2012 College Guide

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NS O I CAT I L ES APP L I N F O PRO CE I L V D OO H RE! • A C O S M • OU D Y N Y A FOR MONE • L O TS LOOK O IP S H H O C S AR TS NC L C INSIDE! O I O E T F H I R C U T PE DS Complete • E N I H F T S D ST TO College Fair E E T FIN R T E C H /A W Details SAT

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Greenville County College Fair TD CONVENTION CENTER

Monday, October 8, 2012, 9am-11:30am and 6pm-8pm • Tuesday, October 9, 2012, 9am-11:30am

Spartanburg County College Fair SPARTANBURG MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM Tuesday, October 9, 2012, 6pm-8pm • Wednesday, October 10, 2012, 9am-12pm

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Greenville and Spartanburg have been recognized recently for many things – revitalized downtowns, bicycle and pedestrian friendly communities, CUICAR, etc. – and on Monday/Tuesday and Tuesday/Wednesday, Greenville County and Spartanburg students and parents will have an opportunity to participate in the College Fairs that are the “best” and ones that help encourage students and families to think about and become involved in the process of going to college.

Studies have shown that one way to improve education and motivation for students to go to college is to create a “college-going culture” in a school or community. Greenville’s own Carolina High School was recently recognized for creating just such an atmosphere and improving its college attendance rate. Mayors White (Greenville & Spartanburg) have recognized the importance of this by proclaiming the preceding week as “Bridges to College Week”.

There has been a great deal discussed and written about improving the college-going rates in South Carolina and across the nation. A college education improves the quality of life and the opportunities for individuals, and many believe that increasing the number of students attending and graduating from 2-year and 4-year colleges is a key to improved economic and community health for the Upstate.

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Engaging in a College Fair is one way that students (and parents) can explore their best options.

Whether or not going to college is “the” most important decision one will make in his or her life, there is no doubt that the decision is an important one. The Greenville County College Fair at the TD Convention Center and the Spartanburg College Fair are an excellent way for students and families across the Upstate to learn about college options, educational programs, the college admission expectations, scholarships & financial aid, etc. and become “educated” about the college admission process.

The Fairs will bring together the largest assemblage of college representatives in the region (over 120 colleges) and provide an easy and valuable opportunity for students to develop and refine their focus on college. Not only should juniors and seniors be interested in this event, but sophomores and freshmen can take advantage of this opportunity to find out what colleges offer and the requirements for admission. This information will help them prepare for and be more successful in the admission process. Awareness of expectations is one way of creating that “college-going” atmosphere and will help spur students to work harder. >> C O L L E G E

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A large study in Illinois showed that many college students were “underenrolled”, meaning that their college choices were limited by lack of good information and encouragement to reach further. One of the consequences of “underenrollment” is failure to graduate successfully because students either find the academic environment lacking or they are not knowledgeable about financial aid and miss affordable opportunities. Engaging in a College Fair is one way that students (and parents) can explore their best options and help improve the college-going culture.

On mornings of Monday, October 8th and Tuesday, October 9, Greenville County public school students who sign up will have the opportunity to meet with college representatives. Spartanburg students will have the same opportunity on Wednesday, October 10th.

There is a very special opportunity on the evening of October 8th in Greenville for students and parents across the Upstate both to attend college admission and financial aid seminars and to meet with college representatives. In Spartanburg, the Fair will be held for parents and students on Tuesday, October 9 from 6-8pm.

The Fairs are a volunteer collaborative effort of the Carolinas Association of College Registrars and Admission Officers (CACRAO), The Greenville County School System, Furman University, Greenville Technical College, College Hub of Spartanburg, The Greenville Urban League, North Greenville University, Christ Church Episcopal School, St. Joseph’s Catholic High School, The Princeton Review, The Greenville Journal, Educational Directions, Giraffe Web Design, and Greenville City in order to help improve life in the Upstate. All high school students and their families are encouraged to attend. For more information go to www.greenvillecountycollegefair.com. ■ 2012 PLANNING COMMITTEE Debbie Barefoot, North Greenville University Judy Benedict, Giraffe Web Allyson Brown, Furman University Bill Dingledine, Educational Directions India Fulkerson, Greenville Technical College Will Gregg, Greenville Urban League Jeny Kerscher, Furman University BJ Lindley, Greenville County Schools Esther Pinckney, Greenville Technical College Justin Pitts, North Greenville University April Ridgeway, The Princeton Review Rob Rhodes, Greenville County Schools Kathy Ring, Southside Christian School Linda Schulz, Christ Church Episcopal School Jewel Whitney, Greenville Technical College Karah Viola, St. Joseph’s Catholic High School Anna Hunt, Wofford College Lindsay Moore, Spartanburg College Hub Carrie Priddy, Spartanburg College Hub

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What to consider when considering

By Dr. Carrie Priddy, Executive Director of College Hub in Spartanburg County GoUpstate.com/collegehub There is no lack of advice for high schoolers looking at colleges. Just Google “finding a college” and you’ll end up with thousands of checklists, personality quizzes and advice columns. The key isn’t finding information on college; it’s sorting through all the information on college. Here are a few broad ideas to help you do just that.

Start by asking why you are going to college. Just like you might put an objective statement at the top of a resume, write down your “college objective statement” to guide your search.

Your statement might include the type of environment you want, what you want to learn academically, experiences you hope to have, how you want to grow personally and what outcome/job you hope your degree will help you earn.

Along those same lines, separate what YOU want from what others want for you. Talk to people you trust and who have your best interests at heart, but be sure to remember that this is about your future and you are the one who has to live it.

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college

Go beyond the website. Read blogs from admissions reps and current students, watch any videos posted on the school’s YouTube site, friend the college on Facebook, read the campus newspaper online and request contact information for any local alums willing to chat with prospective students.

Take the tour. Nothing beats a campus tour to see how you really feel on a campus. After the official tour, spend time in places where students congregate, like the library, student center, rec center and dining halls. Stop by the office that houses a major you are considering and ask to sit in on a class or meet a professor. Can you see yourself in these settings with these people?

Look at both retention rates and graduation rates. Freshman retention rate illustrates the percentage of freshmen who return for their sophomore year, indicating overall student satisfaction with their first year and perhaps an academic environment that keeps students from failing out. Retention and graduation rates get mucky due to issues like transfers, but you still want to know the percentage of students who earn their degree within a given time frame.

Investigate accreditation. Each institution should be accredited by a respectable governing body that regulates quality and establishes educational standards.

Each school should communicate their accreditation information somewhere on their website (probably under the “About Us” or “Fast Facts” tabs).

A “college” could charge tuition and hold classes, but if it isn’t accredited, your degree won’t mean as much. The best way to insure accreditation is to look as to whether a college is “regionally” accredited – all Southern colleges should be accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Many national “accreditations” do not carry weight as far as credits are concerned. >> C O L L E G E

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Ask about job placement upon graduation. Schools should report this. If they don’t, run. Isn’t getting a job the one the reasons you’re there?

A few more thoughts to (hopefully) ease stress during your search: • There is no rule that you have to go directly to college after high school if you aren’t ready. • If you don’t know what you want to major in right now, you aren’t alone. Don’t sweat it, but do seek opportunities to explore areas that interest you. • Keep track of deadlines. There can be a lot of them. • Pick up the phone and call a college if you have questions. You’ll get better service that way. • Sending in your acceptance notice does not seal your fate forever and ever. People transfer schools and/or

change majors every year and still turn out just fine. • Picking a school solely because you like its football team will ensure a handful of fun days on campus. Think about the rest of your days, too. • Don’t let tuition sticker price keep you from applying to a school. You can fill out a FAFSA and talk to that school’s financial aid office about options. • Learn to tune out “back when I went to collegeâ€? stories when necessary. We college graduates like to look back and joke about horrible roommates or late-night cramming sessions because it’s fun in hindsight (but if you listen too closely now, it might just sound stressful). • Keep your options open – consider two-year, four-year, in-state, out-of-state, big, small, urban, rural, liberal arts, research. Start with a broad list and work from there. â–

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the voice and confidence to make a difference in the world.� ~Jess Lee, 2012 Converse graduate C O L L E G E

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Discover the power of ONE COURSE A MONTH

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USC Aiken You’re invited to our 2012-2013 campus tours!

Open House Dates October 12th November 9th November 30th February 1st February 22nd March 29th April 19th

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Saturday Tour Dates October 6th October 27th December 1st January 26th March 2nd April 6th

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864.239.5300 Two Liberty Square, 75 Beattie Place, Suite 100 Greenville, SC 29601 Accredited member, ACICS

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See BMCprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, and other important info.

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Christ Church Episcopal School does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, financial aid or other programs, or other school-administered programs and activities.

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A Greenville Tech education can take you far beyond the college’s four campuses.

A Greenville Tech education isn’t confined to one campus or even the four-campus system the college has grown into. Students can expand their experience through study abroad opportunities around the world.

Costa rica

Culinary Arts majors spent spring break in Florence, Italy, where they studied under Italian chefs. In May, Nursing students traveled to Costa Rica, learning to provide health care in culturally appropriate ways, and a group spent time in Morocco, studying culture, food, customs, and religion. And Visual and Performing Arts students have participated in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest arts festival in the world.

With opportunities to learn beyond our classrooms, Greenville Tech is a college in the community and of the world.

italy Morocco | www.gvltec.edu | College Fair ad.indd 1

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SAT I • SAT II • ACT Basic Advice The use of standardized tests for college admission is in a more confusing state than ever in the past.

There are two major competitors in the business and colleges have various and wide-ranging testing requirements for admission. Here are the basics that every student should know going into the college admission process: I. The SAT & ACT are different tests and there is no “type” of student who will do better on one than another. For that reason, every student should take a real full length practice test of each one (or take each one for real), and compare scores, then decide on the best test to take.

II. Prepare and practice – one can improve his or her test scores through study and practice. Note: different students have different needs for preparation depending on their background and what sort of test-taker they are, so choose your prep option carefully. One should not try to prepare for both tests – focus on the one that is best for you.

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III. Everyone should take the test(s) at least twice â&#x20AC;&#x201C; once in the junior year and once in the senior year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; colleges will take the best score(s). Preferably, take the test(s) early enough in the junior year so that there is time to do more preparation and retake the test before the end of the junior year. Be aware of deadlines for admission and scholarship when planning your test dates.

Three emerging trends: 1. Almost all colleges â&#x20AC;&#x153;super scoreâ&#x20AC;? the SAT (take the best Critical Reading, best Math, and best Writing score from any number of sittings), and a growing number are now beginning to super score the ACT as well.

2. There has been a growing body of data showing that the SAT-Writing section has better predictive validity than the Critical Reading or Math, so even though many colleges do no use the Writing V. Score Choice for SAT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this is a new wrinkle on the scene section now, it will become a increasing trend. because some colleges want all scores. The best policy 3. Test-Optional â&#x20AC;&#x201C; more and more colleges are is not to sign up and take the tests multiple times, but to recognizing that a single test does not reflect a use the released sets of tests sold by each company and student well and they are allowing students to opt practice with them. Then, take the test two or three times. not to submit test scores if the students do not VI. Make sure to send your scores directly from the testing feel those scores represent them well, or in some companies. Some colleges will only accept scores sent cases to present other tests (SAT Subject, AP, IB) directly, even if they are included on your transcript. in place of the SAT or ACT. â&#x2013; IV. Know what tests your colleges require (if it is â&#x20AC;&#x153;recommendedâ&#x20AC;?, then it should be taken). Be aware of expectations for SAT Subject Tests as well.

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By Rod Skinner, Director of College Counseling, Milton Academy, Milton, MA Of the several refrains we hear from parents the college process, perhaps the most common is “I just want my child to be happy.” As a general principle, happiness is a concept we can all get behind. (I just want my child to be unhappy.” Don’t think so!) However, as the market forces of the college admission process come to bear on student and parent, the definition of “happiness “ narrows to a small list of highly selective colleges, smile lines tighten, and the pursuit of happiness becomes all too frequently a distressingly miserable endeavor.

In his book, The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness, Ned Hallowell describes five developmental steps to happiness: connectedness/unconditional love (a child’s mere existence make him/her wonderful! By illustration, Hallowell cites Jerome Kagan’s definition of unhappiness: when parents expect more than their child can deliver); play (the child tries many different things, explores and experiments with the world, has fun); practice (the child formalize play, identifies certain activities he/she really enjoys and then does them repeatedly); mastery (the child gets the feelings that he/she is doing something better than before. Hallowell calls mastery 12

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Armed with resilience, a student has the confidence to take on the world and all that it manifests.

the building block of self-esteem: “Life is something I can do!”; and recognition (other people affirm the child’s mastery: “You do it well!”).

Contrast this notion of happiness with the perfection students often feel they are supposed to achieve. The pressure to be great at everything is real. What’s more, the quest for perfection leads to competition, and that quest is intense, solitary. In talking about the college process, so many students and parents say they feel profoundly alone. A couple of years ago parent, who is a child psychologist herself, talked about the level of anxiety she saw in her daughter: “She seems so frantic, so stressed out. She feels like she is not going to get in any anywhere if she’s not perfect. Which is her burden, but this whole process makes that dynamic more intense and more isolating.” And we all know that isolation, the absence of connectedness, is trouble. Isolated kids act out, self destruct, fold in on themselves.

Perfectionism infects our children in other ways, too. They can get so worried about making a mistake that “analysis >> C O L L E G E

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paralysis” or some form of “stupefaction” sets in. Recently, a student fretted that her whiteout was a different color from the paper of the application to be completed. Another student asked whether he had hurt his chances by writing 9/24/05 instead of September 24th, 2005 on his application. Where is the play here? Where the sense of mastery? With the bar set so high, even the simplest task can seem beyond the reach of even our most able students. Life feels like something they can’t do.

Perfectionism can also lead to the overwhelming compulsion to have the best things always. It is a perpetual, impossible hunger: the thing desired is no longer good enough once it has been attained. How many times have we work closely with a student to identify a good match, a school that serves his/her needs fully and presents a strong chance of admission only to have that student use that comfortable secure base as a launching pad into fruitless bids for acceptance and more unattainable schools? Much like Tennyson’s Ulysses, restlessly seeking new lands, the student pursuing the next best thing find the world “whose margin fades/for ever and for ever…” Needless to say, the state of constant dissatisfaction can take its toll. In the Paradox of Choice, Barry Schwartz explores a similar phenomenon.

He worries that the profusion of choices is turning us into maximizers, and maximizers are prone to misery and depression. Instead, he counsels us to “satisfice” – to content ourselves with results that are good enough, for there lies long-term happiness.

The absurdity and danger of pursuing perfection plays out in still other ways. With selectivity rate so high and the margins for error razor-thin, have seen the demise of the late bloomer and, for that matter, the demise of adolescence. On very significant levels, adolescence is supposed to be messy, imperfect. At its best it can be a time of highly productive failure: play, experiment, failure, recovery, and finally growth.

Instead, in the face of the pressures of the college process, students play safe. They are tight just when they need to be loose, and, as the folks who have to wade through reams of application papers can tell you, that tightness makes Johnny a very dull boy. At a counselor program several years ago, the Rice University admission office lamented the number of applicants who, when presented with an opportunity to fill in an empty square with anything they thought would express who they were, left that part of the page blank. David Brooks in his op-ed piece “Stressed for Success” decried the “prudential attitude” that seem to govern the actions of too many students. He argues that people who succeed most spectacularly are not prudential, that the key to “worldly success” is “perseverance, imagination, and trustworthiness.”

In other words, what some people would call “character.”

And this notion of character brings us back to Hallowell’s concept of happiness, to the importance of play, passion, mastery and recognition in children’s lives. If we really want our students to grow into strong, free-standing adults, we need to preach the power of imperfection, of the absolute necessary of kicking the jams out and taking risk. Sure there will be failures, some real whoppers most likely, but there is no better way to instill resilience. But students will come to Continued on page 14 >> C O L L E G E

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Continued from page 13 >>

realize that there is life after failure and that, in fact, failures can sometimes lead to the most exciting moments in their lives. In composing a life, Mary Catherine Bateson discounts the idea that life moves in a seamless arc. It is actually, she says, a series of discontinuities. We define ourselves by how we respond to these discontinuities; they can either defeat us or transform us. At our best and most resilient we become most creative and energized at times of great discontinuity.

Armed with resilience, a student has the confidence to take on the world and all that it manifests. He/she has taken lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best shot and found a way to make things work after all. Life becomes something not to fear, but to relish. In terms of the college process, resilient, happy kids have the confidence to make good choices, true to themselves, and to tell the external pressures so often plagued them to buzz off. Can we teach our students a lesson any more powerful than that?

Our mission seems clear: we need to give our students the space, the connectedness, the skills, the courage to live life in all its complexity and richness. Otherwise, we are raising a generation of hothouse flowers that will wilt at the first sign of real weather. â&#x2013;

U.S. News & World Report 2012

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Anderson University

school than any other private SC university. If you are interested in cancer research, you can do it as an undergrad in Anderson’s cancer research center.

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f you are looking for a great education in a beautiful setting on one of the most warm and friendly campuses anywhere, Anderson is for you.

One of the most rapidly emerging private universities in The South, AU is ranked in the top tier of southern colleges by U.S. News & World Report, and the #1 “Up and Coming College” of its type in America by the same magazine.

AU offers a rigorous education, combining the best of the liberal arts and professional studies in a warm, caring, Christian environment. The 2,512 students at Anderson enjoy a lively campus atmosphere with constant activities and opportunities to strengthen friendships, not to mention the games of 17 NCAA Division II athletic teams competing in The South Atlantic Conference.

For those looking to go back to college, AU offers the ACCEL program for completing your degree in a variety of fields in less time with more personal attention. Our graduate program offers Master’s degrees in Education, Business and Ministry.

For students interested in The Sciences, Anderson is a perfect choice for getting an education and entrance into Medical, Dental, Veterinary, Pharmacy or graduate school.

Anderson graduates comprise a higher number of students in the USC Pharmacy

The graphic design program at AU is one of the finest in the nation and two years ago, AU was the only university in America to win three national ADDY awards, including “Best in Show” and has won almost all of the ADDY’s on the local level for the past several years.

AU’s School of Interior Design is one of the most sought after programs, as it is one of the few interior design programs to be found at a private Christian university. It attracts students from every corner of the country as well as several foreign countries. It is also one of several programs at AU that has earned national accreditation.

The nationally accredited College of Business is home to the three-time winning team in the national Sam’s Club Environmental Sustainability Challenge as well as one of the most decorated S.I.F.E (students in free enterprise) teams in the country.

AU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts is home to theatre, music, and musical theatre performances that are consistently on par with much larger universities, and the College of Christian Studies features one of America’s most innovative programs in ministry with instruction from the countries most popular authors and preachers.

Anderson University features all of these highly ranked academic programs on one of the South’s most scenic campuses with 100-yearold oak trees shading beautiful lawns near gorgeous Old South architecture.

Schedule a visit today. You’ll fall in love with AU.

GLADYOUASKED WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL? AU offers highly ranked academics in a genuine Christian atmosphere, so students who are serious about their academics and their faith don’t have to choose between the two when selecting a college.

WHAT COULD BE EVEN BETTER? We always feel we can expand our program offerings and we do so each year. We now offer graduate degrees up to and including the doctoral level and we just opened a brand new state-of-the-art school of nursing which features the most advanced simulators and the only human cadaver lab dedicated to undergraduate nurse education in the state.

WHAT IS HOUSING LIKE? With 12 residence halls, three of which were built within the past two years, there is a wide variety of living options from apartment-style to suites, as well as traditional residence hall settings.

WHAT ARE THE BEST HANGOUTS (ON AND OFF CAMPUS)?

On campus, students can be found hanging out in Java City, a hip coffee and dessert venue in the new Thrift Library. Also – Food for Thought, a stylish new restaurant featuring gourmet pizza and hot Italian sandwiches. Students also flock to the emerging Anderson downtown district.

WHAT ARE YOUR MOST POPULAR CLASSES? When it comes to elective classes, the Fine Arts 200 class which combines music, theatre, and art appreciation into a lively semester class; in business, the marketing classes under Dr. Joe Spencer are cited as entertaining and challenging; the new musical theatre classes; and the most popular majors are education, business, interior design, science and Christian studies.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE STUDENT/PROFESSOR RATIO? The low ratio at AU has always been a strength of the university. It varies between 14:1 and 16:1.

WHAT SPECIAL ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS? Apply early. AU is a hot commodity in higher education and freshman classes are filling up faster than ever before. We’ve grown nearly 68% over the past 7 years. Be sure to visit the campus whether you know us well or not.

77% of the students who visit AU enroll here.

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Erskine College

past several years nearly 100% of all graduates applying to medical graduate programs were accepted. Erskine alumni lead businesses and organizations both large and small throughout the world.

E

rskine College is a place where you can know and be known.

Erskine’s tradition of excellence in liberal arts higher education goes back nearly 175 years to its founding in 1839 by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, making it one of the oldest, most respected church-affiliated colleges in the Southeast.

Erskine is also small by design. The student body is just under 600. Nearly all students live on the stately 95-acre campus in the town of Due West in historic Abbeville County, South Carolina. With a population of 1,200, it’s a quiet college town, perfect for study.

This combination of excellent academics and close-knit community means your experience will be uniquely yours. Any of Erskine’s two dozen degree programs can be customized by working with Erskine faculty to create an appropriate course of study that suits your personal and career interests.

You’ll be taught by excellent professors (not graduate students), and Erskine faculty members get to know you outside the classroom. They become mentors, taking a personal interest your success in both life and learning.

But we produce more than simply competent professionals. We seek to equip the whole person — intellectually, physically and spiritually — to flourish in life and leadership.

Erskine’s close-knit academic community helps students focus on what’s really important.

More than a great college experience, it’s a place to begin pursuing a lifelong calling.

A smaller residential campus means you can’t fake it. Quality is revealed and weaknesses are strengthened. Character is refined through intentional, individual relationships.

Erskine offers an unparalleled education that is surprisingly affordable. Over 90% of our students receive some form of financial assistance from federal, state and institutional aid sources. The college offers a variety of scholarship opportunities that recognize students’ academic abilities, athletic talents, or honor their dedication to the performing arts, community service, and more.

Erskine competes in intercollegiate athletics as a member of the NCAA Division II and Conference Carolinas. The college fields 15 teams: men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, and volleyball; women’s softball and lacrosse; and men’s baseball.

Erskine College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

More than half of Erskine graduates go on to some type of graduate education. In fact, in the 16 G R E E N V I L L E A N D S P A R T A N B U R G

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GLADYOUASKED WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL? The combination of excellent academics and a close-knit, vibrant community in an authentically Christian setting.

WHAT IS HOUSING LIKE? Our 12 residence halls, two of which were built within the past two years, are clustered into two residential areas. Both men’s and women’s dorms are equipped with high-speed wireless internet and function like large, comfortable homes.

WHAT ARE THE BEST HANGOUTS? The best hangout on campus is Watkins Student Center, which includes Snappers, a grill and rec area with pool and ping-pong, a large study area and TV lounge, and Java City. You also have access to 95 beautiful acres of tree-lined campus.

WHAT ARE YOUR MOST POPULAR CLASSES? In addition to our core liberal arts curriculum, our Winter Term in January (“J-Term”) allows for concentrated study in a wide variety of fields or interests. Semester-long study abroad opportunities are also popular. Erskine’s most popular majors are Biology, Education and Business Administration.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE STUDENT/PROFESSOR RATIO? Erskine’s student-professor ratio is12:1 and classes are capped at 25. This enables students and professors to move beyond lecturing to engage discussions both during and after classes. Personal relationships with professors and small group projects are some of the major advantages of small class size.

WHAT ARE THE STEREOTYPES ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL AND ARE THEY TRUE OR FALSE? People often confuse our rural setting with being “in the middle of nowhere” where there’s nothing to do. The truth is that aside from the hundreds of activities on campus, Erskine is just 20 minutes from almost anything you need, a couple of hours from two of the largest cities in the Southeast, and three hours from the beach.

WHAT SPECIAL ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS? It’s important to understand what kind of environment you want to learn and grow in. If you want to be challenged academically and be part of a close-knit academic community, not just go to college, Erskine might be a good fit.

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T A K O O L A E K TA Dan Philbeck Vice President for Enrollment Management Spartanburg Methodist College www.smcsc.edu High school seniors are starting to think seriously about what they will do after graduation. Many have high hopes for college, yet national statistics show approximately one in four students drops out during the first year. Part of the reason is, despite all we do with them academically in high school, they’re totally unprepared for “the college experience.”

Another reason I feel this statistic is so high is because students chose the wrong path toward a college degree, whether it be associate degree or a bachelor degree.

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The academic quality of the two-year college is equivalent to the first two years at a four-year university or college.

• Students bow to peer pressure and choose a college to impress their friends and mollify their family.

• Students choose college because they think, “Well, this is what I’m supposed to do.”

My opinion, after 33 years in higher education, is that more students should choose to attend an in-state, two-year I ask myself every year why students choose to attend one college. (Yes, I admit to having a biased attitude because college over another. I can narrow down unsuitable college I have spent my career working at a two-year college.) But choices to a number of factors. For example: why is the two-year option a good one? Costs, mostly. A student can take the same catalog of classes they’d take at • Students choose a college without fully researching that a four-year college for a fraction of the price. Of course, there college. are other factors such as smaller classes, more individual • Students have unreal expectations of what college is attention, no pressure to declare an academic major and about. ease of transition to being a college student. >> 18

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And here is the best part: the academic quality of the twoyear college is equivalent to the first two years at a four-year university or college.

Look up any statistic about the drop-out rates for college students. The research will show you that the large majority of students who drop out of college do so within the first two years. These two years are vital for forming the foundation for future college success.

Going to college can be an overwhelming experience. The first year is a hard adjustment for anyone, regardless of the type of college you attend. Once a student starts the second year, he or she should be in a position to make a mark on campus and to really focus in on goals and aspirations.

Selecting a college that allows students to equip themselves to have this type of experienceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;one that empowers them to make the most of college and enjoy it tooâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;is critical.

Students need a school that prepares them to thrive in this new season of their life, giving them a strong foundation for their career or for transferring to a four-year school with a strong academic and extracurricular record.

The 2+2 model (starting at a two-year school to earn an associateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree and transferring to a four-year school to complete a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree) offers the perfect setup to be successful: two years in a smaller setting to get your feet firmly planted, to focus, and to matureâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;all at a financial savings. Private or public, the two-year college is

simply less expensive. At Spartanburg Methodist College (a private college where I work), and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m almost positive at any technical and community college, South Carolina student who graduate high school with at least a 3.0 grade point average can have tuition charges covered by the LIFE Scholarship. That means FREE school.

Let me ask you to please, please make an educated decision about your college attendance. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vital that you attend college and learn the necessary skills that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll use for your future and the future of the state of South Carolina. Visit a two-year during your college search and talk about career options and transfer options. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be glad you did! â&#x2013;

The Class of 2012 86% of GCS graduates earned $104.4 million attend college, with many in college scholarships. enrolling in the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prestigious universities.

Our studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; ACT college entrance test score consistently beats the national average.

Meet with your school counselor to discuss options that fit your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s college and career goals.

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LIMESTONE

COLLEGE

be unique. be extraordinary.

ACADEMIC?

Seminars for Greenville College Fair

Over 50 majors & concentrations are led by our knowledgeable faculty and staff. In fact, 89% of our faculty hold a PhD or terminal degree. Earn your associate, baccalaureate, or master’s degree!

Monday, October 8 • 5:30pm - 6:15pm & 7:45pm - 8:30pm

TD Convention Center

“College Admissions: It’s About the Journey, Not the Destination!”

Understanding how to put together a strong presentation to colleges for the best chances for acceptance.

• Marty O’Connell, Executive Director, Colleges That Change Lives

ATHLETIC? LC can boast 2 NAIA National Championships, 6 NCAA Division II National Championships, 22 Regular Season Conference Championships and 23 Conference Tournament Titles.

“A) SAT B) ACT C) None of the Above” – A Detailed Look into the College Admission Tests Process SAT/ACT - Ways to prepare, which test(s) to choose, when to take, and how colleges use them will all be covered in this session lead by two experts in test preparation and college admission.

• Morrison Giffen, Premier Instructor, The Princeton Review • Bill Dingledine, Independent Counselor, President, Southern Association for College Admission Counseling

“Shaking the Money Tree” – Affording College through Financial Aid & Scholarships ARTISTIC? Students who excel in the performing arts have many choices at Limestone College. We offer concerts and theatre productions every year.

1115 College Drive Gaffney, SC 29340 1-800-795-7151 ext: 4552

www.limestone.edu

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• Mike Fox, Vice President, Outreach, SC Student Loan

Session

Time

Room 1

A

5:30pm - 6:15pm

Marty O’Connell

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7:45pm - 8:30pm

Shaking the Money Tree SAT/ACT

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University of South Carolina Upstate

W

ith enrollment now exceeding 5,500 students, the campus of the University of South Carolina Upstate is a whirlwind of activity. As a senior public institution of the University of South Carolina with a comprehensive residential campus in Spartanburg and commuting degree completion operations at the University Center of Greenville, the university’s primary responsibilities are to offer baccalaureate education to the citizens of the Upstate of South Carolina and to offer selected master’s degrees in response to regional demand.

Supporting the employment objectives of its students, the university provides opportunities for creative endeavors, professional and public service, basic and applied scholarship, and research. USC Upstate students are able to pursue their educational goals in a setting where they are known by name, not as a number.

USC Upstate offers more than 40 degree programs, and is very proud of its nationally recognized schools of business, nursing, and education. The George Dean Johnson, Jr. College of Business and Economics, located in the heart of downtown Spartanburg, is accredited

by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International).

Nursing programs at the Mary Black School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and the School of Education’s programs are accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). U.S. News & World Report released its 2013 college rankings and named USC Upstate #1 Public Regional College in the South.

The USC Upstate Spartans compete in NCAA Division I sports as part of the Atlantic Sun Conference. They field 17 teams, including baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, and volleyball.

At USC Upstate, opportunities abound for students to get involved in campus and community activities. From living on campus, to joining fellow students in intramural sports, Greek life, student organizations, leadership programs, and community service projects, a student’s participation in campus life helps instill a sense of community, develop leadership skills, increase appreciation of diversity, and develop character – core qualities to help guarantee success in the professional and personal lives of our graduates.

You are invited to learn more about the university online at www.uscupstate.edu or call (864) 503-5000. Campus visits are always welcome, too, and a number of Open Houses and “Fab Fridays” are scheduled throughout the year for future students to learn, see and hear all that USC Upstate has to offer. We look forward to seeing you soon!

GLADYOUASKED WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL? The diversity of students, cultures and backgrounds is what draws us closer together as a university community.

WHAT COULD BE EVEN BETTER? The university has a writing center, tutoring labs, language labs, and a math lab, all of which could be utilized more by students. There is no excuse for struggling with course material when so much help is available!

WHAT IS HOUSING LIKE? On-campus housing is a wonderful place to live. The RAs are cool and they’ll help you with anything you need to be comfortable. Facilities are new and clean, with state-ofthe-art features.

WHAT ARE THE BEST HANGOUTS (ON AND OFF CAMPUS)?

On-campus hangouts are the Campus Life Center’s lower level, and when it’s a nice day, the Lower Quad fills with students between classes. Students have a variety of off-campus hangouts, including Wild Wing’s, Delaney’s, Paradise Lanes bowling, and numerous events sponsored by College Town in downtown Spartanburg.

WHAT ARE YOUR MOST POPULAR CLASSES? The History of Rock has been pretty popular, as well as classes offered at the Wellness Center including yoga.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE STUDENT/PROFESSOR RATIO? The ratio is small and comfortable, 18:1. You are known by name, not as a number.

WHAT ARE THE STEREOTYPES ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL AND ARE THEY TRUE OR FALSE? There are several stereotypes about USC Upstate that are false. Many think the university offers only nursing programs. The university was founded with a nursing program more than 40 years ago, but has grown to include more than 40 majors. You might also hear that the curriculum is easy, or that the university is easy to get into, a “safety” school. None of that is true either.

USC Upstate has become a first choice school for many reasons, including accessibility, affordability and rigorous programs. Years ago the university was thought of as a commuter school. Today, over 1,000 students live on campus, and many more live in the apartment complexes adjacent to campus.

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3 4 12 5 Financial Aid: The

Big Stuff.......

By Carolyn B. Sparks, Director of Financial Aid Wofford College

Consider your college choices and APPLY! Admission to a college or university will be the ticket in weighing your Believe it or not, the small stuff does exist in the world of financial financial aid options along with releasing your FAFSA aid! Unfortunately, the big stuff can overshadow the small stuff information to those schools. Each school has different and in financial aid, the devil is in the details. I would like to criteria for awarding financial aid so your financial aid will share with you both the big stuff plus some of the finer points I vary from school to school. usually address at the very end of any presentation I give.

The Big Stuff:

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the center of all federal need-based financial aid, state need-based financial aid and maybe even institutional need-based financial aid. The FAFSA covers grants, federal work-study, student loans and parent loans.

I encourage completing the FAFSA at least for the first year of college to establish a baseline for financial need. It only takes a little time, plus income and asset information, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on your way! Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be calculated and used to determine your financial aid eligibility based on the Cost of Attendance (COA). The FAFSA must be completed each year.

Financial aid ranges from grants, scholarships, work-study opportunities, student loans and parent loans. When you receive your award notification each year, be sure to review the terms and conditions of your awards. You may decline any awards you are offered.

DEADLINES: Know what they are and stick to them!

Each college or university has different deadlines for scholarship consideration, completion of the FAFSA, admission deadlines, bill payment, etc. Believe me your college transition will be much easier and void of delays if you abide by the deadlines!

Apply for outside scholarships. Your guidance office probably maintains a list of local, state, regional and national scholarships for your perusal. Plus, you can search for scholarships online but never pay for scholarship assistance.

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AVcYZg Jc^kZgh^in Learn more about Open House or register for a campus visit at:

www.lander.edu/admissions/visit

Your state university with about 3,000 students in Greenwood, SC | www.lander.edu | 1-888-4-LANDER | admissions@lander.edu 22

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1. Keep records of your financial aid documentation.

If you are asked to submit tax transcripts to the Financial Aid Office of your potential college, keep a copy for your records. For that matter, maintain copies of anything submitted because you never know when you may need those documents again.

2. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be afraid of asking a question or voicing your concerns!

3. Let your guidance office help you! If your school offers a financial aid/ college night, GO! You will gain a great deal of knowledge of the entire process and have a better understanding of the different sources of financial aid.

4. DEADLINES: Havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t I mentioned that already? Let me mention it again because deadlines are that important!

5. The FAFSA only collects financial information from the previous tax year. If your family experiences a significant change in income and/ or has unusual expenses, contact the Office of Financial Aid of your potential college for further guidance. If warranted, you will be asked to provide documentation of the situation(s). The end result could be additional aid for you to attend the college of your choice.

Build

FAITH

Challenge POTENTIAL

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CHRIST

Working in higher education for almost 22 years has been most rewarding. I am grateful for this opportunity to share with you some words of wisdom I have shared over the years and hope this has been helpful to you.

Best of luck in your college search! â&#x2013;

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THE DIFFERENCE

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Contacts: Mr. Will Gregg Ms. Diedra McEntyre Ms. Carol Martin

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: E G J E E L H

N O I T A N

T TI L T O U CS ABO DES

IT’ T THE NO

By Martha “Marty” O’Connell Executive Director, Colleges That Change Lives If I made a bumper sticker for how to approach the college search process it would read: College: It’s About the Journey, Not the Destination. Too often, students race through their secondary school years, compiling tallies of courses and AP credits completed, joining activities to lengthen their resume, taking and retaking SAT and ACT tests and always keeping one eye on the prize of the college destination. These same students arrive at college only to repeat this process with a goal of admission to graduate and professional school or the perfect first job. We live in a goal-focused society where becoming a mindful, life-long learner, instead of an educational trophy hunter is not an easily achieved state of mind. Each new school year, I wish that students would approach the college search, as well as their day to day learning, with a greater appreciation for the long view of education: it is not about the race to the end, but instead what you learn from each step in the journey to get there!

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Taking a “gap year” between high school and college has become a very popular option.

The path to a BA or BS degree does not have to conform to a straight and narrow path, where graduation from high school is immediately followed by four years of compacted study at one college. This may be the most common method used, but many students choose to take an alternate journey to the same goal. Taking a break between high school and college, lengthening the time to earning a degree by enrolling in college while working simultaneously or completing college earlier through the use of AP or IB credits, are all avenues to the same end goal. Good advance planning is the key to making any of these routes work best for you.

The process of not only choosing a college, but figuring out how and when to go, is best started by asking questions that only you can answer: Why, really, are you going? What are your abilities and strengths? What are your weaknesses? What do you want out of life or in life—something tangible or intangible? >> C O L L E G E

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Are you socially self-sufficient or do you need warm, familial support? What kind of learning community do you want to be part of? And so on. Exploring these questions with family, friends and high school counselors–the people who know you the best–can help you choose colleges that match your learning style and expectations and also can be instrumental in figuring out when and how to reach your future goals. NSSE: The National Survey of Student Engagement is a wonderful resource for gathering information about college outcomes and provides a list of the right questions to ask during the college search. What you do when you arrive at college, how quickly you engage in the academic and co-curricular life of the campus will make the difference in both your early success as a undergraduate as well as in your options at the completion of your degree.

Taking a “gap year” between high school and college has become a very popular option, especially as the stress of academic work combined with juggling a mind-boggling schedule of co-curricular activities takes a greater toll on students. You can approach taking a gap year by first applying and being admitted to the college of your choice and then “deferring admission” for a year or even a semester. It is also possible to apply to college during the gap year, but it will require planning in advance to have letters of recommendation completed by teachers before you finish high school, while you still have a connection with them. Gap year activities can mean working a full-time job, traveling, volunteer work or a combination of these. There are also organizations and counselors who specialize in helping students investigate options. Many students divide their year into several segments of work, travel, or study; and don’t think that you must choose exotic activities: some students remain at home, working,

taking part-time courses, interning, and finally having the time to read books they have never had time to fit into their schedules or to write the poetry they were too burned out to attempt in high school. If you choose to defer your college admission to take time off, be aware that the college will ask about your plans and may restrict you from taking college courses elsewhere, so be sure to ask in advance so there are no surprises at the end. Keep a journal, regardless of what you decide to do, as it will be useful if you are asked to write about your activities during your gap year.

The current state of the economy and worry over the cost of attendance at four year colleges, has made the option of attending community college and transferring to complete the bachelor degree, a very appealing one. Often called 2+2: referring to the two years at the community college, followed by two years at the four-year college; it can be a positive experience if a student chooses it because it is a good fit for them and not just because it will save them money. Community colleges have changed dramatically since their rapid growth in the 1960s, when because of their “open admissions” policy, they were too often erroneously labeled as options only for those with no other college choice. This is a much different case today when community colleges attract top high school students with honors programs that rival those at competitive four year colleges. Do not make assumptions, but instead investigate the two-year college in your community the same way you are investigating the four-year colleges on your list.

Schedule a visit to sit in on classes and talk to students and faculty members; and while you are there, have a meal on campus and listen to what students are talking about. Check out the student activities office to see what student groups and activities are offered and which are the most popular.

This investigation can be the key to making sure that if you do choose to start at a community college you will be successful because you arrive wanting to be there, not as a default plan.

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Continued from page 25 >> The success of this route also depends on advance planning and careful selection of your courses to be sure that credits will transfer to the college of your choice and meet the degree requirements for the teacher education program. It makes the most sense to choose options for where you would like to finish your four year degree and investigate the transfer student requirements, specifically for teacher education majors. Some colleges will ask you to complete an Associate degree before transferring and others will advise you to complete two years of selected courses that will fulfill requirements but not lead to an interim degree. It would seem to make sense that any education course at a community college will transfer to a four year program, but there are courses specifically geared for students intending to work after two years as a teacher’s aide and these might not articulate into the bachelor degree and teaching certification programs, so choose wisely to make the most of your time and tuition dollars.

If possible, it does make sense to work backward from where you may eventually end up earning your degree to research the requirements and scholarship/financial aid options for

transfer students. Spend time on four year college websites and check out the links for “Academic Major/Minor”. Reading about specific requirements, course descriptions, faculty blogs, student blogs, etc will help you distinguish one college/university from another in order to find the best fit for you.

The most interesting people, and usually those most successful in their chosen career, recognize that learning is a life-long process that never ends; so it makes sense that the process of choosing a career shouldn’t be a rapidly accomplished formula following graduation from high school.

Encountering new experiences, stretching your boundaries, challenging yourself to meet others different than yourself will all add to the fabric of becoming great at what you do.

Perhaps Yeats captured it best with this quote: “Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” Follow your interests and trust your instincts, as you “light your fire” and give yourself credit if your journey toward a future career destination takes a long and winding path! ■

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(864) 429-8728 or 1-800-768-5566

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http://uscunion.sc.edu

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919.508.2214 I www.peace.edu admissions@peace.edu William Peace University admits students of any race, color and national or ethnic origin.

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VCOM FACTS

WHAT IS A D.O.?

The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Carolinas Campus:

VCOM graduates earn the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or D.O., degree rather than the Doctor of Medicine degree, or M.D.

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Is a collaborative partner with Wofford College and Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

The basic medical school curriculum for the D.O. degree and the M.D. degree is essentially the same; however, osteopathic medicine focuses more on a whole patient approach through therapeutic techniques, emphasizes the prevention of illness through healthier lifestyles and adds osteopathic manipulation to standard medical care.

Is fully accredited by the Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA) of the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).

Osteopathic manipulation involves the use of hands-on techniques to alleviate pain and restore function associated with muscle and skeletal injuries.

Is a four-year osteopathic medical school offering the degree of D.O. Has made VCOM the largest medical school in the south since its addition as a new branch.

VCOM serves as an advocate for osteopathic medicine, for rural health and for affordable and accessible healthcare for the medically underserved.

350 Howard Street Spartanburg, SC 29303 864-327-9800

www.vcom.edu Š2012 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine. All rights reserved.

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