2014 College Guide

2014 COLLEGE GUIDE

— FEATURING —

GREENVILLE COUNTY COLLEGE FAIR TD CONVENTION CENTER

Monday, September 22, 9am–11:30am and 6pm–8pm Tuesday, September 23, 9am–11:30am

GreenvilleCountyCollegeFair.com |

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College Admissions Guide

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Erskine College, a small place to think big ideas for 175 years.

A small college in a little town like Due West doesn’t attract the usual crowd. Here, you can’t fake it. Strengths are recognized, weaknesses challenged, and character shaped by an academic community that values students for who they are and who they are becoming.

At Erskine, those willing to go a little off the ordinary path discover exceptional rewards.

KNOW. BE KNOWN. 2

Greenville County College Fair 2014

Due West, South Carolina

erskine.edu

Erskine College

Closely Connected Our small size means some big advantages!

You’ll know almost everyone, especially your professors. And they’ll not only know you, they’ll probably know if you’re having a bad day and why.

A

SMALL PLACE TO THINK BIG IDEAS

Erskine College has been equipping young people to flourish in lives of learning, serving, and leading for 175 years. Our rich heritage of thoughtful scholarship, spiritual devotion, and intentional community provides an academic experience that’s as distinctive as our students, faculty, and graduates.

Vibrantly Academic Nationally ranked among the best liberal arts colleges, our majors span the arts and sciences spectrum. No matter what you study, you’ll be personally challenged and profoundly inspired.

You’ll work hard, think creatively and critically, explore options, and question assumptions across a variety of subjects.

Authentically Christian What we learn and how we live are inseparable foundations for an excellent education. Erskine is committed to Christian authenticity that is intentional and pervasive, but never coercive.

While we pursue knowledge, we seek grace and wisdom to answer the big questions.

Beautifully Located Due West of what? Not sure. But we do know that from tree-lined green spaces, gardens and gathering spots to stately architecture, comfortable hangouts, and convenient wi-fi, our campus in Due West, South Carolina, is a great place to learn and live.

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 residence halls are clustered into two residential areas. Both men’s and women’s residences 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.

Intentionally Residential

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 Athletic Training.

Living on campus provides incredible opportunities for fellowship and leadership. In a community like this, you can’t fake it. Quality is revealed. Weaknesses are strengthened.

Character is refined through meaningful relationships.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE STUDENT/PROFESSOR RATIO? It’s about more than just ratios. Even big schools can have low ratios. At Erskine it’s about face time. Our student-professor ratio is 11:1, but more importantly, almost none of your classes will have more than 25 students. That means more and more meaningful interactions with experienced quality faculty inside and outside the classroom.

Distinctively You Call it a custom-fit college experience. Call it hand-crafted higher education. At Erskine, your unique talents, interests, and contributions really matter. You help shape the experience for others, while they do the same for you.

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? Don’t overlook a college because you think it’s too expensive.

Erskine is actually very affordable for South Carolina students.

In fact, many SC LIFE scholars attend Erskine for around $10,000 a year..

College Admissions Guide

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Welcome to the 2014 College Guide F irst, the Greenville County College Fair would not happen without the efforts of many dedicated individuals:

JUDY BENEDICT, Co-Chair, Giraffe Web Development, Principal Partner APRIL RIDGEWAY, Co-Chair, SAT/ACT Private Tutor ALLYSON BROWN, Assistant Director of Admission, Furman University

DEBBIE BAREFOOT, Associate Director of Admission, North Greenville University JENY KERSCHER, Senior Associate Director of Admission, Furman University B.J. LINDLEY, Secretary, School Guidance & Sirrine Scholarship, Greenville County School District

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TRACY WILLIAMS, Director of Recruitment, Greenville Technical College JUSTIN J. PITTS, Academic/College Guidance Counselor, Southside Christian School

JULIO HERNANDEZ, Recruiter, Greenville Technical College

TARSHA BROWN, Recruiter, Greenville Technical College

864-644-5556

Greenville County College Fair 2014

KATIE MARSHALL, Associate Director of Admission, North Greenville University

G. ROB RHODES, Director of School Counseling and Sirrine Scholarship, Greenville County School District

Register for our next Preview Day at swu.edu/visit

www.swu.edu •

LINDA SCHULZ, Director of College Counseling at Christ Church Episcopal School

Second, this is a very valuable piece that Greenville Journal has inserted this week. There are timely articles for students and parents related to college research, financial aid, test prep, college applications, and other important topics. In addition, there is a detail schedule of the Greenville County College Fair that takes place September 22–23 at the TD Conference Center.

2014 College Fair Schedule

USA TODAY

THE NEW YORK TIMES MSN NOW CBS NEWS THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Making National News for all the right reasons Learn more at ConverseTuition.com

Monday, September 22: 9:00–11:30 am 6:00–8:00 pm

5:30–6:15 pm

Greenville County Schools attend College Fair Open College Fair for students, parents, and counselors from surrounding areas Student & Parent Seminars “Navigating the Road to College: Insights from the Experts”—A panel of seasoned high school counselors and parents share advice and wisdom regarding the college search and application process.

Rob Rhodes, Director of Guidance,

Greenville County Schools

Linda Schulz, Director of College Counseling, Christ Church Episcopal School

Dalton Kelsey, Counselor, Mauldin High School

Stacey Johnson, Parent of students at Claflin and Greenville Tech

Kim Whelehan, Parent of UC-Berkeley and Harvard students

7:45–8:30 pm

“Shaking the Money Tree”—Affording College Through Financial Aid & Scholarships – A look at financing a college education

Mike Fox, Vice President for Outreach, South Carolina Student Loan

Tuesday, September 23: 9:00-11:30 am

Greenville County Schools attend College Fair

helping you reach

your ultimate goal • Training the community for a stronger Greenville • Life-friendly schedule of One Course a Month® • Tablet technology is enhancing the learning experience • Faculty and Staff dedicated to the academic success of each student • Business partnerships • Externship opportunities

864.239.5300 Two Liberty Square, 75 Beattie Place, Suite 100 | Greenville, SC 29601 ©2014 Brown Mackie College 3441 09/14 Brown Mackie College is a system of over 25 schools located throughout North America. Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options vary by school and are subject to change. Administrative office: 625 Eden Park Drive, Suite 1100; Cincinnati, OH 45202. ©2014 Brown Mackie College. Our email address is csprogramadmin@edmc.edu. Accredited member, ACICS. See BMCprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, programmatic accreditation, and other important info. Apple, the Apple logo and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

College Admissions Guide

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Taming the Beast:

How to Get the Most Out of a College Fair

Y BE UNIQUE. BE EXTRAORDINARY.

ou walk through the doors into a sea of people and tables. Each table is full of literature about a college and is manned by an eager, smiling young admission officer or by a gregarious alum. Panic strikes! Where do you go first? Should you pick up information from every display? Your dream school seems to be surrounded by an unruly mob of students and parents—how will you get your turn? Welcome to the typical college fair.

College fairs are like a flea market—so much to see, every vendor hoping for a sale, every student/ buyer hoping to find the perfect school at the best value, and lots of junk for sale along with the gems.

Before you arrive:

< Get Connected!

1115 College Drive | Gaffney, SC 29340 | (864) 488-4552

www.limestone.edu Limestone College’s unique combination of a small campus and a liberal arts emphasis provides students with individual attention and a personalized experience. Students choose from over 50 MAJORS AND CONCENTRATIONS, nationally ranked NCAA DIVISION II ATHLETIC PROGRAMS and OVER 30 CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS. There is something for everyone, and visiting campus is the best way to discover what makes you extraordinary!

Schedule your visit today or attend one of our Open House events.

OPEN HOUSE DATES: November 14, 2014, February 20, 2015, and April 10, 2015.

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Greenville County College Fair 2014

Have specific questions in mind – not the ones anyone can find out online (don’t waste your or the admission officer’s time)! – but ones that are specific to you. If you need ideas, look further in this Guide!

BRING A SUPPLY OF STICK-ON, SELF-ADDRESSED LABELS (include your email!).

Unless you are wild about writing your name and address over and over and over and over . . . . Use the labels to fill out the ever-present cards that the colleges collect to build their mailing lists. That way, you can catch the representative’s eye first and ask your questions while everyone else in your group is still writing.

Bring a tote bag to carry literature you collect -- It comes by the pound. Maybe your parent will even lug it for you!

Arrive early. Parking may be an issue.

How to navigate the fair: Pick up a map of the tables, if one is available. The colleges are usually put in alphabetical order, but schools which draw a bigger crowd (such as the local state university) may be in a special area or separate room.

Pick up a list of the colleges present, which is almost always available.

Having arrived early (you did, didn’t you?) you can take a minute and plan your stops—circle the colleges on the list in which you are the most interested and go

Greenville County Schools

there first. You will beat the crowd and have a more personal chat with the rep.

Stop by each college on your list, collect information, and ask questions. If you make it to each one, you will have time to explore some schools that are not currently on your list. Ask the same questions and you may well discover something to your liking! Have some fun!

What to ask/say to the representatives: Introduce yourself – name school, year in school (or graduation date).

Ask first if he or she is an admission officer or a local alum.

If the rep is a local alum, find out if they do interviewing for admission at the school. (You may be seeing this person later and will need to make a good impression!) Where is he or she from originally? What drew him or her to that college or university?

What things are you interested in – academics, extracurricular, sports, etc.—that you want to know about – hey, this is going to be your “home” for four years, make sure they have the things you want and like.

What’s big/new/happening on their campus that people are currently excited about?

How do they evaluate applicants (grades, GPA, essays, interview, test scores, all of these? Only a few?). And, what are their applicants like (what sort of courses, test scores, regional diversity, etc.)

Be sure to thank the representative for coming when you are finished and grab a business card! Write a thank you note if this is a place in which you are interested!

Good Luck!

- Prepared by Educational Directions, Inc.

9/2014

Greenville, South Carolina

22

Our students’ average ACT college entrance test score (22) continues to exceed the state (20.4) and national (21.0) averages. *36 pt. scale

3,444

For a degree of real value,

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK at the

One of the

$113.9

Over the past five years, seniors have earned $508.7 million in scholarships.

Advanced Placement

AP Exams earning scores of 3 or higher.

Our students make amazing discoveries here, abroad, and in the universe!

— Visit cofc.edu —

The Class of 2014

More students take AP exams and more students qualify for possible college credit.

f t

Like Us on Facebook Facebook.com/gcschools Follow Us on Twitter twitter.com/gcschools Follow Us on Instagram @gcschools

Visit Our Website www.greenville.k12.sc.us

Outstanding teachers are at the center of student achievement in Greenville County Schools. GCS boasts 659 National Board Certified teachers, ranking us 14th in the nation of 14,000 school districts. All teachers are fully certified and 99% are Highly Qualified by national standards.

Greenville County Schools, South Carolina’s largest and the nation’s 45th largest school district, features exciting, hands-on learning in technology-rich classrooms. We offer the State’s largest school choice program, with more than 10,000 students (15%) attending on choice. Scan the QR Code below to find out more about our nationallyaccredited school system.

B E S T TOP 10 BEST M O S T L AC E S TO G O INTERESTING V A L U E S PTO COLLEGE – Barron’s, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, The Princeton Review

– Unigo list as seen on The Huffington Post

COLLEGES

– Newsweek

College Admissions Guide

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The Seven Biggest Myths About Heading Off to College

Myth #1: I already know what I want to study in college. I don’t need to do any further exploration.

Fact: Until a student understands her innate abilities— how she learns and solves problems best, any decision about what to study in college is premature.

Students feel enormous pressure: “What are you going to study?” “What do you want to be?” If the student answers, ‘I’m going to study medicine,’ all the pressure stops. Problem solved. But who knows if there is something else the student should consider that she just hasn’t thought of?

Example: Karen was set to study philosophy at a small liberal arts college. She was accepted on early admission. Then she completed the Highlands Battery and found out she had structural abilities. Interestingly, when she found out about these abilities, and did some research on what she could do with them, she discovered that she had always felt a deep seated but unexpressed love of architecture and design. She ended up at a large university where she could explore abstract fields such as philosophy, but also architecture and industrial design as well.

The point: By finding out about her abilities, she went to a college that would leave all her options open.

‘There’s no way I can even think now about what I want to study in college or what I want do in life.

There’s time enough for that.’

The results of this approach are fairly predictable.

The student spends four years taking courses, going to parties, and avoiding the real world. At some point (4-5 years down the road), the student is going to face graduation. And students who have not been dealing with who they are and what they want to do in life probably aren’t going to be any further along than they were when they first entered college.

Myth #2: I have no clue about what I want to study in college, I’ll wait until I get there to figure that out.

Fact: Even the most elite universities cannot look inside

your heart and mind to know what you are passionate about, what has meaning for you. Only you can know that.

The Highlands Program is a process that students can use to come up with 2-3 reasonable options. If a student goes to college with these reasonable options at hand, he will have sufficient focus to choose courses, majors, and summer jobs (or internships) that will actively allow him to take the ball down the field.

The point: Having no focus is just as bad as having a focus that is prematurely narrow.

This is a subtle variation of Myth #1. ‘So, Jimmy, what are you going to do?’ ‘I’m going to go to Harvard and

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Greenville County College Fair 2014

I’m going to be a doctor!’ Now there’s a powerful onetwo punch. Case closed. No anxiety here.

Myth #3: I’ll just shoot for the best school I can get into.

Fact: In the ‘real world’ – that place out there after college – people get ahead fastest, are most successful, and are happiest when they know clearly how to state what their highest and best contribution can be. The key ingredient in the ability to do this – knowing how you can contribute – is self-knowledge.

The point: If a student’s only goal is to get into the most prestigious university (or that slight variant – the college that Dad went to) the student is overlooking the most important piece of the puzzle: herself.

Myth #4: My parents, teachers, and college counselor can guide me through this college selection process.

Fact: All the people in your life want what is best for you, of course. But they are not you. They can’t feel what you feel, or know what sort of courses will turn you on. Only you can know these things about yourself.

Example: Bill’s father thought he should be a dentist.

Bill was a good student. Dentistry would be a well-paying, professional career with some stability, status and prestige. There was only one problem. He didn’t know it at the time, but Bill’s strongest abilities were not in science or spatial relations, two very important aspects of dentistry. He had other very real abilities, but not those.

Because Bill was a responsible, hard-working young man, he listened to his father and enrolled in chemistry.

He made good grades, but he was miserably unhappy.

In his junior year, frustrated and lost, he left college.

The point: Advice is fine – but it helps only when the student has done the basic work of finding out about himself.

Myth #5: It’s too early to think about life after college.

Fact: The transition from high school to college is the first important Turning Point in our adult lives.

It is meant in some ways to be a transition – a place to make the jump from the security of the family, where adults take charge of things, to becoming an adult and taking care of yourself. To effectively make this transition, college has to be more than just a place away from the family. It has to be a place where a teenager can mature and grow.

Too many students don’t make the jump. There are more young adults 22-29 living at home with their parents than at any time since the Great Depression.

How do you make college an effective transition?

Look beyond it. Form a plan about where you are going. Then you may be able to get there. The reason so many young people are dropping out and transferring is that they miss seeing a connection between college

Fact: What you’ve accomplished, how well you do on standardized tests, and how well-rounded you are, are all important. But what is more basically important

Myth #7: If I take the right courses, do the right extra-curriculum and put the kind of stuff they want to read on my essays, I’ll do OK.

We can only quote Lourdes Ramirez, Associate Dean of Admissions at Harvard: “Of all the questions that parents and students ask me, the one that I absolutely refuse to answer is ‘what courses should I take to get into Harvard.’ You should take the courses you are interested in, that you know you want to take, that you love. The people we admit are those that communicate to us that they have some feeling and passion behind what they are doing. Not that what they are doing follows some formula that someone else has approved.”

We totally agree with this. And we feel that the normal school curriculum and the normal series of standardized tests do not help high school students or college students to find what their feelings and passions are. And yet there is almost nothing quite so important. When we’re talking about your career, we’re not talking about any job. We’re talking about your life.

It is possible to find out what your real talents are, what really turns you on, and what, ultimately, is going to make you feel it was all worth it.

Reprinted with the permission of the Highlands Company LLC, Publisher the Highlands Ability Battery

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Smaller classes mean you will never be just a number at Lander University. Our faculty understand you are an individual with your own personal educational and career goals, and they are committed to helping you reach your full potential. With more than 60 areas of study, unique master’s programs, an exceptional Honors College and vibrant campus life, you‘ll find Lander is an excellent, affordable education that’s also close to home.

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You are not a number.

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Myth #6: It’s all up to my SAT/ACT score, GPA, essays & recommendations, and my athletic/leadership/ artistic talents.

is who you are. Your school grades, SAT scores, or athletic performance can’t always tell you that.

Example: Diane scored well on all the standardized tests. She got very good grades at a well-known prep school and went to an Ivy League school, where she also excelled. She then went on to law school and landed a job at a great law firm. She was successful at the law firm, but miserable. She began to hate getting up in the morning. When she took the Highlands Ability Battery, she realized why she was having such difficulty. Her strongest abilities were abilities that lawyers never utilize. She was relatively weak in abilities that lawyers need to use all the time. Because she was intelligent and hard-driving, she had overcome these obstacles. But she had come to hate it. As most of us would.

The point: Before going off to college and beginning to make decisions that are going to affect you the rest of your life – find out what your natural talents and abilities are. You’ll be much happier that way.

/FollowLander

and life after college.

Example: Peter went to college with three thoughts about what he might want to do: be a journalist; be a lawyer; or go into politics (as a speechwriter). These may be related, but each is a distinct and broad category. All three were also related to Peter’s strongest natural abilities. In college, he systematically took courses and got internships in all three fields. By the end of college, he had eliminated journalism and politics, but had settled on law. He went to law school. Now he’s a lawyer. Of his group of 6 or 7 high school friends, he was the only one who graduated in 4 years.

The point: When students go to college with 2 or 3 clear ideas or career goals, they can significantly increase their chances of enjoying college, and being successful in college.

Greenwood, SC | 1-888-4-LANDER | www.lander.edu

Plan your campus visit to learn more:

www.lander.edu/admissions/visit College Admissions Guide

9

Be True to Your Academic ‘Fingerprint’

by Peter Van Buskirk

Myth: All colleges and universities are

As you reflect on your answers—especially the “whys”—you come to better understand the characteristics of a learning environment that would be the most appropriate for you in college. The next step is to look for colleges that mirror these characteristics.

They will be the best fits for you.

If, for example, your approach to learning is to take good notes, read diligently and prepare carefully—all in the relative anonymity of the large lecture hall, then you are more likely to function comfortably in a larger, more expansive instructional setting. On the other hand, if you like the engagement of a small classroom where you can ask questions—where you can challenge and be challenged—then the seminar format will be more productive for you.

Now, consider the consequences of failing to be attentive to the information you are gleaning about your learning style. If you do prefer the large lecture hall experience—but you’ve chosen a college where most of your classes put you front and center around the seminar table, won’t you feel like the proverbial “fish out of water”? On the other hand, if you really like the engagement of the small classroom but find yourself in a setting that features lectures of 300 or more students—all the time—will that learning environment bring out the best in you? In the final analysis, you are more likely to get the most out of your ability when you find yourself in an environment that is well suited to the way you learn.

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Take the time, then, to get to know yourself—and the circumstances in which you learn most comfortably. In doing so, you put yourself in a better position to make good choices that reflect your interests and needs.

alike.

Reality: This country boasts a

broad array of more than 3,000 colleges and universities dedicated to providing post-secondary educational opportunities. Although common in mission, their personalities, curricula and institutional cultures vary as greatly as 3,000 sets of fingerprints!

Think about what this means for you. While your educational needs can be met at many places, it would be a mistake to assume they will be met in the same manner—or, more importantly, in a manner that is well suited to your learning style. This is perhaps the most underestimated element of the college selection process. Believe it or not, finding compatibility can make a big difference in your eventual success as a student.

Finding a good college fit, then, begins with identifying places that provide the academic program you need and a style of instruction that is most comfortable for you. Just as students possess unique learning styles—they each process information differently—colleges offer different styles of instruction. Let’s suppose, for example, you want to study Biology. Some colleges will teach Biology in seminars that include 25-30 students. Some teach it in lecture halls of five hundred! Yet others will attach labs to the instruction or offer research opportunities.

In each case, the material is the basically same—Bio is Bio—but the experience is different. The important questions are, “How would you function in these different environments? What sort of interaction do you want to have with the information that is being presented?”

In order to find the learning environments that make the most sense for you, take stock of your learning style. How do you like to be engaged with learning? Who or what inspires you?

Under what circumstances are you most likely to produce your best work? The more you know about how you like to learn, the easier it will be to make critical distinctions among the learning environments of different colleges.

Consider the following questions as you try to get your arms around your learning style. Be particularly attentive to the “why” part of each question.

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Greenville County College Fair 2014

Who is your favorite teacher—and why?

What is your favorite class right now—and why?

In which type of classroom setting (i.e. large group lectures, seminars, etc.) are you most comfortable—and why?

With what kinds of people and personalities do you enjoy exchanging ideas—and why?

Author, speaker and consultant, Peter Van Buskirk is a 35-year veteran of the college admission process.

Formerly Dean of Admission at Franklin & Marshall College and Vice President for College Planning Solutions at Peterson’s, he is now President of Best College Fit™. His books, Winning the College Admission Game and Prepare, Compete, Win! The Ultimate College Planning Workbook for Students are popular college planning resources. His website, www.BestCollegeFit.com , is a timely source of information as families engage in college planning.

A member of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), Peter graduated from Bucknell University.

Where Where dreams dreams take direction. take direction.

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Offering relevant Offering relevant education that education that prepares graduates prepares graduates for excellent for excellent opportunities opportunities inin thethe workforce workforce oror toto transfer for further transfer for further education. education.

Eight the last nine Eight ofofthe last nine recipients recipients ofof thethe fullfull tuition, two-year Alden tuition, two-year Alden Transfer Scholarship Transfer Scholarship at Furman FurmanUniversi Universi-tyhave havecome come from from Greenville Technical GreenvilleTechnical College, and this year College, and this year is noexception. exception. is no Over programs Over 100 100 programs of of study areoffered offeredonon study are four convenient four convenient campuses. campuses.

Greenville County Greenville County residents studying residents studying full-time pay just full-time pay just $1,987 semester $1,987 aasemester or $847with with lottery or $847 lottery tuition assistance.. tuition assistance Compare Comparecollege college costs costsatat http://www.gvltec.edu/ http://www.gvltec.edu/ cost-comparison. cost-comparison.

At Greenville Technical College, a double major major shows single-minded determination.

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Get There. 11

College Admissions Guide

Deconstructing the New SAT

by Jed Applerouth

I

f imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, the ACT must be blushing.

The College Board recently announced that in 2016, it will strip away the main differences between the SAT and the ACT. Here’s a quick taste of the impending changes.

Like the ACT, the new SAT will have: • No guessing penalty for incorrect answers • No advanced vocabulary or sentence completions • An optional, rather than required, essay that won’t leave room for students to make up their own “facts” • Science content incorporating tables, charts, and graphs • Close alignment to the Common Core standards The test will also return to a 1600-point scale and will last about 3 hours without the essay, which, coincidentally, is the length of the ACT. The College Board also announced a partnership with Khan Academy to provide free online practice questions.

We’ve scrutinized the College Board’s 208-page preview of the redesigned SAT and what we found was a bit more complicated: a new SAT that clearly imitates its rival in certain areas, diverges in others, but reflects the Common Core State Standards throughout. We knew David Coleman, president of the College Board and former participant in the Common Core State Standards Initiative (CCSSI), would bring the SAT closer to the Common Core, but this redesigned SAT is so closely tied to the Core standards that it may very well sink or swim with them. The College Board’s strategy could backfire by alienating students and leaving the ACT the undisputed college admission test of choice; alternatively, it could earn the SAT new legitimacy in the marketplace as the more rigorous and better Common Core-aligned assessment. If admissions officers perceive the new SAT as the better test, student opinion regarding the tests won’t matter.

So what exactly is changing in the new SAT? What are the implications for students? And will these changes help the College Board catch up with ACT, Inc.? Let’s take a closer look.

Timing Historically the SAT has put less of a focus than the ACT on processing speed. In his 2013 NACAC address, Coleman referenced that speed may play even less of a role on the new SAT, and the details of the

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Greenville County College Fair 2014

redesigned SAT confirm this. Let’s compare the time allotted per question for the SAT and ACT:

Seconds Per Question: Section ACT Current SAT New SAT Grammar 36.0 42.9 47.7 Reading 52.5 62.7 75.0 Math 60.0 77.8 84.2 Science 52.5 Compared to the ACT, the new SAT will allow students more time per question on each of the three sections: 33% more time on the grammar section, 43% more time on the reading section, and 40% more time on the math section. On the math section that allows calculators, the new SAT will allow a whopping 49% more time per question than the ACT. This is effectively akin to receiving 50% extended time on the ACT, without receiving any accommodation.

Students with slower processing speeds who are unable to attain an accommodation for extended time on the ACT may fare better on the more generously timed SAT.

So how exactly did the ACT and the Common Core standards influence the redesign of the SAT? Let’s dive in to the individual sections for a deeper understanding.

Writing For years the SAT has tested students’ grammar and rhetorical skills primarily using error IDs and sentence improvements—question types that are completely devoid of any context. The ACT, in contrast, has tested these skills in the context of passages drawn from a variety of academic domains. The ACT’s method of assessing writing skills is better aligned with the Common Core Language Arts standards specifying that students be able to “Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and

Conclusion: Timing = Advantage SAT

Common Core Alignment The SAT in its current form lags behind the ACT in Common-Core alignment. But with this redesign, the SAT did not just play catchup: it leapfrogged its rival. Sensitive to the political controversy that has recently embroiled the CCSSI (with states like Indiana withdrawing from the standards altogether) the College Board writers explicitly mention the Common Core only once in the 208-page description of the redesigned SAT. But don’t be fooled; scratch ever so slightly beneath the surface of the new SAT, and you hit a Common Core gold mine. The redesigned SAT is effectively a 12th-grade Common Core assessment designed to rival the forthcoming tests from PARCC and Smarter Balanced, consortia tasked by the Department of Education with developing the Common Core tests for the 21st century. And this redesigned SAT is just the first step: The College Board explicitly revealed plans to release similar Common-Core tests for every grade level, from middle school to high school.

Conclusion: Common Core Alignment = Advantage SAT

to comprehend more fully when reading or listening” (CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L11-12.1). The College Board writers, rather than struggling to develop a new format, simply copied that of the ACT, placing error-ridden passages on the left side of the page and multiple choice problems offering edits on the right. The Writing section of the redesigned SAT steals so unabashedly from ACT English that when placed side by side these two sections are nearly indistinguishable.

A major content change to the redesigned SAT is the addition of redundancy questions and punctuation questions that test commas, semicolons, and colons. These question types have typically consti-

tuted over 20% of ACT English questions, but have been conspicuously absent from the SAT. The most unfortunate change to SAT Writing—adding charts and tables to the end of select passages—seems completely contrived. Amidst questions covering the proper use of commas, verb tenses, and prepositional phrases, students will be asked to accurately read data in a bar graph. What does data analysis have to do with grammar? Nothing whatsoever. The College Board is attempting to integrate the Common Core standards that are currently measured on the ACT Science section without adding an SAT Science section and blatantly ripping off the ACT. However, sticking charts and tables into a section designed to measure grammar and rhetorical skills is at best an awkward solution, and is certainly a distraction from the primary task at hand.

Conclusion: Writing = Advantage ACT

The Essay Like the ACT, the redesigned SAT is going to offer an optional essay at the conclusion of the normal testing administration. The College Board doubled the length of its current essay from 25 to 50 minutes (making it 20 minutes longer than the ACT essay) and shifted the focus from creative writing to analysis. The new essay prompt asks students to explain how an author

builds an argument and strengthens the logic and persuasiveness of a position. This is no opinion piece. The closing sentence of the prompt makes that clear: “Your essay should not explain whether you agree with [the author’s] claims, but rather explain how [the author] builds an argument to persuade his audience.” This new essay will be more useful in assessing students’ analytical and reasoning skills, but many students may be wary of spending 50 minutes on a writing assignment after completing a nearly 4-hour test administration. Logistically, placing an optional essay at the end may make sense, but it will prove burdensome for some students.

Conclusion: Essay = Advantage ACT

Reading The College Board is bringing the SAT Reading test closer to the Common Core standards primarily by mimicking the ACT Reading section.

The most significant difference between the two tests is now gone: the SAT has wholesale abandoned sentence completions. Rather than ask students to complete a sentence with an “SAT word” like surfeit or obsequious, the redesigned SAT will ask students to define easier words like intense or channel using the context of a passage.

Like the ACT, the SAT Reading section will consist of passages that are no more than 750 words long and always come from the domains of Science, Literature, and Humanities/Social Studies. In addition, the College Board will inject ACT Science-style charts, graphs, and figures into the science passages. Thankfully, this clear attempt to compensate for not having its own dedicated Science section works significantly better here, where students are already being asked to comprehend a scientific passage, than it did in the new Writing section.

One notable difference between the new SAT and the ACT is the SAT’s inclusion on each test of one passage drawn from a U.S. founding document or from the “Great Global Conversation.” The sample essay provided in last week’s preview–a speech given on the floor of the House during the Nixon impeachments–seemed to place non-American students at a significant disadvantage, contrary to Coleman’s stated goals of “expanding access” to more and more students. Students who did not

grow up exposed to the subtleties of Congressional hearings, public debate, and the Constitutional balance of powers would lack key context and be at a significant disadvantage on this passage. If this reflects the forthcoming content on the revised SAT, many international students will swiftly migrate to the ACT.

Conclusion: Reading = Advantage TBD

Math On the new SAT Math test, students will face tougher problems but have more time to solve them.

New questions will emphasize “conceptual understanding” over heuristics and speed, and, on one of the two Math sections, students will be barred from using their calculators.

Algebra will be the king of the redesigned SAT Math section. According to the numbers offered in this week’s preview, geometry will be taking a major backseat: going from a whopping 40% of questions on the current SAT to a mere 10% on the redesigned test. In addition, just about every advanced math topic that is currently tested by the ACT and not the SAT (from trigonometry and radians to equations of a circle and congruence theorems) has been added to a new category called, eloquently enough, “Additional Topics in Math.”

Nowhere on the new SAT is the move towards Common Core alignment more profoundly evident than in the redesigned Math section. For example, take a look at the College Board’s language outlining the first two skills tested by the new “Heart of Algebra” category of questions: 1. Create, solve, or interpret linear equations in one variable.

2. Create, solve, or interpret linear inequalities in one variable.

Compare this language to that of the first Common Core standard in High School Algebra: 1. Create equations and inequalities in one variable and use them to solve problems.

This minor rewording is indicative of just how deeply the new Math section is tied to the Common Core. The new SAT Math questions drive right through the heart of Common Core by relying less upon heuristic problem solving (i.e., when you see this kind of problem, employ this strategy) and more upon conceptual understanding of math principles.

As an example, whereas the current SAT would

College Admissions Guide

13

Deconstructing the New SAT

by Jed Applerouth (continued from pg. 13) present a complex word problem about cars travelling at different speeds and ask: How long after the second car leaves will it catch up to the first car?

A) 17 minutes B) 30 minutes The new SAT would more likely ask: Which of the follow mathematical equations represents the scenario described?

is poised to be more challenging than either the current SAT or ACT math sections. The 26 sample math questions provided in the preview document were, on average, more difficult than current SAT questions, and several of the sample questions significantly raised the SAT skill ceiling. We were particularly surprised by the difficulty of the questions on the non-calculator section, which will certainly pose a challenge for many students.

Conclusion: Math = Advantage ACT

Implications

A) 3x + 4y – 19 = 230 B) 4x + 3y – 19 = 180 What’s the difference? The first version allows students to work backwards from given answer choices or employ other problem-solving approaches to arrive at the answer. The second version requires a conceptual understanding of how the variables in a mathematical equation align to real life scenarios.

This change better aligns the question with Common Core standards, which put a premium on math “fluency” and understanding.

At first glance, not only is the new SAT math section better aligned with the Common Core, but it

By seemingly designing its new test entirely around the Common Core standards, the College Board is attempting to position itself as the only legitimate test that reflects high school coursework. However, the growing opposition to the new standards poses a genuine risk to the College Board: the SAT may very well sink or swim with the Common Core State Standards.

The SAT is becoming a harder test, and the elevated difficulty level of the redesigned SAT will unquestionably drive many college-bound students towards

the ACT. Given the choice between two assessments that are equally weighted in the college admissions process, apart from those students who will gravitate towards the new SAT for its laxer timing demands, who would choose the harder test?

The College Board is not making a play for student popularity; it is endeavoring to convince admissions offices across the country that it is the only legitimate game in town. The College Board wins the game if college admissions officers come to perceive the SAT as a more rigorous and valuable assessment and begin encouraging students to take it over the ACT. If admissions officers do not see the value in a test that is better aligned with the Common Core and continue to assign equal weight to both tests, the new SAT will be in a precarious position as students migrate in droves to the ACT. This is quite a gamble: the directors of the College Board clearly have some moxie.

Now we must await the competitive response of the ACT Inc., to see if it will hold the course that has served it well over the past few years, or make a bold move of its own to reclaim the title of the nation’s “most aligned” assessment.

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or visiT us for open houSe November 22

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uscupstate.edu/admissions 14

Greenville County College Fair 2014

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 for the asking!

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 45 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.

College Admissions Guide

15

The Essay

Notes from Dawn Calhoun, Associate Dean, Wake Forest University

T

he essay. The admissions committee will have reviewed your school record, extracurricular activities/honors, recommendations, standardized test scores (if required), and interview (if recommended).

The essay is the part of the application in which you metaphorically outstretch your hand and introduce yourself to the admissions committee. Through your essay, the committee gets to know you. We ask because we are genuinely interested in you.

Everybody has a story (multiple stories, in fact). The essay gives you the opportunity to reveal a story of yours to us. What should we know about you that we haven’t learned yet?

Guidelines to consider: • Address the question asked.

• Keep in mind, the essay is your opportunity to let the admissions committee know more in depth about who you are and how you think.

• Take your time writing the essay. The writing section requires introspection, so it is wise to get started early.

• Stay away from shock value words and/ or details.

• Remember to proofread and use correct grammar.

• The admissions committee is looking for a clear, concise expression of your thoughts. Through the essay, you are given the opportunity to express your voice. We are reading your essay to find diversity of thought and a curious nature.

Remember, your essay will be read multiple times and aloud in committee meetings. Take the time to create and enjoy the process.

• Allow your personality to show through.

“One of 49 Up and Coming Universities to Watch in the Nation”– U.S. News & World Report National Recognition for AU Students • Business • AU Enactus (formerly Students In Free Enterprise) team

was the national champion of the 2009, 2010, and 2011 Sam’s Club Environmental Sustainability Challenge • Winner of the 2012 Fifth Federal Reserve Bank District’s “Share the Wealth” video competition

•

Visual Arts/Graphic Design

• Athletics • 2012 Capital One NCAA Div. II All-America Award (one of only four awards nationally)

• AU Center for Cancer Research • Georgia Harpe won the 2013 South Carolina Academy of

• AU was the only university in the nation to have two students win a gold ADDY® at the 2012 and 2009 National ADDY® awards • 2010 AIGA Flux National Competition Best in Show • 2010 Best in Show National ADDY® Award

Science Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award for her research on “Antiproliferative Activity of Raspberries on Two Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines”

Mobile Learning Initiative

All incoming freshmen receive the latest iPad which will be used in specially designed courses.

knowledge for your journey Anderson, SC | AndersonUniversity.edu

16

Greenville County College Fair 2014

Anderson University

A

nderson University is one of the South’s most rapidly emerging private universities. Ranked in the Top Tier (top 20) of universities of its type, Anderson features a rigorous education in a warm, supportive, Christian environment. On one of the most beautiful campuses anywhere, 3,000 students enjoy great academics and great campus life with an emphasis on fun as well as finding one’s place in the world and preparing to make an impact.

With more than 50 areas of study, there are opportunities to enter most any field from business, to theatre, education, ministry, interior design, graphic design, criminal justice, and the list goes on. There is even a new School of Nursing (opened in 2012) that has already become a top choice for the top students in the field. Anderson has one of the premiere interior design programs at a private, Christian university, a graphic design program that consistently wins national awards, an education program that has school districts lining up for its graduates each year, a program in the sciences that has its own cancer research center, and a business program whose free enterprise teams win national and regional competitions every year. Additionally, the performing arts program at the South Carolina School of the Arts draws fans from the entire Upstate, and last year’s musical theatre performance of Barnum was honored by the Kennedy Center for its excellence.

On campus, there are dozens of organizations and fun activities to get involved in. AU is an NCAA Division II school competing in the South Atlantic Conference in 16 sports. Both of AU’s basketball teams routinely make the NCAA Division II tournament and the soccer and tennis programs rank at or near the top of the conference every year. wrestling, baseball, golf, tennis, softball and volleyball are also top sports at AU. There is always a game to enjoy with friends somewhere on campus or if you’d rather play than watch, the intramural program attracts almost everyone on campus.

Anderson is a national leader in the use of technology in the classroom. Under the university’s landmark Mobile Learning Initiative, the experience of learning has grown outside the classroom and the limitations of a class time.

Each Anderson freshman is provided with an iPad, and the professors in every college of the University have specially designed courses that harness the power of mobile learning. Schools throughout the country as well as Apple itself, have traveled to Anderson to see how best to utilize the power of tablet technology to make learning more fun and effective.

The tag line for Anderson University is “knowledge for the journey.” That means that we believe you were created for a special purpose and we do all we can to help you find that purpose and maximize your gifts and talents to build a life of significance after college. Preparation in the classroom is vital to what we do, but it doesn’t end when you walk out of class. We strive to help you develop academically, spiritually, and physically.

The best way to learn if Anderson is right for you is to schedule a campus visit. You can do that on our website www.andersonuniversity.edu.

We look forward to meeting you this year!

GLADYOUASKED WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL? Anderson University offers highly-ranked academics in a warm, caring, friendly Christian environment where professors know their students and support them in their journey.

WHAT COULD BE EVEN BETTER? We strive to identify and develop new programs each year both in Anderson and Greenville to meet the changing needs of today’s students.

WHAT IS HOUSING LIKE? The vast majority of AU student choose to live on campus in 19 different residence/living options ranging from apartment-style to suite style, to more traditional college living arrangements. 6 of the residence halls are brand new having been constructed within the past five years.

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

On campus, Anderson students love Java City, a high-tech, gourmet coffee and dessert venue. Off campus, they love Starbucks, Chipotle and several cool restaurants and coffee houses in Anderson’s quickly emerging historic downtown.

WHAT ARE YOUR MOST POPULAR CLASSES? Business students love their marketing classes for the entrepreneurial projects they get to do. The introduction to Fine Arts classes are popular as well as those in the nationally-ranked graphic design area.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE STUDENT/PROFESSOR RATIO? Anderson students enjoy smaller class sizes than in most universities. On average the professor to student ratio is 1/17. Professors here know your name.

WHAT ARE THE STEREOTYPES ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL AND ARE THEY TRUE OR FALSE? Anderson’s reputation as one of the fastest-growing private universities in the South is true. We’ve grown more than 80% in the past decade. Because Anderson is a highly ranked private university, some think that it is expensive, like other private universities. In fact, Anderson has been named one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys” for 7 years in a row, meaning it’s of high quality, but also affordable.

WHAT SPECIAL ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS? Apply early! AU has become extremely popular and the earlier you apply, the better.

College Admissions Guide

17

Questions for Colleges from National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) 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.

Sample Questions: In what percentage of courses do students work in teams to complete assignments, solve problems, or apply course content?

How many courses require students to engage in service learning or take part in communitybased projects?

In the first year or in general education courses?

In the major field in which you are interested?

How do students work with other students on projects during class?

Is an internship required to graduate? What about for the major field in which youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested?

These are questions to seriously consider when evaluating colleges. They go well beyond the usual size, location, average SAT/ACT score, etc. and focus on the educational aspects of a collegiate experience.

They are questions that have shown to truly reflect what one experiences and gains from their years at a college. A student may not necessarily feel that every question pertains to him or her, but so many of these are relevant to what a student truly experience overall.

Read them all and see which ones matter to you (in some ways, they all should!).

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.

Sample Questions: How much reading and writing do students do?

In the first year?

In required general education courses?

In the major field in which you are interested?

What is the nature of assignments in various courses and majors?

18 Greenville County College Fair 2014

Is memorization emphasized?

Or higher order, complex cognitive skills?

How much time do students spend preparing for class?

In the first year?

In the major field in which you are interested?

What does the campus do to encourage students to spend significant amounts of time studying and on academic work?

What do faculty and staff do to challenge and support students so they work to their potential?

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.

Sample Questions: How often do students meet with faculty members outside of class?

To work on committees?

To meet in faculty homes or offices?

What does the institution do to promote such contacts?

Do campus committees require a certain number of students participate?

How many students collaborate on research with faculty members?

In the first year?

In the senior year?

In the major field in which you are interested?

Start Something at

FURMAN 4. Enriching educational experiences Educationally effective colleges and universities offer a variety of learning opportunities inside and outside the classroom that compliment 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.

Sample Questions: What percentage of students participate in internships, study abroad, and community service?

In the first year?

The senior year?

In your major field?

What programs and activities does the institution provide to insure that students from different backgrounds meet and work together?

In the first year?

In the senior year?

In your major?

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.

Sample Questions: What does this institution do to assure that students get the academic and social support they need to succeed and thrive?

What is the nature of student relations with administrative personnel and offices?

Is it cooperative?

Or do students complain about the bureaucratic â&#x20AC;&#x153;runaroundâ&#x20AC;? when they have problems to solve?

Is student engagement understandable, meaningful?

#FurmanBound #1 Private Liberal Arts University in South Carolina U.S. News & World Report Furman University Admission 3300 Poinsett Highway Greenville, SC 29613-5245

864.294.2034 furman.edu/admission

College Admissions Guide 19

Financing a College Education in South Carolina to the institution or institutions being considered.

While most aid comes from the institutions themselves, South Carolina students considering South Carolina colleges have the potential of a wonderful advantage when it comes to paying for their collegiate expenses; our state provides a variety of both merit and need-based programs to assist in meeting these costs. Consider the following options:

federal grants and the SC Need-Based Grant must be awarded first. The institution at which the student is enrolled will notify each recipient of their exact award amount.

The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship, admin-

financial aid to South Carolina’s neediest students.

To apply, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Each eligible public college campus administers this program to determine eligibility and the exact amount of award within program defined limits for each recipient.

Recipients must be enrolled in a degree seeking program, in their first one-year program, first associates degree, first two-year program leading to a baccalaureate degree, first baccalaureate degree, or first professional degree.

istered by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, recognizes the state’s most academically talented high school seniors. Recipients will receive up to $6,700 their freshmen year and up to $7,500 for their sophomore, junior, and senior years. Presuming continued eligibility, recipients may receive Scholarship funding for a maximum of eight full-time terms of study toward their first bachelor’s degree at an eligible four-year SC institution.

The Legislative Incentive for Future Excellence (LIFE) Scholarship is administered

M

any agree that the process of selecting a college is one of the more important decisions that high school students and their families have to make.

Factors such as location, size, availability of a program of study and campus environment should be carefully considered during the college search process. If you aren’t going to be happy with where you are and the educational program/career preparation that you will receive, your collegiate experience will likely not be as successful as the financial commitment you will make suggests it should be.

Yes, the economic aspects of selecting a college are vitally important in the process, and they will be different for almost every student. Fortunately, while costs may vary each year as enrollment expenses and living situations change throughout the undergraduate years, there are some financing aspects on which you can depend. The sources of your student financial aid may include the federal government, state government, private resources, and the institution that you will attend. In addition the types of aid, scholarships (awards based on merit or special skills), grants (typically non-repayable support based on the applicant’s economic situation), student employment opportunities, and loans (which must be repaid) should remain continually available. Every college bound student should investigate all of the possibilities as they relate

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Greenville County College Fair 2014

by the financial aid office at each eligible public and independent college and university in South Carolina.

Recipients must be enrolled in their first one-year program, first associate’s degree, first two-year program leading to a baccalaureate degree, first baccalaureate degree, or first professional program. Award amounts are related to the academic program being pursued and the associated costs

The South Carolina HOPE Scholarship is administered by the financial aid

office at each of South Carolina’s four-year public or independent institutions for students who do not qualify for the Palmetto Fellows or LIFE Scholarships.

The scholarship is awarded for the freshman year only.

Recipients may receive a LIFE Scholarship for their sophomore, junior, and senior years if they meet the on-going renewal criteria designated for LIFE Scholarships.

The SC Lottery Tuition Assistance Program was created to provide a supplemental re-

source to South Carolina residents attending two-year public and independent institutions. In calculating the award amount students are eligible to receive, all

The SC Need-Based Grant provides

The South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission administers

the Need-Based Grant Program for students attending a SC independent college or university

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education also oversees the

administration of Enhancement Scholarships to Palmetto Fellows and LIFE Scholarship recipients enrolled in certain STEM educational programs during their sophomore, junior and senior years. Further, through the South Carolina National Guard College Assistance Program (SCNG CAP), the Commission partners with SC National Guard in administering this educational support program that provides incentive for enlisting or remaining for a specified time in either the SC Army or Air National Guard.

For more information about award amounts and eligibility criteria, visit http://www.che.sc.gov and select “How do I….. Find information on State Scholarship programs?” and then “Scholarships & Grants for SC residents”.

Dr. Ed Miller has been the Director of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships at the University of South Carolina for approximately 15 years and has been in financial aid and student support services administration since 1970. He was recipient of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrator’s Meritorious Achievement Award in 2004.

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Discover what Coastal Carolina University can offer you.

• Located in Conway, S.C., nine miles west of Myrtle Beach.

• More than 67 undergraduate degree programs and eight graduate degree programs.

• Student to Faculty ratio is 17:1.

1954 #CCU #CoastalCarolina #TEALnation #GOTEAL #MyrtleBeach

• Call your personal admissions counselor at 800.277.7000.

• Schedule your campus visit today!

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College Admissions Guide

21

List of Participating Universities & Colleges Agnes Scott College

Johnson C. Smith University

Allen University

Kaplan

Anderson University

Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology

Appalachian State University Auburn University Belmont Abbey College BENNETT COLLEGE Berea College Berry College Bob Jones University Brenau University Brevard College Brown Mackie College Campbell University Carson-Newman University Catawba College Centre College Charleston Southern University Claflin University Clemson University Coastal Carolina University

King University Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College LaGrange College Lander University Lees-McRae College Lenoir-Rhyne University Limestone College Lincoln College of Technology Living Arts College Livingstone College Mars Hill University Mississippi State University Montreat College Morehouse College Newberry College North Carolina A&T State University

Coker College

North Carolina Outward Bound School

College of Charleston

North Greenville University

Columbia College

Northeastern University

Columbia International University

Oglethorpe University

Columbus State University

Paine College

Concord University

Paul Mitchell the School Columbia

Converse College Davidson College Denison University Denmark Technical College Dickinson College East Tennessee State University ECPI University and Medical Careers Institute

Pfeiffer University Piedmont College Presbyterian College Purdue University Queens University of Charlotte Radford University Randolph College

The Art Institutes

University of South Carolina Beaufort

Erskine College

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At VCOM, future physicians learn to provide patient centered care through experiences extending far beyond the classroom.

For more information, visit 350 Howard Street Spartanburg, South Carolina 864-327-9800

www.vcom.edu Š2013 Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine.

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