Planning for College

Presented by:Carolyn E. Karno

ManagerEarly Awareness and College Planning

Connecticut Student Loan

Foundation

AGENDA

• Admissions Facts

• College Entrance Exams

• The College Search

• Financial Considerations

• The College Application

• College Decisions

• Special Circumstances

• Advice From Experts

Connecticut Student Loan

Foundation

Admissions Facts

• Top Factors in Admissions Process– Grades in college preparatory courses– Strength of curriculum– Standardized admission test scores– Overall high school grade point average– Application essay– Class rank

Source: “State of College Admission: NACAC, Aug. 2007

Connecticut Student Loan

Foundation

Admissions Facts

• Is it harder to get into a 4-year college?– The most selective schools have gotten even

more selective• Juilliard School accepted only 8% of its

applicants

• Harvard accepted only 9% of its applicants

– More than 80% of 4-year colleges accepted more than 50% of its applicants

• Granite State College accepted 100% of its applicants

Connecticut Student Loan

Foundation

Admissions Facts

• College Enrollment – 17.3 million students were enrolled in

postsecondary institutions – 2004• 25% increase from 1990

• Projected increase of 15% through 2015

• 13 million were enrolled in public institutions

– Community colleges have seen unprecedented growth

• 10% growth between 2000-2006

Sources: “State of College Admissions: NACAC, Aug. 2007“Community College Enrollment Boom:” Inside Higher Education, Aug. 22, 2008

Connecticut Student Loan

Foundation

College Entrance Exams

• Reasoning Test: Mathematics, Critical Reading, Writing

• Scoring: 200-800 per section/2400 cumulative

• Basic cost = $45.00• Some colleges may also require

subject area tests

SAT

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College Entrance Exams

• English, Reading, Mathematics, Science and Writing (optional)

• Scoring: 1-36

• Reported by the ACT

• Cost: $31.00 for basic

• Cost $46 w/ writing

ACT

Connecticut Student Loan

Foundation

Upcoming Test Dates

TEST DATE DEADLINE

SAT

Oct. 4, 2008 Sept. 9, 2008

Nov. 1, 2008 Sept. 26, 2008

Dec. 6, 2008 Nov. 8, 2008

ACTSept. 13, 2008 Aug. 22, 2009

Oct. 25, 2008 Sept. 19, 2008

Dec. 13, 2008 Nov. 7, 2008

Connecticut Student Loan

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College Options

• Technical Schools– Specialized training for a particular

occupation• Community Colleges

– Open-enrollment– Certificate or Associate Degrees– Most affordable option

• 2-Year Colleges– Many offer career oriented programs

• Colleges and Universities– Broad range of degrees and programs– Wide price range

Connecticut Student Loan

Foundation

The College Search

• How far from home is too far?

• What type of environment is important to you?

• How important is diversity to you?

• What degree of challenge is best for you?

Questions to ask yourself:

Connecticut Student Loan

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The College Search

• What major or career direction will you take?

• Are you interested in internships or study abroad programs?

• Is cost a concern for your family?

Questions to ask yourself:

Connecticut Student Loan

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Keep In Mind

The best indicator of future success is not where you attend college but what you do at the college you attend

Connecticut Student Loan

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The College Search

• Coordinate Your Search– Talk with your counselor– Go online– Look at some college

guides– Attend college fairs– Visit Schools

Connecticut Student Loan

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The College Search

• Reach Schools

• Good Match/Target Schools

• Likely Admit

Narrow Your Search

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Financial Considerations

• Tuition and fees in Connecticut range from $3,000 to more than $39,000 per year– Community Colleges - $2,984

– UConn - $9,318

– CCSU - $7,042

– Wesleyan - $38,894

• Don’t forget other costs

College Costs

Connecticut Student Loan

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Financial Considerations

Types of Financial Aid

Gift Aid = Grants and Scholarships

Self Help = Loans andWork programs

Connecticut Student Loan

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Money Saving Ideas

• Community college and transfer

• State colleges and universities• New England Regional

Program– www.nebhe.org

• Merit scholarships• Canadian and overseas

colleges and universities

Connecticut Student Loan

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The College Application

• Paper or electronic– In 2006 colleges

received an average of 58% of their applications electronically

• Answer all questions• Keep copies

Source: “State of College Admission:NACAC-Aug. 2007

Connecticut Student Loan

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The College Application

• Select a topic

• Start early

• Stay between 250 -500 words

• Ask a teacher or counselor to review it

The Essay

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The College Application

• Teachers

• Counselors

• Coaches

• Employer

• Club Advisor

• Other

Recommendations

TipsTeachers must teach anacademic subject

Don’t send too many

Only from people who know you

Connecticut Student Loan

Foundation

The College Application

• Art Students– portfolio

• Music Students– CD of performance

• Athletes– Video of Game

Supplementary Materials

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The College Application

• Your high school sends:– Transcript

– School profile

– Mid-year grades

– Final grades

• Test scores sent by:– The College Board for the SAT

– The ACT for ACT

Submitting Your Application

Find out whatprocedure yourschool follows

Connecticut Student Loan

Foundation

Types of Admission Plans

• Early Decision– Student applies early to a school with the understanding that

the decision to accept is binding – Deposits are due early

• Early Action– Student applies early to a school – decision is non-binding– Deposits are due in May

• Rolling Decision– Admissions office acts on applications as they come in

• Regular Application– Students apply by stated deadline and will receive a response

in the spring

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The College Application

• Deadlines– Early Plans

• Nov. 1, Nov. 15, or Dec. 1

– Second Round• Dec. 15 to Jan. 31

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College Decisions

Admit

Deny

Wait List

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Special Circumstances

• Athletes– Division I and II required to complete

NCAA eligibility form

• Artists/Musicians– Prepare portfolios and auditions

• Section 504/IDEA– Students may still qualify for some services

while in college

Connecticut Student Loan

Foundation

Advice from Experts

• Work closely with your counselor

• Stay focused

• Thank people who have helped you

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Foundation

CSLF Can Help

• Hotline – 1-866-752-6443

• Free Services– College Planning Assistance

– Help with Financial Aid Applications

– Advice on Financing Options

Connecticut Student Loan

Foundation

Good Luck!