COLLEGE SEARCH PLANNING GUIDE
Kettering University
“Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell “We should all be concerned about the future because we will have to spend the rest of our lives there.” ~ Charles Kettering
WHERE ARE YOU HEADED? You’ve probably heard that a college degree can take you places. But has anyone described the advantages going to college provides? First of all, college provides you with an education - this seems obvious, but is often under-appreciated. Knowledge can only improve you, can never be taken away, and is often the dividing line between a job and a career. A lot of today’s careers require a college degree, so earning one will provide you with many more career choices, along with increased freedom to work and live where you choose. And, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, a college graduate will earn $1 million more in their lifetime than someone who doesn’t attend college. This increase in salary will give you greater economic stability and a higher quality of life. Most importantly, the people you meet, the experiences you have, and the knowledge you gain during college will impact the rest of your life. College curriculums are designed to give you a well-rounded, worldly education. You will have opportunities to learn about other cultures; both in the classroom and through interactions with students and faculty from different backgrounds. Many people develop life-long friendships during college - which is natural since you are surrounded by students with similar interests and ideas. One of the most important aspects in ensuring that you’re ready go to college involves effective planning and preparation. Even if you’re not sure if you want to attend college, making the right choices now will keep the option open to you. This guide should work as just one of the many tools available for you to use in this decision process.
PREP FOR SUCCESS The following classes are recommended to all students considering a college education. Please remember that these are only basic guidelines, and each university sets its own required course list check with the schools you are interested in for their admissions requirements. • ENGLISH: 4 years • MATH: 4 years • BIOLOGICAL/ PHYSICAL SCIENCES: 4 years • HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCES: 4 years • FOREIGN LANGUAGE: 3 years Colleges look at more than just grades when making admission decisions - they also look at extracurricular activities and community involvement. Consider joining school groups such as band, the school newspaper, and playing on varsity sports teams to round out your high school experience.
STEPS 8th Grade
• Consider taking algebra so you can take pre-calculus or calculus in high school. • Consider taking a foreign language class this year. • Develop good study habits - they will assist you in high school and in college. • When planning your high school class schedule, let your guidance counselor know that you want to follow a college preparatory program.
9th and 10th Grade
• Work hard to get good grades. Most colleges will be reviewing your GPA in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades when making an admission decision. • Start compiling a notebook as you research the colleges you’re interested in. Keep track of websites, academic requirements, important dates and deadlines, etc... • Keep developing good study habits. As a 9th grader, you should aim for at least one hour of study each weeknight. In 10th grade, aim for two hours. • Ask your guidance counselor about scholarships. • Begin to identify your academic strengths and any areas of interest and passion. • During the summer, participate in workshops and community programs both for your growth and as achievements you can include on college applications. Consider job shadowing to learn more about professions you’re interested in pursuing.
S TO TAKE 11th Grade
• Take the SAT and/or ACT between March and June. If you aren’t satisfied with your score, you can take them again in the fall of your senior year. Some colleges require the ACT’s writing assessment, so keep your options open by taking both tests. • Take mostly academic courses, such as English, math, social studies, foreign languages, and science. • Narrow your college search to three to five potential choices and start a comparison sheet on them. Note what you like, what you didn’t like, and information you still need. • Try to visit all of the colleges on your list. It’s difficult to really judge the “feel” of an institution without seeing the campus. Talk to students and faculty to get an idea of what it’s really like to attend each school. • Establish an email account specifically for college admissions. Most schools will send you periodic updates on your application status. Make sure you check it regularly. • Continue searching for scholarships using one of the free online sources listed in the back of this booklet. Many scholarships have application deadlines as early as November of your senior year for funds to be available the following fall.
12th Grade
• Keep your grades up! Many schools review final grades and may rescind offers of admission if your senior grades slip. • Take at least four academic courses per semester. • If you haven’t already, take the ACT/SAT. The sooner the better, since most colleges and universities require one or the other in order to make an admission decision. • Send in college applications by October. Check each school’s websites or brochures for their specific application deadlines. • Revisit the schools that interest you the most. Many offer day and/or overnight visits that allow you to stay with current students and attend class with them. • Attend a financial aid workshop with your parents in your school district. • Complete the FAFSA in January to apply for need-based financial aid. • Send in any required deposits as you receive admission offers. Deposits are usually refundable until May 1 of your senior year.
CHOOSING A Finding the Perfect Fit When you think about your goals for college, determine the type of institution that best meets your needs. Make an informed decision by comparing the features and characteristics offered by the colleges that interest you. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Size (size of campus and number of students) Location (geographic as well as urban, suburban, or rural) Public or private institution Majors offered and the flexibility of degree programs Type of institution (two-year, four-year, conservatory, etc...) Degrees offered (associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral) Admissions requirements (average GPA, test scores, and class rank) Faculty accessibility Average class sizes Cost of attendance Housing available (dorms, apartments, etc...) Residence requirements and food plans available Support services offered Special programs offered (study abroad, co-op, internships, etc...) Campus activities and groups offered (sporting teams, fraternities/ sororities, religious organizations, etc...)
A COLLEGE Make your Campus Visit Count The best way to judge if a school is right for you is to visit its campus so you can tour the facilities and meet some of the current students and faculty. Generally speaking, the best times of year to visit college campuses are the fall and the spring. Try to avoid visiting during school breaks and exam times when the campus may be empty and there are fewer students and faculty members available to meet with. Then, follow these tips to maximize your visit. 1. 2. 3. 4.
If possible, schedule your visit ahead of time and arrive on time. Don’t overdo it. Be sure to allow at least a half day per campus. Dress appropriately. Be prepared. Read about the school online and think of the questions you want to ask before you arrive. 5. If the college offers interviews, schedule one. 6. Make sure you feel comfortable at the school. How inclusive are activities? What about safety and security? 7. Take the campus tour but also roam widely. Check out the bulletin boards, grab a meal, and get a feel for the place. 8. Make sure you check out the dorms, libraries, computer labs, etc... 9. Sit in on a class or two so you can get the scoop on academic life. 10. Ask lots of questions. 11. Check out the community surrounding the campus, too. 12. Relax and enjoy it!
COLLEGE ESSAYS The Good...
• Use this as a tool to best reflect yourself! • Take your time! Good essays don’t happen overnight. • Read the directions. • Read the topics carefully and spend time thinking about your response. • Always type the essay.
The Bad...
• Misspelling or using words incorrectly. • Trying to use every “big” word you know. • Grammar mistakes. • Writing what you think they want to hear. Be honest.
The Ugly...
• Using abbreviations, slang or swearing. • Using a plagiarized essay and passing it off as your own. • Just not doing it. Skipping an essay will be detrimental to your application review.
GETTING IN College Application Tips
• Start early! • Follow the instructions and proofread! • Work with your high school to send transcripts and test scores. • Make the most of personal references. • Write an outstanding essay. • Be ready to interview. • Keep copies of your application materials. • Many colleges will mail acceptance notifications by April 1 and require commitment by May 1. • Make your decision carefully and accept an offer that feels right. • IT’S NOT THE END OF THE WORLD if your dream college doesn’t extend an offer of admission. Remember, a college education is the best investment you can make for yourself regardless of the school where you earned it.
THE TOP TEN College Application Mistakes
1. Misspellings and grammatical errors. 2. Applying online, but forgetting to hit the “submit” button. 3. Forgotten signatures. 4. Not reading carefully. 5. Listing extracurricular activities that are not what you participated in. 6. Not telling your school counselor where you’ve applied. 7. Writing illegibly. 8. Using an email address that friends might laugh about, but colleges won’t! 9. Not checking your email regularly. 10. Letting mom or dad fill out your application. Source: ACT, Inc.
PAYING FOR IT A college education is the single best investment you can make for your future and career. Don’t miss out because of the costs. Financial aid is available in many forms for families who need assistance and merit scholarships are available for deserving students. Financial Aid: Money that is supplied by a source outside of the family to help pay for a student’s education. There are different types that come in the form of need-based (based on the financial need of the family) and merit-based (based on the student’s grades and test scores). Loans: Funds borrowed by the student or parent that must be paid back. Most are need-based. Work Study: Provide students with the opportunity to earn money through campus or community employment. Federal Work-Study programs are need-based. Colleges often offer student employment, which is not need-based. Grants: Usually need-based aid can come from the federal or state government or from the college. Grants do not need to be repaid. Scholarships: A form of financial aid usually based on merit, but occasionally on need. Scholarships come from a variety of sources. Local Awards/ Private Sources can either be need- or merit-based, or in the form of an outright gift. Possible sources are: high schools, churches, local businesses, and civic organizations. The best place to look for information about these private sources of funding is the reference section of your library or on the Internet.
CONSIDERING CO-OP? • Co-op programs allow students to earn experience in their fields, resulting in higher starting salaries. • Co-op earnings typically range from $2,500 to $14,000 a year. • Co-op is offered by more than 50,000 companies, including 80 of Fortune 500’s Top 100 firms. • Typically, 60% of coop students accept full-time jobs with their employers, and more than 95% are employed upon graduation. • To learn more, visit www.co-op.edu
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Texts
• Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges, Pope • The Fiske Guide to Colleges, Fiske • The Insider’s Guide to the Colleges, Yale Daily News Staff • The College Board College Handbook, The College Board • The College Board Scholarship Handbook, The College Board • College Countdown, A Planning Guide For High School Students, Heron • Competitive Colleges, Peterson’s and Oram • Barron’s Best Buys in College Education, Solorzano • 100 Colleges Where Average Students can Excel, Adler • Cool Colleges for the Hyper-Intelligent, Self-Directed, Late-Blooming, and Just Plain Different, Asher
Support Resources • • • • • • • • • • • • •
www.act.org/path/parent www.collegeboard.org www.privatecolleges.com www.petersons.com www.princetonreview.com www.upromise.com www.collegenet.com www.studentaid.ed.gov www.nasfaa.org www.collegeispossible.org www.fiskeguide.com www.usnews.com www.s4s.org
Financial Assistance • • • • • • • •
www.fafsa.ed.gov www.fastweb.com www.salliemae.com www.finaid.org www.college-scholarships.com www.collegeanswer.com www.ed.gov/studentaid www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov
ABOUT KETTERING UNIVERSITY Kettering University, in Flint, Michigan, offers top-ranked programs in engineering, math, science, and business. Kettering’s co-op model is the most advanced in the country - and the only program that requires co-op for every degree program. Starting as early as freshman year, students alternate between terms of on-campus study and full-time work, graduating with up to two and a half years of experience in their field. And during their work terms, they’re paid professionals earning between $40,000-$65,000 over the course of their college careers. Programs of study include engineering, math, life sciences, computers, and business.
www.admissions.kettering.edu.
“A college degree is not a sign that one is a finished product but an indication a person is prepared for life.� ~ Edward A. Malloy
Schedule your personal campus visit today! www.admissions.kettering.edu/visit or call toll-free (800) 955-4464, ext. 7865