Preparing for Higher Education Mrs. Carrier 2011

Preparing for Higher Preparing for Higher EducationEducation

Mrs. CarrierMrs. Carrier

20112011

How many colleges/universities How many colleges/universities can you name?can you name?

How many colleges/universities can How many colleges/universities can you name?you name?

What is college?/ Why go?What is college?/ Why go?

Usually 4 years of higher education leading to Usually 4 years of higher education leading to a Bachelor’s Degree in a specific area.a Bachelor’s Degree in a specific area.

Provides opportunity for in-depth study in a Provides opportunity for in-depth study in a particular area of interest (major)particular area of interest (major)

Allows student to more fully develop Allows student to more fully develop intellectually, socially and perhaps spirituallyintellectually, socially and perhaps spiritually

Helps young people become more independent Helps young people become more independent and self-sufficientand self-sufficient

Types of Colleges/UniversitiesTypes of Colleges/Universities

PublicPublic state-supported: state-supported:

generally lower cost generally lower cost for in-state residents; for in-state residents;

often large: 20,000 + often large: 20,000 + studentsstudents

PrivatePrivate Independent: Independent:

generally higher cost generally higher cost but often provide but often provide more financial help;more financial help;

Often smaller: 1,000-Often smaller: 1,000-10,000 students10,000 students

Sometimes Sometimes religiously affiliatedreligiously affiliated

What can I study there?What can I study there?

At first, take required courses for a well-At first, take required courses for a well-rounded academic experiencerounded academic experience

Choose a major in most any academic Choose a major in most any academic areaarea

Name some:Name some:

Another option to consider:Another option to consider:

Seminary Seminary What is it?What is it? A college or branch of a college that specializes in A college or branch of a college that specializes in

the training of priests.the training of priests. Some seminaries are independent; some operate Some seminaries are independent; some operate

within other universities.within other universities. There are undergraduate programs for young men There are undergraduate programs for young men

straight out of high school; there are graduate straight out of high school; there are graduate programs for men who have already graduated programs for men who have already graduated from college.from college.

If I go to a seminary, am I If I go to a seminary, am I committed to the priesthood?committed to the priesthood?

NONO.. Students in seminary are discerning (deciding) Students in seminary are discerning (deciding)

if the priesthood is truly their vocation.if the priesthood is truly their vocation. They are studying theology and philosophy They are studying theology and philosophy

and taking other college courses.and taking other college courses. If they decide not to become priests, their If they decide not to become priests, their

education is still valid and applicable to education is still valid and applicable to whatever they decide to do in life.whatever they decide to do in life.

How do I choose a college?How do I choose a college?

Factors to consider:Factors to consider: Location: distance from home, urban, suburbanLocation: distance from home, urban, suburban SizeSize Major fieldMajor field Public, Private, Catholic, IndependentPublic, Private, Catholic, Independent Campus atmosphere: residential, college town, Campus atmosphere: residential, college town,

commuter campuscommuter campus CostCost Academic reputation, admission requirementsAcademic reputation, admission requirements Athletic opportunitiesAthletic opportunities

How can I narrow the search?How can I narrow the search?

Talk to your family and friendsTalk to your family and friends Pray for directionPray for direction Visit a variety of schools, sizes, types to get a Visit a variety of schools, sizes, types to get a

feel for themfeel for them Check the academic requirements for Check the academic requirements for

admissionadmission Look at the costLook at the cost Note: This is a very individual process with Note: This is a very individual process with

very personal answers.very personal answers.

What is evaluated for admission?What is evaluated for admission?

Academic factorsAcademic factors Rank in classRank in class Strength of Strength of

curriculumcurriculum Grades earnedGrades earned G.P.A.G.P.A. SAT/ACT scores, SAT/ACT scores,

perhaps SAT IIperhaps SAT II

Personal factorsPersonal factors ActivitiesActivities Essay/personal Essay/personal

statementstatement Teacher evaluationTeacher evaluation

What can I do now?What can I do now?

Choose a strong curriculumChoose a strong curriculum Take solid, college-preparatory classesTake solid, college-preparatory classes Complete requirements: e.g. if you want to study Complete requirements: e.g. if you want to study

science in college, you need to take Physics in science in college, you need to take Physics in high school.high school.

Work hard in school; do your very best each day.Work hard in school; do your very best each day. Hone your test-taking skillsHone your test-taking skills Improve your writing skillsImprove your writing skills

Prepare to take SAT/ACTPrepare to take SAT/ACT


Get involved in activitiesGet involved in activities Choose carefullyChoose carefully

Choose a number that you can manage successfullyChoose a number that you can manage successfully Choose those that highlight a talent or interestChoose those that highlight a talent or interest Colleges like to see awards and recognitionColleges like to see awards and recognition

Engage fullyEngage fully Colleges like to see active involvementColleges like to see active involvement Colleges like to see commitmentColleges like to see commitment Colleges like to see leadership positions Colleges like to see leadership positions


Develop good relationships with teachers.Develop good relationships with teachers. A teacher does not A teacher does not havehave to write a to write a

recommendation for you.recommendation for you. Be a good student; have a positive attitude.Be a good student; have a positive attitude. Help teachers by giving them deadline and college Help teachers by giving them deadline and college

information. Give them a few weeks to write the information. Give them a few weeks to write the letter and meet the deadline. letter and meet the deadline.

Recognize that the recommending teacher is Recognize that the recommending teacher is helping you and be appreciative. When the time helping you and be appreciative. When the time comes, write a thank-you note.comes, write a thank-you note.


Begin to research Begin to research collegescolleges Learn admission Learn admission

requirementsrequirements Look at major Look at major

possibilitiespossibilities Evaluate size, locationEvaluate size, location Plan a visit to experience Plan a visit to experience

campus life—Can I see campus life—Can I see myself here?myself here?

Where do I look to find Where do I look to find information?information?

Ask trusted adults, older Ask trusted adults, older students.students. Look in college booksLook in college books Look on internetLook on internet Watch college athleticsWatch college athletics College fairsCollege fairs College reps who visit College reps who visit

SJHSSJHS

Can we look at a public college?Can we look at a public college?

Indiana University—Bloomington statisticsIndiana University—Bloomington statistics 31,626 undergraduates, 8,728 graduate students31,626 undergraduates, 8,728 graduate students Middle 50% range G.P.A. for admitted students: Middle 50% range G.P.A. for admitted students:

3.4-3.93.4-3.9 Middle 50% range SAT score on Critical Reading Middle 50% range SAT score on Critical Reading

and Math: 1100-1290 (possible 1600)and Math: 1100-1290 (possible 1600) Middle 50% range ACT composite score: 24-28 Middle 50% range ACT composite score: 24-28

(possible 36)(possible 36)

How much does it cost?How much does it cost?

IU costsIU costs Tuition and fees for Indiana resident: $8,613/yearTuition and fees for Indiana resident: $8,613/year Room and board based on double room with full Room and board based on double room with full

meal plan: $7,646-$9,640/yearmeal plan: $7,646-$9,640/year Estimated total paid to school: $16,259-18,253Estimated total paid to school: $16,259-18,253

Books and supplies estimate: $650-740/yearBooks and supplies estimate: $650-740/year Personal and transportation expenses: $2,400-Personal and transportation expenses: $2,400-

$2,950/year$2,950/year Estimated total cost: $19,309-21,950/yearEstimated total cost: $19,309-21,950/year

What scholarships are available?What scholarships are available?

IU Excellence: $36,000 total ($9,000/year)IU Excellence: $36,000 total ($9,000/year) The IU Excellence Scholarship is awarded to The IU Excellence Scholarship is awarded to

the best and brightest students in the state of the best and brightest students in the state of Indiana who meet each of the following Indiana who meet each of the following criteria:criteria: Indiana residentIndiana resident Minimum SAT of 1340 or minimum ACT of 30Minimum SAT of 1340 or minimum ACT of 30 Minimum 3.80 on 4.0 scaleMinimum 3.80 on 4.0 scale

What scholarships are available?What scholarships are available?

IU Prestige: $16,000 total ($4,000/year)IU Prestige: $16,000 total ($4,000/year) The IU Prestige Scholarship is awarded to The IU Prestige Scholarship is awarded to

students who meet each of the following students who meet each of the following criteria:criteria: Indiana resident or out-of-state studentIndiana resident or out-of-state student Minimum SAT of 1220 or minimum ACT of 27Minimum SAT of 1220 or minimum ACT of 27 Minimum GPA of 3.70 on 4.0 scaleMinimum GPA of 3.70 on 4.0 scale

What about a private school?What about a private school?

University of Notre Dame statisticsUniversity of Notre Dame statistics 8,372 undergraduates, 3,444 graduate students8,372 undergraduates, 3,444 graduate students 70% of freshmen were in top 5% of high school 70% of freshmen were in top 5% of high school

classclass 87% of freshmen were in top 10% of high school 87% of freshmen were in top 10% of high school

classclass Middle 50% range SAT score on Critical Reading Middle 50% range SAT score on Critical Reading

and Math: 1350-1480 (possible 1600)and Math: 1350-1480 (possible 1600) Middle 50% range ACT composite score: 31-34 Middle 50% range ACT composite score: 31-34



ND costs per year:ND costs per year: Tuition and fees: Tuition and fees: $ 39,920$ 39,920 Room and board:Room and board: 10,87010,870 Bill from school:Bill from school: $ 50,790$ 50,790 Estimated costs:Estimated costs: Books and supplies:Books and supplies: $ 950$ 950 Personal expenses:Personal expenses: 1,000 1,000 Transportation:Transportation: 500 500 Estimated total costs:Estimated total costs: $ 53,240$ 53,240

What about financial aid?What about financial aid?

Notre Dame awards financial aid based on Notre Dame awards financial aid based on need. To have the family contribution need. To have the family contribution analyzed, complete the Free Application for analyzed, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service PROFILE by Feb. 15 of Scholarship Service PROFILE by Feb. 15 of senior year.senior year.

Another example?Another example?

Bellarmine University, Louisville, KYBellarmine University, Louisville, KY 2,331 undergraduates, 550 graduate students2,331 undergraduates, 550 graduate students 51% of students ranked in the top 25% of their 51% of students ranked in the top 25% of their

high school classhigh school class Middle 50% range SAT score: 1020-1230 Middle 50% range SAT score: 1020-1230 Middle 50% range ACT composite score: 22-27 Middle 50% range ACT composite score: 22-27



Bellarmine University costs per year:Bellarmine University costs per year: Tuition and fees:Tuition and fees: $ 27,800$ 27,800 Room and board:Room and board: 8,400 8,400 Total bill:Total bill: $ 36,200$ 36,200 There will still be the estimated costs of books, There will still be the estimated costs of books,

travel and personal expenses.travel and personal expenses.

How can I pay for this?How can I pay for this?

Bellarmine University states:Bellarmine University states:

““Don’t overreact to the price of an education, Don’t overreact to the price of an education, but focus on its much lower actual cost to you, but focus on its much lower actual cost to you, and its enormously high value as an and its enormously high value as an investment in your future. We provide more investment in your future. We provide more than $5 million in institutional scholarships than $5 million in institutional scholarships and grants to freshmen each year.” and grants to freshmen each year.” (Bellarmine University website)(Bellarmine University website)

What are examples of scholarships?What are examples of scholarships?

Bellarmine ScholarsBellarmine Scholars Award: full tuitionAward: full tuition Requirements: application and essayRequirements: application and essay Past winners statistics: ACT Past winners statistics: ACT >>29, GPA 29, GPA >> 3.4 3.4

Monsignor Horrigan ScholarshipMonsignor Horrigan Scholarship Award: variesAward: varies Past winners statistics: SAT 1140; ACT 25; GPA 3.0Past winners statistics: SAT 1140; ACT 25; GPA 3.0 Requirements: maintain 3.0 cumulative GPA and full-time Requirements: maintain 3.0 cumulative GPA and full-time

enrollment statusenrollment status

What should I remember?What should I remember?

The time to prepare for college is NOW.The time to prepare for college is NOW. Work hard in class each day so that your high Work hard in class each day so that your high

school record is as strong as it can be.school record is as strong as it can be. Begin to research colleges.Begin to research colleges.

Consider majors.Consider majors. Weigh various factors: size, location, costs, etc.Weigh various factors: size, location, costs, etc.

The more you learn about college The more you learn about college opportunities the better.opportunities the better.

Pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit.Pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Documents

Preparing for Higher Education Mrs. Carrier 2011