A Counselor’s Guide To Life Beyond High

School

Focus on your student’s interests, both academically and socially. Such as:• Programs & Majors• Student Life & Housing• Support Services on Campus• Location• Career Opportunities• Athletics & Music Programs• Cost• Size of School• Alumni Support

The Search

• College review books• College websites• Princetonreview.com• Collegeboard.com• Collegequest.com• Nacacnet.org• Washingtoncouncil.org• Wois.org

Search resources

Attend College Fairs

Meet with College Reps during High School Visits

National/Regional College Rep Visit

Visit College Campuses

The Search

Meet with an admissions rep Go on an organized tour Visit a college classroom Discuss scholarships/financial aid Explore student life, dorm rooms,

fraternities/sororities Explore the city in general, it’s your

student’s new home

Campus VisitsWhat do I do?

Source: Collegeview.com

Although four-year schools get all the media hype, many high school graduates head right to a two-year institution.

Why?◦ Cheaper, quicker, or highly vocational.◦ Two-year schools offer students the chance to start their careers sooner

and with less (or no) debt. ◦ You can also use a two-year school as a launching point to start earning

your bachelor's degree.◦ Smaller, more personal classes.

Who Goes There?◦ Students who simply want to save money on their general education

courses before transferring to a more expensive four-year institution.◦ Students who are undecided on a career path.◦ Students looking to go directly into a trade or technical vocation. ◦ Students looking to improve their academic transcript.

2 year

Source: Collegeview.com

Why 4 year?◦ They offer students on- and off-campus learning

opportunities you simply can't find anywhere else.◦ Students who put the time and money into a four-year

education will reap the benefits throughout their lives. Who Goes There?

◦ Those who want a well-rounded education and a flexible degree.

◦ While four-year students are required to take a much broader range of courses than two-year vocational students, four-year students graduate with degrees that can be used for a wide spectrum of jobs in the real world.

4 year

Technical and Community colleges are significantly cheaper and can prepare students for specific careers.

Students need to earn a transfer degree in order to transfer to a university and avoid taking general undergraduate required classes.

It’s ok for student to go to a 4-year university and be undecided. On average students change their majors 3 times.

2 year VS 4 year

Why◦ Typically offer a vast amount of majors and

opportunities◦ Larger number of clubs, athletic programs and

other activities◦ Significantly cheaper

Why Not?◦ Less personal attachment to staff and

administration◦ Students are expected to be more driven and

have less guidance in selecting majors and career opportunities

Public University

Why private schools?◦ Often they are small, which means smaller

classrooms and closer connections to professors◦ Class are taught by actual professors and not

graduate assistants (though small public schools offer the same opportunities)

◦ Due to small communities, students have more opportunities for leadership roles in clubs and student governments

◦ Can offer unique majors that are not available at public universities

Private Universities

Why Not?◦ Significantly more expensive (but scholarships

and grants can assist with this)◦ They offer fewer majors◦ The final con is of mixed opinion as they often

have more rules which can lead some students to feel like they are missing out on being a full adult or being engaged in a full college experience. (though most parents will consider this a good thing)

Private

Again, visit the campuses of the school Do not avoid privates schools due to cost,

some private school have more funding (particularly with the current economy) and can offer more scholarships.

Connect with an admission counselor at the school of interest. A personal connection always helps.

If the school feels right, then perhaps it is the right school for your student.

Private VS Public

Must complete NCAA Initial Eligibility form @www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

The Steps:1. Fulfill academic requirements.2. Proactively approach colleges for recruitment.

Parents and students need to self-advocate3. Contact college coach directly4. Use e-mail for correspondence, it’s easier for

coaches5. Prepare an ATHLETIC RESUME showcasing athletic

achievements (years of participation, awards and honors, list other sports, etc) as well as academic achievements

NCAA

ACT vs. SAT

Which format feels right?Our students take the PLAN (ACT) in 10th and the PSAT

(SAT) in 11th.

How long can I sit?ACT = 2 hrs 55 mins SAT = 3 hrs 45 mins

ACT◦ Reading, Math (Algebra 2),

Science, (Writing optional)◦ Test on knowledge learned

in high school; more straightforward questions

◦ No penalty for wrong answer

◦ Writing section ask more practical questions

SAT◦ Reading, Writing, Math◦ (Optional Subject Test)◦ Test on test-taking abilities

and innate abilities◦ Trickier questions

particularly in math◦ Deducts for wrong answer◦ Writing section ask about

abstract topics

AP◦ School will grant credit for College Board

approved AP exams. Most schools will give credit for students who score a 4 or higher. Some school will give credit for a 3 but that depends on the school.

Running Start◦ Check with Whatcom Community college about

which courses transfer for which Undergraduate Graduation Requirements.

AP/Running Start

Top/competitive/selective schools value students GPA, rigorous course load and extra curricular activities. They want to know that the student took challenging classes, were successful in them and are a well rounded student

Essentially for local and regional universities, a C in an AP class is not the end of the world.

Grades

Fee Waivers◦ Both the SAT and ACT give out fee waivers for up

to four universities. Must have used fee waivers for the SAT/ACT.

◦ If a family is on free and reduced lunch, students can also request a fee waiver from the school.

◦ Many schools will waive the application fee if a student applies online.

The Application Processthe tricky part

1. Create an Academic resume. Include:• Clubs• Sports both school and community sponsored• Volunteer opportunities (including CP)• Awards and Honors• Leadership roles (class/club officer, Capt. of team.• Anything that you would want a prospective college to know

about you. Again, brag/self-advocate.

2. Make sure to set aside some time to speak with your writer about an additional information that you would want someone to advocate for (such as low grades due to divorce, death in family, etc.)

3. Give your letter writer 3 weeks to write the letter, we need time.

Letters of Recommendationsthe process:

Students create their own log-in and can search for colleges that are using the common application

The common app is most used by independent and private universities.

It keeps track of deadlines for all of the schools and contacts the student’s counselor about where the student is with regards to completing their application.

Some schools still require a supplemental application that the student needs to complete in order to finish their application process

Common Applicationwww.commonapp.org

During the application process, many schools will request an official transcript. Students make their request in the main office.

Transcripts are only official if they are signed by a school official.

Some schools will request a sealed transcript, if the envelope is opened, this will break a transcript’s official status. (The same policy is applied to some letters of recommendation)

Transcripts

Financial Aid ~ Overview What are the TOTAL COSTS of an

education? What are the TYPES of financial aid? HOW do you apply for financial aid? WHEN do you apply? What’s the TIMELINE or

FLOWCHART of the process?

Financial Aid Basics

What are the TOTAL Costs of an Education? (example is for WWU -2008-2009) Tuition & Fees - $5,535 Books/Supplies $925 Room/Board $8,012 Transportation $1,362 Miscellaneous$1,722

Total= $17,556

5 ways of Paying for Education1. Family pays (parents & student – savings, checking,

etc.)

2. Grants – Federal & State Grants, Institutional - mostly need- based

3. Scholarships – Institutional or Private – merit or need-based, interest, talent (arts/sports), specific

affiliations, etc.

4. Loans5. Work

2 Major Categories of Financial Aid1 . Gift Aid Grants

Federal Grants - (demonstrated financial need based on FAFSA)

Pell Grant Supplemental Grants State Grants Institutional

Scholarships – private or institutional

2 Major Categories of Financial Aid (cont.)

2 . Self-Help Work Study -- 19.5 max. hrs/week, flexible

schedule, relates to studies Loans

Perkins Loan (low interest - need-based) Subsidized Stafford Loans (need-based) Un-subsidized Stafford (not need-based) * Parent Loan (non need-based, parent borrows)*

* not really financial AID

HOW to apply for Financial Aid

Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) each year

◦ 25% of private colleges also want the CSS Profile available online at www.collegeboard.org

◦FAFSA is single form used to award all federal aid and most institutional aid -- required!

WHEN to complete the FAFSA:◦ as soon as possible AFTER Jan. 1 for each year

Get your PIN # NOW• You need a PIN # & your

Parent Guardian needs a Pin #

• At

www.pin.ed.gov

Tips for Completing the FAFSA

Relax, Take it Step-by-Step -- Estimate your income & taxes for the

calendar year of 2010 (based on your tax info for 2009)

Student = pink, Parents = purple (2007) Complete it with parents/guardian if possible Fill in every section - blanks get returned Q # 75 & 40 - asks about Income TAX paid Assistance: see booklets or online for HELP

Timeline/Flow Chart

1. Late Dec, early Jan -- complete FAFSA◦ make copies if using the hard-copy !!

2. Send the FAFSA early Jan – to the Federal Processor by mail OR electronically at

www.fafsa.ed.gov3. 3-4 weeks after FAFSA is mailed,

you’ll receive the “Student Aid Report” (SAR) ◦ review for errors/changes, make corrections if needed,

make copies and send to colleges◦ Send a copy of the “Special Circumstances Letter”

with the SAR to the college Financial Aid Office

Timeline/Flowchart (continued)

SAR will include the EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) – this is an

important number!! Before May 1 you will receive initial offer

of financial aid. Review offer to see if it will meet your

needs. If O.K, sign and return to the college. If not, sign and return to college with an additional letter (Letter of Special Circumstance)

What is meant by ‘NEED’? Total Cost of Education (all costs)

minus Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)

(EFC determined by the information you provide on the FAFSA. This EFC gets sent to the colleges you specify on the FAFSA)

= Your Financial Need (colleges calculate your financial aid package

based on this $$ amount)

Example of Financial Aid Award

EXAMPLE: Total Cost of Education = $16,000

◦ Estimated Family Contribution = $ 4,000◦ Indicated Financial need = $12,000*◦ Total Gift Aid = $ 6,000

state & fed grants, institutional scholarships)◦ Total Self-Help = $ 6,000

work study, loans◦ Total Financial Aid = $12,000*