DJS_9272010

a northeast mississippi daily journal special section

College Prep september 27, 2010 section C

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College Prep

SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 ■ PAGE 3

Choosing between a community college and a university is an individual decision The school’s cost and the student’s maturity and willingness to move away from home are factors to consider

BY CHRIS KIEFFER

A

Daily Journal

s they approach graduation, high school seniors will have several choices to make. One of the more important decisions will be whether to continue their education at a two-year college or to go straight to a fouryear university.

Students have several factors to consider when deciding between a community college and a senior college, said several high school guidance counselors.

Among the first considerations will be the difference in cost.

Thanks to tuition guarantees, recent high school graduates from 14 of Northeast Mississippi’s 16 counties – all except Benton and Marshall – can attend their local community college tuition free for four semesters.

Even without the guarantees, tuition is $1,600 a year for Itawamba Community College and $2,100 a year for Northeast Mississippi Community College. Tuition at Northwest Mississippi Community College, which serves Marshall and Benton counties, is $1,950 annually, according to the schools’ web sites.

Ole Miss’s tuition is $5,436 per year, and Mississippi State’s is $5,461, according to their web sites. Tuition is even higher for out-of-state colleges and for private universities. However, scholarships and other finan-

cial aid can help decrease those costs.

If the cost is not prohibitive, it may be better for some students to go straight from high school to a university with the

structured environment.

“I think they need to look at their maturity level,” said Saltillo High School junior and senior counselor Meda Vasser.

“How do they handle respon-

Vasser said that students who struggle academically will often do better at a two-year institution because of the extra help and attention that will be available to them.

SHERMAN ATION BY C. TODD PHOTO ILLUSTR

opportunities it offers for growth. For other students, it may be preferable to remain closer to home and spend two years in a smaller or more

sibility? Do they work well on their own? Do they wok well in larger classes? Do they want to attend a college where they can go home often?”

“Then you have that group of students whom you can turn loose anywhere and they will succeed,” Vasser said. “That is not to say they can’t succeed at

a two-year college. They can and they definitely do. That college needs to fit your needs, and it is individualized.”

At Booneville High School, counselor Sonja Smith has Northeast Mississippi Community College in her backyard. She said that for many of Booneville’s students, the chance to remain near home is appealing.

“The community college can be a great start for those students who would be unsure about whether or not they’re ready to move or to live that far away from home,” Smith said.

Smith recommends that the students who want to attend fouryear colleges immediately out of high school apply early so that they can see what financial aid and scholarships will be available to them.

As students decide where to attend school, Vasser said they must pay careful attention to whether it offers the programs that the student wants to study.

“Even though I may be a fan of one college, they may not have the program that I want,” Vasser said. “I think sometimes kids get hung up on that. They need to have a good background in the field they go into.

“If you want to go into a professional school, you need to pick a college that has a good background for that profession.”

Contact Chris Kieffer at (662) 678-1590 or chris.kieffer@djournal.com.

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College Prep

Tracking the true cost of college

BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS Daily Journal

THOMAS WELLS

Tuition guarantees increase access ■ Program is now being used by 14 counties in Northeast Mississippi.

BY CHRIS KIEFFER Daily Journal

Income will not be a barrier preventing students in most Northeast Mississippi counties from extending their studies beyond high school.

Fourteen of the region’s 16 counties – all except Benton and Marshall – now have tuition guarantee programs that cover the cost of four semesters of community college tuition beyond what is paid for by scholarships and grants.

The exact requirements vary by county. Some programs are for immediate high school graduates, while others are open to GED graduates or even high school graduates from previous years. The tuition guarantees are sponsored by local county boards of supervisors, development districts, foundations and private donors.

“It is the most progressive action that anyone can take,” Eric Clark, executive director of the state community college

board said of the tuition guarantee. “It is the best investment that the local community can possibly make in increasing the prosperity of its citizens and also increasing the tax revenue those citizens will pay in years to come.”

The program has grown this year after it was used by 10 Northeast Mississippi counties during the 2009-10 school year.

Enrollment has also increased at the state’s 15 junior and community colleges over the last two years, including a 16 percent rise between the spring of 2010 and the spring of 2009.

County tuition guarantee programs were at least partially responsible for that increase.

At Itawamba Community College, 229 students were awarded free tuition under the program last year, said Buddy Collins, Vice President of Student Services. At least 235 have qualified for the program this year, Collins said, but added that many students were still being processed and that the number would increase.

More than 670 students applied for tuition guarantees at ICC last year, but many of them no longer needed it be-

cause they received other scholarships and grants.

Northeast Mississippi, East Mississippi and Northwest Mississippi Community Colleges did not have figures for the number of students whose tuition has been funded by the program. But all three said the program has made a difference.

“We have never had as many applications for admissions as we have had this year,” said Lynn Gibson, director of admissions for Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Gibson said that the number of students visiting the campus has also increased “threefold” over the last year.

To qualify for tuition guarantees, students must graduate from high school (some counties also allow for GED graduates), take the ACT before the end of June, apply for the Mississippi Tuition Assistance Grant by the end of July, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by the end of July and enroll in the community college as a full-time student.

Contact Chris Kieffer at (662) 678-1590 or chris.kieffer@djournal.com.

Pinning down the actual cost of sending a student to college can be elusive.

Tuition and fees are clear, but scholarship and financial aid packages change those costs for each individual.

Just comparing aid packages can be misleading.

“Private schools are more likely to offer scholarship money, but they may still be more expensive,” said Beckett Howorth, a private college counselor based in Oxford.

The most difficult elements to pin down are living and transportation expenses.

Some of those expenses would have been incurred if a student was living at home, but college students grappling with managing their own meals and expenses typically can’t live as inexpensively as they do at home.

“They’re going to be eating more fast food,” said Bob Walker, director of financial aid for Itawamba Community College.

A good place to start is the estimated cost of attendance all colleges and universities put together under federal requirements.

Every post-secondary school puts together an estimated cost of attendance. It covers tuition and fees and uses averages and estimates on books,

housing, transportation and food . The estimates are usually posted in prospective student or financial aid sections of school websites.

“The published cost of attendance is a good way to compare,” said Laura DivenBrown, University of Mississippi director of financial aid.

“Look at the costs and then look at the aid money available, then look at the net price.”

The estimated cost for an ICC student living on campus is $9,800, but only $4,500 are tuition, school fees, room and board. Figures provided by Northeast put the annual cost about $6,325, but they don’t include transportation, supplies or personal items.

The cost of attendance at Mississippi State University is estimated at $19,198. Tuition and fees make up $5,461 of that estimate. University of Mississippi estimates the cost of attendance at $19,210, and tuition and fees account for $5,436.

Some of those estimated expenses are already built into parents’ budgets – food and clothing. But parents may need to figure in additional transportation costs.

The estimates also don’t include things like computer purchases, Walker said.

“It’s not required, but they seem to do better with their own computer,” Walker said.

Books and computers add to the total cost of a college education.

THOMAS WELLS

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College Prep

PAGE 4 ■ SEPTEMBER 27, 2010

SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 ■ PAGE 5

FINANCIAL AID IS OUT THERE

BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS Daily Journal

Money for college doesn’t grow on trees, but there are many avenues to shake loose resources to pay for an education.

“Every little bit helps,” said Laura Diven-Brown, University of Mississippi director of financial aid. “It’s very rare that one source of money pays for everything.”

Colleges in Mississippi aren’t cheap, but they cost far less than the institutions that make headlines. The University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University both made the Top 35 of Forbes Magazine’s Best College Buys list. Grants, scholarships, college savings and loans can all be pulled together to make a college education a reality.

“Cost is a big, big issue,” said Beckett Howorth, an independent college counselor based in Oxford. “But families consistently overestimate the cost of tuition.”

Now more than ever, parents and students are very sensitive to the cost of college.

“People are trying to get the best value they can for the best price,” Diven-Brown said.

Parents should budget year by year, semester by semester because costs will shift, said Phil Bonfanti, director of admissions and scholarships at Mississippi State University.

Freshman year, students may live in the dorms, which mean parents will get two big bills, one for each semester. In later years, students may live in apartments off campus, which means the costs are smaller monthly payments.

“Parents think ‘I’ve got to have all this money up front,” Bonfanti said.

Help is available

Parents and students don’t have to navigate these waters alone. College admissions and financial aid counselors are there to walk them through the process.

“We can help you put together a package that will get you out of school with little to no debt,” Bonfanti said.

Students and parents should be realistic about the cost of college, but don’t dismiss a higher priced school out of hand, Howorth said. There’s sticker price and then there’s what an individual student will pay depending on a package of aid and scholarships.

But students need to have lower cost options they like if the aid package doesn’t stretch to meet the family’s budget. Howorth advises students to have at least three schools they are comfortable with and then see what kind of scholarship and financial aid packages each school can put together.

“There’s more than one place that’s a good fit,” Howorth said.

First stop FAFSA

The first, critical stop on the financial aid journey is for parents to fill out the FAFSA form for federal student aid.

Even if you doubt your family will qualify for a Pell grant, it’s important to apply.

“A lot of schools require the FAFSA,” said Bob Walker, director of financial aid for Itawamba Community College.

Colleges use the information to gauge financial need for their own aid packages. Many institutions require the FAFSA as part of the scholarship application process. Tuition Guarantee programs require the forms be filled out and filed.

Students can qualify for unsubsidized federal loans, Diven-Brown said.

Loan amounts can be increased if parents are denied for the PLUS loans. It also can be used to determine eligibility for federal work-study programs.

“You don’t have to use it, but at least you know what you fully qualify for,” Diven-Brown said.

Parents will need their tax information to fill out the form.

Help is available from financial aid offices. Gear Up Mississippi will host College Goal Sunday on Saturday, Feb. 26 around the state. Computers and assistance is available at the events to

THOMAS WELLS

Financial aid counselors are available to help students and parents with the financial aid process. help parents and students fill out the forms. For more information on locations, watch www.mscollegegoalsunday.org.

It’s important to complete the FAFSA as soon after Jan. 1 as possible.

“They allow you to do it with estimated income and then go back in later and correct it,” Diven-Brown said.

Even now, parents can get some

practice in and get an idea of what they may qualify for. The FAFSA has a practice worksheet on-line parents and students can fill out.

“It’s not a easy form, but it’s a good way to get an idea of the expected family contribution,” Diven-Brown said, but some of the information can be translated into the real FAFSA after Jan. 1.

JOIN THE SCHOLARSHIP HUNT

BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS Daily Journal

Certainly, there are scholarships for people with strong grades and ACT scores or athletic talent.

But you don’t have to be a Nobel Laureate or future Hall-of-Famer to find scholarship money.

You do need to start early, be aware of scholarship deadlines and give yourself enough time to fill out scholarship applications completely.

Colleges and universities offer their own scholarships. The state of Mississippi has several merit and need-based grants.

Civic clubs, foundations, professional organizations and businesses offer scholarships. There is college money set aside for the children of cancer patients or military personnel. Nationally, businesses like Kohl’s and Coca-Cola offer scholarships.

Guidance counselors can help direct scholarship searches. There are free on-line search engines, too, said Beckett Howorth, an independent college counselor based in Oxford. Be wary of services that charge for scholarship searches.

“There’s no reason to pay for a scholarship search,” Howorth said.

It’s important to watch deadlines closely.

Most scholarships are due between Feb. 1 and March 1, but some are earlier, even Dec. 1 of senior year. Even the most qualified students can’t earn scholarships if their names aren’t in the hat.

Make yourself shine

It’s important to polish resumes and essays to present the best possible profile to the people who are deciding scholarships.

“You want to get the scholarship committee talking about you,” said Phil Bonfanti director of admissions and scholarships at Mississippi State University.

Howorth recommends boiling down credentials to no more than two pages.

“You want to make it easy to see the impressive stuff,” Howorth said.

But students don’t have to limit themselves to a dry recitation of clubs and leadership positions, Bonfanti said.

“Don’t just say you were in Anchor Club for four years; highlight some of the service projects you did,” particularly any you helped organize, Bonfanti said. “Don’t just say you were in 4-H for four years,” add concise descriptions about the best things you accomplished with the club.

Check out state aid

Not all scholarships are hard to get. The state of Mississippi has three programs that are open to resident students regardless of career path.

The Help Plan is awarded based on limited income, but it has GPA and ACT guidelines. It covers tuition and required fees at public community colleges and universities. It can be applied to private school tuition and fees as well, but cannot pay more than comparable fees at a public institution.

The Mississippi Resident Tuition Assistance Grant Program or MTAG has no income eligibility requirements, but students much have a 2.5 GPA and an ACT score of 15 or better. It provides $500 for college freshmen and sophomores and $1,000 for juniors and seniors.

The Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant Program or MESG – students who have a 3.5 GPA and an ACT score of 29 or better. It provides up to $2,500 for tuition and fees.

Students can qualify for the Help plan during college, if they have improved their GPA. The other programs can be renewed if students keep good grades, but only new high school graduates can apply for the initial awards.

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College Prep

Test strategies can boost ACT scores ■ Students should practice the test, answer all of the questions and use process of elimination.

BY CHRIS KIEFFER Daily Journal

Taking the American College Test (ACT) or the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) will be among the most important things that college-bound juniors and seniors will do this year.

Those tests are important factors used by admissions departments to determine which students are admitted and given scholarships.

As stressful as the tests may be, test takers can improve their scores by knowing several helpful tips and strategies for taking the test.

The most important tip is to practice the test, said Patty Hosch, who is teaching a “Preparing for the ACT” course at Itawamba Community College’s Belden campus. Hosch, who a retired teacher from Tupelo High School, focuses on math skills, while Sherry McKenzie helps with English skills.

“They really need to practice and go over their mistakes and see where they need to focus their effort,” Hosch said.

Students can take a free practice test

Resources

■ For more information about Itawamba

Community College’s ACT preparation class, call (662) 620-5240.

■ For information about the Learning Skills Center’s ACT preparation class, call (662) 844-7327 ■ You can visit the ACT website at www.act.org and the SAT website at www.collegeboard.com ■ Free ACT practice questions are available at www.actstudent.org (then click on the link for the “test prep” section). at www.actstudent.org, said Becky Kelly, continuing education specialist at Itawamba Community College. Once they get on the website, they can click on the link for the “test prep” section.

Lynn McAlpin, who teaches an ACT prep class at the Learning Skills Center in Tupelo and also serves as a part-time math tutor at Itawamba Agricultural High School, said that the skills learned in high school core classes are vital to success on the test.

“We’ve studied the ACT and what it takes to do well, and we feel it is a curriculum-based test,” McAlpin said. “The more core classes you’ve had in high

THOMAS WELLS

There are tips for helping ACT takers be better prepared for the test. school, the better prepared you are.”

Here are some tips offered by Hosch and McAlpin: ■ Answer all of the questions. There is no penalty for guessing.

■ When guessing at the end of a test, pick one letter and guess that letter.

McAlpin said that studying every test over the last 10 years revealed that on every test but one, each letter (A, B, C, D, E) was used 11 to 13 times on the 60question tests.

■ Use process of elimination. Sometimes choices can be eliminated because of punctuation.

■ Questions on the math section get harder later in the test.

■ Use a familiar calculator for the math section.

■ Get a good night’s sleep before the test.

■ Take the test more than once.

Once students have had geometry, they should begin taking the test, either in ninth or 10th grade, both teachers said. They should absolutely take it before they are seniors, McAlpin added.

The prep class at ICC is held once every semester. The next one will begin in January and will be finished before the April test, Kelly said. The one at the Learning Skills Center begins five weeks before each of the national tests. The next class there will start in early November, McAlpin said.

Contact Chris Kieffer at (662) 678-1590 or chris.kieffer@djournal.com.

Essays allow students to personalize application

■ Students should make a list of their strengths and notable characteristics before they begin to write.

BY CHRIS KIEFFER Daily Journal

Sometimes the most difficult part of writing a college application essay is starting it.

Essays are required for admission to some universities and play an important part in many scholarship applications.

The trick is figuring out what colleges or scholarship committees are looking for when they read those essays.

“Start with an attention-grabbing be-

ginning,” said Tupelo High School senior counselor Joni Nolan. “Raise questions in the minds of the admissions officers to encourage them to keep reading.”

Nolan said students should remember that the essay question is an attempt by the school or committee to learn more about the student.

“This is their way to personalize students without having met them,” Nolan said. “They can get to know them as individuals.”

Students should brainstorm ideas to determine the essay’s focus and its theme, Nolan said. They should make a

Turn to ESSAY on Page 8

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College Prep

PAGE 6 ■ SEPTEMBER 27, 2010

Tupelo High School Counselor Joni Nolan and other counselors can offer help to students preparing for college.

THOMAS WELLS

School counselors can be important resource

■ They can provide information about schools, edit application essays and put students in touch with college recruiters.

BY CHRIS KIEFFER Daily Journal

Junior and senior years of high school can be difficult as students face a myriad of stressful decisions about what they want to do next.

One of their greatest resources might be right down the hall.

School counselors can a source of advice for students about which school may be the best fit for an individual or about what that student must do to get into a particular institution. They can also help put students in touch with college recruiters who can answer specific questions about their campuses.

“There is just so much information that students and parents don’t know, especially if it is their first experience with colleges, and we can be a great source of information,” said Tupelo High School senior counselor Joni Nolan. “If we don’t have the answer, we can help them find it or point them in the right direction.”

Perhaps the most important role that counselors play for juniors and seniors is taking time to know students, their talents, interests, strengths and weaknesses.

“We spend a lot of time making sure that we know what their plans are after school so we can help direct them in the right direction,” said Meda Vassar, junior and senior counselor at Saltillo High School.

Many school counselors will schedule a college day in which representatives from multiple schools will visit campus to meet with students. They also may host financial aid workshops to help seniors and their parents complete the FAFSA form required to receive federal grants and loans.

They may often schedule follow-up visits by individual colleges or student trips to college campuses. They can help students navigate college websites and find links to online applications. Booneville High School counselor Sonja Smith said that she is often able to put students in touch with college recruiters who can answer many questions students have.

“I maintain catalogs and information about programs of study,” Smith said. “I work with the seniors on the application process and answer questions about scholarship information.”

As students begin applying to college, they can also turn to school counselors to proofread essays, write letters of recommendation or send transcripts. Itawamba AHS counselor Ellen Cook said she tries to remind students to be aware of deadlines.

“The main thing I see passing kids by are the deadlines,” Cook said. “I find students have high aspirations and expectations and lack follow-through.

They’re not always really grounded in reality.”

She also tries to make them aware of available scholarships, leading them to websites like FastWeb, where they can search for scholarships, and posting information on the school’s website.

Contact Chris Kieffer at (662) 678-1590 or chris.kieffer@djournal.com.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 ■ PAGE 7

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College Prep

College Prep

Essay Continued from Page 6 list of their strengths and notable characteristics and make sure they answer the questions that are asked.

“I basically tell my students that in a lot of scholarship applications, the essay is what sells you to the committee that is going to make the award,” said Saltillo High School counselor Meda Vassar. “I tell my kids to put a lot of thought into it and make sure it is grammatically correct.”

Beckett Howorth, an independent college counselor based in Oxford, said it is important for students to begin working on their essays early so that they have a lot of time to go back and edit.

They should also consider the context in which their essay will be read.

"Someone will probably be reading a bunch of them on the same day so you need to stand out in a good way," Howorth said. "It shouldn't be too long.

"It is best to tell a story. You want to focus on the specific, maybe one that has general application. You're not writing an opinion piece but your opinion may come through. Your reader is looking for a way to supplement what is known about you and a good way to do that is through a story."

The essay should use specific exam-

ples from the student’s life experiences that can distinguish him or her from other applicants. The essay should go beyond the resume to inform the reader about what interests and excites the writer, or what makes him or her unique.

Vassar said students must not be intimidated about having to write application essays.

“I’ve even told one student to think of it as a job,” Vassar said. “You’re going to get paid for writing the essay. They need to give it a lot of thought and make sure that what they submit is well written.”

The essay should have an introduction, body and conclusion, Nolan said.

The conclusion should refer back to the beginning and restate the theme.

Booneville High School counselor Sonja Smith recommends that students to write a rough draft and then show it to the school counselor or an English teacher. They can check grammar, make sure the essay answers all of the questions that were asked and has an appropriate voice.

Once the final draft has been completed, the student should again submit it to a teacher or counselor to have them proofread it, all three counselors advised.

Never, they said, should a student submit the essay without having someone else read it first. However, Howorth warns, don't let so many people edit it that it loses the student's voice.

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PAGE 8 ■ SEPTEMBER 27, 2010

College senior offers tips on making most of experience

S

o it’s time to leave your childhood behind and head to college. This may be a scary thought, but if you take some time to prepare, you’ll have nothing to worry about. Here are a few things I’ve learned during my college years that might help you in yours.

Before arriving on campus, look up student organizations that are offered at your college.

Joining a club can give you a sense of belonging in this new (and sometimes intimidating) environment. Whether your choice is a Greek organization or a math association, you will be able to make new friends and experience new things.

High school and college are different, and you will need to study harder than you did in high school. Make time to study between classes – this will save you the headache of piled-up work when you get home. Also, do not underestimate the use of flash cards. It sounds elementary, but flash cards are the sole reason I made an A in my Spanish class.

Get to know your professors, especially ones in your major. Building references for your resume is always a good thing. If you hear something that interests you in class, don’t be afraid to e-mail a

professor about it. Be proactive in your education, and you might learn things that will help you out in the real world.

I have used a planner throughout all my years in college. This has been my savior on weeks when I have three projects due, a test and two quizzes. Find one that has plenty of space for writing and keep it current.

Take advantage of free seminars, conferences and classes offered to students.

Some of these may sound a little boring, but you might learn something really interesting. Best of all, they’re free.

Lastly, get experience outside the classroom. If you hear of an internship opportunity, go for it. When applying for a job, many (if not most) employers will want to know what kind of experience you have in the job field. Ask your professors about internships in your area of study.

As a senior who is graduating this May, I can undoubtedly say your college years are going to fly by.

This is your last step before real adulthood, and you want to enjoy it to the fullest. Be sure to have fun, study hard and make memories to last a lifetime.

Erin PARSONS

Erin Parsons is a senior journalism major from Oxford. She has interned with North Mississippi Medical Center and is in her third year as an intern with the UM Department of Media and Public Relations.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 ■ PAGE 9

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College Prep

College Prep

Your transcript and the college search

I

f you are in high school you need to be thinking about college. Not obsessing, but if you don’t plan ahead you may miss some opportunities.

Did you know that colleges rate the high school transcript as the most important component of a college application? That’s right, the courses you take and how you do in them are more important than test scores, resumes, essays, and letters of recommendation.

Your transcript says a lot about you.

Are you the sort of person who likes a challenge? Do you have the discipline and drive to be successful in college and afterwards? If so, prove it by taking the most demanding courses you can reasonably expect to handle while still maintaining some balance in your life.

■ Take as many math, science, English, foreign language, and history courses as possible. Concentrate on basics; specialization can come later.

■ Choose as many APs or other advanced courses as you can handle. If your school’s offerings are limited, don’t worry. That’s beyond your control and colleges will know it.

■ A challenging course load will help build a foundation to prepare you for college-level studies and may help your standardized test results.

Almost all colleges will evaluate all four years of your high school transcript, so don’t wait to start down the right path. If you are already along in high school and haven’t done your best, turn it around now. Competitive programs pay attention to trends shown on your transcript. Building momentum towards college can help overcome earlier miscues just as falling off later in high school will hurt.

“Maintaining some balance” in high school is not an excuse for not working hard, but colleges do want well-rounded students. Broaden your understanding and demonstrate your commitment by making time for things like athletics, the arts, service organizations, and getting some work experience. Becoming deeply involved in a few organizations is likely to be more meaningful (and impressive to colleges) than sketchier involvement in a large number of groups.

Beckett HOWORTH

“Maintaining some balance” in high school is not an excuse for not working hard, but colleges do want well-rounded students. Broaden your understanding and demonstrate your commitment by making time for things like athletics, the arts, service organizations, and getting some work experience.

And make sure you preserve some down time with friends and family to enjoy this important time.

After you have put all that work into creating an impressive transcript and finding meaningful ways to get involved in your school and community, it would be a shame to share it with only one college, so be sure you look around some.

Considering only one college may make sense for an adult learner anchored to a location by family responsibilities and employment, but for a traditional college-aged student without those obligations, applying to only one college is like marrying at 16. You may hit it lucky and make a good match, but you’ll improve your odds by looking around. Besides, looking around is enjoyable in itself. College campuses are some of the prettiest places on the planet and students are friendly people.

Why not take advantage of the opportunity and visit several schools?

Consider that looking closely at several schools: ■ Provides other options if your motivation for attending one school changes ■ May give you leverage in seeking merit-based aid ■ Gives you the perspective to make an informed decision The search for colleges you really like should be an exciting and eye-opening time. Be sure you make the most of it by building a strong transcript and engaging with others in meaningful ways.

And do find some time to relax and enjoy the process.

Beckett Howorth III of Oxford has more than 30 years experience in college admissions. He works with individual students and their families in the college search and can be reached at (662) 801-8284 or bhoworth3@gmail.com.

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PAGE 10 ■ SEPTEMBER 27, 2010

Growth adds excitement to Blue Mountain experience

G

rowth is a wonderful thing.

It’s not necessarily easy nor is it painless, but neither is it dull.

At Blue Mountain College, the past few years certainly have been anything but dull – and they have been most fulfilling.

One of the positive byproducts of growth is the excitement added to the overall atmosphere of the environment – whether that environment be a family, a business or, as in the case of BMC, an educational institution.

The good news at BMC is that even at 138 years old things are more exciting than ever, and the biggest reason is another record enrollment.

While the final enrollment data are still out, we know that our student body is nearly 10 percent larger than last year. The number of residential students has increased 34 percent since fall 2009.

To accommodate the increase – and nurse our growing pains – we have built new parking lots and expanded others, renovated living quarters, added office space, and enhanced the use of technology in the working and learning environment. There is still more to do and we are grateful for those opportunities.

There are many reasons for BMC’s growth, including a very focused approach to strengthening existing academic programs and adding others, becoming a fully co-educational college, building an online presence, improving the infrastructure, and enhancing the natural beauty of the campus.

Bettye COWARD

A big reason, however, has been the addition of six intercollegiate athletic programs the past four years, including three this year alone. Where once the college offered women’s basketball and women’s tennis, we now offer men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s golf, softball and baseball.

Obviously, the addition of these sports has brought in more student athletes, but it has also added to the overall vitality of the campus atmosphere.

BMC student athletes are the beneficiaries of a rigorous academic environment and, at the same time, the campus culture has benefitted from their being here. Unquestionably, there is a much higher activity level on campus these days, and we enjoy it. It is quite invigorating.

While all this is indeed exciting, it must be noted that our athletes are integral parts of our academic success.

These students are majoring in business administration, education, biology and the social sciences. During the 2009-10 athletic seasons, 12 BMC athletes were named TranSouth Athletic Conference Scholar Athletes and seven were named NAIA Scholar Athletes.

The whole purpose of Blue Mountain College – since its founding in 1873 – has been to produce well-rounded graduates with character and strong academic backgrounds. That ideal has not changed, and it never will.

That BMC has been able maintain its high standards and continued to grow is proof that the original vision of our founding fathers was clear, and that those of us who have been fortunate to follow in their footsteps, have been blessed.

Dr. Bettye Rogers Coward is the president of Blue Mountain College. Contact her at bcoward.bmc.edu.

With rapidly increasing enrollment, Blue Mountain College has in recent years expanded its offerings in several areas – including the Department of Mathematics and Natural Science.

COURTESY

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College Prep

College Prep

Campus visit key factor in finding right college fit

BY MICHAELA GIBSON MORRIS Daily Journal

Most people wouldn’t buy a car or a house sight unseen.

“So why in the world would you make your decision on which college to attend without visiting and touring the campus first?” said Allyson Cummings, an Itawamba Community College counselor. “Research has shown that the single most important factor in the decision-making process of high school students and their families when choosing the place where they will continue their education is their experience on the campus tour.”

Football weekends or visits to friends at college are fun, but they don’t cover all the bases of a full-fledged campus visit.

“Make sure you get insight into the everyday experience,” said Beckett Howorth, an independent college counselor based in Oxford.

Even though it takes extra effort, it’s worth it to visit a school during the week, during regular semester. Check your high school’s policy on college visits; most allow for excused absences for campus visits.

Ideally, prospective students should meet students and faculty in areas they are interested in and even sit in on a class, in addition to touring campus.

“Eat in the cafeteria, walk the campus, look at the dorms,” said Lynn Gibson, Northeast Mississippi Community College Associate Dean of Students, who serves as director of admissions. Even for people who have grown up around a particular college or university, a campus visit can be very valuable either confirming the fit or discovering something new.

“They’ve got to go shop around,” said Phil Bonfanti, director of admissions and scholarships at Mississippi State University. A bad decision can be expensive.

If students go to one school a semester or a year and then transfer because they are unhappy, they usually lose time and any scholarships they had, Bonfanti said.

For students who don’t necessarily have an attachment to a particular school, they may have expectations about what kind of school they want – urban or rural, small or large, close to home or far away.

“Try one against type,” Howorth said.

“Give yourself a chance to see.”

Just about every college, large or small, offers campus tours to prospective students. However, it’s important to set them up ahead of time so the people you want to talk with are available. Prospective students should come prepared, too.

“Don’t just go to play,” Gibson said.

“Come with questions.”

Mississippi State’s student EcoCar team placed first this year in year two of the three-year competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy, General Motors and the Canadian government. The competition challenges North American engineering majors to “re-engineer” a GM-donated vehicle to minimize fuel consumption and emissions, while maintaining its utility, safety and performance.

PHOTO BY MEGAN BEAN

CAMPUS VISIT CAN OFFER ASSISTANCE IN COLLEGE CHOICE

W

hen visiting with students and parents, I often tell them that we are fortunate to live in a country with over 3,000 colleges and universities.

Fortunate not only because they come in all shapes and sizes, but because a student can receive an excellent education at almost all of them. With that in mind, then, the college decision comes down to three things.

One, does the college or university offer the major you want to study?

Although the common majors can be found at most comprehensive universities, many institutions also offer specialized programs such as the professional golf management and broadcast meterology programs at Mississippi State.

Two, can I afford to attend the university?

Fortunately, most state universities are affordable with tuition for four years equaling the cost of a mid-sized car.

Both of these factors can be discovered with a simple search of a university’s website. With over 80 different majors at Mississippi State and one of the lowest tuitions in the South, I know that a good education at a reasonable cost is readily available. In fact, Mississippi State University was recently rated by Forbes magazine as one of the top 20 best buys in the country based on aca-

demic excellence and cost.

The third factor is culture.

Attending a university is more than just getting an education; it is an experience.

And while you will get a good education at most any university in the country, you will get a different experience at almost all.

The best way to get a feel for the culture of a university is to make a campus visit. Most universities offer a number of ways to visit campus.

At Mississippi State, we offer everything from large events, such as our Fall Preview Days, to smaller group tours, such as our Bulldog for A Day events, to individual campus tours.

I encourage all students and parents planning to attend college to take advantage of these opportunities, and to visit more than one campus.

A visit will not only assist you in making your college decision, but will add fun and excitement to the process.

Phil BONFANTI

Phil Bonfanti is the director of admissions and scholarships at Mississippi State University.

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PAGE 12 ■ SEPTEMBER 27, 2010

T

An exciting time of year at NEMCC

he start of school is always an exciting time of year. Everyone (students, parents, college faculty and staff) puts great effort into making sure everything is in place for a successful year. Preparing for a great year is an important first step.

However, there are additional steps students need to take in order to have a successful school year.

Without a doubt, class attendance is the key to being successful in college. I am not aware of any college that does not have an attendance policy. Be sure to know your school’s attendance poli-

I

SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 ■ PAGE 13

cy. When someone misses work, he or she does not have an opportunity to earn a paycheck. If a student does not attend class, he or she will greatly decrease their chances of earning a good grade.

Be sure to stay informed about deadlines and upcoming events. At Northeast Mississippi Community College, there are several methods students can use to stay informed. If you are unsure of something, be certain to ask an employee of the college. Pay attention to announcements displayed in buildings.

Also, make sure your school email ac-

Why attend ICC?

t’s easy to list the reasons to attend Itawamba Community College.

The top three are affordability, proximity and flexibility.

ICC was the only college in Mississippi to maintain its fee structure this fall to make education more affordable to help families during a period when unemployment rates spiked. In addition, ICC has expanded its academic scheduling at the Tupelo campus and continues to offer shuttle services between Fulton and Tupelo at no charge to facilitate its educational delivery.

All five of our supporting counties, including Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Monroe and Pontotoc, are participating in the guaranteed tuition program to ensure that high school graduates each year have the opportunity to attend ICC at no charge. More than 75 percent of ICC’s students receive some type of grant, loan, Work-Study or scholarship.

ICC is close to home.

An enhanced delivery system enables ICC to offer comprehensive educational opportunities including transfer and career courses at convenient times utilizing a combination of traditional classes, eLearning and a combination of the two.

Attending Itawamba Community College, however, is more than affordability, proximity and flexibility.

ICC is many things to many people.

Brad BOGGS

Lives are touched and transformed. Many graduates are the first in their families to earn a diploma.

It’s the next step for traditional students just out of high school, but it’s a fresh start for those who are pursuing a better life through upgrading their job skills or preparation for a shift in careers.

It’s red and blue pride, whether it’s a uniform or ICC apparel.

It’s a place where students can take advantage of extensive support services that have been implemented to ensure their success. They include, but are not limited to, Student Success Centers, Writing Centers, Early Alert, Behavioral Intervention and personal counseling.

It provides a foundation on which to build dreams and goals as well as an opportunity for adjustment to the college climate.

It’s a place where many students ask us, “Why isn’t ICC a four-year college?”

It’s family and lasting friendships.

Instructors care about their students, and smaller classes allow for more interaction.

But most of all, ICC is people. It’s thousands of success stories from doctors, lawyers, senators, representatives, pro athletes and entertainers.

It’s three beautiful campuses – Fulton, Tupelo and the new Belden Center – where thousands of north Mississippians have found a real college, real family and a real future.

We invite you to visit us at any time and experience ICC for yourself. We think that you’ll want to be a part of our family, too.

Brad Boggs is director of student affairs at Itawamba Community College.

count is active. If you do not know how to set up your email account, ask someone! Both faculty and staff send students important messages through email regularly. At Northeast, a system called TigerAlert sends students emergency messages via text message, e-mail, or a phone call. Most colleges have similar emergency systems. It is important to use every method available to stay informed.

Get involved in extracurricular activities. Students who are involved in activities outside of class greatly enhance their college experience. Some students may have a full-time job, a family, or other obligations outside of school.

Please do not let these things stop you from getting involved. Do not overextend yourself, but do get involved. You can join a club, participate in student government, attend school sporting events, play intramural sports, partici-

Curt LANGLEY

pate in a school theatrical production, and any number of other things. Learning should always be a student’s main focus, however, extracurricular activities are enjoyable and help students prepare for the future. Students should contact the office of student activities for more information.

Be prepared to put in the study time necessary to be successful. Everyone has to study in college. Everyone has different academic strengths and weaknesses. Also, nobody can reach his or her highest potential without help. Do not be afraid to ask instructor’s questions or seek tutoring outside of class.

Instructors have designated office hours outside of class for this specific purpose. Take advantage of them.

Finally, I would like to encourage every student to do his or her best by attending class, studying, and enjoying college life. If you need assistance, please ask someone. College Faculty and staff want students to be successful. Putting into the action the steps listed will help students have a successful school year.

Curt Langley is a Career-Technical counselor at Northeast Mississippi Community College.

Historic Downtown Tupelo, 842-6453 • Mall at Barnes Crossing, 842-5287 www.reedsms.com

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College Prep

CAN’T START TOO EARLY, never too late Whether you’re a freshmen or a senior, there are some things that are universal in preparing for college. Here’s a checklist of things you can do to be as prepared as possible

Find a mentor

❏ Talk to someone - your par-

ents, a teacher, a counselor, someone from church, a coach - about your desire to go to college. They can support you and help you take the steps to get there. ❏ Talk to adults about what they do. Ask them, "What do you like about your job?" and "Where did you go to college?"

Start thinking about what you want to do for a career. ❏ If you don’t have a college savings plan, start one now. ❏ Talk to your parents about Mississippi’s MACS and MPACT programs. MPACT is prepaid tuition plan for the state of Mississippi. MACS is a 529 college saving investment program. Both carry state tax benefits.

Get Ready for College

❏ Take challenging courses,

especially in the core subjects – math, English, science, and social studies. ❏ Get as many core courses in by the end of junior year as possible to be prepared for ACT and SAT tests. ❏ Study hard.

Out of the Classroom

❏ Participate in music, art,

TIMELINE Freshman Year

❏ Get to know your school

counselor. ❏ Get involved in school and community activities: Do what you enjoy! ❏ Earn the best grades you can. Take the most challenging, but appropriate courses. ❏ Start a running log of awards, achievements, service projects and work experience.

This will make it easier to compile the resume for scholarships and selective colleges.

Sophomore year

❏ Stay in touch with your

school counselor. Keep up a challenging schedule and make the best grades you can. ❏ Take the PSAT or ACT PLAN in the fall, which will help you prepare for the real thing. The PSAT also determines National Merit Finalists.

Junior Year

❏ This is the most important

year academically: Do your best, challenge yourself appropriately. ❏ Following your school’s guidelines for meeting with your counselor to start the college process; in many schools, the process begins in the late fall or after the holiday break. ❏ Prepare to take the ACT or SAT. Consider using books of practice tests or taking a wellrespected prep course. ❏ Develop an initial list of colleges. Even if you feel strongly about one school, check out some alternate choices. ❏ Start planning campus visits where you can see everyday life, sit in on a class and visit with faculty members. ❏ Plan to take the ACT and/or

SAT for the first time in spring or early summer this year.

Make sure you leave yourself an opportunity to retake the test if needed. ❏ Select courses for senior year wisely.

Senior Year

❏ Don’t for-

get how important your grades continue to be; first semester is critical. ❏ Remain involved in activities, which you enjoy, assume leadership positions and more responsibility. ❏ Be attentive to in-school deadlines and procedures established by your guidance or college counseling office. ❏ Retake ACT and/or SAT in fall if you want to try for a better score. ❏ Meet with college representatives who visit your school in the fall; attend community programs hosted by colleges; make campus visits when possible. ❏ If you are applying early, be aware that application deadlines are just a few weeks after school begins. ❏ Start looking for scholarship opportunities early in the first semester. There are all kinds of opportunities available. ❏ Make arrangements with teachers and others for recommendations; follow your schools procedures. ❏ By Thanksgiving, your list of colleges should be finalized; six to eight schools is a good number for most students looking at selective colleges; get advice from your counselor. ❏ Before the holiday break, be attentive to early deadlines and/or preferred or recom-

S ELL AS W OM Y TH TO B PHO

clubs, sports, or volunteer activities. Extracurricular activities help you figure out what you do and don't like. You'll meet new people and learn new things, too. They also make you a wellrounded person. ❏ Volunteer. Volunteering is not only a wonderful way to give back to the community, but volunteering gives you an avenue for exploring different types of work environments. ❏ Read outside of school.

Magazines, newspapers, books and more exercise your mind and make you more knowledgeable about the world. ❏ Look into summer camps and other programs held at Mississippi colleges and universities. ❏ If your family travels over spring break or during the

summer, and if you pass near a college campus, stop and take the tour. ❏ In addition to enjoying your time off, plan to do something constructive with your summer vacation.

mended application deadlines for state universities, honors programs, rolling admissions schools and scholarship programs. ❏ Give yourself plenty of time to work on applications, especially essays. ❏ Know what financial aid forms you must submit, and submit them in a timely fashion. The FAFSA – federal stu-

dent aid form – can be completed after Jan. 1. ❏ Take advantage of interviews when given the opportunity. ❏ After your applications are completed, continue to work hard: senior slump can have diasterous consequences. ❏ As you receive decisions, inform your counselor, teachers and others who helped you; thank them. ❏ In April, consider participating in the open house/accepted student programs hosted by colleges. ❏ Traditionally, institutional scholarships and competitive admissions are awarded by April 1. Colleges and universities may expect students to make decisions by May 1. ❏ Some universities require deposits by May 1 to hold spots. ❏ Remember July 31 deadline for tuition guarantee programs around Northeast Mississippi.

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College Prep

PAGE 14 ■ SEPTEMBER 27, 2010

College Prep

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College Prep