Welcome to College Welcome to College Information Night Information Night

September 29, 2010

6:30pm

Chastity Sward, Guidance Counselor

Value of EducationValue of Education

Individuals with a Bachelor’s Degree earn an average of $18,540 more per year than individuals with only a high school diploma.

Over the course of a lifetime, college graduates will earn about $1 million more than high school graduates.

Cost of EducationCost of Education

Traditionally, paying for public higher education has been a shared cost between the state and student/family.

Now, the burden is shifting to the student:1970’s students/families paid 1/3 cost of college1995~ 40%2005~ 50%

The average debt load for students graduating from a 4-year college is now $17,250.27.

Cost of Attendance in Indiana for Cost of Attendance in Indiana for 2010-2011 academic year2010-2011 academic year

IU $16,298-$18,901 Tuition, Room & Board only Purdue $18,190 Tuition, Room & Board only Ball State $15,748 Tuition, Room & Board only USI $12,500 Tuition, Room & Board, fees VU $4,326 Tuition only (15 cr. Hrs.) Ivy Tech $1,568 Tuition only (15 cr. Hrs.) UE $37,186 Tuition, Room & Board, fees

Timeline for Senior YearTimeline for Senior Year

Fall Semester– Make sure schedule/credits meet graduation

requirements/admission requirements/NCAA eligibility requirements

– Register to take SAT or ACT if you have not done so– Campus Visits (September-October-November)– Submit admission applications with college

admission office *Some programs/colleges will have early

deadlines(i.e. Indiana University – Nov. 1st deadline to receive full consideration for merit scholarships; Purdue University – Nov. 15th is the admission application deadline for various programs as well as the deadline to be eligible for Purdue merit scholarships.)

Timeline for Senior Year Timeline for Senior Year (cont.)(cont.)

Spring Semester– Financial Aid Night January 2011– Complete FAFSA by March 10th receipt date deadline– Apply for scholarships of interest– Weigh admission offers and financial aid packages– May 1st typically deadline for accepting offers of

admission– Watch for summer deadlines (orientation,

registration, housing options, etc.)– *21st Century Scholars must complete and return

Affirmation letters by March 10th deadline

Choosing a CollegeChoosing a College

What is important to you?

Consider College Consider College CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Four-year, two-year, technical or trade schools, apprenticeship program

Cost Public, Private, or Proprietary Location

– Distance from home, Urban vs. Rural, Climate, Transportation costs/ease of access

Size, type of campus– Average class size– Liberal vs. Conservative, Coed, Religious affiliation

Reputation, prestige of school Activities, organizations, sports

List, Compare, and Visit List, Compare, and Visit SchoolsSchools

Be organized in your search

Research college websites

Attend college rep visits to Barr-Reeve

Make the most of your college visit days

College VisitsCollege Visits

Important to get to that school & see if it ‘fits’ for you

Every senior is allowed 2 days excused absences to visit colleges

Student/parent’s responsibility to set up college visit

Contact Office of Admissions at least 2 weeks prior to schedule visit

Obtain a pre-arranged absence form from Guidance Office prior to date of visit

What to do on a college visitWhat to do on a college visit

Admissions Office

Departments of Interest

Financial Aid Office

Attend a class, if possible

Tour campus

Eat in the dining hall

Visit a dorm

Talk to current students

What to do on a college visit What to do on a college visit (cont.)(cont.)

Anything of special interest to you

(theatre, drama, athletics, etc.)College visit is for YOU not them

Applying to CollegeApplying to College

Where to begin, when to

begin, how to begin

Applying for Admission Applying for Admission

What do colleges look for when making admission decisions?

HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT(Courses taken, grades earned, test scores)

Strength or rigor of curriculum GPA, class rank Trends in academic performance Extra-curricular involvement

*Any leadership positions held

Volunteer experiences

Applying for Admission (cont.)Applying for Admission (cont.)

If you plan to participate in athletics at a Division I or II school, you must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse

Must meet NCAA freshman-eligibility requirements to be deemed eligible to compete in NCAA Division I or II athletics.

How to apply paper/pencilHow to apply paper/pencil

1. Obtain application(from college, download from website or from guidance office)

2. Complete application & attach application fee

3. Turn completed application & application fee to the

guidance office in a timely manner(at least 1 week prior to deadline)

How to apply onlineHow to apply online

Access application online Fill out & submit application onlinePay application fee online May need to download Counselor’s

Signature page or request eSSR through e-transcripts

Request high school transcript through e-transcripts

Helpful Hints when filling out Helpful Hints when filling out college applicationscollege applications

Apply early (application fees may be waived if apply early…$25-$50)

Most colleges prefer online applications (application fee may be waived)

If you are 21st Century Scholar or Project Aspire student, ask about fee waivers

If you attach additional sheets, be sure to put your full name on additional sheets

Helpful Hints when filling out Helpful Hints when filling out college applications (cont.)college applications (cont.)

If you apply paper/pencil, follow up to make sure your application was sent.

If you have not heard anything from your college after 4-6 weeks, call admissions office and check on the status of your application.

Know what is on your transcript– Example: test scores updated?

Helpful Hints when filling out Helpful Hints when filling out college applications (cont.)college applications (cont.)

If you’ve taken dual credit classes, you must request your college transcript (OCU &/or VU) be sent to your university prior to registering for classes.

BE AWARE OF DEADLINES – Student’s responsibility

READ DIRECTIONS!!– (Student’s responsibility to fill out application completely)

Indiana e-transcriptIndiana e-transcriptThe preferred way to send your transcript The preferred way to send your transcript

Safe, paperless way to electronically send transcripts to colleges

Students must sign up (Click on the Secure Transcript link on Barr-Reeve’s Guidance Department web page)

Students need an email address Students will receive an email when your

transcript has been sent & received Free & available 24/7

College Admissions TestsCollege Admissions Tests

ACT or SAT

ACT or SATACT or SAT

Every 4-year institution will require ACT or SAT scores

Will want to check with other colleges or trade schools to see if they require test scores

If you haven’t taken the ACT or SAT and plan on attending a 4-year institution, you need to be taking one of these exams ASAP

Must register Test dates and registration deadlines are posted

in the guidance office, bulletin board outside the guidance office, and senior newsletters.

ACT or SAT (cont.)ACT or SAT (cont.)

May register online (preferred) or paper/pencil ACT registration materials available in the guidance

office If you are a 21st Century Scholar or Project Aspire

student, ask about fee waivers Students with disabilities may be eligible to receive

accommodations If you plan on taking the ACT, check to see if your

college requires the optional Writing portion

SATSAT

Critical ReadingMathWritingAverage score is about 500 on each

section of the testEach section is scored on the 200-800

scale, where 200 is lowest and 800 is highest

ACTACT

English Math Reading Science Writing (Optional, but required by many colleges) Average Composite Score (21.0) *The composite score is an average of the four test scores (Eng, Math, Reading, &

Science)

Each test is scored on the 1-36 scale, where 1 is lowest and 36 is highest

How do I pay for college?How do I pay for college?

Types of Financial AidTypes of Financial Aid

GrantsScholarshipsWork-study programLoans

GrantsGrants

Financial aid that you do not have to repay. Government and other organizations award

grants usually based on financial need Academic Competitiveness Grant:

– Up to $750 for the first year of undergraduate study/ $1300 for second year

– Must be full-time student and eligible for pell grant– Must have successfully completed Core 40 or

AHD

Grants (cont.)Grants (cont.)

National SMART Grant:– Will provide up to $4,000 for each of the 3rd & 4th

years of undergraduate study – Must be full-time student & eligible for a Pell Grant– Must be majoring in physical, life or computer

sciences, mathematics, technology or engineering; or in a foreign language determined critical to national security

ScholarshipsScholarships

Financial aid that you do not have to repay - We LIKE these!!

May be given for academic excellence (merit-based), financial need, distinction in a certain activity (sports or 4-H), or affiliation with a religious, civic, or school organization.

May be one-time award or renewable each year Many are only awarded to incoming freshman

Work-Study ProgramsWork-Study Programs

Students work as part of their financial aid

Usually on-campus jobs

LoansLoans

Borrowed money, will be paid back…WITH INTEREST!!

Many types of loansSome are federally regulated, some

offered by private companies

How to apply for financial aidHow to apply for financial aid

Fill out your FAFSA each year(Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Must be received by Federal Processor by March

10th of each year Attend Financial Aid Night Contact Financial Aid Office at your university for

university-specific forms or financial aid applications.

Most colleges will offer ‘Early Aid Estimator’

Scholarship TipsScholarship Tips

Read Senior Newsletters and Barr-Reeve Scholarship Booklet

Check with financial aid office at individual college/university

Check with program or specific department at your university (i.e. School of Business)

Local organizations or businesses **parent’s employer

Search internet BEWARE OF SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES…NEVER

PAY $ TO GET A SCHOLARSHIP

When filling out scholarship When filling out scholarship applications…..applications…..

Remember, your application is a representation of YOU.

Read and follow directions carefully Be Neat

Type-written applications recommendedUtilize FoxIt Reader – we can scan documents so you

can type them!! Be honest and be yourself Highlight your strengths; be truthful without being

boastful

When filling out scholarship When filling out scholarship applications (cont.)…..applications (cont.)…..

Watch deadlines – financial aid offices and scholarship personnel adhere to them!

Double check yur spelling

You are responsible for making sure all parts of the application arrive on time. If letters of recommendation or transcripts are required, give the people who will provide these generous lead time.

When filling out scholarship When filling out scholarship applications (cont.)…..applications (cont.)…..

Make a copy of the application for your file

Keep a written record of the scholarships for which you applied. Make a note of the deadlines, requirements, and responses.

Recommendation letters

Recommendation Letter TipsRecommendation Letter Tips

Choose wisely Be considerate of other’s time

(ask 1-2 weeks prior to deadline) Make certain your references know you well. Even if someone has known you for years, they may

be unaware of community involvement, awards, etc. You are trying to set yourself apart from other

applicants…inform those who are writing your letters of recommendation.

Recommendation Letter Tips Recommendation Letter Tips (cont.)(cont.)

Provide resume outlining:– Extra-curricular activities, honors, awards,

leadership positions held, employment, volunteer activities, community involvement

Type resume and save to distribute throughout the year

Continue to update as year progresses Include a stamped, addressed envelope if the

recommendation is to be mailed separately Write a personal note of thanks

John Daniel Doe Address

Montgomery, IN 47558 (812) 123-4567

johndoe@hotmail.com

Objective To become a successful student at Butler and to become an excellent pharmacist.

Work Experience August 2007-Present: Student intern, Main Street Pharmacy, Washington, IN.

Fill prescriptions, run cash register, assist pharmacists June 2007-Present: Pharmacy Tech-In-Training, Williams Bros. Pharmacy, Washington, IN.

Fill prescriptions, assist pharmacists, file paperwork June 2006-August 2006: Carpenter, Wittmer Bros. Construction, Loogootee, IN.

Built houses, repaired roofs, cleaned house when completed September 2005-May 2006: Child-care provider, YMCA, Washington, IN.

Provided child-care for 5-10 year olds May 2004-Present: Cashier/Clerk, Graber Auctions, Montgomery, IN.

Run cash register, assist customers, write auction sales on tickets

Education Barr-Reeve High School, Montgomery, IN will graduate in 2010 with Academic Honors Diploma.

Senior Classes: Physics, Pre-calculus, Art IV, Economics/Government, Work Internship, English 12 Honors (dual-credit with Vincennes University)

Honors and Activities High Honor Roll; Art Club; Art Club Secretary/Treasurer; Beta Club; Spanish Club; church youth group; Varsity golf team member sophomore and junior year; Team Mental Attitude Award; nominated for: Who’s Who Among American High School Students; National Science Merit Scholarship, and United States Student Achievement Award

*Volunteer Work: Participated in Day of Caring during Junior and Senior year, AngelWorx volunteer, went to World Missionary Press for youth mission trip, went to Phoenix, Arizona for

youth mission trip, went to Belize for church mission trip

Special Skills and Abilities

Strong math, chemistry, and people skills. Excellent attendance record.

References Available upon request

I’ve been accepted, I’ve been accepted, now what?now what?

Compare/contrast colleges and financial aid packages from each school

What questions do I need to find out before making my decision?

Typically prospective students don’t have to make a decision until May 1st

Prior to May need to make housing decisions Very appropriate to contact and inform

schools if you are declining their offer of admission

Points to ponderPoints to ponder

If you are a 21st Century Scholar or Project Aspire participant, you can receive fee waivers for college application fees and SAT/ACT registration fees.

OCU, UE, Marian, Franklin cover remaining tuition not covered by 21st Century Scholars Award = full tuition!

IU & Purdue provide financial assistance for housing, if you are a 21st Century Scholar & meet eligibility requirements.

Things to rememberThings to remember

GRADES, GRADES, GRADES!!Don’t lose sight of your goalsColleges will request a final transcript in

JuneColleges have the right to rescind their

offers of admission, scholarships or change financial aid packages if your grades, diploma track, or class rank change!!

Things to remember (cont.)Things to remember (cont.)

Stay organizedKeep a calendar of important dates &

deadlinesSavor the moments working together as

a family

Questions?Questions?