2. 2
• Agenda
• What/Why college?
• Types of higher education and institutions
• College Admissions process
• How to pay for College
• How to prepare now!
3. 3
How can you prepare?
C Create a Timeline
O Open Doors Through Research
L Learn to ask the Right Questions
L Look for Funding Opportunities
E Establish Good Habits
G Go Visit
E Evaluate your Strengths
4. 4
• Mark a calendar with all important dates:
• Identify when you may take the ACT/SAT
• When to visit colleges
• When to apply to colleges
• When to apply to scholarship opportunities
Create a timeline
5. 5
• Use the internet to find out about different
majors and academic programs
• Contact college(s)you are interested in
• Use Fastweb.com for scholarship information
• Look at the cities the colleges you are interested in
is located
Open doors through research
6. 6
• Speak with your high school guidance counselors
• Speak with your friends and family members
• Talk to students who may currently attend the
college you are interested in that went to your
high school
• Contact the college recruiter for your area
Learn to ask the Right Questions
8. 8
Establish Good Habits
• Go to school on time
• Develop good study habits
• Be consistent
• Build healthy friendships
• Build good relationships
• Meet all deadlines
• Ask questions
9. 9
Go Visit!
• Visit all types of schools
• Shadow a friend for a day
• Attend events at several schools
• Take virtual tours
10. 10
• What are you interested in?
• What are you good at?
• What you do NOT like to do?
• What makes you happy?
• In what subjects do you excel?
Evaluate your Strengths
11. 11
What can higher education
do for you?
More job opportunity
Higher salary
Able to pursue my dream
Make a difference for others
Connections with new people
12. 12
Did you know?
U.S. Census Bureau, 2000
“College graduates earn 84% more than high school grads over a
lifetime...”
-Georgetown University study 2011
13. 13
• Did you know?
• There are three types of
“higher education”:
• Private or Public 4 year colleges and
universities
• 2 year community colleges or junior colleges
• Vocational or Technical schools
14. 14
• Four types of Institutions:
• Open Enrollment
• Liberal Admissions
• Selective Institutions
• Highly Selective
15. 15
• Four Main Admissions Plans
• Regular Decision
• Rolling Admissions
• Early Action
• Early Decision
16. 16
• Types of Institutions: Open Enrollment
2 year institutions offering associate degrees
May have transfer guarantees, students can also apply to transfer
4 year institutions
Students can usually transition if the campus is part of a network of a
university
17. 17
• Types of Institutions: Open Enrollment
2 year 4 year
18. 18
• Types of Institutions: Liberal Admissions
• – These institutions have criteria that the students would
need to meet in order to enroll.
19. 19
• Types of Institutions: Selective
Institutions
• – These institutions employ a Holistic Review process
taking many factors into consideration when
admitting students.
20. 20
• Types of Institutions: Highly Selective
• – Schools with really low acceptance rates. These
institutions consider many more factors for their
Holistic Review Process
21. 21
• Academic Record
• Curriculum
• Grade Point Average / Class Rank
• Courses/Course Load
• Standardized Test Scores
• ACT/SAT
• Further Testing?
• Extra-curricular Activities
• Athletics
• Clubs
• Work Experience
• Community Service
• Leadership
• Personal Qualities
• Essays
• Letters of Recommendation
• Diversity
• Special Talents
“Holistic Review”: What Do Colleges Look For?
23. 23
Why is college so
expensive?
The “Cost of Attendance” includes the following:
24. 24
•Did you know?
• The U.S. Department of Education has
more than $150 Billion dollars
($150,000,000,000) in Financial Aid for
students who qualify and APPLY!
SENIORS! You must file a…
25. 25
FAFSA Details
Question 53: Select Yes if you had no living parent (biological or adoptive) at any time since you turned age
13, even if you are now adopted.
Select Yes if you were in foster care at any time since you turned age 13, even if you are no longer in foster
care as of today.
Select Yes if you were a dependent or ward of the court at any time since you turned age 13, even if you
are no longer a dependent / ward of the court as of today.
• Students who answer “Yes” to independent status
questions will not be required to include parent
income information on the FAFSA, but may be
asked to provide supporting documentation.
• The Financial Aid office will let you know
what additional information they may require
(court documents, letters from a Case worker,
etc.)
• Once finalized, you will NOT be required to
include parent income information on the
FAFSA, only your income information (if you
have any).
27. 27
• Talk with your Guidance Counselor for local scholarships
• Check out local organizations, churches, ads, etc.
•
• Online sites like Big Future, GoodCall.com, Fastweb.com
• Check with the Colleges/Universities you’re applying to!
Where to find/apply?
28. 28
Ohio ETV Program
Up to $5,000 per year! Funding is limited and only available on a first-
come first-serve basis. Apply JULY 1st each year!
30. 30
So, let’s recap!
• Talk to someone you know who has been to college.
• Work hard in school & ask good questions.
• Look and apply for scholarships NOW, and file the FAFSA
in fall of your Senior year.
• Meet all the required deadlines at the schools you’re
applying to.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help and ask questions!
What are some deadlines that you should consider as you prepare for college?
*four total*
Find the best school FOR YOU:
-See if the school you are interested in has your major
-Sign up to be on their mailing list
-See if there are fun things to do outside of the
college atmosphere
What are some of the people who can serve as resources to answer your questions about college?
* Here are some questions you can ask*
What should I be aware of?
- What classes should I take to be competitive?
What steps did you take to get to where you are?
What are the different funding sources to pay for college?
*give prizes for answers*
What are some good habits you can establish right now to help you succeed and go to college?
Why is it important to establish these habits now?
Be consistent (grades and schoolwork ethic)
Build good relationships with your friends, teachers and counselors
If you are able, visit the schools you’re interested in.
- Visit on a random day, when there is no official visit planned. This will help you get a honest sense of what the college is like.
(private vs. public; big vs. small) determine what you like
Some things to think about as you are considering which school is right for you:
Look at the gap between no college and more college.
Regular AdmissionThis is the most common option among colleges and universities. The majority of regular admission deadlines occur between December 1 and March 15. Most students find out if they are accepted in March or April.
Rolling AdmissionsThis plan is often used by less selective colleges. Students are evaluated for admission soon after their application files are completed. Colleges with rolling admission have final application deadlines. Complete your college application early in the admission season, since later applicants may be up against fewer open spaces than earlier applicants. This is particularly true at very popular or more selective state institutions.
Early ActionUsed by some Ivy League and other selective institutions, early action plans require you apply to the college or university early, usually between late October and late November of your senior year of high school. As an early action candidate, you will most likely be notified of your acceptance, denial, or deferment by mid-December.
Early DecisionIf you decide to apply early decision, you must abide by the deadline, which is usually at least six weeks earlier than the regular deadline. The majority of early decision deadlines occur between mid-October and mid-November. Students are then notified of the institutions’ decisions by mid-to-late December. With admission under this plan, if you get in, you must accept the offer at once. You are bound to that school and will need to withdraw all other college applications. Only use this option if you are 100% sure you want to go to that school.
Stop and ask students to think about who is on their College Support team.