Picking the Right College

& Finding Some Money to Pay for It

David G. LandfairDavid G. Landfair

AgendaAgendaRulesRulesSome StatisticsSome StatisticsPicking & Finding MoneyPicking & Finding MoneyTipsTips

NOTENOTE: : Slides will be posted to the GBHS web site under Slides will be posted to the GBHS web site under

GuidanceGuidanceJROTC fundraiser selling copiesJROTC fundraiser selling copies

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IncludesIncludes::-How to Narrow Your ChoicesHow to Narrow Your Choices-How to Hunt for ScholarshipsHow to Hunt for Scholarships-Academy Appointment Academy Appointment AdviceAdvice-Bonus Chapters:Bonus Chapters:

- 4-Year Plan4-Year Plan- Interview TipsInterview Tips

First, Some RulesFirst, Some Rules

First Rule: First Rule: YouYou Need To Take Charge Need To Take Charge

Second Rule: Second Rule:

Different Schools, Different RulesDifferent Schools, Different Rules

Third Rule: Have A Plan “B,” “C,” “D”Third Rule: Have A Plan “B,” “C,” “D”

Some StatisticsSome Statistics30% of Adults in the U.S. 30% of Adults in the U.S. Have a Have a

DegreeDegree (Wall Street Journal, 24-25 Aug 2013)(Wall Street Journal, 24-25 Aug 2013)

Value?: One way to measure … fewer college grads Value?: One way to measure … fewer college grads unemployed than High School graduates unemployed than High School graduates (U.S. Bureau of (U.S. Bureau of Labor)Labor)

28 to 40% of College Freshmen 28 to 40% of College Freshmen Do Do NOT NOT ReturnReturn for their Sophomore Year for their Sophomore Year (American College Testing)(American College Testing)

55% 55% Do Not Graduate Do Not Graduate in Six in Six Years Years (Wall (Wall

Street Journal, 24-25 Aug 2013)Street Journal, 24-25 Aug 2013)

Why Is This Happening?Why Is This Happening?Picking the Wrong the School?Picking the Wrong the School?

Good News: We Can Work on ThatGood News: We Can Work on ThatAdmissions People Tell Me … Admissions People Tell Me … #1 #1

reason … not going to classreason … not going to classBig Schools Have Big DistractionsBig Schools Have Big DistractionsGood News: We Can Work on ThatGood News: We Can Work on That

MoneyMoneyGood News: We Can Work on ThatGood News: We Can Work on That

Picking the Right College:Picking the Right College:So Where Do I StartSo Where Do I StartWhat Do I Do First?What Do I Do First?

Make a list Make a list of favorites based on whatever of favorites based on whatever … sports teams, legacy, close to home, … sports teams, legacy, close to home, friends, feels rightfriends, feels right

Whatever … Whatever … just make a listjust make a list and and start start researchingresearching costs and scholarships available costs and scholarships available

Consider: What Are Admission Consider: What Are Admission Boards Looking For?Boards Looking For?

Different Schools, Different _______Different Schools, Different _______You can find out by asking @ College Fairs & looking at You can find out by asking @ College Fairs & looking at

the School’s Web Page & calling themthe School’s Web Page & calling them ACT/SAT…ACT/SAT…standardized tests--easy to comparestandardized tests--easy to compare

GPAGPA IB Programs, AP and Honor ClassesIB Programs, AP and Honor Classes School/Community InvolvementSchool/Community Involvement Some Measure CharacterSome Measure Character

TIP: Ask Your Admissions RepresentativesTIP: Ask Your Admissions Representatives

Consider:Consider:Where Is Everyone Else Going?Where Is Everyone Else Going?

About 725 Grads Last Two Years About 725 Grads Last Two Years totaltotal PSC – 90/62 … local & feeds UWFPSC – 90/62 … local & feeds UWF UWF – 74/67 … localUWF – 74/67 … local FSU – 29/39 … FSU – 29/39 … Honors Grads Honors Grads UF – 24/15 … UF – 24/15 … Honors GradsHonors Grads Santa Fe – 3/0 … feeds UFSanta Fe – 3/0 … feeds UF TCC – 2/0 … feeds FSUTCC – 2/0 … feeds FSU

Source: School PaperSource: School Paper

& Graduation Programs& Graduation Programs

Honor Grads Honor Grads = 94% weighted GPA & above= 94% weighted GPA & above

• UCF – 4/11• USF – 3/5• UNF – 3/0• Auburn – 3/0• U of Alabama – 3/5• Univ S. AL – 3/5• Miss State – 4/4• Southern Miss – 3/2• Other Colleges –

44/50• Military – 20/9

47/35% Local College35/37% Out of Town College 5/2.5% Enlist in Military13/20% Not Listed in Paper

What is Our List Looking Like?What is Our List Looking Like?

LocalLocalPSC, UWFPSC, UWF

Big State SchoolsBig State SchoolsFSU, UFFSU, UF

Close By Out of StateClose By Out of StateUSA, Alabama, Auburn, MSU, GAUSA, Alabama, Auburn, MSU, GA

OtherOtherNotre Dame, USAFA, DukeNotre Dame, USAFA, Duke

Now Consider Your Standardized Now Consider Your Standardized Test ScoreTest Score

All Starts HereAll Starts HereAffect Admissions & ScholarshipsAffect Admissions & Scholarships

(Different Schools, Different _______)(Different Schools, Different _______)Most schools want to see your ACT or Most schools want to see your ACT or

SAT score for admission & scholarshipsSAT score for admission & scholarshipsGet tutoringGet tutoring to raise scores to raise scoresMany scholarships also are based on scoreMany scholarships also are based on score

Standardized Test Scores Standardized Test Scores (continued)(continued)

The Bottom Line: The Bottom Line: Your score will affect your Your score will affect your admission decision and it might indicate your admission decision and it might indicate your probability of successprobability of success

If the mean score of the freshmen class is a lot If the mean score of the freshmen class is a lot higher than your score, you may not get into the higher than your score, you may not get into the school, if you do it seems you are already school, if you do it seems you are already behindbehindGood News: That works the other way tooGood News: That works the other way too

If you choose a school where your score is higher than If you choose a school where your score is higher than the mean, you might do wellthe mean, you might do well

Look To See Where You FitLook To See Where You FitUF USAFA FSU UWF

Mean 50% of Fresh Class ACT 27-29 28-32 25-28 22-24# of Applicants 27,295 12,732 28,313 5,744

% Offered Admission

43% 9% 58% 63%

Freshman Class 6,742 1,071 6,774 1,460

#1 Tip: Look at the Mean ACT score and see where you fit

Sources: collegedata.com & School Web Pages

Now What Do I Do?Now What Do I Do?Make A ChartMake A Chart

SchoolSchool Mean Mean ACTACT

TuitionTuition HousingHousing ScholarshipsScholarships RankRank

FSUFSU 25-2825-28 $5,238$5,238 $5,280$5,280 Bright Bright FuturesFutures

33

UWFUWF 22-2422-24 $3,016$3,016 0 – 0 – Stay Stay HomeHome

Bright Bright FuturesFutures

11

USAUSA 21-2321-23 In – $3,690In – $3,690

Out - **Out - **$1,610$1,610 **Out of **Out of

State State WaiverWaiver

CloseClose

22

MSUMSU 22-2422-24 In – $5,805In – $5,805

Out –$14,670Out –$14,670$4,612$4,612 ScholarshipScholarship 44

More To Consider:More To Consider:Other ExpensesOther Expenses FoodFood

Meal plans can be expensive or a good dealMeal plans can be expensive or a good dealNote: Some dorms require a meal plan Note: Some dorms require a meal plan (Different Schools, Different _____)(Different Schools, Different _____)

Greek LifeGreek LifeMay include a meal plan … $2,000?May include a meal plan … $2,000?

EntertainmentEntertainmentSome schools require a fee for “student passes to games etc…”Some schools require a fee for “student passes to games etc…”Tickets, movies, intramurals, clubsTickets, movies, intramurals, clubs

Wall Street Journal AdviceWall Street Journal Advice Focus on the Net PriceFocus on the Net Price Make Sure the Aid Keeps Coming (i.e. one-year money)Make Sure the Aid Keeps Coming (i.e. one-year money) Save the Pricier School for LaterSave the Pricier School for Later

Most Don’t Care Where You Got Your AAMost Don’t Care Where You Got Your AAGraduate Schools Can Be ExpensiveGraduate Schools Can Be Expensive

TIP: TIP: But Many Graduate Schools Favor Their Undergraduates when it comes to admissionsBut Many Graduate Schools Favor Their Undergraduates when it comes to admissions

(Different Schools, Different ______)(Different Schools, Different ______)

Wall Street Journal Dec 22/23 2012

More To Consider:More To Consider:Big Schools Have Big DistractionsBig Schools Have Big Distractions

How disciplined are you?How disciplined are you? It is not just Big Football … basketball, soccer, It is not just Big Football … basketball, soccer,

baseball, etc…baseball, etc…Population of College Towns double on game Population of College Towns double on game

weekends … for the entire semesterweekends … for the entire semesterAll year at some schoolsAll year at some schools

Feeling like a numberFeeling like a numberBig classes at some schoolsBig classes at some schools

Bottom Line: Bottom Line: Might want to consider school Might want to consider school size, class sizesize, class size

Other ConsiderationsOther ConsiderationsStart with the End In MindStart with the End In Mind

If You Are Going To Go To Graduate School, If You Are Going To Go To Graduate School, What Does It Take to Get In?What Does It Take to Get In?Vet School for exampleVet School for exampleDifferent Schools Have ______________Different Schools Have ______________

Graduation Rates Graduation Rates (Six-Years – from Chronical.com)(Six-Years – from Chronical.com)

UF – 85%UF – 85%MSU – 58%MSU – 58%USAFA – 82%USAFA – 82%Notre Dame – 96%Notre Dame – 96%

• UCF – 63%UCF – 63%

• FSU – 74%FSU – 74%

• UA – 67%UA – 67%

• Auburn – 66%Auburn – 66%

Comparison ToolComparison ToolCollegecost.ed.govCollegecost.ed.gov

ComparesComparesCostsCostsGraduation RatesGraduation RatesLoan dataLoan data

TIPTIP: One source compares apples to apples pretty well: One source compares apples to apples pretty well

Is It Possible To Graduate Debt-Free?Is It Possible To Graduate Debt-Free? TIPS: TIPS: (Wall Street Journal 24 Jul 13)

Stay Close to Home Can Save $Stay Close to Home Can Save $ Community College then TransferCommunity College then Transfer Take classes on-lineTake classes on-line Dual-Enrollment in HS helps a TonDual-Enrollment in HS helps a Ton College Level Examination Program (CLEP) … CLEP out and Save $College Level Examination Program (CLEP) … CLEP out and Save $ Look hard for ScholarshipsLook hard for Scholarships Generate Income: Work … during the year & Especially SummersGenerate Income: Work … during the year & Especially Summers Live FrugallyLive Frugally

Coming UpComing Up

More TipsMore TipsComing Up: Coming Up:

College Fair AdviceCollege Fair AdviceHunting for ScholarshipsHunting for ScholarshipsMore …More …

TIP: Go Check Out the SchoolTIP: Go Check Out the School

My Advice:My Advice: A school, like a A school, like a jacket, does not fit everyone, try it jacket, does not fit everyone, try it on for sizeon for size

College FairsCollege Fairs Be Prepared!Be Prepared!

Have your Resume Ready – Just In CaseHave your Resume Ready – Just In CaseQuestions Ready:Questions Ready:

What is Your Admissions Board Looking For?What is Your Admissions Board Looking For?What was the What was the Mean ACT Score Mean ACT Score for Your Freshmen for Your Freshmen

Class Last Year?Class Last Year?What is the What is the Graduation RateGraduation Rate For Someone Like Me? For Someone Like Me?Do You Offer Any Do You Offer Any ScholarshipsScholarships for Someone Like Me? for Someone Like Me?

Use Resume listing residence, ACT/SAT Scores, GPA, etc…Use Resume listing residence, ACT/SAT Scores, GPA, etc…

What is What is Contact Info Contact Info For When I Have Questions Later?For When I Have Questions Later?

So When Should I Apply?So When Should I Apply?

Different Schools, Different _____Different Schools, Different _____

FSU … website says: January 14FSU … website says: January 14 thth

First Notification of acceptance is in DecemberFirst Notification of acceptance is in December

TIP:TIP: Talk to Admissions At the Schools Talk to Admissions At the SchoolsGreat question for college fair Great question for college fair

Tips Tips Get rid of the cute e-mail addressGet rid of the cute e-mail address: like : like beachbabebeachbabe@hotmail.com

trackstar@gmail.comtrackstar@gmail.com

chaos@yahoo.com

……. unprofessional; make a new address just . unprofessional; make a new address just for your scholarship correspondencefor your scholarship correspondenceChange the Change the ““stylishstylish”” answering machine answering machine messagesmessages

Observations from InterviewsObservations from Interviews Not prepared … underdressed (parents too), late, etc … interview not a priorityNot prepared … underdressed (parents too), late, etc … interview not a priority Poor communicators … wrong numbers or e-mail addresses, don’t answer Poor communicators … wrong numbers or e-mail addresses, don’t answer

messages, poor eye-contact & posturemessages, poor eye-contact & posture Missed deadlinesMissed deadlines

TIP: SuccessfulTIP: SuccessfulRead a lot Read a lot … articulate, good vocabulary, write well… articulate, good vocabulary, write wellWell prepared … practiced … courteousWell prepared … practiced … courteous

Observations (continued)Observations (continued)TIP: TIP: Include impact statements in your Include impact statements in your Resumes Resumes

& Letters of Recommendations& Letters of RecommendationsInstead of thisInstead of this: NHS VP–led 2 fundraisers: NHS VP–led 2 fundraisersDo thisDo this: As NHS VP, raised $526 to help pay : As NHS VP, raised $526 to help pay

medical bills for student with cancermedical bills for student with cancer AlsoAlso, if they already have your resume, may not , if they already have your resume, may not

want to repeat that information … ask your want to repeat that information … ask your admissions officeradmissions officer

Many are looking for a real story about you … about Many are looking for a real story about you … about your characteryour character

Let’s Be Honest … Price Makes A Difference

You Must Pick a School You Can AffordYou Must Pick a School You Can AffordGood news – lots of scholarships out Good news – lots of scholarships out

therethereWall Street Journal: “86% of freshmen Wall Street Journal: “86% of freshmen

received some sort of grant in 2011”received some sort of grant in 2011”Some statistics are good, some not Some statistics are good, some not

really … School Paper: 59% of Sr.s won really … School Paper: 59% of Sr.s won scholarships, totals: $12 Millionscholarships, totals: $12 Million

Where Can I Find Where Can I Find Scholarships?Scholarships?

TIPTIP … … try for as many as you are try for as many as you are qualified forqualified forWhy? Money is money … take it; Win Why? Money is money … take it; Win

five $1,000 scholarships and you can five $1,000 scholarships and you can pay $5,000 worth or tuition, or housing pay $5,000 worth or tuition, or housing costs, or …costs, or …

Gateway to ScholarshipsGateway to Scholarships Join a Club – many can lead you to a scholarshipJoin a Club – many can lead you to a scholarship

FBLAFBLAJROTCJROTCLots of Others – Just Ask … itLots of Others – Just Ask … it’’s ok to asks ok to ask

SportsSportsLots of competition (1% of athletes get awards)Lots of competition (1% of athletes get awards)Talk to the Coaches at school and at the college you Talk to the Coaches at school and at the college you

want to go to … want to go to … youyou need to initiate the conversation need to initiate the conversationMany recruit via their summer campsMany recruit via their summer camps

Where Can I Find Where Can I Find Scholarships?Scholarships?

• Where are these scholarships?1. Look on the Web2. Financial Aid and Scholarships are

found on the school’s web site3. Local – Check with Guidance; Listen

to ITV; Ask Around; Look in the Paper and Magazines

Search & You Will FindSearch & You Will Find Coke - coca-colascholars.orgCoke - coca-colascholars.org Girls Going Places ScholarshipGirls Going Places Scholarship

Guardianlife.comGuardianlife.com Best Buy Best Buy

www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com/scholarship.htmwww.bestbuy-communityrelations.com/scholarship.htm

Sallie Mae Fund Scholarship ProgramSallie Mae Fund Scholarship ProgramThesalliemaefund.orgThesalliemaefund.org

Voice of Democracy Audio Essay ScholarshipVoice of Democracy Audio Essay Scholarshipvfw.orgvfw.org

ScholarshipsScholarshipsMany schools consider you Many schools consider you

automatically for scholarships; automatically for scholarships; many many do notdo not, , soso YOUYOU need to need to find outfind out

For example, MSU – automatically For example, MSU – automatically considers you considers you ““out-of-statersout-of-staters”” for a for a scholarship... Pays your out of state tuition scholarship... Pays your out of state tuition … this year … 25 ACT … this year … 25 ACT

TIP: Ask at the College FairTIP: Ask at the College Fair

Other ScholarshipsOther ScholarshipsLocalLocal

GBHS Guidance Does a Great Job Listing GBHS Guidance Does a Great Job Listing Opportunities For You Opportunities For You (list on web, and in their (list on web, and in their office)office)

TIP: Don’t rely on one source … go find … go find scholarshipsscholarshipsSometimes you see them in the Gulf Breeze News Sometimes you see them in the Gulf Breeze News

or the Pensacola News Journalor the Pensacola News JournalParents hear about them at Optimist, Sertoma, Parents hear about them at Optimist, Sertoma,

Kiwanis, Women’s Club meetings around townKiwanis, Women’s Club meetings around town

Listen to ITV … many are announcedListen to ITV … many are announced

Bright Futures*Bright Futures*

Three LevelsThree Levels FL Academic Scholars (FAS)FL Academic Scholars (FAS) FL Medallion Scholars (FMS)FL Medallion Scholars (FMS) FL Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV)FL Gold Seal Vocational Scholars (GSV)

Moving Target - so get the best GPA, ACT/SAT, and Moving Target - so get the best GPA, ACT/SAT, and as many Community Service Hours as you canas many Community Service Hours as you can

Must do FAFSAMust do FAFSA At GBHS, students fill out application in Dec of Sr Yr At GBHS, students fill out application in Dec of Sr Yr

at schoolat school

*Source: floridastudentfinancialaid.org

What About Federal Help?What About Federal Help?

Federal AidFederal Aid Need to demonstrate Financial NeedNeed to demonstrate Financial Need

Do that when you complete the FAFSA (Free Do that when you complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Application for Federal Student Aid)

Go to FAFSA.GOV (with your tax info ready)Go to FAFSA.GOV (with your tax info ready) They have Grants (Free Money)They have Grants (Free Money) Work Study Programs (Work at School and Work Study Programs (Work at School and

Use Money to Pay Bills)Use Money to Pay Bills) Loans (Loans (last choice last choice be prepared to pay the be prepared to pay the

money back)money back)

Scholarships Scholarships (continued)(continued)

Different Kinds of ScholarshipsDifferent Kinds of Scholarships Community, business sponsoredCommunity, business sponsored

TIPTIP: : YOUYOU need to ask around … need to ask around … ““Hey Hey Mom, Hey Dad, Hey Uncle Bill does your Mom, Hey Dad, Hey Uncle Bill does your company or club offer any scholarships?company or club offer any scholarships?””

Other ScholarshipsOther ScholarshipsOn the WebOn the Web

Where Do I Look?Where Do I Look?On the Web, do a Google search. Here On the Web, do a Google search. Here

are some you will find:are some you will find:www.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.comwww.cappex.comwww.cappex.comwww.scholarshipexperts.comwww.scholarshipamerica.orgwww.gocollege.com

Note:

Some Scholarships are not awarded until late in the process …may want to keep your options open when you are making a final school selection

Winning A ScholarshipWinning A Scholarship

TIPS: TIPS: Some variables can helpSome variables can helpMinority status sometimes plays in your Minority status sometimes plays in your

favorfavorFinancial status (FINANCIAL NEED)Financial status (FINANCIAL NEED)First in the family to go to collegeFirst in the family to go to college

TIPTIP

Plan to start applying the Summer Plan to start applying the Summer between your Junior and Senior yearbetween your Junior and Senior yearHave best ACT/SAT scores readyHave best ACT/SAT scores ready

Get tutoring: PNJ Ad in GB call Alice Hart; Club Z Get tutoring: PNJ Ad in GB call Alice Hart; Club Z Tutoring; Sylvan Learning CenterTutoring; Sylvan Learning Center

Great resume readyGreat resume readySign up for a challenging Senior YearSign up for a challenging Senior Year

Senior Year: Execute the planSenior Year: Execute the plan

Take AwaysTake Aways

You Need to Take ChargeYou Need to Take ChargeDifferent Schools, Have ______Different Schools, Have ______Ask Admissions Ask Admissions NOTENOTE: These slides are located : These slides are located

on the GBHS web site under on the GBHS web site under guidanceguidance

Good LuckGood Luck

Questions?Questions?