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Mark Zuckerberg, a founder of Facebook, has pledged $100 million to improve the city's public schools. How should that money be

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October 18th 20101. College Types

2. The Application Process3. SATs vs ACTs

Gateway to College“Being sensitive…time

sensitive”

Public vs. Private Public colleges are those that are largely supported by state

funds. If you attend a public institution in your own state, you will get a break on tuitions costs, and–as a state resident–it’s usually easier for you be admitted, as well. However, if you attend a public college in ANOTHER state, you will probably not get those benefits (though some state institutions do have reciprocal agreements with other nearby states.)

Private colleges, on the other hand, are supported by tuition, endowment, and donations from alumni and friends. Usually they are more expensive than public colleges, but it does depend on the particular school. Also, private colleges often offer the best financial aid (see below). While attending a private school is reputed to translate into less red tape and more personal attention than you’ll find at the public counterparts, it’s important to look carefully at each individual college and to separate rumor from reality.

-Collegeconfidential.com

Public vs. PrivateCommon Tangible Differences Price

Public Universities are state funded and traditionally less expensive than Private universities

Type of EducationWhile Public Universities take pride in their extensively funded

professions such as Business and Engineering, Private Universities carry their own in Liberal Arts and a better Student:Teacher ratio

SizeMany states have what are known as “flagship” universities. A

flagship university is the main public college in the state, and it may be huge (e.g. Ohio State University, Penn State University, University of Texas). These draw students from nearby states and abroad

Public vs. PrivateCommon Tangible Differences Price

Public Universities are state funded and traditionally less expensive than Private universities

Type of EducationWhile Public Universities take pride in their extensively funded

professions such as Business and Engineering, Private Universities carry their own in Liberal Arts and a better Student: Teacher ratio

SizeMany states have what are known as “flagship” universities. A

flagship university is the main public college in the state, and it may be huge (e.g. Ohio State University, Penn State University, University of Texas). These draw students from nearby states and abroad

Private universities do tend to offer more financial aid (need based and merit based) because of their larger endowments

Public Universities are focusing more and more on their smaller campuses to address the growing liberal art fields. Additionally, Private universities are growing larger and larger, and becoming their own self-contained communities that also address research-oriented majors.Public Universities will always be larger and more diverse because of their size and state-assisted tuitions. However! It must be taken into consideration that to attend a Private University means rubbing shoulders with the brightest and best students from across the nation and world. Unlike, Public Univ. where there is normally a mandate to mainly enroll residents of their state, Private Universities can enroll students interested in their programs which can in turn create an unmatched atmosphere of intellectual stimulation.

Public vs. PrivateFinal notes:Size

Yes, popular Universities tend to be bigger..but they aren’t necessarily better…“I’ll never find a job or get into grad school if I go to a small college..”

Hands on work-experience and leadership and creativity roles“I won’t get a diverse experience at a small college.”

Very similar Stats and less segregation!“A small school would be too confining.”

When was the last time you felt your school was too confining?Two extra benefits? TAs and Community Involvement

LocationIdeal East, Inferior Midwest, Ins/Outs of the West, and the

Shocking South…Practical Consequences?But I love the city…

Self-Contained Communities

You apply with the initial

application. File gets started for

you.

Nothing is submitted until payment/fee

waiver received

Send Financial Info to Counselor for

FW to CUNY, SUNY, Collegeboard.com,

and Individual Schools

You or counselor send it out to :

Central or Schools directly. (If school

sends it out, provide envelopes for each school)

Extra information please!

Counselor forms, transcripts, final report, midyear

reports

Submit requests to your college

office. Envelopes for each school or Central if Public!

Supplemental Information

Recommendations.

Submit requests AND envelopes

for SCHOLARSHIPS AND SCHOOLS

ASAP!!Teachers will either mail in

your recommendation or do it over the

internet.

Essays. You write. You send directly

to the schools.

Additional info such as resumes,

cover letters, certificates can

be sent out together here.

College decisions received in

February and March

Decisions generally due

May 1st.

Argh! College Make Hulk Mad!

A Brief Word on SATs and ACTs

SAT – Math, Reading, and WritingACT – English, Math, Reading, and

Science (Writing Optional)They serve different purposes and

indicate different personalities

SATs• General Reasoning and

Problem Solving Skills• For the “Bright-

Underachievers”• His…(Strategy)

ACTs• Curriculum-Based• For the “Grinds”• Hers…(Straight-

forward)

ACT vs. SAT…?Keep in mind the following considerations when

determining what test you want to take: The SAT does not test science The writing test is optional on the ACT The SAT is longer by 45 minutes The SAT math questions involve geometry and

algebra II while the ACT goes up to trigonometry The SAT places more stress on vocabulary There is no penalty for guessing when taking the

ACT, but there are penalties for guessing on SAT answers

ACT scores need not be reportedMy Recommendation…?

SAT IIs Why should I take it?When should I take it?

Dates and ‘minders

Dates and ‘mindersACTsRegistration Deadlines

SATsRegistrat

ion Deadline

s

UMass @ Amherst

Amherst College

Hampshire College

Smith College

Mount Holyoke College

Two School Take Out “Mass’s 5 College Consortium”

Two School Take Out “Mass’s 5 College Consortium”

UMass @ Amherst

Amherst College

Hampshire College

Smith College

Mount Holyoke College

Two School Take Out “Mass’s 5 College Consortium”

UMass @ Amherst - Scooby-Doo, the ungainly, oversized mutt, is U.Mass, whose students are represented as hyper, immature-yet-lovable youngsters.

Amherst College - Fred, the clean-shaven blonde lad dressed in a sporty outfit and loafers, is Amherst, whose students are represented as prep school-educated young men bankrolled through college and into successful careers by family money.

Hampshire College - Shaggy, the light-brunette fellow with the unkempt hair, several days' growth of beard, wrinkled shirt, baggy pants, and slouched physique, is Hampshire, whose students are represented as "Turn on, tune in, and drop out" sorts — lazy, unmotivated, and heavily into drugs.

Smith College - Velma, the bob-haired, bespectacled brunette gal clad in a shapeless thick sweater, unfashionable pleated skirt, and knee socks, is Smith, whose students are represented as frumpy, intellectual lesbians.

Mount Holyoke College - Daphne, the pretty auburn-haired girl who wears a form-displaying outfit coordinated with a matching hair ribbon and offsetting neck scarf, is Mount Holyoke, whose students are represented in this tableau as polished, upper-class young ladies more interested in acquiring rich husbands than university sheepskins.

Other Consortias! Associated Colleges of the Midwest – 14 schools in Illinois,

Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Colorado Associated Colleges of the South – 16 schools in Alabama,

Louisiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Texas, and Virginia

Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education – 19 schools in the Atlanta Area

Christian College Consortium – 13 schools in Kentucky, Minnesota, Oregan, Massachusetts, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, Indiana, Illinois, and California

Great Lakes Colleges Association – 13 schools in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan

Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges – 6 colleges in Pennsylvania

Twelve-College Exchange Program – Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, and New York

NACAC Fee Waiver!Frequently Asked Questions  How many fee waiver requests may I submit?

NACAC recommends limiting the use of the form to no more than four (4) schools. Does my guidance counselor need to sign the fee waiver form?

Yes. A secondary school counselor, Independent Counselor or TRIO representative must verify that the student is qualified to use the form.

My counselor is not a NACAC member; can I still use the form?Although not required, it is preferable that the form is used by a NACAC member or member institution. 

Where do I mail the form?Mail the Fee Waiver Form directly to the admission office of the institution to which you are applying, even if you applied to the school online. 

Is the school seal required? Yes, the school seal or an official business card of the counselor is required to verify the information is accurate. 

Is there a directory of colleges/universities who accept the forms? Does every school accept the form?NACAC does not maintain a directory of institutions that accept the fee waiver form.

What happens if I apply to a school and they do not accept the NACAC fee waiver?Each institution makes the final decision to accept or decline fee waiver forms. If a fee waiver is declined, the student will be asked, by the institution, to pay the application fee.

Final NotesMacaulay Honors only allows one applicationPriority Deadlines are not the actual deadlinesTaking the SATs again? For the third time? Maybe

another approach…Some ED/EA schools do take November SATs

Columbia says: You may take standardized tests as late as November for Early Decision and January for Regular Decision. (http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/admissions/applications/firstyear/testing)

SUNY ApplicationsTranscripts go to individual schoolsFee Waivers and School Counselor Form are sent to Application

Services Center

Next Week’s TopicsChoosing Schools

Bottom-Up PlanningThe Application

Making the Best of Your WorstA Thematic Application

AnnouncementsHalloween Trip this Friday

College Trips to Yale/Connecticut College (11/11) and Rensselaer Polytechnic

Institute and Skidmore (11/2)