College Guide - Spring 2020

COLLEGE GUIDE S P R I N G

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You’ve been accepted to college.

NOW

WHAT?

COLLEGE GUIDE

GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

Once you have been accepted to the school you applied for, there is still work to be done before starting your college career.

Take advantage of the months leading up to your first day by tying up loose ends and ensuring your paperwork and finances are ready for the upcoming school year.

This checklist from The College Board will prepare you for the next steps after being accepted by your dream school.

Read and respond

You will begin receiving multiple forms and documents from your future school that need a response. Make sure to check your email often and open all incoming mail. Paperwork may include orientation information, financial-aid requirements and guidelines for housing.

If these important d o c u m e n ts are returned after their d ea d l i n e s, you may find yourself rushing to request an extension or stressed to reschedule.

Tuition deposit

you are unsure about when it is due, don’t hesitate to contact the admissions office. Being late to pay can cause serious delays and problems.

Choose housing

If you are leaving home for school, make sure your living arrangements are planned well in advance. Many universities offer dorms for their students to live on campus. However, if that isn’t an option, you may qualify for assistance for off-campus housing.

Pack

You likely already have a plan in mind regarding the items you will bring along on your new adventure. If you’re moving far from home, you should also have a strategy on how to get it to your new place. Will you hire a moving company or enlist the help of family and friends to execute the move?

You should also consider the type of climate you will be living in. For instance, if you’re moving to a region with temperature differences from your current residence, it might be time to update your wardrobe.

Contact your roommate If your university assigns you a roommate, it’s a good idea to reach out before you initially meet. Become familiar with one another and learn their expectations and be clear on your own.

Does your college require a tuition deposit? Make sure you pay it before the deadline. If

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COLLEGE GUIDE

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Factors to consider when applying to

HONORS PROGRAMS GREEN SHOOT MEDIA

If you’re still debating on schools to apply for, don’t forget to consider an honors college.

Many schools offer these specialized programs within their university while others have independent facilities.

When applying for this higher-learning opportunity, there are several factors to weigh.

What is an honors college?

According to American Honors, an honors education is defined as in-class and extracurricular activities that are more complex than comparable learning experiences typically found at institutions of higher education.

One of the largest differences that

students experience is smaller class sizes and a more personal approach when teaching. Rather than attending class in a large, lecture-based setting, attendees are invited to discuss ideas and answer important questions together.

Being invited to an honors program typically requires a stellar grades, high standardized test scores and an impressive application essay.

With these factors covered, your submission will have a higher chance of landing a prestigious spot in these top-tier programs.

Advantages

An advantage that students gain by attending an honors college that pro-

vides housing is being paired with likeminded individuals. Your housemates will likely have similar goals and you can push each other to complete assignments or develop new problem-solving skills.

Oftentimes, the tuition costs for this type of education are significantly lower than the price of a four-year university.

This can mean you have much less student-loan debt after graduation if you don’t qualify for financial assistance or lack the funds to pay up front.

Smaller class sizes mean faculty members can spend more one-on-one time with each student. This helps you absorb more information and discuss an issue until you fully understand it.

Disadvantages

While there are numerous benefits you can obtain by attending an honors college, there are some disadvantages you should consider.

Since the programs include a small number of students, universities may be more likely to reduce scholarship funding or support if they are faced with budget cuts.

The workload also is increased over a typical college education. You should expect more homework, deeper research and extra writing tasks. Being enrolled in an honors program is a privilege that requires a serious commitment to your assignments. You may find yourself lacking the extra time to participate in many on-campus activities.

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COLLEGE GUIDE

WHAT YOU’LL NEED before filling out FAFSA form

‌The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the primary form that the federal government, states and colleges use to award grants, scholarships, work study and student loans.

The FAFSA determines how much financial aid (grants, loans, work study) a student can receive. To apply for federal student aid, such as federal grants, loans, and work-study, you need to complete the FAFSA. Grants and scholarships are free, but you have to earn the work study dollars and pay back the loans.

Completing and submitting the FAFSA is easier than ever, and it gives you access to the largest source of financial aid to pay for college or career school.

Students are now able to submit a FAFSA earlier. The earlier submission date is a permanent change, enabling students to complete and submit a FAFSA as early as Oct. 1 every year. This better aligns the financial aid and college application processes and gives students more time to apply for aid.

Many states and colleges also use it to determine how much state aid, like HOPE scholarships, and institutional aid to award. The FAFSA is also imperative for parents and students to determine how much of their own money they will have to provide and which colleges they can afford.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Home Room blog says these are the seven things you’ll need before filling out your FAFSA form.

1. Your FSA ID

An FSA ID is a username and password that you can use to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education websites. Each student, and one parent of each dependent student, will need an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA process on fafsa.gov. We recommend creating your FSA ID early — even before you’re ready to complete the FAFSA form — to avoid delays in the process.

Anyone who plans to fill out the 2019–20 FAFSA form should create an FSA ID as soon as possible.

If you are required to provide parent information on your FAFSA form, your parent should create an FSA ID too.

Because your FSA ID is equivalent to your signature, parents and students each need to create their own FSA IDs using their own email address and phone number. Parents should not create an FSA ID for their child and vice versa.

In some situations, you may need to wait up to three days to use your FSA ID after creating it.

2. Your Social Security number

You can find the number on your Social Security card. If you don’t have access to it, and don’t know where it is, ask your parent or legal guardian or get a new or replacement Social Security card from the Social Security Administration. If you are

not a U.S. citizen, but meet Federal Student You can import your tax information Aid’s basic eligibility requirements, you’ll into the FAFSA form right away using the also need your Alien Registration number. IRS Data Retrieval Tool (DRT). Not everyone is eligible to use the IRS DRT; and the 3. Your driver’s license number IRS DRT does not input all the financial If you don’t have a driver’s license, then information required on the FAFSA form. don’t worry about this step.

Here’s how the IRS DRT process works, assuming your tax information is available: 4. Your tax records The IRS DRT takes you to the IRS webIn case you didn’t hear about the changes site, where you’ll need to provide your we made to the FAFSA process, we now name and other information exactly as require you to report income information you provided it on your tax return. Some from an earlier tax year. information will be prepopulated from You’ll need: your FAFSA form.

Federal tax information or tax returns inAt the IRS site, you’ll see a page that indicluding IRS W-2 information, for you (and cates that your tax information is available. your spouse, if you are married), and for (For security and privacy protections, you your parents if you are a dependent student won’t see the actual information.) You can IRS 1040 choose to import your information into the Foreign tax return, IRS 1040NR, or IRS FAFSA form, or you can cancel your request 1040NR-EZ and return to the FAFSA site.

Records of your untaxed income, such If you choose to import your information as child support received, interest income, into the FAFSA form, you’ll find that on the and veterans noneducation benefits, for FAFSA site, instead of your tax information you, and for your parents if you are a de- being displayed, you’ll see “Transferred from the IRS” in the appropriate fields. pendent student.

Information on cash; savings and You won’t be able to make changes to those checking account balances; investments, answers. including stocks and bonds and real estate (but not including the home in which you 5. Records of your untaxed income live); and business and farm assets for you, The FAFSA questions about untaxed and for your parents if you are a dependent income may or may not apply to you; they include things like child support received, student

Ready to start?

Once you’re ready, you have several ways to complete the FAFSA form, including the fafsa.gov website or the new myStudentAid mobile app.

Using the app, you can fill out the FAFSA form safely and securely from your mobile device.

On the app, you can also manage your FSA ID, view your federal student aid history and loan information, and more.

The myStudentAid app is available from both the Apple App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android).

interest income, and veterans noneducation benefits.

6. Records of your assets (money)

This section includes savings and checking account balances, as well as the value of investments such as stocks and bonds and real estate (but not the home in which your family lives). You should report the current amounts as of the date you sign the FAFSA form.

7. List of the school(s) you are interested in attending Be sure to add any college you’re considering, even if you haven’t applied or been accepted yet.

Even if there is only a slight chance you’ll apply to a college, list the school on your FAFSA form. You can always remove schools later if you decide not to apply, but if you wait to add a school, you could miss out on first-come, first-served financial aid.

The schools you list on your FAFSA form will automatically receive your FAFSA results electronically.

You can list up to 10 schools at a time on your FAFSA form.

You can find more information about federal student aid through the following sources: Visit StudentAid.gov.

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COLLEGE GUIDE

GAIN SKILLS

HCC PHOTO‌

Students in Hawkeye Community College’s medical assisting program

Great careers begin with Hawkeye Community College ‌hether you’re looking W for hands-on training for a high-demand career, the small classes and affordable tuition to jumpstart a four-year degree, or something in between, Hawkeye Community College can help you reach your goal.

Classroom to career in two years Camryn Grubic wasn’t sure what he wanted to do in the natural resources field when he enrolled at Hawkeye Community College, he just knew he wanted a career connected to the outdoors.

Fortunately for him, there were plenty of options. “[The instructors] gave us real perspective and showed us that there’s more to natural resources than just being a game warden,” Camryn said. “There’s so much you can do.”

While at Hawkeye, Camryn was able to meet with graduates now working in the field, learning about careers ranging from fisheries to forestry to land management. Activities like planting seed lots, controlled prairie burns, and working with rehabilitated trumpeter swans gave him hands-on experience.

“Because of Hawkeye I have a well-developed resume,” Cam-

ryn said.

After graduating with an associate degree in natural resources management , Camryn completed a summer internship at the Calkins Nature Area near Iowa Falls, then began work fulltime for a private landowner near Waterloo, managing mitigation projects and maintaining forest and wetlands.

SAVE THOUSANDS

Hands-on education‌

“My time at Hawkeye has really helped develop my skills and give me a lot of the tools necessary to be successful in my field,” said Jacob Boeschen, a 2019 graduate of the sustainable construction & design program. “It’s molded me to be a successful employee wherever I go, whether it’s working for someone or owning my own business someday.”

Jacob worked part-time for a local construction company while attending classes, both experiences adding to his growing skill set. When Hawkeye began construction on a new home in partnership with the city of Waterloo, Jacob got hands-on experience with every aspect of residential construction, and took lead on building the home’s stairs.

Please see HAWKEYE, Page 8

Discover why 96% of students recommend their Hawkeye experience to others.

319-296-4000 www.hawkeyecollege.edu

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COLLEGE GUIDE

PAYING FOR COLLEGE: 4 ways to help lower your education costs

‌T

BRANDPOINT

otal student loan debt has surpassed $1.5 trillion, with 4 in 10 students carrying over $30K in outstanding student loans.

Getting accepted into college or graduate school is an exciting time for students and parents. As college continues to get more expensive, determining how you’ll fund your education is a big decision. Review these tips to help keep costs down as you navigate this exciting time in a student’s life.

Stay in state‌

Consider attending school near home.

In-state tuition is much less expensive than attending school out of state. Plus, you’ll save on transportation—and even room and board if you live at home. Public universities are also generally more affordable than private universities.

Additionally, you might be able to save on tuition and related costs by taking classes at a local community college before school begins or during summer breaks. Be sure to confirm that the credits will transfer to the college or university of your choice prior to enrolling in these community classes.

Take advantage of financial aid‌

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gap. For example, at Navy Federal Credit Union, members can apply for student loans with variable rates as low as 5.32% APR or fixed rates as low as 5.99% APR with automatic payments—both for 10year terms, up to the school-certified cost of attendance.

Whether you choose federal or private student loans, make sure you fully grasp the loan’s terms, conditions, and repayment requirements.

Some students and parents are able to finance college or graduate school with their savings, while others may qualify for federal student loans, grants, scholarships and work-study programs.

“A student loan is often the first loan product for a young borrower,” said Carrie Foran Sepulveda, manager of education lending at Navy Federal Credit Union. “It can have a significant impact on their post-school financial life, so it’s Gain college credits important to do your due diligence and in high school‌ explore all of your financial aid options.”

If your student aid award or the fedIf your high school offers Advanced eral student loan amount granted to you Placement (AP) programs, you may be doesn’t cover all your college expenses, able to receive college credits at no cost private student loans can help fill the or test out of some requirements—sav-

ing money that would have been spent taking the class during college. Check with the school for their rules on granting AP credits.

Earn money while in school‌ Apply for on-campus jobs if you have work study granted to you by the school, or look for part-time jobs off-campus to earn extra cash. During school breaks, consider finding a job with full-time hours, but on a short-term basis, to make the most of your time off.

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COLLEGE GUIDE

Upper Iowa University helps students achieve accessible higher education

S

ince its inception in 1857, Upper Iowa University’s unwavering commitment to accessible higher education and lifelong learningensures that current and future UIU students are provided with the skills they need to be successful in the classroom, career and life.

A private, nonprofit university, UIU provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs to about 5,200 students worldwide.

Students get a traditional college experience of excellent education, tradition and innovation within a comfortable and welcoming campus environment in Fayette. However, as a UIU education is an Education Built for Life, the University also has 21 locations across the United States—as well as in Hong Kong. To further inspire success and empower lives, UIU provides evening classes, expert faculty, and supportive staff that students need to advance their career while still tending to family, job and other day-today responsibilities. UIU is also a recognized leader in online and self-paced education, so students never need to go far for an exceptional education.

Students have more than 40 majors to choose from, and all utilize a unique, flexible course schedule. Each academic year consists of five 8-week sessions and one accelerated 6-week summer session, so UIU students typically take less classes at a time.

Many students blend their degree plan by taking both face-to-face and online courses. Other students get a jump on completion by easily transferring in up to 90 undergraduate credits or 12 graduate credits from other schools. Credits may also be earned through an individual’s work experience via an experiential learning portfolio or various college examinations.

With a universitywide 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the UIU experience helps students become confident in their abilities, challenges them to achieve their educational and career goals, connects them with profession-

als within their desired field, and inspires them to reach their full potential. According to the 2018 UIU graduation survey, 94 percent of graduates are employed or continuing their education shortly after commencement.

UIU has competitive tuition and highly skilled professionals to help students understand and make the most of financial aid. In addition, most students are eligible for endowed or institutional scholarships to further lower the cost of their UIU education. Students who are completing a twoyear degree at another college are encouraged to inquire about UIU’s new transfer tuition scholarship program; eligible students earn a scholarship of up to $19,750. In addition, UIU’s Corporate Advantage Program provides tuition grants and other benefits to employees of participating companies.

Military and international support‌ UIU offers a wide variety of educational opportunities tailored to fit the dynamic lifestyle of today’s military personnel and their families. The University is a proud participating institution in the Principles of Excellence and Yellow Ribbon programs,having been repeatedly named a top Military-Friendly University by Military Advanced Education & Transition and Viqtory Media.

Located at Fayette Campus, the UIU Military and Veterans Service Center (MVSC) provides a relaxing physical space for veterans and military-affiliated students to study and connect with other students. Assistance is available to students and the University’s total military family who need help navigating all of UIU’s resources.

In addition, Upper Iowa is a member of the PAVE (Peer Advisors for Veteran Education) network. Headquartered at University of Michigan Medical School, PAVE is a peer support program that connects incoming student Please see UIU, Page 8

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University of Northern Iowa helps students to achieve goals

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he University of Northern Iowa is committed to helping students achieve their goals – educational, professional and personal – and is distinctively positioned to provide the resources to do just that through a unique educational experience for each student.

With more than 10,000 students, UNI provides the amenities of a large university. Students enjoy state-of-the-art facilities ranging from the recently renovated Schindler Education Center where future teachers learn how to lead their own classrooms, to Rod Library with its collaborative digital workspaces in the same building as the Book Bistro coffee shop. Students living on campus enjoy updated residence halls that include award-winning dining centers recognized for their “Best in the State” food options. The Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, the UNI-Dome and McLeod Center host UNI performing arts and athletics as well as regionally and nationally recognized events.

UNI offers all of this while still maintaining the personal touch

of a small school. Classes are taught by faculty who conduct research, volunteer and engage in their professional communities to hone their knowledge and expertise, all of which they incorporate into their instruction.

Students have the opportunity to join with faculty to conduct research alongside their instructors, an option many schools only offer to graduate students. For those who aren’t sure what they want to study, UNI has services and staff dedicated to helping students explore options and connect their passions to future professions.

The size of UNI also means it’s easy to build a community where each person feels at home. The university is home to individuals with a variety of backgrounds, interests and goals, meaning students are bound to find others like them. With more than 270 student organizations covering future professions, hobbies, community service and more, students are able to connect with others on a personal level and also find new interests. Faculty members know students by name.

To help students access these

resources to achieve their goals, UNI remains committed to keeping costs down and making college affordable. UNI is leading the way on reducing student debt. Because of UNI’s efforts to reduce student borrowing, the university’s graduates are nearly $6,000 below the national average. The university has also introduced several new scholarships to help students fund their educations, and was the only public institution in Iowa that did not raise tuition for the 2019-20 academic year.

To help provide other options for students to attend college, UNI recently partnered with Des Moines Area Community College to offer UNI at DMACC, a 2 + 2 program where students can complete their first two years on DMACC, and continue with the rest of their bachelor’s degree through UNI on the DMACC Urban Campus is Des Moines. The program is set to start this fall.

UNI is nationally recognized for faculty and student excellence in its signature disciplines – education, business administration, the sciences and the fine and performing arts. The Princeton Review recently named UNI

to its list of Best Business Schools for 2020. The university’s chapter of Society of Physics Students was honored by the group’s national office as being a top chapter. A team of UNI business students was the regional winner of the Deloitte FanTAXtic Tax Case Competition, beating out nearly 60 other teams, and they went on to place second at the national competition. All of this just enhances the outstanding education students at UNI receive. In all, more than 90 percent of UNI students graduate with experience directly related to their future careers.

As a result of these unique experiences students receive at UNI, 95 percent of UNI graduates find success after college, whether that is employment or continued education. Education alumni regularly receive teacher of the year accolades, and UNI alumni are present in nearly every school district in the state of Iowa as well as many around the nation and world.

The University of Northern Iowa is focused on the success of students so they can make an impact in the world throughout their lives.

Hawkeye

while exploring other entrepreneurial opportunities.

“I always wanted to be around people being creative,” she said.

“Any outlet where I could do that I am there for it.”

is simple: complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid by July 1, 2020, and enroll in an eligible program. For more information, visit www.hawkeyecollege.edu/last-dollar.

Last-Dollar Scholarship‌

Transfer made easy‌

“The teachers are wonderful, they’re available, and they genuinely care,” she said. “You’re not a number to them, you’re a student. You have a name.”

Hawkeye’s partnerships with Iowa’s four-year colleges and universities mean students can complete the first two years of their bachelor’s degree and transfer with junior status. Students like Alyssa save an average of $7,478 in tuition and fees over two years compared to a public four-year university.

With more than 50 academic programs, 13 intercollegiate athletic teams, and the lowest tuition in the Cedar Valley, the path to a great career begins at Hawkeye Community College.

To learn more, call (319) 2964000 or visit www.hawkeyecollege.edu.

From 5

Invested in student success‌ For Nia Wilder, the feeling of support she felt on campus was a big part of her success. As a student in the digital mass media program, that support naturally came from faculty members, but she found it extended far beyond the classroom.

“Every teacher I had was excellent,” she said. “If I needed to stay after class to get something done they helped me out. If I didn’t understand something, they broke it down for me.”

After graduating from Hawkeye in 2016, Nia opened her own business, ShinDigg Photography,

More than 20 Hawkeye Community College programs are eligible for the Last-Dollar Scholarship. This Future Ready Iowa initiative pays up to 100 percent of tuition and fees in high-demand career areas like nursing, web programming, heating and air conditioning, and welding.

“In some instances, students are able to reduce or even cancel the student loan that they may have intended to borrow,” said Nadine Torsrud, a financial aid analyst at Hawkeye.

Applying for the scholarship

Alyssa Stephens started her four-year degree at Hawkeye because she knew Hawkeye’s partnership with the University of Northern Iowa would make transfer easy. Her two years on campus allowed her to explore different subjects and get involved with projects like the Little Free Pantry, all of which helped her focus on social work as her career path.

Now continuing her education at UNI, when friends ask why she started her education at Hawkeye, the answer is simple.

UIU From 7

veterans with student veterans already on campus in order to help them navigate college life, identify challenges they face, refer them to appropriate resources on or off campus, and provide additional ongoing support.

The UIU Center for International Education is responsible for all initiatives related to internationalizing the campus. The CIE includes education abroad, international admissions, Intensive English Program and International Student and Scholar Services to help international students with immigration and cultural adjustment.

Graduate programs‌

Many current graduate students take one class at a time to allow them to balance work, family and other commitments in their busy lives.

The master of sport administration is an online degree program in a fast-paced curriculum. Each student is required to complete a minimum of 36 credits with an emphasis in sport management or coaching and leadership education. An 18-credit leadership certificate also is available to students not seeking a college degree.

The UIU master of education is tailored to the needs of classroom teachers and accommodates the tight schedules of working adults.

The master of business administration is a forward-thinking curriculum providing students a perspective in leadership, functional department integration, ethical management and risk assessment.

The program provides learners the opportunity to examine ethical and managerial issues in a respected educational environment supporting life-long learning.

The master of public administration degree provides learners with the current theories, concepts and learning models necessary to assume leadership roles with a nonprofit agency or in the public sector.

In addition, the master of science in counseling begins its online program in May 2020.

For additional information about Upper Iowa University and Fayette Campus, visit uiu.eduor call 800553-4150.

COLLEGE GUIDE

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Experience Ellsworth Community College IOWA FALLS — What does it mean to experience Ellsworth?

A close-knit atmosphere makes Ellsworth Community College students feel right at home. Located in Iowa’s “scenic city,” the beautiful campus is located near the Iowa River. ECC’s campus is just a short walk away from downtown, which is full of fun shops and delicious restaurants.

ECC has a variety of career and technical programs ranging from accounting to nursing to swine management. These one-year and two-year programs lead directly to careers after graduation: Accounting, ag practitioner, ag science, agribusiness, agriculture, animal science, business administration, business administrative & information services assistant, business computer applications, computer applications in business, conservation technology, criminal justice

(corrections or law enforcement), customer service, equine management, equine science, farm management, marketing, medical assistant, medical office practitioner, merchandising & retail management, mobile service technician, nursing (practical or associate degree) precision ag, small business practitioner and swine management.

The majority of ECC students enroll in the transferable Liberal Arts Associate of Arts degree program, which is accepted at Iowa’s Regent universities and most private colleges. All coursework for the AA degree can be taken either on campus or online.

ECC has one of the highest student success rates (graduation rate + transfer rate) of any community college in Iowa! Another reason so many students start

their college experience at Ellsworth and then transfer credits for a bachelor’s degree is because ECC has dual enrollment agreements with the University of Iowa, University of Northern Iowa and Iowa State University.

That means when you enroll at ECC, you can also be enrolled at one of the Regent universities at the same time. Dual enrollment gives ECC students the same student resources as those attending a Regent university.

Many ECC students interested in a bachelor’s degree choose to take freshman and sophomore classes at Ellsworth to save money. Students who transfer to one of the Regent universities will save an average of $8,475 per year by taking their freshman and sophomore classes at Ellsworth; those who transfer to a private college will save an average of more than $35,000 per year!

Here’s more good news about Ellsworth …

More than $800,000 is awarded in ECC scholarships each year. More than 90 percent of ECC students receive some type of scholarship or financial aid.

ECC isn’t the biggest…just the best! Our smaller class size allows you a more hands-on approach to learning, ELLSWORTH COLLEGE PHOTO and our instructors are

outstanding.

Our faculty and staff are known (and appreciated) for their support of and commitment to their students.

Our intercollegiate athletic programs are among the best – football, volleyball, wrestling, basketball, baseball, sports shooting and softball.

There are a lot of activities, events, clubs and organizations for students. You can be highly involved, meet lots of people, and build a great college resume at Ellsworth.

ECC offers Panther Preview Days for prospective students.

For Panther Preview dates/times or to reserve a space for yourself and a parent or friend, contact the ECC Admissions Office at 641-648-4611 or 800-322-9235 oreccinfo@iavalley.edu. There’s more information online at EllsworthCollege.com.

Degree and certificate programs from Business Administration to Medical Assisting, Athletic Training to Engineering, and many more!

Save from $8,475 to $38,380 by taking freshman and sophomore courses at ECC and then transferring to a public university or private college.

Admission partnerships with UNI, Iowa, and Iowa State make it easy to transfer your Ellsworth credits.

Call or visit the ECC Admissions Office to visit the campus and apply for scholarships!

EXPERIENCE ELLSWORTH

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

1100 College Avenue, Iowa Falls 1-800-322-9235 EllsworthCollege.com ECCAthletics.com

ELLSWORTH Community College iowa valley community college district

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COLLEGE GUIDE

How to handle being on the waitlist LEE SHULMAN BIERER

The Charlotte Observer

Now is the time to ask for

letters of recommendation LEE SHULMAN BIERER

L

The Charlotte Observer

etters of recommendation carry varying weight, depending on the perspective of the college or university and who writes them. The more selective colleges may ask for two or three recommendation letters.

Questions abound: Who should you ask? What are they used for?

Where do they go? When should you ask people to write them? Why are they important? And how do you prepare people to write the best letter possible?

Who?

Letters of recommendation are most powerful when they are written by teachers, coaches, club or internship advisers, youth group advisers, or employers who know you well. The people you ask should be able to describe your skills, accomplishments and personality. Colleges prefer letters from junior year teachers since they are the most familiar with your most recent work. Read instructions carefully since some colleges may specifically request a science or math teacher, especially if you’re applying to an engineering program.

What?

Since most letters of recommendation are glowing and full of praise for the applicant, colleges

who take them seriously are trying to get beneath the surface of who you are. The letters that share personal anecdotes about you reveal the less tangible qualities that a college can’t deduce from grades and test scores. A well-written letter of recommendation will showcase your abilities and make you a compelling candidate.

Where?

Many colleges will now accept letters of recommendation electronically, either on their own applications or through the Common Application. Follow directions carefully and don’t send more than a college requests. Colleges who participate in the Common Application detail how many letters of recommendation they require and how many they allow.

When?

It is best to ask teachers in the spring of junior year if they are willing and able to write a letter on your behalf. If they say “yes,” ask them about their preferred timelines. Some teachers like to take care of the letters over the summer, and others want a true summer vacation. If you have colleges with early deadlines (Oct. 15 and Nov. 1), make sure you provide your recommenders with at least a month’s time to write the letters.

Why?

Letters of recommendation can

often be the critical tipping factor when two candidates present similarly and colleges can pick just one.

How?

There’s a good chance that the more information you provide your recommender, the better the letter will be. I suggest that all students prepare an activity resume or a brag sheet that details the following items: extracurricular activities; community service involvement; leadership positions; honors, scholarships and awards; employment; internships and job-shadowing experiences; and what you’ve done during your last three summers.

Must-do’s:

 Be certain to waive your right to view recommendation letters on your application forms. Admission officers will trust them more if you haven’t seen them.  Send a confirmation email to your recommenders thanking them and being specific about next steps.  Send thank-you notes once you know the colleges have received the letters of recommendation.

Lee Shulman Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte, N.C. Visit her website College Admissions Strategies. Distributed

by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

“Don’t just wait!”

That’s my best piece of advice for students who find themselves on the waitlist of a college that really interests them. Colleges rightfully assume that you’ve likely made other plans if you don’t communicate with them to let them know you are still eager to attend.

You don’t need to do a lot, but if you do a little research, you’ll see that most colleges put hundreds and sometimes thousands of students on their waitlists each year. Past years’ waitlist-to-accepted percentages are not reliably predictive since colleges go to the waitlist only after they hear back from their accepted students. What this means is that when the number of accepted students who say “yes” (the yield) is very high — say, 50 percent or better — when their normal yield is only about 35 percent, then few, if any, students would be taken from the waitlist that year.

What should you do?

Follow instructions. Read the letter closely and do exactly as it requests by the stated deadline.

Accept another offer of admission. Since you can’t count on the waitlist turning into an acceptance, you’ll need to say “yes” to someone else and make a deposit by May 1.

Contact the admissions office and ask what they want and, more importantly, what they don’t want. Many students send in double-digit letters of recommendation from alumni in hopes that it will sway the decision in their favor, but many colleges just want an academic update.

Don’t be too pushy. Manage this part of the process without your parents. Colleges

want to see students advocating for themselves.

Don’t bombard the admissions office with sweet treats or gimmicks. Don’t send a package with one shoe saying “I’ve got one foot in the door — please accept me.”

Submit any new/improved test scores if you tested after you submitted your application.

Send an updated transcript.

This is one of the reasons parents, counselors and teachers have stressed the importance of avoiding “senioritis.” If your grades have slipped, it will be more challenging, though not necessarily impossible, to get off the waitlist and be accepted.

Write a letter to the admissions office. Inform them of any new extracurricular activities, leadership roles, accomplishments, honors, scholarships, awards, employment, internships, etc.

Do more research on majors and identify a specific course or professor that interests you; convey your enthusiasm. The most important part of the letter should address why you feel the college is a good fit for you and how you will contribute to the college community. If you can comfortably say that if this one college offered you a spot in its freshman class at any time between now and the fall, you would jump at the opportunity, make sure you let them know.

Don’t give up hope, but be realistic. Understand that if you are accepted, there is not likely to be any scholarship aid available.

Lee Shulman Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte, N.C. Visit her website College Admissions Strategies. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Sunday, March 29, 2020 | 11

COLLEGE GUIDE

Garrett Garin

START HERE

— Northeast Iowa Community College —

GO ANYWHERE!

PEOSTA — Northeast Iowa ‌ Community College provides the one-on-one attention you need to get you where you want to be, whether your plans include transferring to a four-year college, learning a trade and new skill, or training for an in-demand career.

Making a campus visit to Northeast Iowa Community College gives you an opportunity to meet other students, faculty members and staff as you plan your future. High school students have college decisions to make, and visiting campus makes your decision easier, says Garrett Garin, a computer technology student.

“I have been using computers my entire life and have always wanted to learn more about how they work. Once I visited campus and met with faculty, I knew a computer technology degree was the right fit,” said Garrett. “The benefit of attending Northeast Iowa Community College and transferring to a four-year college

later is the affordability of completing credits here first, compared to other four-year colleges.”

In 2018-2019, more than 2,800 high school students earned college credits through NICC. A recent graduate, Emma Ehlers, started earning college credits as a sophomore. She accomplished a rare feat last year: she received a high school diploma and an associate of arts degree from Northeast Iowa Community College in the same month. Career planning and conversations with academic advisers help high school students reach their goals, Emma explained.

“It was thrilling to have such a huge goal and then to see it start happening. Now I am a junior already at Iowa State University.

I’m working on my bachelor’s degree in agriculture business and economics,” she said. Emma enrolled in numerous online credit courses through NICC, Please see NICC, Page 12

12 | Sunday, March 29, 2020 COLLEGE GUIDE

WHY WALDORF UNIVERSITY? Student shares her ‘right decision’ for opportunities

DIANA HUMBLE

true, but very disheartening for a starry-eyed kid to hear. There also wasn’t a professional writing degree to use as a fallback to the creative writing. Meeting with Dr. Suzanne Falck-Yi and seeing her genuine enthusiasm for the honors college is what kept Waldorf in my top three.

I applied to Waldorf in Fall 2015. When doing so, I stumbled upon the Chantel Cooley Leadership scholarship for women. I didn’t consider myself a leader, but I decided to take a chance and apply. A month later, I received an email from the college congratulating me on being awarded one of the full-tuition scholarships. I

was ecstatic! I planned on going to grad school, so the opportunity to save money at Waldorf was very enticing.

My college decision was made.

I enrolled as a triple major (creative writing, communications and English) in the honors college. On a secondary visit to the college Dr. Falck-Yi recommended that I add communications as a second major. I met with Professor Carlos Ruiz in the communications department for an hour, and he sold me on adding it as a second major — he does not remember the conversation.

Between the two majors’ overlap I was less than 15 credits from an

English major, so I added it for fun.

As soon as I arrived on campus in Fall 2016, I knew I made the right decision.

The small campus provided a multitude of opportunities for leadership and growth. Beyond the Cooley Scholarship group (now Warrior Women in Leadership/WWiL), I found a home in the communications department and the supportive professors at its helm.

The communications practicum courses provide substantial real-world training with industry standard technology and allow students to sharpen their leadership skills.

My sophomore year, I applied to be assistant marketing director of KZOW 91.9 (Waldorf’s student run radio station/practicum), and I was selected for the position after an interview process. As a sophomore, I was inspired by the team of directors I was working with and the projects I was doing. Being able to help local businesses connect with students was very rewarding. This led me to become heavily invested in the station and rise through the ranks to station manager.

The skills I’ve learned over the past three years at Waldorf have shaped me into a better student,

confident in my knowledge and education,” she said.

Students who enroll in career and technical programs at NICC may receive extra financial support from the State of Iowa – the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship. The state funding encourages students to enroll in programs with high-employment demand, particularly in healthcare and manufacturing.

Eligible programs include everything from carpentry to dental

assisting, to nursing and welding. Skilled graduates from these programs are meeting workforce needs in northeast Iowa.

Megan Zeiser received the Last-Dollar Scholarship when she enrolled in the second year of the respiratory care program. She wanted to have a career caring for others and began networking with health care professionals.

“As I researched health care professions, I discovered respiratory therapy and started job

shadowing an R.T. (respiratory therapist) at a hospital,” she said.

“She really encouraged me to enroll in Northeast Iowa Community College’s Respiratory Care program because you have access to great simulation labs for your training. You can start clinical rotations in hospitals eight weeks into the program. Plus, the faculty is great and class sizes are small. It’s a better fit for me.”

Students enrolled in health sciences programs train for

Waldorf Class of ’20‌

Diana Humble

‌During my junior year of high school, I definitely didn’t think I would end up going to college in the middle of an Iowa cornfield.

In high school, I had a really supportive group of writing friends, and I was determined to retain that breed of literary fellowship in college. In my mind, the natural next step was to major in creative writing — no matter where that left my career prospects financially. I was going to be a writer. Thankfully, my parents were incredibly supportive of the endeavor and toured seven or eight schools with me throughout my junior year.

In my 16-year-old mental spreadsheet, Waldorf in Forest City was my third choice. My top school was Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minn. They offered a professional writing and communication degree that I felt would be a great companion to a creative writing major.

I liked the close-knit feel Waldorf had, but I had a poor experience touring the college. A faculty representative of the creative writing department told me there was a very low likelihood I would ever publish a book or make a living as an author — which is

WALDORF PHOTO‌

NICC From 11

and by the time graduation had arrived, had earned 65 credits that transferred to Iowa State.

“All of my college credits transferred, and my time wasn’t wasted. Taking classes at Northeast Iowa Community College also gave me a real-life example of what the rigor of classes will be like at ISU and helped me to be

leader and employee. Proceeding my sophomore year, I was hired as an undergraduate intern by the Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development in Rochester, Minn. After a successful summer with them, I was asked back for summer 2019.

What Waldorf lacks in name recognition is made up in the quality of its education. The Mayo Clinic interns in positions similar to mine come from Harvard, UC Berkley, Ohio State, the University of Minnesota, Virginia Commonwealth University, Michigan State and Rush University, to name a few. I can confidently say that the hands-on knowledge I’ve gained from Waldorf University prepared me well for a fruitful professional career working in technology.

While I was apprehensive at first, I’m proud to say I go to Waldorf University. The support I’ve found in WWiL, KZOW, the Lobbyist, Rotaract, Student Senate, the Honors college and the professors have made Waldorf into a second home.

The opportunities at Waldorf are endless, and I’m so excited to begin my senior year this fall!

Are you ready to discover your future at Waldorf University?

Visit Waldorf.edu to start your journey.

in-demand careers, and Last-Dollar Scholarship funding provided assistance to Megan.

Twenty-five career and technical programs at Northeast Iowa Community College qualify students for the scholarship.

Start Here, Go Anywhere!

Schedule a campus visit today at www.nicc.edu/visit and learn more about the certificate, diploma and degree programs NICC offers at www.nicc.edu/ academics.

Sunday, March 29, 2020 | 13

COLLEGE GUIDE

5 ways to lower the cost of your tuition ‌Thinking about using a student loan to help finance your college education?

For many young adults, student loans serve as the first real experience with borrowing a large amount of money.

The following strategies can potentially save you thousands of dollars in your total education costs and reduce your dependence on outside financing.

And they can all be put into action long before orientation day rolls around.

HOW TO LOWER YOUR TUITION COSTS‌

1.

Do the two-step No, we’re not referring to the dance.

The college two-step means splitting your studies between two schools. Start by attending

a more affordable institution for your general education courses, and then transfer to your school of choice to complete your degree.

What does this look like? You might earn an associate’s degree at a community college and then transfer into a bachelor’s degree program at a university.

This way, you save some money on introductory-level courses and reserve the big bucks for the specialized instruction you’ll need later in your academic career.

2.

Go for extra credit Find out if there are any opportunities to earn college credits while still in high school.

This can help you reduce college tuition costs. Advanced college credit programs are also an excellent way to explore your

interests more seriously and to get a sneak preview of what your college workload will look like.

If you’re already out of high school, find out if any colleges or universities in your area offer summer courses at reduced tuition. It could help you score some credits before September.

3.

Seek out scholarships Apply for every form of scholarship, grant and tuition waiver that you’re eligible for.

It’s never too early to start your scholarship search: Reach out to your high school guidance counselor or the financial aid coordinator at the college you wish to attend.

Visit scholarship search engines and online resources.

Reach out to your employer and family members. There might be some form of tuition subsidy

or grant opportunity available to you through an employer or alumni network.

Be exhaustive in your search, and approach each application with the same level of enthusiasm and optimism.

Even the smallest awards and prizes add up. It’s free money, and it’s there for the taking.

4.

Location scout Geography can play a significant role in determining your total education costs. A single school might have different tuition rates for in-state, out-of-state and international students.

Typically, staying in-state is the most affordable option.

You can also sidestep some of the larger expenses associated with studying abroad, including travel costs, meal plans and living

in residence.

Of course, there are plenty of non-financial incentives for studying abroad. But it’s important to understand just how much the location of your school will affect your bottom line.

5.

Double down Some schools offer accelerated programs that allow you to complete a four-year degree in just three years.

This is a great option to consider. It’s one less year of tuition to pay!

But remember that you’ll be squeezing more classes into a shorter amount of time. The intensive schedule might make it challenging to accommodate a job while you’re in school, so weigh your options carefully before committing to a more ambitious plan.

14 | Sunday, March 29, 2020 COLLEGE GUIDE

NIACC – The Smart Choice

Deciding which college to attend is a big decision and figuring out how to pay for it can cause a lot of anxiety for you and your family.

Choosing NIACC first is the smart choice for a number of reasons: Save money up front: Attending NIACC for your first two years will save you about $6500 over starting at a four-year university.

Scholarships: Every year NIACC awards over $1 million in scholarships.

1-888-GO NIACC www.niacc.edu

Future Ready Iowa Last Dollar Scholarship: Available to all students pursuing specified degree programs regardless of income. If you qualify your tuition is covered.

Lowest Student Debt: NIACC students graduate with the lowest student loan debt of ALL Iowa colleges and universities!

Transferability: Articulation agreements with Iowa, IA State, and UNI, as well many private colleges, ensure the work you do here will transfer easily to your next institution.

What about quality? Overall, 98% of our career and technical graduates are employed within their field and most have jobs waiting for them at graduation.

Schedule your campus visit today, we’d love to show you around!

Spring 2020 College Guide

Check out the Spring College Guide at the link below: http://wcfcourier.com/app/bookshelf/special/

❑ Ellsworth Community College 1100 College Ave. Iowa Falls, IA 50126 Admission: 641-648-4611 or 800-322-9235 Website: ecc.iavalley.edu

❑ University of Northern Iowa 002 Gilchrist Hall Cedar Falls, IA 50614 Admission: 319-273-2281 Website: www.uni.edu

❑ Hawkeye Community College 1501 East Orange Rd. Waterloo, IA 50704 Admission: 319-296-4000 Website: www.hawkeyecollege.edu

❑ Upper Iowa University - Cedar Rapids 1641 Boyson Sq, Suite 100 Hiawatha, IA 5223 Admission: 319-848-8488 Website: www.uiu.edu/cedarrapids

❑ North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) 500 College Dr. Mason City, IA 50401 Admissions: 1-888-GO-NIACC Website: www.niacc.edu

❑ Upper Iowa University - Fayette Campus 605 Washington St., PO Box 1857 Fayette, IA 52142 Admission: 563-425-5281 Website: www.uiu.edu

❑ Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Calmar Campus 1625 Hwy 150 South; P.O. Box 400 Calmar, IA 52132 Admission: 833-NICC-EDU Website: www.nicc.edu

❑ Upper Iowa University - Waterloo 3563 University Ave. Waterloo, IA 50701 Admission: 319-232-6980 Website: uiu.edu/waterloo

❑ Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Peosta Campus 8342 NICC Drive.

Peosta, IA 52068 Admission: 833-NICC-EDU Website: www.nicc.edu

To request more information, check the desired box and mail form or go online to www.wcfcourier.com ATTN: SHEILA KERNS P.O. Box 540, Waterloo, IA 50704 | sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com

❑ Waldorf University 106 S. 6th St. Forest City, IA 50436 Admission: 800-292-1903 Website: waldorf.edu

Name: ___________________________ Address:_____________________ City:________________ State:________ Zip Code:_____________________ High School:________________________Year of Graduation:_____________ Phone Number:__________________ Email:__________________________

Explore Your Options

Planning for life after high school Student debt is a large financial obligation that can impact future choices, such as buying a home or starting a family. Dupaco’s Education Planning Toolkit can help students make better financial decisions and explore options as they prepare for life after high school.

Download the FREE Toolkit at

dupaco.com/ExploreYourOptions

16 | Sunday, March 29, 2020 COLLEGE GUIDE

YOU DESERVE AN AFFORDABLE EDUCATION. New scholarship packages mean a personal education with less debt.

Learn more at: BELONG.UNI.EDU/SCHOLARSHIP