Transcript College Success Workshop

Francis Howell North High School
Susan Lutz – Millikin University
Tim Eggleston – University of Missouri - Columbia
 Factors to Consider when Choosing a College
Applying for Admission
 Applying for Scholarships
Financial Aid
Timelines
College Visits and Fairs
Q & A
• Individual Decision
•What is a good “fit” for me,
might not be a good “fit” for you
•Visit a Variety of Schools
Location
 Size
 Academic Programs/
Reputation
 Campus Culture
 Extracurricular Activities/
Athletics
 Safety
 Admission Criteria
 Cost
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Proximity from Home
In-State vs. Out-ofState
 Urban/Suburban/Rural
 Availability of
Internships,
Practicums and
Clinicals
 Travel Expenses
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* Not guaranteed
In-State Tuition
Bright Flight*
Access Missouri Grant*
A + Program/Community Colleges
Quality, Accredited Programs of Study
Excellent Facilities
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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
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How many Majors? (Do you have what I’m
interested in studying?)
Undeclared Students?
Pre-Professional Programs
Assessing Academic Reputation
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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
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Academic Support Services—tutoring, career
placement offices, Accommodations
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
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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
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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
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
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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
University of Missouri – Columbia: Required Core Curriculum:
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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*
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
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Common Application Essay Questions (choose one):
1.
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.
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.
SHOULD INCLUDE…
One Page
Significance
Order/Chronological
Order
 Intended Major
 Activities,
Community Service,
and Work Experience
 Unique Facts
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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.
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Submit Scholarship
Application
Send Letters of
Recommendation
Write Essay Summarizing Your
Personal Accomplishments
Interview Process
Know the Deadlines
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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
Complete the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid: www.fafsa.gov
(Beginning January 1 – 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
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•Tuition
•Room and Board
•Fees
•Text Books
•Additional Course Fees
Most students should
complete 30 credit hours a
year
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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!
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June 13, 2015
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(registration deadline: 5/8/15)
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September 12, 2015
October 24, 2015
December 12, 2015
February 6, 2016
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 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
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Continue On-Campus Visits
Application Essays/Resumes
ACT prep course/study
Apply – many applications become available
on August 1st.
Job shadow/Career Explorations
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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I-70 Series College Fair – *Automated Fair
Maryville University
Sunday, April 26, 1-3 pm
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St. Louis Preforming and Visual Arts Fair - *Automated Fair
Webster University – Grant Gymnasium
Sunday, October 4, 2015, 1-3pm
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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.
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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/
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Individual Visits
Group Visits
Overnight Visits
To Schedule a Visit or to see what is Offered: Visit Websites,
Contact your Admission Counselor or Call
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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
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Mo Dept of Higher Ed:
Financial Aid:
www.dhe.mo.gov
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
Susan Lutz
Associate Director of Admission, St. Louis Region
Millikin University
636-395-7245 (office)
217-521-7903(cell)
[email protected]
www.millikin.edu
Tim Eggleston
Admission Counselor – St. Louis
University of Missouri – Columbia
Office/Cell: 314-814-4337
[email protected]
www.missouri.edu