MBJ_NEXT-2017

2017-2018 A PRODUCT OF

IN CONJUCTION WITH

INSIDE: 6| Finding your Fit 10| How to Pay for College 15| ACT Hacks

There are so many reasons to #ChooseMSU. What’s yours?

GET MORE THAN YOUR MONEY’S WORTH.

SHAPE THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS.

Money Magazine dubbed MSU the best value in the state. MSU graduates earn, on average, the highest starting salaries of any other college graduates in Mississippi.

MSU’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Outreach is helping young entrepreneurs launch nearly 100 companies and has provided more than $300,000 of direct support for starting new businesses.

CHANGE THE GAME WITH US. Student researchers at MSU are turning to designs in nature to help engineer a safer football helmet for tomorrow’s players.

Apply Today!

LEAD THE WAY IN YOUR FIELD. A Top 100 Research Institution according to the National Science Foundation, MSU’s research expenditures account for more than half of all research dollars among Mississippi institutions.

Find more reasons and apply now at admissions.msstate.edu.

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Affordability- The average cost of attending a community college is $3,104 a year in tuition and required fees.

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Nationally Recognized- In 2015, Wallet Hub ranked the Mississippi community college system the best in the nation.

Additionally, each year Mississippi’s community colleges are nationally recognized for their excellence in the classroom.

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Locations- 15 community colleges offering classes at multiple locations across the state. No matter where you live, a community college is close to you.

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Mississippi Virtual Community CollegeThe Mississippi Virtual Community College offers more than 3,000 courses taught online by 1,500 instructors and is recognized as a national leader in online higher education.

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Articulation agreements with the state’s eight public universities ensure courses transfer seamlessly.

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Approximately 235,000 of our citizens will be educated at a Mississippi community college this year.

The mission of the Mississippi Community College Board is to advance the community college system through coordination, support, leadership, and advocacy. For more information on Mississippi’s community college system, please visit www.mccb.edu or call 601-432-6518.

CONTENTS 2017-2018 EDITION

A member of the Mississippi Press Association www.mspress.org

200 North Congress, Suite 400 Jackson, MS 39201-1902 Main: (601) 364-1000 Faxes: Advertising (601) 364-1007; Circulation (601) 364-1035 E-mails: mbj@msbusiness.com, ads@msbusiness.com, photos@msbusiness.com, research@msbusiness.com, events@msbusiness.com

Website: www.msbusiness.com Next! Life After High School 2017

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To place orders, temporarily stop service, change your address or inquire about billing: Phone: (601) 364-1000, Fax: (601) 364-1035, Email: charina.rhodes@msbusiness.com, Mail: MS Business Journal Subscription Services, 200 N.Congress Street, Suite 400, Jackson, MS 39201 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mississippi Business Journal, Circulation Manager, 200 North Congress Street, Suite 400, Jackson, MS 39201 To submit subscription payments: Mail: MS Business Journal Subscriptions Services, 200 North Congress Street, Suite 400, Jackson, MS 39201.

No material in this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent. Editorial and advertising material contained in this publication is derived from sources considered to be reliable, but the publication cannot guarantee their accuracy. Nothing contained herein should be construed as a solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities.

It is the policy of this newspaper to employ people on the basis of their qualifications and with assurance of equal opportunity and treatment regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or handicap.

The Mississippi Business Journal, is an affiliate of Journal Publishing Company (JPC), Inc.: Clay Foster, president and chief executive officer.

Entire contents copyrighted © 2017 by Journal Inc. All rights reserved.

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5 6 8

How to Use NEXT! Magazine Finding Your Fit You Have It. Colleges Want It.

PLANNING & PAYING FOR COLLEGE

10 13 14 15 18 19 20 21

The Cost of College Junior and Senior Checklist ACT: Like You Know 8 ACT Hacks Campus Visits Housing Guide 10 Questions to Ask Raise Your App-titude

TECHNICAL & VOCATIONAL PATH

22

Tricks of the Trade

GUIDE TO MISSISSIPPI’S COLLEGES

25 26 28

Public Universities Private Colleges Community Colleges

This guide was produced in partnership with Get2College, Mississippi’s expert ȦƭȮȀɃȦƟƭ DžȀȦ ƟȀǪǪƭdžƭ ƃƦdzǒȮȮǒȀǵ ƃǵƦ ˴ǵƃǵƟǒƃǪ ƃǒƦ ƃƦɚǒƟƭӾ GƭȻѾ ȀǪǪƭdžƭ ǒȮ ƃ ǵȀǵȣȦȀ˴Ȼ ȣȦȀdžȦƃdz ȀDž ȻǍƭ ÚȀȀƦɛƃȦƦ NǒǵƭȮ /ƦɃƟƃȻǒȀǵ FȀɃǵƦƃȻǒȀǵӾ

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HOW TO USE NEXT! MAGAZINE

NEXT:

adj. (of a time or season) coming immediately after the time of writing or speaking. synonyms: following, succeeding, upcoming, to come; “the next chapter”

Just like the title says, NEXT is a guide to your life after high school. These pages are filled with simple steps and inspiration for how to be the best version of yourself: confident, prepared and ready for anything!

Your next step in life could be college, the military, or even starting your own business. The choice is up to you, but it begins with higher education to get there. If you have questions about your path for your education, financial aid for college, or possible careers, we have answers and resources to help guide you.

High school isn’t forever, and we know you have big dreams for all of the things you hope to achieve.

We’re here to help.

Oh, and by the way, if you’re interested in winning a $250 book scholarship, just fill out a brief survey at scholarship.get2college.com. That’s all. Now enjoy the magazine.

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NEXT!2017 5

FINDING YOUR FIT: what should you do after high school?

You’ve probably heard it a thousand times from parents, grandparents, teachers, guidance counselors, and well, most adults. It’s that all important, sometimes pressure-filled question, “What are you going to do after graduation?” Some people know as early as kindergarten exactly what career path they want to take and which road to travel to get there. But, if you’re like most students, you might need a little more time to explore your options before setting your course toward a meaningful career.

Take a look at some pathS you could pursue after high school: COMMUNITY COLLEGE Community colleges provide an affordable option for postsecondary education, both in academic and career and technical fields. You can earn an associate’s degree in a broad range of fields such as construction, dental hygiene, art, business, and medicine.

You can apprentice with highly skilled workers, such as electricians or information technology professionals. After graduation, you can enter the workforce or pursue a degree at a four-year college or university.

FOUR-YEAR COLLEGE or university These institutions typically offer a wide range of majors, many different types of extracurricular activities, and an opportunity to meet and interact with students from around the country and across the globe. At most four-year schools, you’ll participate in general education courses, such as history, art, or English, before taking courses specific to your major.

UNITED STATES MILITARY Joining the military offers you the opportunity to serve the country, as well as access to free or discounted education. You can explore opportunities with the U.S. Army, Navy, or Marine Corps, or consider joining the National Guard.

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PLACES TO GO. PEOPLE TO SEE. MEMORIES TO MAKE.

Bank Freely with Squad Student Banking from Trustmark.

It has no monthly fees, free low balance alerts, free customizable debit card, a free app and more. Swing by your nearest Trustmark to open an account.

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YOU HAVE IT. COLLEGES WANT IT.

by Ashley Brookshire, Regional Director of Admission — Georgia Institute of Technology It’s a question I hear often – mostly from families at college fairs who are frantically trying to absorb every available nugget of information available to them in the tight time frame of the event: “But…what do colleges prefer?”

“My daughter has the opportunity to take classes at our local community college this summer or do an internship – which one do colleges prefer?”

“My ȮȀǵ ǒȮ ȻǍǒǵǧǒǵdž ƃƞȀɃȻ džȀǒǵdž Ȁǵ ƃ dzǒȮȮǒȀǵ ȻȦǒȣ ȀȦ ˴ǵƦǒǵdž a job for the summer – which one is better?”

“I can either stay with band or debate for my senior year, but not both. What should I do?”

Students, and parents, are hoping for a concrete answer – a guaranteed road map to get in to the college of their choice.

If an admission counselor says it, they think, it must be truth, and should be followed to a “T”. But if you’re reading this in hopes of gaining a paint-by-numbers insight into the college admission process, I’m afraid you’re going to be terribly disappointed.

The better question to ask is, “Why do we ask students to supply an activity record with their application?” Is it to count the number of hours you spent volunteering at a local hospital? Do we tally the number of times you were elected into an officer position for a club at school? No,

on both counts. We are looking at three things: your experiences, the talents you possess, and the skill sets that you’ve developed throughout your high school career.

These three items help us gauge your fit and potential impact on our campus.

EXPERIENCES Your experiences inform your beliefs, passions, and ambitions, and ultimately, this is what we want you to bring to our community. What types of opportunities did you opt into (or in some cases, stumble into by chance) and how did they differ from your initial expectations? Have you stepped into a club, trip, or commitment that was outside of your comfort zone?

The beauty of a college campus is its ability to offer a more robust list of experiences than most high schools can provide. What experiences are you bringing to the table? I’m not just talking about the stamps in your passport. When we look at your application, we want to see behaviors that open you up to new people, places, and activities.

Talents A talent is an innate ability to do something, whereas a skill set is learned and developed. Many families I speak with

INVEST IN YOURSELF At Delta State University, being a college student is a hands-on experience: flying commercial planes and drones, creating art, operating world-class recording studios, learning to save lives, and more. Delta State consistently ranks among the best in the nation for affordability, and there are no out-of-state tuition fees. Come find your place in the #DSUFamily.

WWW.DELTASTATE.EDU • 1.800.GO.TO.DSU 8 NEXT!2017

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seem to focus on talents, but in the admission process, skills sets are equally as insightful (more on that in a moment).

I haven’t been a powerful force in a music classroom since learning to play the recorder in fifth grade. I can appreciate that some people have inherent abilities that I do not. If you have talent in art, music, dance, athletics, or public speaking, then you’re likely drawn to these types of activities.

What students usually overlook is that you determine how your talents are utilized and ultimately captured on your application. Are you part of a club, company, or team that allows you to hone your craft? Have you created opportunities for others to engage in this activity? From an admission perspective, we’re not looking to fill a class of individuals who were born with special talents. We are looking for students who are motivated to share their unique talents in impactful ways.

All of these experiences, talents, and skills bring positive value to a college campus, yet all cannot be pursued at the same time. Even in the summer, there are a limited number of hours in the day.

The Answer

Skill Sets Skills, on the other hand, are developed. They are practiced, trained, and learned. These can be hard skills (programming, marketing, or painting) or soft skills (networking, time management, perseverance). Sometimes students apply so much effort to developing a skill set that it appears as a natural talent to others, leaving them unaware of the work going on behind the scenes.

The skills you’ve cultivated by balancing your time outside of the classroom and working with others will make you a powerful member during the many group projects you’ll

work on in college. Enrolling in a summer academic program or college course will sharpen your academic prowess and allow you to accelerate your coursework in college. The leadership skills you’ve gained as a club officer at your high school will embolden you to step into pivotal roles in one of the hundreds of organizations that contribute to our campus culture. As a volunteer you’ve stayed mindful of those around you and connected more personally to your community.

So, back to the original question: “Which (insert activity here) do colleges prefer?” We prefer that you use your time intentionally in whichever way you feel best engages your interests, utilizes your talents, and allows you to grow as an individual. These are the types of students who will join a college community and thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

At the end of the day, we want to enroll a well-rounded freshman class. This is quite different than every student in our class being well-rounded. It means that, as a whole, our class is filled with philanthropists and athletes, musicians and researchers, leaders and employees, and their collective experiences, talents, and skills create dynamic, thoughtprovoking interactions on our campus.

Strong Education. Strong Outcomes.

882

HIGHEST DEGREE COMPLETION RATIO IN STATE’S PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM

PER FULL-TIME STUDENT (SYSTEM AVERAGE IS 20.6)

AVERAGE STUDENT AGE

Record number of degrees awarded in Academic Year 2016-17 OF W STUDENTS ARE MISSISSIPPIANS

AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS AFRICAN-AMERICA

www.muw.edu Paid for by the MUW Foundation

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Two of the most common questions we hear about college are: How much will it cost me? and How do I pay for it?

And How to Pay for it

You’ve probably heard your parents (or some other wellintentioned adult) say, “Work hard in high school. Take rigorous classes. Make good grades. Score your best on the ACT. We’ll find a way to pay for it.”

As the time for college approaches, however, many families are unprepared for the sticker price of college, which can lead to hasty decisions to eliminate some school options early in the process.

So, where do you start? And how much does college REALLY cost?

Good questions. There is a wide range of college costs.

There are the direct costs that usually include tuition, housing, food, and required fees that you pay directly to the college or university.

However, the costs for college don’t end there. There are the costs of books, which at most schools could average around $1,500 each semester (for new books, that is—you can always visit sites like Amazon or Chegg to find less expensive used books). There are also personal items, haircuts, clothing, travel home, late-night pizza, club or social club fees, and more.

So if you search a college website for the total cost of college, it should include both the direct costs (tuition, housing, meal plan, etc.) and indirect costs (clothes, gas, entertainment, and other fun stuff). The total cost is often referred to as the Cost of Attendance or COA.

Stickers Price vs. Net Price: There’s a Difference!

So, yes, there is a sticker price and a net price. The sticker price is the total amount it costs to attend a school. But just like with a car, most people don’t pay the full sticker price for college.

Early in the process of considering colleges, you should check out the net price calculator, which you can find on each college’s website. Families can get an estimate of the net price of attending a school. However, you should remember that these numbers will be based on averages and will not reflect the actual cost you could pay to attend a particular university.

The total cost of college might be offset by scholarships or need-based grants or work or loans. Getting the most money for college requires knowing where to look for scholarships and grants, and the critical piece is meeting all the priority deadlines.

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STEPS TO GET FINANCIAL AID FOR COLLEGE

Apply NOW for Private Scholarships Many scholarships are not posted until the fall of your seniors year, but deadlines start popping up as early as December.

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See your high school counselor or career center manager for a list of scholarships.

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Look locally for scholarships. Start with your local community/civic organizations and businesses.

Ask your family and friends what organizations they belong to and see if they offer scholarship opportunities. Do your parents’ employers have scholarship competitions? Do you have an older friend who was awarded a scholarship from a local business or organization? Check it out yourself!

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There are several free scholarship sites on the Internet. Some popular sites are:

WWW.BIGFUTURE.COLLEGEBOARD.ORG WWW.MERITAID.COM WWW.MYCOLLEGEDOLLARS.COM WWW.FASTWEB.COM

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Get financial aid advice and ask questions by text message! Sign up at bit.ly/G2Ctext.

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Check out community foundation, local, and state scholarships at get2college.org.

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Apply EARLY FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION AND SCHOLARSHIPS

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Most scholarships come directly from individual colleges.

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If you attend a community college, be aware that 4-year colleges may have transfer scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa members.

Complete applications for admission in the fall of your senior year. You must be accepted for admission in order to receive scholarships and financial aid. Most can be found online at each colleges’s website. MAKE SURE YOU MEET ALL DEADLINES!

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COMPLETE THE FAFSA TO APPLY FOR FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID: FAFSA.GOV

The FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and is required to receive any federal funds. Federal funds include need-based and non-need-based grants, work-study programs, and student loans. The FAFSA may also be used for awarding some state aid, institutional aid, and even private scholarships.

You can file the FAFSA as early as October 1 of your senior year. Make sure you meet state grant deadlines and your prospective colleges’ priority deadlines for filing the FAFSA. Review for accuracy your Student Aid Report (SAR), which is sent to you after you file your FAFSA. If necessary, you will be allowed to make corrections. If you have any special circumstances, contact the Financial Aid Office of the school you plan to attend.

Some schools; especially competitive colleges, may require the CSS/Financial Aid Profile® in addition to the FAFSA.

Get help filling out the FAFSA Check with your counselor to see if Get2College or your community college is hosting a FAFSA completion event at your school. If so, make an appointment for one-on-one assistance for you and your parents to submit the FAFSA. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Get2College Center or ask for remote online assistance. Contact us at www.get2college.org.

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COMPLETE THE MISSISSIPPI FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION

The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid (MOSFA) offers scholarships and grants based on merit and financial need to full-time (15 credit hours per semester) students attending eligible Mississippi colleges and universities. The application is available at www.mississippi.edu/financialaid, or you can link to the Mississippi application after completing the FAFSA and most of your info will be prefilled.

You should complete your application after October 1 of your senior year and prior to March 31 which is the earliest deadline.

For more information, contact MOSFA at 601.432.6997 or 800.327.2980.

To receive any state assistance, you must complete at least 15 hours each semester (fall/spring) with passing grades. Starting in the 2018–2019 school year, you may receive only one state grant at a time, the largest of those for which you qualify.

MISSISSIPPI TUITION ASSISTANCE GRANT (MTAG)

DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15*

Covers up to $500/year for freshmen and sophomores and up to $1000/year for juniors and seniors. Initial eligibility for the student who: •

Has a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and a minimum of 15 on the national ACT or equivalent score on the national SAT.

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Is not full Pell Grant eligible.

MISSISSIPPI EMINENT SCHOLARS GRANT (MESG)

DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15*

Covers up to $2500/year, but may not exceed tuition and required fees at attending institution. Initial eligibility for the student who: •

Achieves a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5.

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Scores a minimum of 29 on the national SAT or is a National Merit/National Achievement Finalist or Semi-Finalist

HIGHER EDUCATION LEGISLATIVE PLAN (HELP)

DEADLINE: MARCH 31*

Covers tuition and required fees for no more than 8 semesters at a public institution. Participants attending a private institution in Mississippi will receive an award amount equal to the award of a student attending the nearest comparable Mississippi public institution. Additional documents must be submitted by April 30. Initial eligibility for the student who: •

Is a freshman and/or sophomore who graduated from high school within the immediate past two years using the designated core curriculum and is a resident of Mississippi.

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Demonstrates need as determined by the results of the FAFSA

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Meets the income threshold to qualify as listed on the HELP website.

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Has a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and a minimum of 20 on the national ACT.

* The deadline dates are for the 2018–2019 school year

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JUNIOR & SENIOR CHECKLIST Look for college prep courses that help you get ready for higher education Sign up for the ACT/SAT (Visit actstudent.org and sat.org for more information) Get to know your college recruiters Schedule a campus visit or take a virtual college tour Create your high school resume (You can start on a site like resumegenius.com)

AFTER ADMISSION: Apply for housing Pay deposit

Utilize job shadowing or internships to learn about possible careers

Check college websites for Net Price Calculators to see the cost of attending college Apply for college admission to meet priority deadlines Secure letters of recommendation for admission and scholarships, if needed

Complete your FAFSA (fafsa.gov) and application for Mississippi student aid during your senior year any time after October 1.

Supporting documents may be required by the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid. View complete rules and regulations at www.mississippi.edu/financialaid.

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Review and compare Financial Aid Award notices and make final decisions Complete verification if selected by the college

Sign up for orientation Request your final transcript be sent to the college of your choice upon graduation

Complete online loan counseling and sign Master Promissory Note if you accept a student loan

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LIKE YOU KNOW There are already a lot of major scene-stealers in the story of your high school years: prom, graduation, getting your driver’s license — and the ACT is the one biggest divas of them all. Think of the ACT as an audition for your future college.

You know by now that it’s necessary not only to get into college, but also to get scholarships. Your ACT score will help you achieve both of these goals. That’s right—four hours in a room on a Saturday morning can impact where you go to school and how you pay for it.

But don’t. Freak. Out. Even though the test scores are required by most colleges and universities as a part of the admission process, you have plenty of time to prepare for success.

Fortunately, there are tons of sites that provide FREE workshops, tests, and more to help you prepare for the ACT. Get2College, Mississippi’s recognized expert resource for college admission and financial aid advice, offers free ACT prep workshops and online tips. You can even sign up for weekly ACT tips by text at bit.ly/G2Ctext.

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HOW ACT SCORES ARE USED: ADMISSION College admissions counselors might use scores to identify and recruit students who would do well at their university. Admissions teams may also use ACT results in conjunction with a student’s grade point average, extracurricular activities, and other considerations to decide whether to accept a student for admission.

SCHOLARSHIPS Many colleges and private scholarship programs use ACT scores to determine a student’s eligibility for a scholarship and what level of funding might be available for them.

GRANTS The Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid evaluates scores for state grants including MTAG (minimum of 15 ACT score), MESG (minimum of 29) and the HELP Grant (minimum of 20).

ACADEMIC ADVISORS College advisors often review ACT results to help students find the courses that best meet their academic needs, such as selecting a developmental course to provide students with foundational learning in a subject area or advanced courses for students who might have already mastered the basics.

Mississippi Business Journal

STEPHEN BROWN, Assistant Director of Outreach for Get2College, works with students in the metro Jackson area to help them get prepared for the ACT. Stephen offers the following ACT hacks.

ACT 1

HACKS

BE QUICK, BUT DON’T RUSH Sure, you’ll need to keep track of your time, but DON’T RUSH through the “easy” questions to get to the “hard” ones. Concentrate on the questions that you are most familiar with to gain the most points.

2 THERE ARE NO SURPRISES The ACT is a standardized test, which means there are certain “standards” you can expect. You can learn what you will be tested on and how the questions will be asked, which means you’ll need to practice, practice, practice. There are plenty of YouTube videos to help you out. Just search for ACT tips and get started!

Practice—and more practice— makes all the difference in achieving [an] ACT score that students need to gain admision to the college or university of their choice,” said Victoria Adams, director of college prep programs, Kaplan Test Prep.

“In a competitive college admissions process that has only grown fiercer the past few years, every additional point on the exams can make the difference.”

3 PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Did we mention you need to practice? When you practice, pretend you are taking the real ACT, so get up early to practice while you are TIRED! Practicing will help you become more comfortable answering questions on a standardized test and taking a test in a new environment.

4 YOU MAKE THE ORDERS Determine which questions you should DO NOW, DO LATER, and DO NEVER. The “easy” questions should be answered first, the slightly more challenging questions ones later, and the “hard” questions should be saved for last.

You may never get to the hard questions, and that’s okay! You should spend the majority of your time on the easy and medium questions, so you avoid any careless mistakes.

5 ANSWER EVERY QUESTION There is no penalty for guessing on the ACT, so guess if you are uncertain of the correct answer. You can also use this strategy if you run out of time answering the hard questions.

6 USE THE PROCESS OF ELIMINATION Try to narrow down your choices before taking a guess. A 50% chance of getting it correct is better than a 25% chance.

7 LETTER OF THE DAY Pick a letter of the day before starting the test. Choose this letter as your answer every time you need to guess on the multiple choice questions. It will increase your odds for getting questions correct compared to randomly guessing.

8 SCRIBBLE A LITTLE (OR A LOT) It’s your test booklet, so you can do whatever you want to with it. Well, not whatever, but I think you get where I’m going. Physically cross out wrong answers, work out math problems, and underline key information in passages. Do not be afraid to show your work. It’s much easier to work problems on paper than in your head. The test booklet will not be graded, so use it!

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NEXT!2017 15

Need personalized advice to help plan, prepare and pay for college?

Make an appointment at one of our three centers or use our online resources.

get2college.org @Get2CollegeCenter @WHEFGet2College @get2college

Sign up at bit.ly/G2Ctext to receive college planning tips and ask questions by text message.

ELEVATING MISSISSIPPI TO A

HIGHER DEGREE WE ENVISION a Mississippi where all people can secure the training and education beyond high school that will allow them to enhance their quality of life, strengthen their communities, and contribute to a vibrant and prosperous future.

woodwardhines.org 2600 Lakeland Terrace Jackson, MS 39216 601-321-5555

Elevating Mississippi to a Higher Degree

CAMPUS VISITS:: checking out your college options

As you prepare for college, you may have a million questions going through your head. Am I going to like school? What will I major in? Will I like my major when I get there? Are college classes really hard? One way to help you answer these questions is to schedule a college tour.

Even if you can’t take a physical trip to a campus, you can take a virtual college tour online and connect with students to learn about campus life. According to Jackson State University recruiter LaToysha Smith, students should select five schools in their area of interest before scheduling a college tour. Keeping your options open will give you an opportunity to explore different kinds of schools—four-year, two-year, public, private, etc.

“As a high school student, one of the questions that I was asked most was, ‘Where are you thinking about going to college?’ I started my search early using websites such as the Princeton Review and the College Board to find schools offering the programs that I was interested in. ” said Margaree Jackson, a sophomore Spanish major at the University of Mississippi. “Using the internet to research colleges helped me narrow my long list of options down to two schools. I was even able to compare the two schools side by side and look at my top areas of interest in a university which included programs of study, student organizations, and campus life.”

“BE ANNOYING,” said Danny Thompson, Assistant Director of Outreach for Get2College.

“What I mean by that is to ask a lot of questions.

When you’re face-to-face with a college recruiter or student ambassador, you can get a ton of information from someone who is familiar with the school, including some things that may not be on the school’s website.”

“It’s important to contact a recruiter before a visit, so that recruiter can know any special needs or particular interests a student may have,” said Smith.

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN LOOKING FOR SCHOOLS:

After your visit, stay in touch with your recruiter. “Students should continuously ask questions and raise any concerns they may have, so the recruiter can assist them with making the right college choice,” added Smith. Selecting the right school is really important, so you should get all of the information you can about a school from as many sources as possible during your search process.

• Majors offered • Scholarship opportunities • Net price • Student support services • Distance from home • Size of school • Student organizations/social • Athletics and intramurals • Graduation rates • Job placement opportunities

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The How-tos and What-fors of

HOUSING Residence life...There is nothing quite like it. After years of living with your parents (and maybe an annoying sibling or two), the freedom of living on your own may seem like an attractive proposition. However, for others, the thought of living in a small space with a person you may be meeting for the first time doesn’t have the same appeal.

And small spaces can be pretty small. Rooms can range in size, but most average less than 150 square feet. Most rooms will have two beds, two desks, and two closets. Some might even include a microwave and microfridge. However, you may have to provide your own appliances, so be sure to ask an admissions counselor what each room provides. And, keep in mind that in many cases not all residence halls, even on the same campus, are made exactly alike. The style and amenities can vary from residence hall to residence hall.

Part of the admissions process is completing a housing application. Schools typically require students to pay a housing deposit that can range between $50 and $75. Some colleges and universities time-stamp their admissions applications for priority housing, while others only require students to be admitted by early October.

“It’s important to apply early for housing to ensure that you can get one of your top preferences when it comes to residence halls,” said Anetra Yearwood, former Jackson State University resident advisor. “In most cases, the sooner you apply the sooner you will get an assignment.”

If you live on campus, you’re assigned a room and a roommate, and need to follow rules for visitation, quiet hours, bathroom etiquette, and other areas. “When you understand all the rules of a residence hall, you minimize your chance of getting a fine and increase your chance of making lasting positive impressions with housing staff,” added Yearwood.

“Positive relationships with housing staff will work in your favor if you ever consider becoming a resident

advisor.”

Being a resident advisor, or RA, is an option that many students may want to pursue if they live on campus as a sophomore, junior, or senior. RAs are trained to work with students, live in residence halls, act as role models to other students, counsel students, and help enforce dorm policies. RAs typically have their housing paid for and may also receive a stipend.

BENEFITS OF LIVING ON CAMPUS: • •

Closer to classrooms, so you can sleep in!

•

You have a quiet/private place to go between classes.

Commuter students have access to common study areas but no private place to relax between classes.

• •

Closer to the cafeteria or food court.

Fewer parking issues. Most students who live on campus park their cars and rarely touch them during the week. Commuter student may have to park farther off campus and lots can fill up quickly.

Meet new people within the residence hall.

OFF-CAMPUS BENEFITS: •

Residence halls require quiet hours. If you are a night owl, you can come and go as you wish.

• •

You are not required to have a meal plan.

•

Sharing apartments/housing with multiple roommates can save money.

• •

Privacy — you can have your own bedroom.

You can have pets, which residence halls don’t typically allow

Eating meals — mealtime is whenever you want it.

On-campus cafeterias may have set hours of operation.

TOP

QUESTIONS TO ASK

your high school counselor:

your college admissions recruiter:

Remember—there’s plenty of help available as you plan for college. You don’t have to do it on your own! Start by setting up a meeting with your high school counselor.

Here are a few questions to get you started.

Whether you visit the campus in person or online, it’s important to ask questions to help you determine if the college or university is a good fit for you. First of all, try not to ask questions you can find the answers to on the website such as, “Do you have a nursing degree?” Most importantly, do not ask questions that aren’t really important to you.

Here are a few questions to get you started.

1.

What options do I have to continue my education past high school?

2.

3.

4.

Where do I start my college search?

What classes should I take to be ready for college?

Can you review my transcript so that I know which areas I can improve?

5.

What colleges, universities or technical schools do students from our school typically attend?

6.

Can you put me in touch with students who graduated from my school and who are attending colleges on my wish list?

7.

Where can I go for additional college planning advice or counseling?

8.

Where can I find information about upcoming college fairs or college recruiter visits?

9.

Can you provide me with information to help me explore career options?

10.

1.

2.

Can you describe the admissions process?

3.

What support services, such as career counseling or tutoring do you offer?

4.

5.

6.

How does your college match roommates?

Can you share some common challenges students face as they go through the admissions process?

What is campus life like on the weekends?

Can you tell me more about the surrounding community and opportunities to get involved?

7.

What transportation options are there on and off campus?

8.

What makes this school different from others offering the same progam?

9.

What types of internships or job opportunities are available on campus or nearby?

Do you have a list of private scholarships?

10.

If you could do your college search again, what would you do differently?

Raise Your

APP-TITUDE. 9 Free Apps that Will Make Your Transition to College Easier

No matter what you’re trying to do these days, there really is an app for that! Whether you are looking for the right school or searching for scholarships, there are plenty of free apps to help you transition to college.

Once you start school, you can use an app to manage your budget and keep your notes organized for that big research paper. You can even use apps to help you stay in shape and de-stress. Read on for nine apps to keep you healthy and productive as you start living on your own.

COLLEGE PREP & PLANNING

GOAL SETTING

ACT Up:

Habitica:

Imagine what a daily ACT “workout” can do to boost your score! As you complete each one, ACT Up tracks your strengths and weaknesses and customizes the practice problems, which are written by expert tutors.

Turn your To-Do list into a video game! Your tasks become monsters, and conquering them earns your character points to buy in-game goodies. If you don’t complete your goals, your character’s health will suffer. You can form “parties” with other users to keep each other accountable.

CollegeGo by College Board: Aimed at first-generation college students, CollegeGo uses interactive features such as video, games, and search to help you find and apply to the right college for you. The app integrates with BigFuture, CollegeBoard’s college search engine, so you can save a college on the app and access it later on BigFuture.

Google Keep: Color-code task lists for different classes and projects, set location-based reminders (so you remember to ask your professor about that upcoming assignment), and take voice notes through the mobile app.

Mint:

YesU: There’s $300 billion in financial aid awarded every year. YesU will help match you with the scholarships you qualify for and give you customized step-by-step guidance,

Manage your money and set savings goals in this user-friendly app. Mint connects with your bank and student loan accounts and updates them in real time. Categorize your spending and check whether you’re on track with your budget. Receive bill reminders and even pay bills through the app.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Headspace: Used by Olympic medalists, Wall Street executives, and celebrities, Headspace offers brief guided meditations to calm your mind. Its lessons help you develop awareness of your thoughts and emotions and improve your focus, which will come in handy during those late-night study sessions.

Mississippi Business Journal

Lose It! Ward off the Freshman Fifteen with this meal tracking app, which lets you set weight goals, track progress, and sync with other exercise apps to input your workouts. Logging your meals makes you more aware of the mindless snacking that can go along with having food available 24/7.

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Seven: Even if your busy school schedule doesn’t leave much room to exercise, you can make time for this seven-minute, total body workout. The high-intensity circuit training doesn’t require any equipment and is sure to make you sweat.

NEXT!2017 21

TRICKS OF THE TRADE: Finding Your Pathway in Career and Technical Education

There is a growing demand for workers with technical training in Mississippi and around the country. Make sure to include career and technical education, also known as trade or vocational education, among your college options.

When we talk about “college,â€? we don’t just mean four-year institutions. We mean any post-secondary education that gives students access to meaningful employment: four-year colleges and universities, two-year community and junior colleges, or a career and technical education. Pay attention to that last option, because jobs requiring technical training are in high demand. According to Jay Moon, president of the Mississippi Manufacturer’s Association, there are “jobs that are not being ďŹ lled right nowâ€? because potential employees “don’t have the skillsetâ€? required.

The numbers bear that out. A recent Forbes magazine article notes that

THERE WILL Be NEARLY

2.2 MILLION JOB OPENINGS FOR PROFESSIONALS WITH TECHNICAL TRAINING

BY THE YEAR 2024.

Those technical jobs include welders, aircraft technicians, people skilled in robotics and 3D printing, automotive technicians, medical assistants, hair stylists, interior designers, electronics technicians, paralegals, and truck drivers. “We are aligning our community and junior college career and technical programs to meet the needs of industry,â€? said Audra Kimble, Associate Executive Director for Academic & Student Affairs for the Mississippi Community College Board. “Sixty-six percent of all jobs in the next ďŹ ve to ten years will require education beyond high school. That’s why we’re trying to meet the demands of industry, including welding on the Coast, health sciences in central Mississippi, and manufacturing around the state, in addition to other sectors identiďŹ ed in our state’s strategic plan.â€?

Preparing for a Career and Technical Education NEW for the 2018-2019 School Year – Mississippi Diploma Endorsements You can start preparing for postsecondary career and technical opportunities during high school. Starting in the 2018-2019 school year, students pursuing a Traditional Diploma must identify a diploma “endorsementâ€? in ninth grade. Endorsements certify that you have maintained a certain GPA, completed certain coursework, and met other qualiďŹ cations. Mississippi offers three endorsement options: Career and Technical, Academic, and Distinguished Academic Endorsement. You can earn more than one endorsement.

The Mississippi Career and Technical Diploma Endorsement helps introduce you to the realities of the workplace and identify the technical skills and individual qualities that you’ll need to succeed in today’s economy.

You’ll learn what kinds of jobs are in demand and what kind of training and skills you need to succeed at them.

For more information about all endorsement options and their requirements, visit www.mde.k12.ms.us.

“Educational attainment is crucial to the future economic expansion of our state. Mississippi’s competitive position for major economic development opportunities is directly tied to the educational attainment of our labor force. The Mississippi Department of Education’s Career and Technical Diploma Endorsement option will strengthen the competitiveness of our students in the workforce.�

- Jean Massey, ݙ�ê̏þ™ Ú™�ÌËÚɇ JĆ �™ Ë£ ]™�Ëĕ‚Úß Education, Mississippi Department of Education

22 NEXT!2017

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Mississippi Business Journal

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides several questions to ask when considering a career and technical path, which are listed below to help you decide which option is right for you.

HOW ARE THE FACILITIES? The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) has adopted 16 National Career Clusters identified by the US Department of Labor. Career clusters are broad categories of related occupations, and within each career cluster are several career pathways. Identifying a career cluster and pathway allows you to choose relevant coursework and activities in middle school and high school that will help you succeed in college and your career.

Find out as much as you can about the school’s facilities. Visit in person and ask to see the classrooms and workshops. Also, ask about the types of equipment — like computers and tools — that students use for training.

Is the training equipment the same that’s used in the industry? Call some companies to find out.

WHAT DOES THE SCHOOL PROVIDE? Are there supplies and tools that you must buy? If you need help overcoming language barriers or learning disabilities, find out if the school provides help, and at what cost?

WHO ARE THE INSTRUCTORS? Ask about the instructors’ qualifications and the size of classes.

Sit in on a class to observe whether the students are engaged and the teacher is interesting. Talk to other students about their experience.

WHAT IS THE PROGRAM’S SUCCESS RATE? Be sure to ask about the completion rate (what percentage of students complete the program?), the job placement rate (how many graduates find jobs in their chosen field, what is the starting salary?), and financial requirements (how much debt does the average graduate have?).

16 Career Clusters: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Architecture and Construction Arts, A/V Technology & Communication Business Managment & Administration Education & Training Finance Government & Public Administration Health Science Hospitality & Tourism Human Services Information Technology Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security Manufacturing Marketing Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

WHAT’s THE TOTAL COST? Will you pay by course, semester, or program? What about fees for dropping or adding a class? In addition to tuition, what will you pay for books, equipment, uniforms, lab fees, or graduation fees? If you need financial assistance, find out whether the school provides it, and if so, what it offers.

WHAT DOES THE SCHOOL PROVIDE? Are there supplies and tools that you must buy? If you need help overcoming language barriers or learning disabilities, find out if the school provides help, and at what cost?

After your visit, stay in touch with your recruiter. “Students

For more information on career clusters and pathways, visit

https://careertech.org/career-clusters.

NO PLACE LIKE HOLMES

DID YOU SCORE 20 OR HIGHER ON THE ACT?

If so, you could qualify for a full tuition scholarship. All you have to do is remain a full-time student and maintain a 3.0 GPA, and the cost of your tuition could be on us!

1-800-HOLMES-4 | HOLMESCC.EDU Holmes Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, or age in its educational programs and activities, employment, or admissions. Our Compliance Officer has been designated to handle inquiries and grievances regarding non-discrimination, compliance policies, and procedures for the College and can be reached by phone at (662) 472-9429. Written inquiries can be emailed to: compliance@holmescc.edu or mailed to: Compliance office, 412 W. Ridgeland Ave., Ridgeland, MS 39157.

PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGES

YOUR GUIDE TO MISSISSIPPI’S

COLLEGES Public Universities 25-26 Private Colleges 26-27 Community Colleges 28-30

Address: 1000 ASU Drive, Lorman, MS 39096 Phone: 601-877-6100 Website: alcorn.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@alcorn.edu Founded: 1871 President: Alfred Rankins Undergrad Enrollment: 2,911 Total Faculty: 230 Financial Aid: Grants, loans, work study, scholarships, federal aid Satellite/ Annex Locations: Natchez, Vicksburg Annual Tuition and Fees: $6,878 Annual on-campus room and board: $7,500 Alcorn State says: We’re the oldest public historically black land-grant institution in the U.S. Alcorn was founded in 1871 to educate the descendants of formerly enslaved Africans. It was named in honor of the sitting governor of Mississippi, James L. Alcorn.

Mississippi Business Journal

Address: ǽǼǼǿ sɌ ]êÄĉ Ëö Ú Y Ɍɇ Cleveland, MS 38733 Phone: 662-846-3000 Website: deltastate.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@deltastate.edu Founded: 1924 President: William LaForge Undergrad Enrollment: 3,587 Total Faculty: 220 Financial Aid: Federal need-based aid, state, institutional, and external funds for non-need based aid available, on-campus paid job opportunities available. Academic, leadership and private scholarships are also available with required application.

Satellite/ Annex Locations: None Annual Tuition and Fees: $6,859 Annual on-campus room and board: $2,240 Delta State says: DSU combines tradition ö¬æ© ¬ÄÄËõ æ¬ËÄ ¬Ä ¬æÞ Ã¬ Ëą ڬĤÞɌ DSU’s undergraduate curriculum encompasses a range of disciplines including the arts, education,humanities and sciences.

Address: P.O. Box 6334, Mississippi State, MS 39762 Phone: 662-325-2224 Website: msstate.edu Admissions E-mail: admit@msstate.edu Founded: 1878 President: Mark E. Keenum Undergrad Enrollment: 21,622 Total Faculty: 1,363 Financial Aid: Federal and state grants and loans, work study, scholarships Satellite/ Annex Locations: MSUMeridian (College Park and Riley campuses) Annual Tuition and Fees: $8,318 Annual on-campus room and board: $9,614 MSU says: We stand as one of the nation’s leading research universities, providing access and opportunity to students from all sectors of the state, as well as from all 50 states and 88 other countries.

Address: 1400 John R. Lynch St., Jackson, MS 39217 Phone: 601-979-2121 Website: jsums.edu Admissions E-mail: recruitment@jsums.edu Founded: 1877 President: William B. Bynum Undergrad Enrollment: 7,492 Total Faculty: 606 Financial Aid: Federal and state grants, loans, work study, scholarships Satellite/ Annex Locations: Holmes Community College, Jackson Medical Mall, Madison, Mississippi e-Center, Thrash Universities Center Annual Tuition and Fees: $7,621 Annual on-campus room and board: N/A JSU says: s ɹÚ £ËêÚɬü Ú ¬ÄÞæ¬æêæ¬ËÄ Ëą ڬĤ nearly 100 degree programs; designated as a “high research activity” institution by the Carnegie Foundation and listed by Forbes as one of America’s Top Colleges.

Address: 1100 College St., Columbus, MS 39701-5800 Phone: 877-462-8439 Website: muw.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@muw.edu Founded: 1884 President: Jim Borsig Undergrad Enrollment: 2,956 Total Faculty: 217 Financial Aid: Academic scholarships, loans, grants, and work-study employment from federal, state and institutional programs Satellite/ Annex Locations: Tupelo (RN to BSN nursing program) Annual Tuition and Fees: $6,614 Annual on-campus room and board: $4,061 The W says: MUW is a public university that feels like a private college. Established in 1884, The W today attracts both female and male students from around the region and around the world.

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NEXT!2017 25

Address: 14000 Hwy. 82 West, Itta Bena, MS 38941 Phone: 662-254-9041 Website: mvsu.edu Admissions E-mail: admsn@mvsu.edu Founded: 1950 President: Jerryl Briggs Undergrad Enrollment: 2,455 Total Faculty: 120 Financial Aid: Federal and state grants and loans, work study, scholarships Satellite/ Annex Locations: Greenville Higher Education Center Annual Tuition and Fees: $6,422 Annual on-campus room and board: $3,957 Valley says: æ Cr]gɇ ö ×Ú × Ú Þæê ÄæÞ æË combine their broad and well-rounded general education with specialized training so they will be ready to enter into their respective careers or graduate schools. The close knit community æ Cr]g ×Ú × Ú Þ ¤Ú ê æ Þ £ËÚ Ú ÚÞ ¬Ä diverse social, political and global environment.

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGES

PRIVATE COLLEGES

Address: 1500 Peachtree St., Jackson, MS 39202 Phone: 601-968-5940 Website: belhaven.edu Admissions E-mail: admission@belhaven.edu Founded: 1883 President: Roger Parrott Undergrad Enrollment: 1,200 Total Faculty: N/A Financial Aid: Academic scholarships, grants, federal grants, loans are available Satellite/ Annex Locations: Houston, TX; Memphis, TN; Chattanooga, TN; Dalton, GA; Atlanta, GA; online Annual Tuition and Fees: N/A Annual on-campus room and board: N/A Belhaven says: We are a Christian liberal arts university dedicated to excellence in higher education. Belhaven has 28 undergraduate majors and has received national recognition £ËÚ ¬æÞ Ã¬ ×ÚË¤Ú ÃÞ Ä ąËÚ ¬½¬æüɌ

26 NEXT!2017

Address: P.O. Box 1848, University, MS 38677 Phone: 662-915-7211 Website: www.olemiss.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@olemiss.edu Founded: 1848 President: 9 ąÚ ü ]Ɍ r¬ææ Ú Undergrad Enrollment: 18,500 Total Faculty: 1,100 Financial Aid: Federal and state grants and loans; work study; scholarships Satellite/ Annex Locations: Booneville, Grenada, Southaven, Tupelo Annual Tuition and Fees: $8,300 Annual on-campus room and board: $6,080 Ole Miss says: With more than 24,000 students, Ole Miss is the state’s largest university, ranked among the nation’s fastest-growing. An R1 Doctoral University - Highest Research Activityin the Carnegie ½ ÞÞ¬Ĉ æ¬ËÄɇ ¬æ © Þ ½ËĤ ©¬ÞæËÚü Ë£ producing leaders.

Address: 210 W. Main St., Blue Mountain, MS 38610 Phone: 662-685-4771 Website: bmc.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@bmc.edu Founded: 1873 President: Barbara C. McMillin Undergrad Enrollment: 617 Total Faculty: 33 Financial Aid: Federal, state, veteran assistance programs, scholarships.

Satellite/ Annex Locations: None Annual Tuition and Fees: $9,990 Annual on-campus room and board: $6,046 Blue Mountain says: We assist students in developing intellectual integrity, academic excellence, civility and Christian character.

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Address: 118 College Dr., Hattiesburg, MS 39406 Phone: 601-266-5000 Website: usm.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@usm.edu Founded: 1910 President: Rodney D. Bennett Undergrad Enrollment: 11,779 Total Faculty: 896 Financial Aid: Merit-based scholarships for scholars and leaders; Federal student grants Ä ½Ë ÄÞɑ ]æ æ ĈÄ Ä ¬ ½ ¬ £ËÚ C¬ÞÞ¬ÞÞ¬××residents; Part-time campus student jobs.

Satellite/ Annex Locations: Gulf Park Campus in Long Beach, MS; Gulf Coast Research Laboratory in Ocean Springs, MS; John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, MS; Magnolia Speech School in Jackson, MS Annual Tuition and Fees: $8,218 Annual on-campus room and board: $6,000 USM says: Founded in 1910, The University of Southern Mississippi opened its doors as a small teachers’ college. Today, the university has grown into a comprehensive doctoral and research-driven institution with a proud history and an eye on the future.

Address: 1701 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39210 Phone: 601-974-1050 Website: millsaps.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@millsaps.edu Founded: 1890 President: Robert Pearigen Undergrad Enrollment: 985 Total Faculty: 91 Financial Aid: ¬ Ëą Ú Þ ËÄ academic merit, special talents, and ĈÄ Ä ¬ ½ Ä Ɍ Satellite/ Annex Locations: None Annual Tuition and Fees: $34,810 Annual on-campus room and board: $8,860 Millsaps says: We’re a privately supported liberal arts college. Millsaps is one of the few colleges in America to have both a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and business school accredited by the Association to Advance College Schools of Business.

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PRIVATE COLLEGES

Address: 200 S. Capitol St., Clinton, MS 39058 Phone: 601-925-3214 Website: mc.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@mc.edu Founded: 1826 President: Lee G. Royce Undergrad Enrollment: 3,145 Total Faculty: 220 Financial Aid: Federal aid; private & institutional scholarships; grants; loans; student employment; payment plans Satellite/ Annex Locations: None Annual Tuition and Fees: $16,400 Annual on-campus room and board: $9,610 Mississippi College says: We are governed by a Board of Trustees elected by the Mississippi Baptist Convention. We are a private, co-ed, comprehensive university of liberal arts and sciences and professional studies dedicated to the pursuit of academic excellence.

Address: 150 Rust Ave., Holly Springs, MS 38635 Phone: 662-252-8000 Website: rustcollege.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@rustcollege.edu Founded: 1866 President: David L. Beckley Undergrad Enrollment: 856 Total Faculty: 40 Financial Aid: Academic scholarships, federal and state grants and loans, work study, scholarships Satellite/ Annex Locations: None Annual Tuition and Fees: N/A Annual on-campus room and board: N/A Rust says: We are a historically Black, coeducational, senior liberal arts college founded in 1866 by the Freedman’s Aid Society of the C™ÌŠË•ÞÌ ×Þ�Ëׂ½ ŠêÚ�Š ÌË Ëą™Ú ÙꂽÌß programs in business, education, humanities, science and math, and social science to prepare students for leadership and service in a global society.

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGES

Address: 500 W. County Line Rd., Tougaloo, MS 39174 Phone: 601-977-7768 Website: www.tougaloo.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@tougaloo.edu Founded: 1869 President: Dr. Beverly W. Hogan Undergrad Enrollment: 860 Total Faculty: 100 Financial Aid: Federal, state, private Satellite/ Annex Locations: None Annual Tuition and Fees: $10,130 Annual on-campus room and board: $4,610 Tougaloo says: One of the safest campuses in the state, we provide a nurturing, familial environment that encourages both intellectual and character development.

Quality education in a caring, Christian environment.

Address: 710 William Carey Parkway, Hattiesburg, MS 39401 Phone: 601-318-6051 Website: wmcarey.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@wmcarey.edu Founded: 1892 President: Tommy King Undergrad Enrollment: 2,562 Total Faculty: 297 Financial Aid: Work-study programs, state and federal aid, loans, institutional scholarships (academic, talent, alumni, Mississippi Baptist student, church-related vocations, missionary dependent and endowed scholarship), external scholarships Satellite/ Annex Locations: Tradition campus in Biloxi Annual Tuition and Fees: $10,800 Annual on-campus room and board: $2,250 William Carey says: We are a private, faith-based university with campuses in Hattiesburg and Biloxi. Carey Ëą™ÚÞ ‚ £Ú™Ä•½ßɇ ŠÚÞ̏‚Ä Â™Ă„ĂľÂŹĂšĂ‹Ă„ĂƒÂ™Ă„ĂŚ ܏̊ ÞÌÚËĤ Â?Â‚ĂƒĂ—ĂŞĂž ½£™ Ë××ËÚÌêď̏™Þ ‚Ä• Ă„ĂŞĂƒÂ™ĂšĂ‹ĂŞĂž ‚Â?Â‚Â•Â™ĂƒÂŹÂ? Ă‹Ä…Â™ĂšÂŹĂ„Â¤ĂžÉŒ

Schedule a tour

Open House: November 15

Hattiesburg | Biloxi • WMCAREY.EDU • 601.318.6051 Mississippi Business Journal

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NEXT!2017 27

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGES

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Address: 3240 Friars Point Road, Clarksdale, MS 38614 Phone: 662-621-4124 Website: coahomacc.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@coahomacc.edu Founded: 1949 President: Valmadge T Towner Undergrad Enrollment: 2,144 Total Faculty: 126 Financial Aid: Pell Grants, LEAP, SEOG, work study Satellite/ Annex Locations: 7 Annual Tuition and Fees: $2,870 Annual on-campus room and board: $4,220 Coahoma Community College says: Our 99-acre campus lies in an agrarian setting along Clarksdale-Friars Point Road near the Mississippi River.

Address: 1512 Kemper St., Scooba, MS 39358 Phone: 662-476-8442 Website: eastms.edu Admissions E-mail: msciple@eastms.edu Founded: 1927 President: Dr. Thomas Huebner Undergrad Enrollment: 3,905 Total Faculty: 205 Financial Aid: Pell Grant, FSEOG, College Work Study, Federal Direct Loans, State Aid (MTAG, MESG, HELP) and EMCC Scholarships Satellite/ Annex Locations: Scooba, Golden Triangle, Lion Hills, Columbus Air Force Base, Naval Air Station Meridian, West Point, Macon Annual Tuition and Fees: $3,240 Annual on-campus room and board: $4,000 East Mississippi CC says: We take your child’s future as seriously as you do. Our instructors are committed. They make time for each student and their doors are always open. Winners of three NJCAA national football championships in the ½ Þæ Ĉ õ ü ÚÞɌ

28 NEXT!2017

Address: 1028 J.C. Redd Drive; P.O. Box 649, Wesson, MS 39191 Phone: 601-643-8306 Website: colin.edu Admissions E-mail: chris.warren@colin.edu Founded: 1928 President: Ronnie Nettles Undergrad Enrollment: 3,006 Total Faculty: 136 Financial Aid: Federal Student Aid (Pell Grant, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, Work-study, Direct Loans) State Aid, Institutional Scholarships (Academic, Service, Athletic) Foundation Scholarships Satellite/ Annex Locations: Natchez campus & Simpson County Center Annual Tuition and Fees: $3,180 Annual on-campus room and board: $3,500 Co-Lin CC says: We serve a seven-county district in Southwest Mississippi with comprehensive academic, career and technical programs.

Address: 275 W. Broad St., Decatur, MS 39327 Phone: 601-635-2111 Website: eccc.edu Admissions E-mail: sholling@eccc.edu Founded: 1928 President: Billy W. Stewart Undergrad Enrollment: 2,336 Total Faculty: 123 Financial Aid: All state and federal Ĉ Ä Ä ¬ ½ ¬ ɇ ˽½ ¤ Þ ©Ë½ ÚÞ©¬×Þ Satellite/ Annex Locations: Philadelphia, Carthage, Choctaw, Louisville Annual Tuition and Fees: $2,790 Annual on-campus room and board: $3,250 East Mississippi CC says: Guaranteed Transferability of Courses, Lowest Tuition in State, Recognized as Military Friendly, Named A “Great College to Work For” by The Chronicle of Higher Education, Among Best in Mississippi for Performance of Transfer Students.

Address: 608 Hinds Blvd., Raymond, MS 39154 Phone: 601-857-3536 Website: hindscc.edu Admissions E-mail: info@hindscc.edu Founded: 1917 President: Vernon Clyde Muse Undergrad Enrollment: 12,070 Total Faculty: 440 Financial Aid: Institutional and Foundation Scholarships, federal aid, student loans, work study Satellite/ Annex Locations: Raymond, Rankin, Jackson-Academic/Technical Center, Jackson-Nursing/Allied Health Center, Utica and Vicksburg Annual Tuition and Fees: $3,080 Annual on-campus room and board: $4,000 Hinds CC says: You can get an excellent education at a very reasonable cost, which will transfer to any senior college in the state or prepare you for direct entry into a career — and it is all located close to home.

Address: 1 Hill St., Goodman, MS 39079 Phone: 800-465-6374 Website: holmescc.edu Admissions E-mail: kabates@holmescc.edu Founded: 1925 President: 9¬Ã + ą ü Undergrad Enrollment: 6,138 Total Faculty: 160 Financial Aid: Foundation & special scholarships, FAFSA, loans, grants, work study Satellite/ Annex Locations: Ridgeland Campus, Grenada Campus, Attala Center in Kosciusko and Yazoo Center in Yazoo City Annual Tuition and Fees: $3,110 Annual on-campus room and board: $3,050 Holmes CC says: We’re a comprehensive public institution with multiple locations in Central Mississippi. We provide innovative educational and cultural opportunities to our constituents through campus-based and distance education programs.

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Mississippi Business Journal

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Address: 602 W. Hill St., Fulton, MS 38843 Phone: 662-862-8000 Website: iccms.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@iccms.edu Founded: 1948 President: Mike Eaton/Jay Allen Undergrad Enrollment: 5,425 Total Faculty: 372 Financial Aid: Foundation Scholarships, Institutional Scholarships and Federal and State Aid Satellite/ Annex Locations: Tupelo Campus, Belden Center Annual Tuition and Fees: $2,800 Annual on-campus room and board: $3,200 Itawamba CC says: We’re an open admission, comprehensive, two-year public-supported institution dedicated to providing high quality educational opportunities that are accessible Ä ą ËÚ ½ £ËÚ æ© ¬õ ÚÞ Ä Þ Ë£ æ© Ú Ɍ

Address: 900 S. Court St., Ellisville, MS 39437 Phone: 601-477-4000 Website: jcjc.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@jcjc.edu Founded: 1911 President: Jesse R, Smith Undergrad Enrollment: 4,786 Total Faculty: 250 Financial Aid: Scholarships (types: service, Miss Hospitality, Junior Miss, academic, career and technical excellence, honors ˽½ ¤ ɇ ×Ú Þ¬ Äæ¬ ½ɇ cɇ £ËêÄ æ¬ËÄɛ Pell Grants, MTAG Satellite/ Annex Locations: Bay Springs, Leakesville, Stonewall & Waynesboro Annual Tuition and Fees: $3,480 Annual on-campus room and board: $3,700 JCJC says: We are located on a single campus between Laurel & Hattiesburg, but we have centers in Bay Springs, Leakesville, Stonewall & Waynesboro that have recently Ë× Ä Ëą ڬĤ Ú ¬æɇ ÄËÄɬ Ú ¬æ ËêÚÞ Þ ʲ öËÚº£ËÚ æÚ ¬Ä¬Ä¤Ɍ

WESSON • NATCHEZ • SIMPSON

www.colin.edu Copiah-Lincoln Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or other factors prohibited by law in any of its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment practices.

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGES

Address: 910 Hwy. 19 N., Meridian, MS 39307 Phone: 601-483-8241 Website: meridiancc.edu Admissions E-mail: apayne@meridiancc.edu Founded: 1937 President: Scott Elliott Undergrad Enrollment: 4,609 Total Faculty: 326 Financial Aid: Scholarships, grants, loans and part-time employment to eligible students Satellite/ Annex Locations: N/A Annual Tuition and Fees: $2,914 Annual on-campus room and board: $4,400 Meridian CC says: s Ëą Ú Ä ą ËÚ ½ and quality education where students seeking to earn a two-year degree or Úæ¬Ĉ æ Ä û× æ æË õ Ä Þº¬½½Þ æË Ã º æ© Ã ËÃ× æ¬æ¬õ ¬Ä æ© ¬Ú Ú Ú Ĉ ½ Ɍ

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGES

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Address: Highway 3 & Cherry St., Moorhead, MS 38761 Phone: 662-246-6322 Website: msdelta.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@msdelta.edu Founded: 1926 President: Dr. Larry Nabors Undergrad Enrollment: 2,305 Total Faculty: 180 Financial Aid: Pell Grants, MDCC Foundation scholarships, Federal aid, State Aid Satellite/ Annex Locations: Greenville Higher Education Center, Greenwood Center Annual Tuition and Fees: $3,060 Annual on-campus room and board: $3,000 Mississippi Delta CC says: ]êÄĉ Ëö Ú 9êĬËÚ College was founded in connection with the ]êÄĉ Ëö Ú ¤Ú¬ ê½æêÚ ½ +¬¤© ] ©Ë˽ Ú½ü ¬Ä ǽȅǾȂɇ Ä æ© Ĉ ÚÞæ £Ú Þ©Ã Ä ½ ÞÞ ö Þ ÄÚ˽½ ¬Ä September of 1926. The College was fully accredited as a two-year junior college in April 1928.

Address: 51 Main St., Perkinston, MS 39577 Phone: 866-735-1122 Website: mgccc.edu Admissions E-mail: recruiting@mgccc.edu Founded: 1912 President: Mary S. Graham Undergrad Enrollment: 9,294 Total Faculty: 409 Financial Aid: Federal and state aid, institutional scholarships, outside scholarships and aid.

Satellite/ Annex Locations: Perkinston, 9 ą ÚÞËÄ õ¬Þ Ä 9 ºÞËÄ ËêÄæü campuses, George County and West Harrison County Centers, Maritime Technology Center, Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center, Navy Base and Keesler Air Force Base Centers; Nursing and Simulation Center at Tradition Annual Tuition and Fees: $3,220 Annual on-campus room and board: $4,200 Gulf Coast CC says: We serve more than 25,000 individuals annually, and we have 10 campuses and centers located throughout our four-county district.

Address: 101 Cunningham Blvd., Booneville, MS 38829 Phone: 800-555-2154 Website: nemcc.edu Admissions E-mail: admitme@nemcc.edu Founded: 1948 President: Ricky G. Ford Undergrad Enrollment: 3,200 Total Faculty: 151 Financial Aid: Federal and State Financial Aid is available along with tuition guarantee for selected counties; institutional scholarships along with outside scholarships Satellite/ Annex Locations: Corinth, Iuka, New Albany Annual Tuition and Fees: $3,202 Annual on-campus room and board: $3,400 Northeast CC says: Steeped in academic tradition and anchored in student services, Northeast Mississippi Community College is the right place for any student.

Address: 4975 Hwy. 51 N., Senatobia, MS 38668 Phone: 662-562-3200 Website: northwestms.edu Admissions E-mail: recruiting@northwestms.edu Founded: 1927 President: Dr. Gary Lee Spears Undergrad Enrollment: 7,894 Total Faculty: 230 Financial Aid: Institutional scholarships, grants, work study, loans, Foundation scholarships.

Satellite/ Annex Locations: Southaven, Olive Branch, Oxford, Ashland Annual Tuition and Fees: $3,000 Annual on-campus room and board: $3,000 Northwest CC says: With convenient locations in Senatobia, Southaven, Oxford ËÚ ËĽ¬Ä ɇ DËÚæ©ö Þæ Ëą ÚÞ æ© Ĉ ÚÞæ æöË ü ÚÞ of your four-year education or the technical skills you need for the workforce.

Address: 101 Hwy. 11 N., Poplarville, MS 39470 Phone: 601-403-1000 Website: prcc.edu Admissions E-mail: admissions@prcc.edu Founded: 1908 President: Adam Breerwood Undergrad Enrollment: 4,500 Total Faculty: 250 Financial Aid: Student scholarships, school loans, Pell Grants Satellite/ Annex Locations: Forrest County Center, Hattiesburg; Hancock Center, Waveland Annual Tuition and Fees: $3,410 Annual on-campus room and board: $4,500 Pearl River CC says: Quality instruction, small classroom sizes, new dorm facilities, new performing arts center and basketball ˽¬Þ êÃɇ Ĉ Ä ½¬ÞæÞ £ËÚ æ© Þ× Ä ×Ú¬ā ¬Ä community colleges.

Address: 1156 College Dr., Summit, MS 39666 Phone: 601-276-2000 Website: smcc.edu Admissions E-mail: mattc@smcc.edu Founded: 1929 President: Steve Bishop Undergrad Enrollment: 1,884 Total Faculty: 122 Financial Aid: Pell Grants, SEOG, LEAP, MTAG, performance, memorial and academic scholarships; work study Satellite/ Annex Locations: None Annual Tuition and Fees: $3,200 Annual on-campus room and board: $3,300 Southwest CC says: We are an economical choice that provides its students an excellent quality education in a safe, aesthetically pleasing environment. Students enjoy sports, religious activities, tailgate parties, musical and drama productions, and leadership events.

30 NEXT!2017

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Mississippi Business Journal

to Reasons choose Affordable tuition. Save thousands of dollars before transferring to a university.

Convenience. Choose from our six locations plus online classes.

Small class sizes. Teachers know your name and care about your success.

Career and technical programs. Choose from almost 80 program options that get you job ready in 1 – 2 years.

Flexibility. Day, night, weekend and online classes.

Academic transfer courses. Take the same courses you would at a university but for a fraction of the cost. Plus these credits are guaranteed to transfer to Mississippi’s universities.

Personal support. %HQHÀW IURP IUHH WXWRULQJ LQ English & Math.

Scholarly organizations. Honors Institute, Phi Theta Kappa, STEM, and more.

Student Life. Get involved in clubs, organizations, athletics, cheer, dance, student government, community service, student recreation and intramurals.

What will your reason be?

1.800.HINDSCC • www.hindscc.edu In compliance with the following: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, Education Amendments of 1972 of the Higher Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable Federal and State Acts, Hinds Community College offers equal education and employment opportunities and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability or veteran status in its educational programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Dr. Tyrone Jackson, Vice President for Utica Campus and Administrative Services and District Dean of Student Services & Title IX Coordinator Box 1003, Utica, MS 39175. Phone: 601.885.7002 or Email: titleIX@hindscc.edu

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