2010 College Guide

College Guide 2010

Find the perfect school for you Advice on applications Where to find scholarship money School profiles

SAT/ACT tests Tuition costs And more!

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LOOK inSiDe! Complete College Fair Details

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Greenville County College Fair CArOLINA FIrST CONFErENCE CENTEr Sunday, October 24, 2010 — Workshops 1:00 - 2:30 pm — FAIR 2:30 - 4:30 pm Monday, October 25, 2010 — FAIR 9:30 - 11:30 am

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ERSKINE EXPERIENCE Sunday, October 31st —Monday, November 1st www.erskine.edu/visit

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www.erskine.edu

Welcome

to this “College Admissions Guide,” a supplement to the Annual Greenville County College Fair. The Planning Committee is pleased and excited to offer this collection of professional articles on college admissions to students and families in addition to the chance to meet college representatives and learn about their colleges at the College Fair on October 24-25.

With the competitiveness for admission to and cost of college increasing over recent years, it has become more important for students and families to begin their college research sooner and delve further into various options in order to find those choices that will provide them with the best personal educational value. The Greenville County College Fair offers a great opportunity for students to explore and uncover options and opportunities.

Begun in the late 1980s by a collaboration of The Greenville Urban League, Greenville Technical College, and Christ Church Episcopal School, the Fair has grown to be one of the largest in South Carolina. In addition to a large group of colleges, there will be special college admission workshops on Sunday (see schedule). The Planning Committee has been working since last winter to prepare for this year’s Fair and we hope that both students and colleges find the time valuable for their needs.

Next to personally visiting a college, a college fair is the best way to get some first-hand information about opportunities and programs and to understand the range of options open to students. It is also a great time to get questions answered about the process of admission, requirements, and financial aid.

On Sunday, the Fair will be for students and their families from across the Upstate with college guidance sessions beginning at 1:00 PM and the Fair running from 2:30-4:30 PM. On Monday, Greenville County Schools students will be bused to the Fair in the morning.

In this insert, you will find articles about using a college fair to your advantage, the SAT/ACT tests, visiting colleges, financial aid & scholarships, and more, as well as a list of the over 130 colleges attending the Fair.

We look forward to having you join us!

Please visit www.greenvillecountycollegefair.com for additional information.

The Planning Committee: Bill Dingledine, Educational Directions Judy Benedict, Giraffe Web Designs India Fulkerson, Greenville Technical College Will Gregg, Greenville Urban League Jeny Kerscher, Furman University Angela Kuhl, St. Joseph’s High School BJ Lindley, Greenville County Schools Esther Pinckney, Greenville Technical College Rob Rhodes, Greenville County Schools April Ridgeway, The Princeton Review Linda Schulz, Christ Church Episcopal School Carolyn Watkins, Greenville Technical College Jewel Whitney, Greenville Technical College

“Building Bridges to Higher Education” C O L L E G E

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COLLEGE FAIrS

GREAT ADVICE

Before you hit college campuses for visits, you should do some homework at a local college fair. College visits cost time and money, and you’ll need to make the most of both during your junior year. College fairs help you do that – held in the fall and spring, a fair can have representatives from up to 400 colleges, all eager to talk with you about their college and your life. Many fairs feature information on choosing and applying to college and financial aid, and most fairs are free.

With so many colleges at a fair, it’s easy to get intimidated – so plan ahead. Take a pen, a highlighter, an unofficial copy of your transcript, and five questions committed to memory that will help you learn more about a college. What you ask is up to you – majors, food, chances for research, cost, social life – just make sure the answers will help you decide if this place is worth a closer look.

At the fair, get a map of where booths of the colleges are located.

BEFORE you go onto the floor, highlight the colleges you’re interested in. (This same list might be on the website – even better, since you can research the colleges ahead of time.) Once at the booth, you might have to wait to ask questions – this is good! Use this time to listen to what the representative is saying to other students – since many will likely be discussing general questions, you can use your time to ask more detailed stuff.

PhotograPh by brian Fulkerson

Once it’s your turn, get busy! “Hi, my name is (NO student does this, but you should; it shows confidence, and gives the rep the chance to remember you), and I go to Captain Jack High School.” From here, you want to ask your questions; make eye contact as they answer, and don’t rush them. >>

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If you feel you are hitting a good vibe, pull out your transcript and say, “Just one more question. Here’s the courses I’ve taken so far; how does this look for an applicant to your college? Is there anything else that would be important to know?” ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, NOBODY does this at a college fair, which is why you should. Most of the time, you’ll actually get some great advice (or even a scholarship offer), but don’t be surprised if they don’t know what to say – either way, you’ll be remembered by reps in a very positive way. Thank them for their time, fill out a registration card (that’s important), tell them you hope they come by your school to visit, and move on.

If you can do about seven to ten colleges and spend time at an afternoon information session of interest to you, call it a victory with an after-fair pizza. (This is why you bring your parents along – to pay!) You now have solid information on which colleges are road-trip worthy, and solid information about yourself as well – truly a dynamic duo.

Patrick J. O’Connor, Ph.D, former President of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), is Director of College Counseling at The Roeper School in Detroit, MI. His recent book, College is Yours in 600 Words or Less, is available from OutskirtsPress.com.

Photograph by Brian Fulkerson

Make quick notes on this college before you visit the next booth.

You can use your “waiting time” at the next booth to do this, but write at least something down – you don’t want to confuse your colleges.

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PARTICIPATING COLLEGES: Agnes Scott College Allen University American College of the Building Arts Anderson University Appalachian State University Army National Guard Auburn University Belmont Abbey College Benedict College Benedict College Berea College Berry College Bethune-Cookman University Bob Jones University Brevard College Brown Mackie College - Greenville Campbell University Carson-Newman College Catawba College Charleston Southern University Claflin University Clemson University Cleveland Institute of Art Coastal Carolina University Coker College Colgate University College of Charleston Columbia College Columbia International University Converse College Davidson College Denison University East Tennessee State University Elizabeth City State University Elon University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Emory & Henry College Emory University – Emory College/ Oxford College Erskine College Francis Marion University Furman University Gardner-Webb University George Mason University Georgia Gwinnett College Georgia Southern UnIversity Georgia State University Greensboro College Greenville Technical College High Point University ITT Technical Institute Johnson and Wales University Johnson C. Smith University Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions Kennesaw State University King College King’s College LaGrange College Lander University Lees-McRae College Lenoir-Rhyne University Liberty University Limestone College Livingstone College Loyola University New Orleans

SPONSORS:

CHRIST CHURCH EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

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Mars Hill College Mercer University Montreat College Morris College Nashville Auto-Diesel College NC Wesleyan College Newberry College North Carolina A&T State University North Carolina Central University North Carolina State University North Georgia College & State University North Greenville University Northeastern University Oglethorpe University Pfeiffer University Piedmont College Presbyterian College Purdue University Queens University of Charlotte Randolph College Rutgers University Rutgers University Saint Augustines College Salem College Samford University Savannah College of Art and Design Savannah State University Sewanee: The University of the South Shaw University South Carolina State University South Carolina State Universtiy Southern Wesleyan University Spartanburg Methodist College St. Andrews Stetson University The Art Institutes The Citadel The University Of Alabama The University Of Alabama In Huntsville Transylvania University Tufts University Tusculum College University of North Carolina Asheville University of North Carolina Greensboro University of North Carolina School of the Arts University of Georgia University of Kentucky University of Notre Dame University of South Carolina University of South Carolina Aiken University of South Carolina Beaufort University of South Carolina Upstate University of Tennessee US Air Force Academy Vanderbilt University Virginia Tech Voorhees College Warren Wilson College Washington and Lee University Wesleyan College West Point (United States Military Academy) Western Carolina University Winston-Salem State University Winthrop University Wofford College

Greenville Tech

clean up the environment and make manufacturing more efficient and profitable.

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stablished in 1962, Greenville Tech has grown from a small institution to a thriving four-campus system where nearly 15,000 students prepare for today’s and tomorrow’s career opportunities. With a mission of driving personal and economic growth through learning, Greenville Tech works to provide the programs companies need to grow and prosper and the scheduling options that ensure busy students can take advantage of educational opportunities.

Greenville Tech is home to many unmatched offerings including a Simulation Technologies and Training Center where students in the college’s health programs practice their skills on lifelike human patient simulators and the only apartments built on a two-year campus so that students can live where they learn. Whether your goal is to start work on a bachelor’s degree or learn job skills in two years or less, Greenville Tech is college that works.

Four divisions provide a wide range of choices: Arts and Sciences, Business/Public Service, Health and Nursing, and Technology. Recent additions to the program roster include training for green jobs, a mechatronics program that allows graduates to be high-tech problem solvers on the manufacturing floor, and the biotechnology program, preparing students to make discoveries that fight disease, improve food production,

With at least 80 percent of today’s skilled jobs requiring some level of higher education, you’re probably convinced that a college education is needed. Costs at some institutions are high, however, and you may wonder how you’ll pay for college. Tuition at Greenville Tech is affordable. If you live in Greenville County, a two-year degree will cost about $7,500. That’s less than a semester somewhere else. And there are financial aid options that can help including Lottery Tuition Assistance, which isn’t based on your income and can bring the cost of a semester down to $872.

Complete a degree at some colleges, and you earn a dead end diploma. You’ve gained a piece of paper, but because the college you earned it from isn’t regionally accredited like the fouryear colleges you’d like to transfer to, the credits won’t go with you. Greenville Tech is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, just like Clemson, USC, College of Charleston and most four-year colleges in the state. So approved credits from Greenville Tech will transfer seamlessly.

Greenville Tech works closely with the four-year destinations, too. Thanks to transfer agreements and bridge programs, you can be sure that transferring is easy as you move forward with your education.

For the best in continuing education, the Corporate and Career Development division offers not-for-credit courses, training leading to certifications and licensure, and personal interest and enrichment classes.

GLADYOUASKED What is the best thing about your school?

Students say it’s the professors. They take time to make sure that students are learning the material – not just attending class.

What could be even better?

Parking!

What is housing like?

Greenville Tech Foundation Student Housing offers beautiful furnished apartments on the Barton Campus.

What are the best hangouts (on and off campus)?

The new Student Center on the Barton Campus is a great hangout.

What are your most popular classes?

No matter which program they’re enrolled in, most students need to take public speaking, English, and basic computer classes. hoW do you feel about the student/professor ratio?

There are no auditorium-style classes at Greenville Tech, where small class settings help students learn.

What are the stereotypes about your school and are they true or false?

Some people think that Greenville Tech is where you go if you can’t go anywhere else. Today, that’s just not true. Greenville Tech is the first choice of many high school students and older students who need a career turnaround. Lots of four-year college graduates come to Greenville Tech to learn career skills.

What special advice Would you give prospective students?

Get involved, and make the most of your education.

For more information, go to www.gvltec.edu.

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five choices because he knew what factors were most important to him.

Academic reputation was Armin’s number one concern. Beyond that, he wanted a close-knit campus environment with a low student to faculty ratio. Athletic facilities, the coach and the social atmosphere all played a part in his college decision, too.

College Admission for the

Student-Athlete

So, what advice would Armin give a high school student-athlete looking for a college?

Written by Mr. Brand R. Stille, Vice President for Enrollment at Wofford College

Choosing a college is a big decision. For most high school seniors, this choice is the biggest decision they’ll make at this stage of their life. For those who plan to play sports in college this decision can be more complicated because there are more factors to consider. Timelines can be influenced by signing dates that don’t match admission or application deadlines. Coaches may call with new opportunities at any time and they can apply pressure on students to commit.

This is why student-athletes need to get organized, get to work and get moving on their college decision.

Get Organized Armin Kinigadner arrived in Greenville with his family from Munich, Germany in 2005. He enrolled at Christ Church Episcopal School. He had experienced much success in soccer in his home country so he was a welcome addition to an outstanding Christ Church team that had accumulated several state championships already. During his senior year Armin was an All-State selection and his team notched another state championship. He was recruited by 20 colleges, but was able to focus on his top

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“Academics should always come first,” Armin advises. “Don’t make your college decision based on athletics alone. Athletic success isn’t worth much if you don’t get a good education or feel like you fit at an institution.”

There are many factors to consider when choosing a college. The most common include distance from home, academic reputation, student body size, course offerings, cost, financial aid and scholarships. For every student it is important to find a college that is a good fit.

To find a good fit, you need to know what factors are most important to you.

Get to Work Rachel Woodlee moved to Mauldin with her family from New Hampshire in the summer before her 9th grade year. At 14 years old she was already 6’1” tall and a high school coach’s dream. Tall, agile and smart, she played both basketball and volleyball before deciding to devote her full attention to volleyball. As a senior captain of the Mauldin High School team and an All-State selection that year, Rachel was recruited by more than 25 colleges ranging from NCAA Division I to Division III schools.

Her choices seemed endless, but what was most important to Rachel in selecting a college? “My dad always told me that you play college sports for four years, but you’ll have that diploma for the rest of your life!

I really looked for institutions that were strong academically and had good

programs in the majors I was interested in, as well as a place that had a good feel around campus,” she said.

To learn more about academic programs and campus life, Rachel spent lots of time on college websites and with college guides.

She visited many colleges with her family before the recruiting process officially started in her senior year. By this time she had reduced her list to her top four. She didn’t wait to see which colleges might recruit her. She determined what her goals where and set out to find the college that was the best match.

College guides, rankings and websites are the most common places to start your college search. You can learn about admission requirements and majors offered, as well as your favorite sport.

Use your list of priorities to guide your questions and your search. For example, if academic reputation is an important factor for you, check out the faculty in the majors you’re considering and a profile of the freshmen to see how you compare to competition in the classroom.

In addition, learn more about the athletic programs. Is this college a member of the NCAA? What Division? What conference?

Which schools do they play? Where do their athletes come from? How long has the coach been there? What’s their record?

Most college websites include athletic questionnaires that you can complete and send to a coach. This is a good way to let a coach know you’re interested. Coaches are limited as to when and how often they can contact prospective students so you may not hear from the coach right away.

Also, some coaches are inundated with YouTube highlights, athletic vitas and questionnaires. Target your college search appropriately. If you’re second string on your high school football team don’t expect Coach Spurrier or Coach Swinney to come calling anytime soon. >>

Get Moving Ryan Hurst’s senior season was what every high school athlete dreams about.

He captained his J. L. Mann team to the state championship and was named the AAA State Player of the Year. Nine colleges courted Ryan and offered scholarships for soccer. No doubt about it, soccer had opened some college doors, but here’s what he has to say about his college decision.

“Sports won’t last forever. If you get injured it could be career ending so academics is key. Make sure you choose a school that you will enjoy. If a school fits your academic and social goals, then look at the athletics.

Does the team play the way you are comfortable playing? Do you like the coach? Can you play at that level, or will you sit the bench? There are many factors a student-athlete must look at when choosing a school. Always remember, student comes before athlete.”

The best way to learn about a particular college is to visit campus. When you visit, be sure to take part in the regular admission presentation and campus tour. Don’t rely on a coach to arrange your entire campus visit. When making arrangements with the Admission Office request to meet with a coach while on campus.

When you meet with the coach here are some questions to ask: What’s the graduation rate of the team? How do you balance academics and athletics? What academic support services does the college offer? How do you support and encourage the academic interests of your players?

How much time is required for athletics in season and out of season? What are my chances of getting a scholarship? What are my prospects for playing time?

For DI, DII and DIII schools, student-athletes are allowed to visit a college as often as they choose. This type of visit, initiated and paid for by the student, is an “unofficial” visit.

An unofficial visit can include a meeting with a coach.

An “official” visit is one in which a DI or DII college invites the prospective studentathlete to campus and pays for any part of the experience. The NCAA limits the number of official visits a student can take to five.

Expenses covered for official visits may include airfare, reimbursement for mileage, hotel accommodations and meals. Because student-athletes are allowed only five official visits, it is important to use these wisely.

Most official visits include an overnight stay on campus with a member of the team, a class visit and a meeting with the coach.

It is customary during an official visit for the coach to make an offer of a scholarship (full or partial) at the end of the visit. Once an offer is made the coach will usually

request a verbal commitment from the student. According to the NCAA, a verbal commitment is meaningless. However, you’re only as good as your word. Don’t get pressured into making a decision you’re not ready to make. If you’re invited to an official campus visit at the college’s expense, be prepared to respond to the coach’s offer. It is perfectly acceptable to ask for more time or to explain that you need to visit more colleges. However, a coach may not be willing to offer as much time as you might like.

Most coaches expect a student to take some time in making this decision. However, coaches usually put time limits on an offer of scholarship. If you’re not ready to commit or are unsure about this college, the coach may feel the need to move on to another prospect. This is why it is so important for student-athletes to begin this process early. You may be invited to an official visit early in your senior year.

First Things First The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the largest and most recognized organization of its type with the large majority of colleges and universities as members. The NCAA includes Divisions I, II and III. Colleges choose the division that suits them best. The difference between these divisions is the number of sports and scholarships offered by participating schools. Generally speaking, Division I schools (Clemson, USC, Furman and Wofford for example) offer more sports and more scholarships. Members of NCAA Division II offer fewer sports and fewer scholarships (North Greenville, Erskine and Converse). NCAA Division III members do not offer athletic scholarships (Emory and Rhodes, for example).

Every student-athlete who plans to participate in athletics at an NCAA member institution must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center by visiting www.NCAAEligibilityCenter.org no earlier than the end of their junior year of high school. Student-athletes submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) through test agencies (by entering code 9999 in the Score Reporting section of the test registration) and request to have their high school guidance counselor send their official transcript to the NCAA Eligibility Center. Initial eligibility is reviewed by the Eligibility Center and, for Division I, operates on a sliding scale that considers high school GPA in 16 core courses and SAT or ACT scores. The higher your GPA, the lower the test score necessary to be eligible and vice versa. For more information about Initial Eligibility, core courses and the sliding scale visit www.NCAA.org.

Signing Day Signing Day is a big event in the life of any high school athlete. After all, how often do you have the chance to host your own press conference? Signing dates vary by sport and it’s important to know when yours will occur.

For a list of signing dates, by sport, visit www.NCAA.org.

The NCAA allows colleges and studentathletes a period of time to sign a National Letter of Intent to participate in athletics. This is a binding contract between the college and the student. It usually includes information about the amount of scholarship offered. The large majority of athletic scholarships are partial and do not cover the full cost of attendance. You should be absolutely certain about what you and your family are expected to pay before signing with a college. As mandated by the NCAA, all letters of intent and athletic scholarships are good for only one year. In addition, all letters of intent are contingent on admission at the college.

This Is How We Do It It is highly unlikely that a studentathlete would sign a National Letter of Intent and not be admitted to a college. The reason this rarely happens is that coaches are very sophisticated in their recruiting practices. By the time a student begins his or her senior year of high school many coaches know who their top prospects are and how likely they are to be admitted to their college. Prior to signing a player, the coach has reviewed the student’s transcript and forwarded a >>

SAT and ACT Preparation at Carolina Academy for Educational Excellence Builds Confidence and Boosts Test Scores. We offer one-on-one instruction and small group sessions. Either way, we meet the individual needs of our students.

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• Organization and Time Management • Learning to Study Effectively • Reading Comprehension • Test Preparations ONE-ON-ONE SESSIONS INCLUDE:

SMALL GROUP SESSIONS INCLUDE:

• Specific content review and instruction based on individual needs

• Full-length diagnostic

• Integrated timed practice throughout prep

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• Content Review and Instruction

• Four official SAT Practice Tests given under real test-taking conditions

• Daily Reports

For more information, visit www.carolinaacademy.net Located off Haywood Rd., 10 Arborland Way, Greenville | 864-234-7984

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copy to the admission office for review.

Admission offices often review transcripts for prospective student-athletes and give the coach a preliminary indication regarding the probability for admission. Official decisions on admission cannot be made until the student-athlete has completed all requirements for admission. The NCAA requires that student-athletes complete the same process for admission required of all students.

This process works best when coaches and admission officers work together in recruiting student-athletes and when the students keep athletics in the proper perspective during their college search.

If you have your priorities for selecting a college organized, you do your homework in researching some college options and then visit the colleges at the top of your list, it is highly likely you’ll have a full and successful college experience. If you get to play sports along the way this can be the icing on your cake.

Visit our website to learn more about the University Transfer Program.

UCgreenville.org Clemson • Furman • Greenville Tech • Lander • MUSC • SC State • USC • USC Upstate

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Armin, Rachel and Ryan are outstanding athletes. Athletics has been a significant part of their lives and was a very important consideration in their college choice.

Through their hard work and dedication to

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their sport they earned athletic scholarships to help pay for college. All three agree: Keeping athletics in the proper perspective is the key to making a good decision about college.

As the NCAA TV advertisement states, “All college athletes will become professionals, 99.9% in something other than athletics.”

Armin Kinigadner is a senior at Wofford majoring in Intercultural Studies for Business. He plans to apply to graduate programs in Europe and the US. Rachel Woodlee is a sophomore at Wofford double majoring in Business Economics and Chinese. She plans to pursue a Master’s of International Business after college. She spent the summer working in Karnataka, India in an internship for the Manipal Group, an Indian marketing and manufacturing conglomerate, helping them develop product ideas for US markets.

Ryan Hurst is a freshman at Wofford and a member of the soccer team. He plans to major in biology and is considering medical school after college.

[re]defining ready Preparing our students for the world as it was, or even as it is, does them a serious disservice. We have to help them to succeed regardless of what the future brings. We have to Redefine Ready.

Instead of our graduates wondering,

“Am I ready for the real world?”

We want them asking,

“Is the real world ready for me?”

U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks Coker one of America’s Best Colleges.

The Princeton Review rates Coker a Best Southeastern College based on academic excellence and student satisfaction.

COKER COLLEGE

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300 East College Avenue Hartsville, SC 29550 1.800.950.1908 | 843.383.8000 admissions@coker.edu

Erskine College

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rskine College was founded in 1839 by the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Erskine holds deep traditions with historical roots while modernizing the learning environment to meet today’s student needs.

Erskine College is located in rural Due West, S.C. The town of 1,200 residents is located in historic Abbeville County, South Carolina, an area rich in colonial, Revolutionary War and Civil War history.

At Erskine, students are taught by professors, not graduate students, and the curriculum is based on the liberal arts tradition. Erskine is about mentoring and relational learning designed to spur greatness, enhance your academic growth, and prepare tomorrow’s leaders. Erskine is committed to providing a well-rounded educational experience designed to develop the whole person.

Erskine faculty members share their lives and challenge students to excel in all aspects of life. Erskine is committed to educating the next generation of lifelong learners that will make an impact on their families, their communities, their country and the world.

Erskine’s spacious 95-acre campus provides both classic and modern facilities. The signature towers of the Erskine Building are complemented

by a state-of-the-art science facility and a new music and math education complex. Centrally located on the campus is the Bowie Arts Center, a modern museum and gallery. The Galloway Activities Center contains two gyms, racquetball courts, an aerobics/weight room, a climbing wall, and an athletic training facility. Students eat at an award-winning cafeteria and in campus cafes.

Activities are endless for the student population.

There are more than 30 different student organizations ranging from student government to horseback riding. The college also maintains sound and varied recreational and athletic programs.

Erskine competes on the intercollegiate level as a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and Conference Carolinas.

The college fields 14 intercollegiate teams: men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s tennis, baseball, softball, volleyball and women’s lacrosse.

An Erskine education is an experience, the value of which cannot be easily measured in dollars.

More than 90 percent of our students receive financial assistance. In addition to traditional sources of financial aid, such as federal and state aid, Erskine offers a variety of scholarships to students who demonstrate academic ability and who will enrich the Erskine community.

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

GLADYOUASKED What is the best thing about your school?

The relationships that students build while at Erskine are closer to family than friends.

What is housing like?

The residence halls are gender specific, comfortable and more likened to large homes than dormitories.

What are the best hangouts (on and off campus)?

The best hangout on campus is Watkins Student Center, which includes a grille called Snappers and Java City, a coffee counter. Students find it a nice environment to study and socialize with their friends.

What are your most popular classes?

The most popular classes are either found within the realm of science or visual art. Erskine is known for it’s liberal arts curriculum that produces well-rounded individuals. Aside from the core curriculum, our renowned science department attracts many pre-med students. hoW do you feel about the student/professor ratio?

There is a 12:1 student to professor ratio. With such small numbers, students are able to carry on one-on-one discussions in class and are not “just a number.” Personal relationships with professors and small group related projects are some of the major advantages of small class size.

What are the stereotypes about your school and are they true or false?

One of the main stereotypes pinned to Erskine is that all the students come from the same background and there is a lack of diversity. This statement is false.

With 14 different intercollegiate sports teams, 4 literary societies, and more than 30 student organizations, we are the home for a wide variety of students with different interests and backgrounds.

What special advice Would you give prospective students?

When deciding whether to attend a small liberal arts school like Erskine, it is important to ask yourself what kind of environment makes you feel worthwhile and comfortable.

If you find comfort and worth in being a part of an academic community, not just a school, Erskine is a place that will continue to stretch you to your highest potential.

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Gender Matters in College Choice:

Asking the Right Questions, Finding the Right College Written by Susan E. Lennon, Executive Director, Women’s College Coalition

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electing the right college is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life.

It will influence many of the options you will have and the decisions you will make while you are in college and after you graduate.

The college search process is a complex and multifaceted one in which you must think broadly about both quantitative and qualitative variables. You must dig deeply as you look at colleges so that you find the one that is right for you – the one at which you will be the most engaged and at which you will thrive and reach your academic and personal potential.

The college search process requires that you understand the person you are today, the person you are in the process of becoming, the person you aspire to be, and the personal, academic, and professional goals you hope to achieve in the future.

What you discover about yourself, your interests, talents and needs will help you identify and find the college that will best support and guide your journey.

This kind of college search is especially true for young women. While women have outnumbered and outperformed men on coeducational campuses for more than two decades, gender is one of the most potent forces shaping education. There is ongoing debate about whether the quality of women’s educational experiences is equivalent.

Yet, among all the criteria that students and their families consider in the college search process – such criteria as academic reputation, geographic location, institutional size, cost and financial aid, and social reputation – little, if any, attention is given to the unique perspective of females in the college search process, to the relationship between college choice and student success, or to the role that college plays in helping women maximize their inherent strengths.

These inherent strengths include insight and attitude, as well as a focus on relationships and comfort with diversity.

In reporting the findings of a study that used data from the National Survey of Student Engagement (www.nsse.iub.edu ), NSSE Associate Director Jillian 12

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Kinzie said: “Women are more likely than men to have high aspirations for their educations, more likely to enroll in college and to stick with it until they earn a degree.”

These high hopes and diligence often deteriorate when women encounter the learning environment at many coeducational college campuses. Kinzie described persistent “micro-inequities,” which have a damaging cumulative effect on women’s self-esteem and confidence.

Women’s colleges offer distinctive options and notably different conditions: womencentered pedagogies, curricula, and environments that are focused on you – your education, your personal and professional development for the many different roles you will assume in life, and your advancement in the everchanging, knowledge-based, global economy. At women’s colleges, students focus on their academic and personal growth and development.

According to Kinzie, women at women’s colleges are more engaged than women at coeducational institutions, are more likely to experience high levels of academic challenge, engage in active and collaborative learning to a higher degree, and take part in activities that provide opportunities to integrate their curricular and co-curricular experiences than their counterparts at co-educational colleges.

Women at women’s colleges tend to thrive studying subjects such as science and math – subject and career areas in which women are traditionally underrepresented.

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through study groups,” Kinzie said.

“We typically associate these skills with success, which helps explain why so many women’s college graduates achieve positions of leadership in their careers.”

set higher expectations for herself and achieve greater goals.

Today’s women’s colleges offer vital and compelling options to consider as you undertake your important college search Nearly every women’s college offers process. If you are ready for the cross registration with neighboring challenges and opportunities coeducational colleges and of being a woman in the 21st universities and coed classes and Century, explore the benefits coed social life can be part of your that women’s colleges offer. women’s college experience.

Visit the campuses. Meet with Recently, I asked a young woman students and professors, attend and participate in a class, and who took me on a tour of her women’s college campus to tell me spend a night. Answers to your what one word she would use to questions about academic rigor describe her college experience. and excellence, research and She thought carefully and then leadership opportunities, sense replied confidently, “Challenge.” of community, role models and She explained that her women’s mentors, campus diversity, college experience had challenged student services and safety and supported her to take risks, will help you make the right had guided her and given her the decision about the right college courage to navigate her way out of for YOU! her comfort zone, and helped her

www.greenville.k12.sc.us

Preparing

301 E. Camperdown Way • P.O. Box 2848 • Greenville, SC 29602 INFOLine 864.355.3100 • The Schools Channel on Charter 14 & 99

Students for Success

Graduates accepted into the nation’s most prestigious universities - Emory, Harvard, MIT, Princeton, Yale, Rutgers, Vanderbilt and in-state colleges $89.5 million in college scholarships in 2010 Average ACT (college entrance test) score exceeds national average Work with your guidance counselor to develop your child’s plan for success!

the CONVeRSe COMMItMeNt Your High School Achievement = BIG BUCKS

We reward your hard work by investing in your future.

1200 SAT & 3.5 GPA

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1000 SAT & 3.0 GPA

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Tower Scholar

900 SAT & 3.0 GPA

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Merit Scholar

Our new net cost calculator takes the guesswork out of determining scholarship and financial aid awards.

Students can get to the bottom line at converse.edu/ TheConverseCommitment.

Apply online at converse.edu/apply Early Action Deadline November 15, 2010 Regular Decision Deadline March 15, 2011

1.800.766.1125 admission@converse.edu www.converse.edu C O L L E G E

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Important Websites for the College Admission Process www.collegeboard.com and www.act.org

www.fafsa.ed.gov/

Two biggies you can’t do without. They are the gateways to registering for the SAT & ACT as well as good spots for some basic test information. The College Board also handles the PrOFILE financial aid application as well as a scholarship search.

The website for all information about Federal financial aid – a must for anyone planning to apply for financial aid.

www.finaid.org A website full of information about financial aid and scholarships.

http://eligibilitycenter.org/ECWR2/NCAA_EMS/NCAA.html

http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/

The website that all future college athletes must visit to learn the ins and outs of athletic recruiting, the NCAA Clearinghouse, and the rules for eligibility.

The website with a great deal of factual information about colleges, including costs and financial aid, admission statistics, and diversity and graduation rates.

www.commmonapp.org and www.universalcollegeapp.org

http://nsse.iub.edu/html/students_parents.cfm

The Common Application is used by more than 400 colleges nationwide and helps students and schools streamline the process of college application. The Universal Application is similar.

The Student/Parent information site of the National Survey for Student Engagement (NSSE) helps focus the thinking about going to college on experiences and outcomes.

www.fairtest.org

www.educationalconservancy.org

Website dedicated to helping make the testing process for college admission fair and equitable; has a list of all “test optional” colleges.

Website that focuses on what college and the college admission process should look like.

Excellent advice for students and parents.

“The South’s #1 Up and Coming College”

U.S. News & World Report

Top Tier in South (U.S. News & World Report) • America’s 100 Best College Buys America’s Best Christian Colleges • Best Southeastern Colleges (Princeton Review)

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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 The South 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 just last year, AU was the only university in America to win three national ADDY awards, including “Best in Show.”

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 two-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.

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 do so each year. We are also in the process of pursuing a new nursing program to add to our 51 majors and concentrations.

What is housing like?

With our 11 residence halls, including two just built over the summer, 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 50% 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.

Schedule a visit today. You’ll fall in love with AU. C O L L E G E

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How Can Prospective College Students And Their Parents Use The National Survey Of Student Engagement (Nsse) In The College Search Process?

GreenvilleAd1009:Layout 1 10/6/09 11:57 AM Page 1

E x p a n d y o u r m i n d . Tr a n s f o r m t h e w o r l d .

Five benchmarks are measured: 1. Level of academic challenge Challenging intellectual and creative work is central to student learning and collegiate quality. Components of academic challenge include the nature and amount of assigned academic work, complexity of cognitive tasks presented to students, and standards faculty members use to evaluate student performance.

2. Active and collaborative learning Students learn more when they are intensely involved in their education and have opportunities to think about and apply what they are learning in different settings. And, when students collaborate with others in solving problems or mastering difficult material they acquire valuable skills that prepare them to deal with the messy, unscripted problems they will encounter daily during and after college.

3. Student-faculty interaction In general, the more contact students have with their teachers the better. Working with a professor on a research project or serving with faculty members on a college committee or community organization lets students see first-hand how experts identify and solve practical problems. Through such interactions teachers become role models, mentors, and guides for continuous, life-long learning.

4. Enriching educational experiences Educationally effective colleges and universities offer a variety of learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom that complement the goals of the academic program. One of the most important is exposure to diversity, from which students learn valuable things about themselves and gain an appreciation for other cultures.

Technology is increasingly being used to facilitate the learning process and – when done appropriately – can increase collaboration between peers and instructors, which actively engages students in their learning. Other valuable educational experiences include internships, community service, and senior capstone courses that provide students with opportunities to synthesize, integrate, and apply their knowledge. As a result, learning is deeper, more meaningful, and ultimately more useful because what students know becomes a part of who they are.

5. Supportive campus environment Students perform better and are more satisfied at colleges that are committed to their success and cultivate positive working and social relations among different groups on campus.

transylvania University L E X I N G T O N , K E N T U C K Y / w w w. t r a n s y. e d u

Questions recommended by NSSE can be found at: http://nsse.iub.edu/pdf/NSSE_PocketGuide.pdf

PRE-COLLEGE ENROLLMENT SERVICES (PCES)

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS • Each year, we assist over 600 students in the college enrollment process • Over 92% of graduating seniors attend colleges and universities in the U.S. • 2010 Graduates received over $903,000 in scholarships and grants • More than 300 students attended, 23 SAT/ACT preparation workshops • Ten to twelve (10-12) colleges toured annually • Encourages students to actively pursue postsecondary education • Empowers students to have a vision and to create change

Contact Mr. Will Gregg or Ms. Carol Martin

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864-244-3862

The Cost of College: Looking Beyond

Sticker Price

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onventional wisdom suggests that the ever-increasing cost of attendance serves as a barrier that prevents all but the rich from accessing a college education and the successful future it can often provide. While it is certainly true that the high sticker prices are shocking at first glance, it is critically important to look beyond these sticker prices to the real price of each school following the application of all available financial aid discounts. There are significant financial aid discounts available to all families – whether they are wealthy, low income or middle class – and real opportunities exist for those who begin the college search process with an understanding of this important principle.

increased funding for Pell grants and enhanced educational tax credits while expanding the eligibility criteria so that more families qualify.

Institutional leaders have long been aware that families at virtually every economic level increasingly believe that many colleges – particularly private colleges – are beyond their financial reach. In response to this growing concern, many institutions have implemented substantial enhancements to their already very generous financial aid programs. These enhancements have included the elimination or reduction of the loans included in needbased aid packages, the creation of zero parent contribution packages for low-income families and in some cases income-based limitations on the annual amounts parents are expected to contribute to their children’s costs of attendance.

This means that “although average published tuition and fees increased by about 15% in inflation-adjusted dollars at private not-for-profit four-year colleges and universities from 2004-05 to 2009-10, and by about 20% at public fouryear institutions, the estimated average 2009-10 net price for full-time students, after considering grant aid and federal tax benefits, is about $1,100 lower (in 2009 dollars) in the private sector and about $400 lower in the public sector than it was five years ago.” (Source: College Board Trends in College Pricing 2009-10)

Many schools have also enhanced their merit scholarship offerings.

Additionally, the federal government has

All these initiatives are designed to make college more affordable and while the current economic downturn has slowed some of the efforts, the overall trend is clear.

In its annual review of college pricing, the College Board reports that in 2009-10, fulltime students at private not-for-profit four-year institutions receive an estimated average of about $14,400 in grant aid from all sources and federal tax benefits.

The reported figure for students at public fouryear institutions was $5,400.

Although these figures are generally encouraging, average figures aren’t very helpful to individual families. While a few schools do an excellent job of providing clear student-specific net price information, including accurate net price calculators, most do not. Families wanting to minimize their education costs will need to look

beyond the generic information provided by their target schools.

So the process of estimating the amount of scholarship and grant aid (i.e. discount) that your student might receive for each particular school is a bit like solving a puzzle. It is a difficult but essential task that requires an evaluation of each school’s financial aid awarding policies as well as an understanding of federal and state grant programs. Any family with income less than 180K must also compute their eligibility for the federal education tax credit.

As a general rule, the amount of aid available at institutions with high sticker prices correlates nicely with the amount of financial aid available to applicants. Said another way, the higher the sticker price, the larger the potential discount a college might offer.

For many parents, the two largest expenses of their lifetime will be housing and higher education for their children. Because the cost of higher education can often be significantly reduced through careful research, families must begin early to determine what each target school is likely to make available in financial assistance.

The rewards for such effort can be substantial.

Jim Belvin was Director of Financial Aid at Duke University for more than thirty years. His new company, ReducingCollegeCosts.com, helps families make college more affordable. As a public service Reducing College Costs offers free webinars on college costs and financial aid.

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Why Everyone Should Consider Liberal Arts

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n an increasingly complex and global world, the challenges we face are shared across societies, cultures and borders.

The role of the liberal arts college is to educate and empower students to affect positive change at home and abroad. To this end, these colleges aim to combine intensive and collaborative academic work, a global perspective and a wealth of educational and community resources.

Liberal arts institutions seek to develop intimate academic environments where extensive interaction between faculty and students fosters a community of learning designed to provide a rich set of opportunities for motivated and talented students. Classes emphasize discussion, critical thinking and life-long learning, and

the average class size at many small liberal arts colleges is 1520. All courses are taught by professors, not teaching assistants.

Through their knowledge, research, and roles as advisors to business and government, liberal arts professors are scholars dedicated to the growth and success of their students.

A true liberal arts education extends beyond the classroom through research, expansive study abroad opportunities, leadership programs and service.

Students attending liberal arts institutions value the academic rigor, opportunity for personal growth and connections that they find at their schools. Liberal arts campuses are vibrant learning communities fueled by intellectual curiosity, thoughtful discourse and

• 52 major fields of study and 40 minors • Nationally acclaimed programs in Marine Science, Business Administration and Professional Golf Management • NCAA Division I Athletics • Voted one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys” • Ranked in top 15 percent of America’s four-year undergraduate institutions by Forbes magazine

www.coastal.edu

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the value placed upon the varied perspectives and experiences of students.

public service and technology.

Through the intensive liberal arts education they receive, those graduates are prepared not How will a liberal arts education just for today’s world but for the prepare students to meet with change constantly the challenge reshaping the awaiting them world in which after graduation? we live. They The critical are leaders thinking ability and engaged fostered through members of their liberal arts communities, coursework is thinkers and enormously “The value of an education doers, creators practical in a liberal arts college is not and innovators. because it serves the learning of many facts And they are truly as a resource but the training of the mind to successful by any to draw upon think something that cannot definition of the for life-long word. be learned from textbooks.” learning and for nimble decision—Albert Einstein making. A successful liberal arts education develops the capacity for innovation and for Written by Kortni R. Campbell, sound judgment. Those who Assistant Dean of Admission and best react and respond to our Financial Aid at Davidson College quickly evolving world will be the Davidson is a highly selective shapers of our economy, policies, independent liberal arts college innovation and culture. To that end, for 1,800 students (and one of the each year, liberal arts graduates colleges included in the NSF study earn distinguished fellowships, mentioned) located 20 minutes north of Charlotte in Davidson, acceptances to prestigious N.C. Since its establishment graduate programs and exciting in 1837 by Presbyterians, the employment opportunities. college has graduated 23 Rhodes Studies have shown that many Scholars and is consistently small liberal arts colleges have a regarded as one of the top liberal higher percentage of graduates arts colleges in the country. obtaining Ph.Ds in almost every Through The Davidson Trust, the discipline than graduates of larger college became the first liberal arts research universities (National institution in the nation to replace Science Foundation, 2008) and loans with grants in all financial aid other more “prestigious” mediumpackages, giving all students the sized universities. opportunity to graduate debt-free.

The value of a liberal arts education is seen most clearly in the outcome: their alumni.

Liberal arts graduates are leaders in policy-making, business, education, medicine and science,

Davidson competes in NCAA athletics at the Division I level, and a longstanding Honor Code is central to student life at the college.

A Testing Calendar Every year there are questions from students and parents about which tests to take – SAT and/or ACT – and when to take them and how many times. Though there is no perfect answer, there are some good guidelines to keep in mind to answer these questions.

Recommended Testing Timeline:

First, a few facts to keep in mind about the tests and college admission:

• Take PSAT (or PLAN) as practice.

• All colleges will accept either SAT or ACT equally.

• Almost all colleges will take your best sub-score from all sittings of the SAT and a number will do the same for ACT; this is called “superscoring.”

Sophomore Year: • May/June – take SAT Subject Test(s) in those subjects where you have done well and will not take another course in that sequence (i.e. World History).

Junior Year:

• SAT Subject Tests (offered for most high school courses) are required by only a handful of the most selective colleges.

• Take PSAT, especially if you scored very well in sophomore year, or PLAN

Guidelines:

• By December-February take your first SAT or ACT “for real” (meaning this one counts).

• Initially, take one of each test – either a real test or a real practice test – and choose to focus on the one that is best for you. Colleges accept either test equally and will almost always use the score from the test that is the strongest, and they often will “superscore.”

• Plan your testing calendar for your junior and senior year ahead of time – you can get the dates from the testing agency websites.

• April-June – retake SAT/ACT if necessary and/or take SAT Subject Test(s) as above.

Senior Year: • September-December – take SAT/ACT once more; take SAT Subject Test(s) if required by your colleges.

• Prepare for whichever test is selected, whether it is studying on your own or taking a prep course. Approach each test as if it is going to count; be serious about your preparation and efforts.

This thing counts and you can improve your score!

• Take the test early enough in the junior year (December-February is best) to allow time to take it again if the first set of scores is not as strong as hoped.

• Take again the senior year. Since most colleges “superscore,” it is a potential advantage to try once more because there is no downside.

• Complete all testing and make sure to send the scores directly from the testing agency by the deadlines. These deadlines are important to know because some colleges will not accept scores after a certain date.

• Know clearly if the Writing portion is required and/or if SAT Subject tests are required.

College and Career readiness Program

Are YOU Ready?

The SAT/ACT test is one of the most important criteria in determining admission or potential scholarship to college. If you need help increasing your test score, then Upstate Circle of Friends has a solution for you!

Sessions are available throughout the year.

saT Globally recognized college admission test taken during the junior or senior year of high school a.C.T. Provides information and solutions in education and workforce development Workkeys A comprehensive system for improving the skills required for success in the workplace Plato Valuable products that cover a broad range of teaching and learning needs ged Nationally normed exam that four out of ten graduating high school students cannot pass For class schedules and more information, visit us online at

www.ucfgreenville.org

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Reasons to Use an Independent College Counselor There are over 3,000 independent college counselors/consultants across the country and many students and families turn to them to help in the college search, selection, and application process. Though for each student, the need and/or motivation to use or seek additional advice and direction may be different, here are some general reasons why many do: 1) Be Prepared: Independent counselors can help a student assess his or her qualifications for admission, outline curriculum and extracurricular experiences, and develop a testing plan.

2) Find the Match: An independent counselor can help a student consider his or her academic, personal, and social needs and find colleges that would be a good match. A good independent counselor travels widely and knows about many colleges and universities and will spend significant time with a student to help figure out what his or her needs and goals are and how those will mesh with particular colleges.

3) Spend Educational Dollars Wisely: College is a big expense ($100,000+) and making sure that money is being well-spent on the intended and hoped for educational experience is important. Choosing a college that is a poor match academically, socially, or personally and having to transfer can add additional time as well as expense to college.

4) Save Money: Getting advice on which colleges are not only academic matches but also financial “fits” can save money. A good counselor will be able to help project financial aid and scholarship awards as well as admission likelihood and direct students towards the best value. The guidance of an experienced counselor can help save money.

5) Bring Calm to a Stressful Process: Having good direction and advice can reduce the stress and anxiety of an already complicated process both for the student as well as the parent.

WHAT To looK FoR in An indePendenT counseloR • Look for someone with knowledge and experience. Not only is it important to have experience working with students in the college admission process but it is also valuable that the counselor have a background with training in counseling, curricular, and developmental issues.

• A qualified independent counselor will be an active member in the National Association for College Admission Counseling as well as in one of the organizations for independent counselors – the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) or the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA). The top independent counselors maintain certification through the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners (AICEP).

• A good independent counselor will not guarantee admission to any particular institution.

• The counselor should present the college admission process as a growth experience for which the student is responsible and should emphasize that the college application and essays should be the student’s own work.

• Though the internet lists many independent counselors/ consultants, IECA (www.iecaonline.org) and HECA (www.hecaonline.org) maintain listings of members on the their websites, and AICEP (www.aicep.org) also has a listing of certified professionals.

Questions to Ask About Professional Qualifications and experience (from nAcAc, the national Association for college Admission counseling): • Do you have counseling experience, certification, a credential or master’s degree in counseling or a counseling-related discipline?

• How long have you been an educational consultant?

• Do you have experience in a high school counseling office or as a college admission officer?

• How recently did you work on a high school or college campus?

• Are you familiar with the academic program in my high school?

• Do you visit college campuses regularly—locally, regionally, and/or nationally?

• Have you attended professionally directed conferences, college counseling institutes or workshops?

• What national and/or regional professional organizations do you belong to as a college counselor?

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WORKSHOP SESSIONS:

Carolina First Conference Center

Sunday, November 24, 1:00 - 2:30 pm “A) SAT B) ACT C) NONE OF THE ABOVE” College Admissions Tests – 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, Master Tutor, The Princeton Review • Bill Dingledine, Independent Counselor, President, Southern Association for College Admission Counseling “OPTIMIZE YOUR APPLICATION” Understanding how to put together a strong presentation to colleges for the best chances for acceptance.

• Harper Haynes, Admission Counselor, Vanderbilt University • Connie Scrivens, Associate Director of Admission, University of South Carolina “SHAKING THE MONEY TREE” How Financial Aid Works – Get expert advice from a college financial aid officer as to how to prepare and apply for financial aid and scholarships and how to manage the expenses.

• Jim Belvin, Former Director of Financial Aid, Duke University, Consultant with reducingCollegeCosts.com Session Time A 1:00 – 1:40 B 1:45 – 2:25

room 100 SAT/ACT SAT/ACT

room 101 Financial Aid Financial Aid

room 103 Application Application

PRE-PROFESSIONAL WEBSITES Many Students have strong interests in high school that they wish to pursue on into college and graduate school. Here are some websites to help future lawyers, doctors, engineers, nurses, and artists understand the specific preparation and admissions expectations as well as career options in those fields: ENGINEERING http://www.jets.org/students/ MEDICAL SCHOOL http://www.aamc.org/students/considering/start.htm LAW SCHOOL http://lsac.org/JD/apply/applying-to-law-school.asp NURSING http://www.allnursingschools.com/ FINE ARTS http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/index.jsp?page=Students,+Parents,+General+Public MUSIC http://youngadults.about.com/od/collegeprep/tp/Musicschool101.htm

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LIFE and Palmetto Fellowship Scholarships

LIFE Scholarship

Up to the cost of attendance, not to exceed $4,700, plus a $300 book allowance at four-year public and independent colleges in SC; up to the cost of tuition at USC Regional campuses plus a $300 book allowance at two-year public and independent colleges; and up to the cost-oftuition plus a $300 book allowance at regional technical colleges. The LIFE Enhancement for majors in specific math/sciences is an additional $2,500 beginning in the sophomore year.

Eligibility Requirements for LIFE (2 out of 3 of following): 1. Earn a cumulative 3.0 grade point average (GPA) based on the SC Uniform Grading Policy (UGP) upon high school graduation (cannot be rounded).

2. Score an 1100 on the SAT or an equivalent 24 on the ACT taken through the June national test administration of the high school graduation year; based on the highest SAT Reading and Math scores from different test administrations. The ACT composite score must be at one test sitting.

The Palmetto Fellow Scholarship

The annual award amount for the freshman year is up to $6,700. The award amount for the sophomore, junior and senior years is up to $7,500 per year.

Eligibility Requirements (High school seniors may apply if they meet one of the following sets of academic requirements): 1. Score at least 1200 on the SAT (27 on the ACT) by the June national test administration of the senior year; 2. Earn a minimum 3.50 cumulative GPA on the SC UGP at the end of the senior year; and, 3. Rank in the top six percent of the class at the end of the sophomore, junior or senior year; — OR 4. Score at least 1400 on the SAT (32 on the ACT) by the June test administration and earn a minimum 4.00 cumulative GPA on the SC UGP at the end of the senior year.

3. Rank in the top 30% of the graduating class based on all students who received their diploma during the traditional graduation ceremony in May/June. *Note: For entering freshmen at an eligible two-year or technical institution only a 3.0 GPA is required – nos. 2 & 3 above are waived.

Your brain isn’t a

muscle.

But we’ll treat it like one.

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ASK THE EXPERTS

You’ll Find More Than Your Future Here.

Evelyn Boyd White is PresidentElect of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and a counselor at Thomas Dale HS in Virginia.

Bill Dingledine is President of the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC), a member of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA), and Chair of the Commission on Credentialing for the American Institute of Educational Planners (AICEP).

He is an independent counselor in Greenville, SC.

Q. I hear of students applying to 12 and 15 colleges; I am thinking of only four – two highly competitive and two large state universities. Is that reasonable?

Over 60 academic programs Excellent financial aid packages Christian environment 10 intercollegiate athletic teams Music and theatre productions Evening programs for adults Accounting, Biology, Business Administration, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Applied Criminal Justice, Education, Forensic Computer Science, Forensic Science, History, Human Services, Management, Management of Information Technology, Mathematics, Medical Technology, Music, Pre-medicine/Dentistry, Psychology, Recreation and Leisure Services Administration, Religion, Social Science.

Central, South Carolina | 864.644.5550 | www.swu.edu Southern Wesleyan University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate, baccalaureate, and masters degrees.

Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Southern Wesleyan University.

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A. The increase in the number of applications submitted by students is one of the biggest changes I have seen since I started in this profession. Back in the dark ages, when I started out, the average was three applications, including a safety and a reach. The record number of applications submitted by a student at our school so far is 22. We are not proud of this, and we are hoping that no student ever breaks this record.

The length of your list should be dictated by your interests, the profile of the college’s accepted students, and your feel for whether or not the college or university is a good fit for you. You should not be concerned with how many applications other students are submitting or what word “on the street” says you should be doing.

Often a long list indicates lack of research, lack of self knowledge or a desire to keep up with the Joneses. The economy has forced some changes in the number of applications some students will submit. Some will do a little more research to cut down on the amount of money spent on

application fees, while others may include another college or two based on opportunities to receive needed financial aid.

If you feel you have done careful research and have included some reasonable choices, let it be.

- EBW Q. What are the things that a high school freshman who is a strong student and very motivated be doing in order to prepare for the college admission process?

A. It is great that you are asking this question now because I do believe that students who consider themselves college-bound (and I hope that is all students!) should realize that they are embarking on a path that is preparation for college, not one where the final goal is college admission. There is a definite and important distinction here, because looking at the goal of high school as getting admitted to “the best college” (or colleges) is part of what creates a great deal of the anxiety surrounding the process for many students. A student should be focusing on her intellectual, social, and personal growth by taking courses that excite and challenge her, participating in activities that are rewarding both physically (I am a huge proponent of maintaining one’s physical health as a key component to having a balance that allows one to succeed in other areas), socially (relationships are important), and personally >>

(who am I, what are my values, and how can I contribute to my community). She should be seeking opportunities to grow into a mature adult. If one focuses on growing towards being an interested and responsible student and adult, and I define “adult” as one who can deal maturely and independently with her life as well as contribute to her community, then the rewards are open-ended. Focusing on being admitted to a specific college (or colleges) will lead to a loss of “studenthood” as described by Lloyd Thacker, Founder and Director of The Education Conservancy. He has a great piece that all students and parents should read – “We Admit…Advice from Those Who Do.” This loss of studenthood means that students often become stunted in their growth to adulthood because they have not focused on what will be important to them later in life but only on the shortterm goal of college admission.

When they graduate high school, there is then a void which can be particularly disturbing as one sets out to college on the first real steps to independence. I am hearing

from more high school seniors who comment that they feel as though they “lost themselves in the process of getting admitted” and want to take some time off (gap year) in order to “find themselves.” High school should be a period and a process of doing that. Best wishes to your daughter, may she have a rewarding four years!

-BD Q. If I am interested in a very selective college, how closely will they look at the difficulty of my courses? How about if I am interested in the Honors Program at a state university like Clemson or USC; how important is the course difficulty?

A. I encourage my students to take the most challenging courses they can handle, especially if they plan to attend college. Taking the more rigorous courses may not be required to gain admission to the college the student has chosen, but that rigorous preparation will pay off in their academic coursework — maybe even lead to dean’s list recognition. >>

1911-2011

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As long as my college-bound students address the five core areas in their course selections, I am pretty laid back about their two remaining choices. That is, unless the student is seeking admission to a highly selective institution.

I find that I am much more directive during program-planning conferences with these students.

I can actually tell the student how their course of study will be rated in the context of our school’s offerings. Students and parents can then make educated choices when selecting courses. Selective colleges are seeking students who achieve excellent grades in the most demanding program of study available to them. Students and parents need help in understanding how we interpret rigor and how we evaluate our student’s transcripts when completing the secondary school report or when writing a recommendation.

By the way, there are universities that are football and basketball powerhouses and are seeking high-achieving, highly talented, accomplished students. The

LEArn

MEEt

opportunity for a merit scholarship or admission to a special program may be the reward for choosing and succeeding in the most demanding courses available in your school.

-EBW Q. I am not in the SAT score range for my colleges; will they deny me because my scores are low? I have a good GPA, strong extracurriculars, and my essays reflect me well, but my test scores are low.

A. You may benefit from taking a look at the diverse listing of colleges and universities that offer “test optional” policies for entering freshmen (see www.fairtest.org/ university/optional). Students are afforded the option of choosing not to submit SAT or ACT scores if they meet certain criteria related to G.P.A., and rank in class, in addition to having demonstrated strong performance in a challenging college preparatory curriculum, and commitment and leadership in extracurricular activities.

colleges and universities with testoptional policies. You might find just the right, life-changing fit!

-EBW Q. What advantages are there in an Ivy League or “highly selective” school over an honors program at a public university for a top, highly motivated high school student from a family that will not qualify for any financial aid?

A. This is a question with which many wrestle. There is certainly no simple answer, but overall it is a

question of personal needs, values, and preferences. Just being “selective” does not ensure that a college has an automatic advantage over any other college for an individual -- it is what one makes of the opportunity wherever he or she attends. With the high cost of a college education, both the tangible and intangible aspects need to be weighed on an individual basis. Not only are there many examples of successful individuals who did not attend “selective” colleges; there are also individuals who attended those colleges who will tell you that they made a mistake in choosing to attend those selective colleges.

-BD

There are several hundred

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BOB JOnEs UnivErsit y stAnDs UnEqUivOcALLy On tHE ABsOLUtE AUtHOrit y Of tHE BiBLE. ©2010 Bob Jones University. All rights reserved. BJU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, national origin, protected disability or veteran status. (8686) 09/10

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