, II or III School, check out: www.NCAA.org • NCAA Div. I and II need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center • If you intend to be a Student-Athlete at a NAIA school, check out: www.NAIA.org to register

11. Extracurricular Activities • What does the Institution Offer Outside of the Classroom? • Student Organizations and Clubs • Greek Life • Athletics/Athletic Events • Intramural Sports • Spiritual/Religious Organizations • Internship & Study Abroad Opportunities

12. Safety • Clery Act -The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) is a federal mandate requiring all institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in the federal student financial aid program to disclose information about crime on their campuses and in the surrounding communities. (ed.gov) • Campus Security • Emergency/Disaster Plans

13. How to Apply for Admission • Take the ACT and/or SAT • Submit the Application for Admission and Processing Fee. • Ask your High School Counselor to Submit Your Official Transcripts Showing Class rank, Cumulative Grade Point Average and ACT/SAT score(s) • Submit Supporting Documents: Essay, Resume, Letters of Recommendation

14. Core Curriculum Requirements University of Missouri – Columbia: Required Core Curriculum: • English: Four units, one of which may be in speech or debate; two units emphasizing composition or writing skills • Mathematics: Four units, Algebra 1 or higher • Science: Three units (not including general science), one of which must be a lab • Social Studies: Three units • Foreign Language: Two units of the same language • Fine Arts: One unit www.admissions.missouri.edu/apply/freshmen/requirements/high-school-coursework.php *Core Curriculum Requirements vary by College/University*

15. Application FAQ’s • Is there an Application Fee? • What are your Application Requirements? • Do you require the Writing Portion of the ACT or SAT? • When is your Application Deadline? • Are you a Common Application Member? www.commonapp.org

16. Sample Application Essay Topics Common Application Essay Questions (choose one): • 1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. • 2. The lessons we take from failure can be fundamental to later success. Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?3. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea.  What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?4. Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.5. Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

17. Resume SHOULD INCLUDE… One Page Significance Order/Chronological Order Intended Major Activities, Community Service, and Work Experience Unique Facts

18. Earning College Credit while in High School • Advanced Placement (AP) Course taken at H.S. with Examination • College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Examination Only • Early College Credit (ECC) Course taken on a College Campus • Dual Enrollment Course taken at H.S.

19. How to Apply for Scholarships • Submit Scholarship Application • Send Letters of Recommendation • Write Essay Summarizing Your Personal Accomplishments • Interview Process • Know the Deadlines

20. Types of Scholarships • Merit • ACT/SAT Scores • High School Cumulative GPA and/or Class Rank • Involvement • High School Extracurricular Activities • Performance/Talent-Based • College Extracurricular Activities • Athletic • Need-Based • Career-Based • Competitive/Automatic • Outside Scholarships • ROTC

21. Financial Aid • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid: www.fafsa.gov (Beginning October 1st – Senior Year) • Can Send it to up to 10 Schools • Pay Attention to Deadlines (aim for Feb. 15) • Taxes • Verification/Tax transcript • Student Loans, Federal and State Aid/Grants, Work Study • Net Price Calculator

22. Cost • Tuition • Room and Board • Fees • Text Books • Additional Course Fees • Most students should complete 30 credit hours a year

23. Other Costs

24. Admissions Timeline: Junior Year • ACT/SAT!!! • ACT prep course • Pick college prep courses/core requirements for senior year • College visits at Francis Howell North • College Fairs • Career Assessment/Research • Research 12-15 Colleges (programs, scholarships, admission criteria) • Join a Club/Community Service • Visit Colleges • FINISH JUNIOR YEAR STRONG!

25. Upcoming ACT Dates • June 11, 2016 • (registration deadline: 5/6/15) • September 10, 2016 • October 22, 2016 • December 10, 201 • February 11, 2017

26. Research shows that of the students who took the ACT more than once: • 55% increased their Composite score on the retest • 22% had no change in their Composite score on the retest • 23% decreased their Composite score on the retest http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/more.html

27. Summer (after Junior Year) • Continue On-Campus Visits • Application Essays/Resumes • ACT prep course/study • Apply – many applications become available on August 1st. • Job shadow/Career Explorations

28. Fall (Senior Year) • Submit applications (monitor admission and scholarship deadlines) • Retake ACT/SAT • Letters of recommendation (plenty of warning!) • College visits at Francis Howell North/on campus • Narrow Choices to a few schools – but always have more than one choice

29. Spring: Senior Year • Complete the FAFSA (beginning Jan 1) – pay attention to deadlines and submit any other necessary paperwork to schools • “Seal the Deal Visit” • Competitive Scholarship Competitions • Review Financial Aid packages (apples to apples) • Make Final Decision and Submit Deposit • National Decision Date is May 1st. • Apply for Housing • Notify Colleges/Universities that you are not Attending • Continue to do well in classes! • Request Final High School Transcript and any Advanced College Credit Transcripts to be Sent to College you Selected

30. Before you get started, you should know: Cumulative GPA ACT or SAT Composite score Class rank and size Core curriculum completed and planned to complete Create an email to use specifically for this process Bring this information with you to college visits If possible, visit campuses during the week – this offers the best view of student life, and an opportunity to meet with faculty or observe a class.

31. College Fairs • I-70 Series College Fair – *Automated Fair Maryville University Sunday, April 24, 1-3 pm • St. Louis Preforming and Visual Arts Fair - *Automated Fair Webster University – Grant Gymnasium Sunday, October 4, 2015, 1-3pm • NACAC College Fair – *Automated Fair Saint Louis University – Simon Recreation Center Sunday, October 18, 2015, 1-4 pm Bring Labels with Student Information: Name, Address, Phone Number, Email Address, DOB, High School, Graduation Year, Major If possible, ask for the card of the admission’s counselor that you will be working with so you have a direct phone number/email address.

32. Questions to Ask at a College Fair • What type of student organizations and clubs are there for students? • When are the enrollment deadlines and do you require a certain ACT score? • Can I get a list of majors to take with me? • Will you be reviewing admission applications, if so what do you look for? • Can the enrollment fees be waived? • What does your school consider for admissions? (i.e. activities, grades, ACT scores, experience, interests, etc.) • Can you tell me about the safety history of the college and the community it is in? • What percentage of your students go on to graduate school? • What is the placement rate for those seeking employment? • What accommodations do you offer for students with physical disabilities or learning differences? • What are the retention rates of incoming students at your school? • Is tutoring available for all students, if so, is it free? • What is the biggest student complaint you hear currently? • What is your typical class size look like? • Can I have a business card with your direct phone number? (in case you have further questions) • What is the parking situation like? • Do you offer student housing, if so, for how long? • What kind of financial aid does your school offer? • What is the cost of going to school there annually? (i.e. tuition, room and board, etc.) • Does your school allow double majors or a change of major? • Is the campus wireless? • Can I work on campus? • Does your school offer scholarships or grants for incoming students?  How can I be considered? • What percentage of students return for their second year? http://www.collegetocareers.com/questions-to-ask-college-fair/

33. Types of Campus Visits • Individual Visits • Group Visits • Overnight Visits To Schedule a Visit or to see what is Offered: Visit Websites, Contact your Admission Counselor or Call

34. Questions to ask on a Campus Visit • What activities and services are available to help students get settled (academically and socially) during their first year? • How big are the classes? • (Ask students) How easy is it to meet with faculty? • (Ask students) Are you able to register for the classes you want? • What is the total cost of attending the college? • What types of financial aid does the college offer and how do I apply? • Are all freshmen assigned to an academic advisor? • Where do most freshmen live? • Can I take a tour? • What activities are available for students? • Who teaches the courses for first-year students? • How successful are the college's graduates in finding jobs? • What services (such as transportation and shopping) are available locally? • What is there to do on weekends? Do most students stay or leave campus on weekends? http://www.actstudent.org/college/visit.html

35. Internet Resources • Mo Dept of Higher Ed: www.dhe.mo.gov • Financial Aid: www.finaid.org www.fafsa.gov • Scholarships: www.fastweb.com • ACT: www.act.org • College Board (SAT and AP): www.collegeboard.com • NACAC (fair automation): www.nacacnet.org

36. Tim EgglestonAdmission Counselor – St. LouisUniversity of Missouri – Columbia Office/Cell: 314-814-4337egglestont@missouri.eduwww.missouri.edu We are here to Help! Gavin Halpin Assistant Director of Admission, St. Louis RegionMillikin University217-521-2091(cell)ghalpin@millikin.edu www.millikin.edu