College Guide - Spring 2017

GUIDE TO GETTING

INTO COLLEGE

March 19, 2017

2 | Sunday, March 19, 2017

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

Types of college Private colleges and universities Private schools rely on tuition, fees and other private sources for funding. Private schools offer undergraduate students a bachelor’s (fouryear) degree. Associate (two-year) or advanced degrees may be offered.

Public universities Public universities in Iowa get much of their funding from state government. Iowa’s public universities offer several levels of degrees (bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate). A wide variety of academic classes are offered.

Community colleges Community colleges allow you to earn a degree or transfer in two years. They may also offer associate and other degrees, certificates and diplomas. Specialized occupational preparation is offered.

Professional and technical colleges Specialized colleges train you for specific careers. These schools may offer several levels of degrees (certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate).

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Simplify steps for college search process ‌I

t easy to get lost in all the details of the col- Make a list lege search process. But taking a step-byFigure out your college wants and needs. step approach can make the search easier What do you expect from your education? and less hectic.

What can you compromise on?

You should have a rough idea of where you Attend a college fair ‌ want to go and what you want to do with a Nowhere else will you find so much infor- couple of schools in mind. mation available in one location. It’s like a Your list may be lengthy, but begin narshopping mall for college candidates. Stu- rowing it down in your junior year. By the dents and their parents can visit briefly with time your senior year rolls around, the list college admissions representatives from par- should be narrowed to your top two to five or ticipating colleges and universities, commu- six schools. The application process can take nity and technical schools, military service time and create stress, so relieve the pressure branches. Gather up materials on the college by NOT overapplying. and get a “feel” for what each college offers.

Go with a list of questions specific to your Look at cost interests to ask at each booth. Introduce yourCollege costs money. Sometimes a lot of it, self to the admissions officers and get on their but don’t let that be a roadblock in your desire email and regular mail lists. to attend college.

Take advantage of any workshops offered Financial aid is available for many students, on the search process, etc. but you have to fill out the FAFSA form to find out if you qualify, and for how much. And Make the grade you’ll have to fill out those forms and reapply Grades can measure success and focus, each year you enroll in an institution of higher but taking college-level advance placement learning. courses and completing challenging classes Grant aid from federal and state governments, improves your potential. Find activities or institutional funds and private sources lowers sports that make you feel fulfilled and give the net price for a majority of college students. them the attention they deserve. Don’t sign up for lots of extracurricular activities just to Sources: Iowa College Access Network, U.S. pad your application.

News & World Report

8 steps through the process 1. List your chosen schools on your financial aid applications, ACT or SAT registrations, and other forms.

2. Look at the admission requirements. Are you able to meet all of them?

3. Apply to more than one school — even if you think one school is perfect for you.

4. Fill out admission applications online or on paper (most schools offer both).

5. Visit the schools’ websites to get the forms you need.

6. Check to see if your school accepts the Common Application. The Common Application is a standard form accepted by more than 600 colleges across the country. Many schools that accept the Common Application also have supplemental forms you must complete. Visit www. commonapp.org.

7. Send applications as soon as you can. It’s a good idea to send your applications no later than March if you want to attend college in the fall.

8. Check with your chosen schools about specific admission deadlines.

Many colleges have a rolling admissions deadline, which means you can apply anytime throughout the year.

Making the transition 1. Learn to manage your time. Academic obligations should take precedence over social activities, but that doesn’t mean you can’t schedule some “me” time to hang out and have pizza and beer with friends.

2. Make new friends. Join a club, pitch in on a project, participate in an intramural sport to grow your circle of friends.

3. Explore the campus and community. Read the local newspaper and area/regional magazines. Put aside memories of high school and make some fresh ones!

4. Manage your money. You’re on your own now, and parents may not be around to bail you out if you get overextended. And even if they are, start budgeting and tracking your expenses.

Sunday, March 19, 2017 | 3

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON POST

‌E

verywhere she’s gone during the past few months, high school senior Katie Phelan has been asked a variation of one question: Where are you going to college?

In the hallways of her high school, at friends’ houses, at family events, even while she was trying on clothes at the mall. “One of the ladies working there was asking me through the curtain — while I was changing,” she recalls.

“The topic is almost unavoidable,” says Phelan, who attends the private Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland. Even though she knows that most people are well-meaning, and that some are simply using the question as an icebreaker, it’s nerve-racking. “The more I talk about it, the more I realize how stressed I actually am.”

Parents, high school counselors, independent college consultants and therapists know one of the most fraught elements of the college application process is the inquiries seniors get, whether from kindly acquaintances, judgmental relatives or nosy neighbors.

Plus, especially in the age of social media, choosing a college is “their first big decision that’s very public,” says Tish Peterson, director of college counseling at the private Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Maryland.

To help deal with that pressure, some high school counselors, especially at private schools, and independent consultants are arming students with strategies for managing the process’s stress points — including the inevitable questions.

Robbye Fox, a counselor with

the College Lady, a Washington, D.C.-area independent college counseling group, encourages students to embrace this time as a period to develop important social skills. After all, this is likely only the beginning of the queries students are going to get in their lifetimes, questions such as when are you going to get married/have kids/finish that degree/ buy a house, etc. “Learning how to politely sidestep these questions from well-meaning others is a skill they will be able to use again and again,” Fox says.

Peterson begins advising students in their junior year to anticipate what kinds of questions they will get and think through which information they’ll share with friends, and with adults outside their immediate family.

“We try to empower them so they don’t feel awkward about their responses,” she says.

And if they don’t want to share?

“We also tell them it’s perfectly acceptable to say: I’ve decided to keep that information private. Or: I’ve decided not to talk a lot about my college process until I’ve made a decision about where I’m going.”

If students do want to talk about it, Peterson and other counselors suggest that they emphasize the range of schools on their list.

Another reason not to get too caught up in talking about a favorite school is that teens grow and change quite a bit throughout senior year.

Redirection (a skill any parent will tell you comes in handy) can be informative. Fox suggests that students reframe these conversations as an opportunity to ask Please see QUESTIONS, Page 4

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GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

Questions From 3

adults about their experiences, perhaps by saying, How did you go about deciding what to do after high school?

Fox also recommends students try to lighten up the situation through humor.

“I try to get their creative juices flowing and help them come up with a story that’s linked to one of their interests,” she says.

Students aren’t the only ones dealing with this pressure. “The most dangerous place to be as the parent of a senior is the sideline of a fall sporting event,” half-jokes Whitney Bruce, a postsecondary counselor at Maine Coast Waldorf School. Peterson notes that parents “can also feel judged or scrutinized in the process.” She suggests parents field inquiries by saying, My daughter has applied to a range of schools she’s interested in, or, Once she hears and decides where she’s going, we’ll be happy to share the news.

When colleges start responding, uncertainty can be replaced by complicated emotions aroused by acceptances and rejections. Though counselors emphasize that a college decision isn’t a verdict on a

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student’s worth, rejection can be devastating.

In addition to dealing with their excitement and dejection, students will be trying to exercise “the ability to be happy for someone and then sad for yourself, and vice versa,” Livelli says.

Gordon, a former public schools social worker, says answering college-related queries can be especially difficult “for kids who decide to take a gap year, or for kids for whom college is not their plan.” She suggests that parents of kids pursuing a nontraditional path help equip them for the

onslaught: “Say, ‘How can I support you talking about it?’ Sometimes just having a prepared sentence helps because it gives you confidence in what you’re doing.”

Alexandra Robbins, who attended high school in competitive Montgomery County, Maryland, and is the author of “The Overachievers: The Secret Lives of Driven Kids,” tries to remind students that acceptances and rejections can boil down to mundane details — and luck. “Rejection could be as simple as the school orchestra needs a French horn player,” Robbins says.

She also emphasizes that what matters is not the name of the college as much as what students do when they are there.

So what can adults do to not add to the stress?

Advice for parents from counselors and consultants includes asking relatives to back down on the college questions and avoid talking about it daily or allowing it to overshadow everything else. “If your child really wants to talk about it, that’s great,” Livelli says. “And if they don’t, pick one finite time per week to check in on anything that needs to be worked on or talked through, and let the rest of the week be about all the other things going on senior year.”

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GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

Prairie Lakes offers cutting-edge graduate program

‌T

he Prairie Lakes Church Center for Learning and Leadership has launched a cutting-edge graduate program offering a relevant, practical and affordable seminary degree through a partnership with Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Graduate students have the opportunity to earn a master of arts in ministry degree from an Association of Theological Schools accredited program.

This streamlined 36-hour program is designed to equip leaders with advanced degrees and practical skills that can be utilized in or out of the local church.

The Center for Learning and Leadership allows students to achieve an advanced seminary degree without requiring them to leave their current job

and home. Classes are offered through a convenient combination of online and onsite venues taught by a blend of respected Wesley Seminary professors and experienced Prairie Lakes Church ministry leaders.

This graduate program is not only for future church leaders but also a strategic step for anyone interested in positioning themselves as a strong leader.

Current student occupations range from pastors to app developers and University of Northern Iowa employees.

Student Paul Gibson is nearing the end of his 35-year career with John Deere. As retirement approached, he knew he wanted to continue his education to make an impact on others. The adaptability and convenience of the Center for Learning and Leadership graduate program

allows him to continue working full-time as an engineer while also preparing for his next phase of life.

All courses are taught in a cohort model, meaning students begin and progress through their degree together until graduation. This model allows students to collaborate, motivate and build relationships with one another. The first seminary cohort of 20 students began their degrees in August 2015 with the anticipated graduation date in April 2018.

The ministry emphasis of the first cohort is leadership. Their coursework includes classes such as Spiritual Life and Leadership, Power, Change and Conflict Management and Strategic Leadership and Management.

The cohort will complete their degree with a capstone project

where students choose a problem within their area of interest and conclude with a practical solution.

The Center for Learning and Fuller Leadership will be launching its second cohort in September 2017. While the first cohort emphasized leadership, the second will allow students to study under the specialization of their choosing. Potential emphases include Worship Arts, Church Planting and Multiplication, Children, Youth and Family Ministry, Church Revitalization and Pastoral Care. Having the option to choose an emphasis allows students to have an adaptable and affordable degree and fo-

cus their studies around their unique leadership areas.

Prairie Lakes Church Senior Pastor John Fuller says, “We are going to reach Iowa with a generation of Iowa leaders. The Center and our partnership with Wesley Seminary will allow us to train these leaders to get after Iowa.”

This innovative program allows leaders to be launched with the knowledge base and contextualized experiences needed to impact our organizations, communities and world.

The Center for Learning and Leadership is currently recruiting students for the launch of a second cohort in September 2017. If you are interested in taking a step into the graduate program, please visit prairielakeschurch.org/ call or contact Academic Dean Connie Erpelding at (319) 2662655, ext. 32.

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GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

Your college, your career at Northeast Iowa

‌C

ALMAR — High school students are not always sure what they plan to do after graduation and wonder about their best college and career path. With so many changes in our economy and job market, and hundreds of colleges to choose

from, this uncertainty is understandable.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) accepts everyone, and we’re here to help you.

The one-on-one attention you receive will get you where you want to be, whether your plans

IT’S

YOUR FUTURE.

be bold.

“Attending Northeast Iowa Community College is an amazing opportunity! I completed my pre-requisite courses for the nursing program and saved money.”

MIRANDA REINHARDT NURSING

Affordable.

Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) 2016 full-time tuition was $21,663* less than Iowa private colleges, and $2,346* less than Iowa public university tuition.

Close to Home.

Northeast Iowa Community College offers education at two campuses, six service locations, more than 40 ICN classrooms throughout northeast Iowa and seven programs of study 100 percent online.

BE BOLD. APPLY TODAY. www.nicc.edu/apply

Calmar: 563.562.3263 • Peosta: 563.556.5110 *Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

include transferring to a fouryear college, learning a trade and new skill or need some extra time to explore career options.

Ryan Hageman, an associate of arts student, found a great personal, academic fit at the College after seeing many of his high school friends enrolling at Iowa universities without a plan.

“I was thinking about attending a big university after graduation from high school like many of my friends were, and then I enrolled at Northeast Iowa Community College. After one week of classes at NICC, I met so many good friends,” Hageman said.

“The small classes are great, and I like that my teachers know me personally here. They know me and are as concerned about my college education as I am.”

Hageman earned college credits as a high school student through a concurrent enrollment agreement with NICC. When it was college decision time, he had a head start and made a smooth transition to college life and academics.

“I had a very good experience transferring from high school to Northeast Iowa Community College, and the credits I had already earned transferred,” Hageman said, who is enjoying the close interaction with faculty members and students. “There are even fewer students in my classes here than I had in my high school classes.”

Many students experience the same success, such as Miranda Reinhardt, a high school senior who has already completed 16 credits required for an associate degree of nursing.

“Attending Northeast Iowa Community College while in high school is an amazing opportunity! I completed my pre-requisite courses for the nursing program and saved money,” she said. “The college offered me the opportunity to complete these nursing courses before I transferred into their nursing program.”

Reinhardt is planning to enroll at the college in fall 2017 to

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Ryan Hageman complete her nursing degree.

After graduation, she will have the flexibility to begin work as a Registered Nurse locally, earn a high wage for her in-demand knowledge and skills and, later on, be able to complete a bachelor of science in nursing degree from a four-year college or university.

These two students and their success stories represent a trend that is growing in popularity each year. From 2015-2016, more than 2,700 high school students enrolled in 21,714 college credits at NICC, saving money by avoiding the higher tuition of fouryear colleges and universities.

By earning college credits, high school students explored career options and saved their families

an estimated $10.8 million.

According to the Iowa College Aid Commission, the full-time student tuition at NICC in 2016 was $21,663 less than Iowa private colleges and $2,346 less than Iowa public university tuition.

The affordability, flexibility and one-on-one support available at the College helps students who may be unsure of their career direction and want their college experience to be career-focused and close to home. NICC campuses and service locations in five northeast Iowa communities provide academic advising and planning for students considering their career options.

It’s Your Future. Be Bold. Apply Today. www.nicc.edu/apply

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017 |

7

Allen College to add hybrid option to accelerated nursing program A

fter more than a year of planning, Allen College will launch a 15-month distance learning accelerated BSN program in May 2017. Allen College chancellor Dr. Jerry Durham said that the program would be offered in a “hybrid” (also called “blended”) format that will combine learning both online and in the classroom Durham reported that Allen College leaders worked with a consultant for six months to address issues that might arise as the hybrid program is implemented.

According to Allen College dean of nursing Dr. Kendra Williams-Perez, the program was developed to address a growing shortage in Iowa of nurses with bachelor’s degrees and to increase access to the accelerated BSN program Allen College has offered for the past decade. According to Williams-Perez, more than a million additional nurses will be needed in the U.S. by 2022 due to retirements of nurses currently in the workforce and increasing demand for health care.

Graduates of the hybrid accelerated BSN program, approved by the Iowa Board of Nursing in June 2016, will be eligible for registered nurse licensure.

Students in the hybrid program will spend May through August on the Waterloo campus and then complete the last 12 months of clinical study at healthcare agencies in the Des Moines area, primarily at UnityPoint Health hospitals.

Throughout the 15 months of study, students will complete coursework online and meet with faculty face-to-face several times each semester. According to Chancellor Durham, the students enrolled in Allen College’s accelerated BSN program have high retention and graduation rates and excel in passing the RN licensure

examination upon graduation.

Chancellor Durham reported that while there are more than 250 accelerated BSN programs in the nation, Allen College offers the only accelerated BSN program in Iowa. Durham said “Our hybrid accelerated BSN program will be one of only a few hybrid pre-licensure programs in the nation. The program’s curriculum will be identical to the accelerated BSN program we have been offering in a face-toface context on the Allen College campus in Waterloo.”

Students who want a more traditional (classroom) accelerated BSN program can continue to spend their entire program of study on the Waterloo campus and complete their clinical study at hospitals and other agencies in the Waterloo area.

Students or graduates of any More information about the ing (319) 226-2014 or at www. regionally accredited college or new program is available by call- allencollege.edu. university who meet admission requirements may seek admission to Allen’s accelerated BSN program. In addition, qualified students who follow prescribed plans of study at Wartburg, Central, Loras, and Simpson Colleges, at Drake University and at the University of Northern Iowa can be admitted to Allen College’s accelerated BSN program after their junior year and subsequently receive two degrees: a BSN degree from Allen College and another bachelor’s degree from their “sending” institution.

The College plans to admit up to 32 students Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to the new  Traditional Option hybrid pro Accelerated Option gram, increasing to- Hybrid - On-Ground tal capacity in  RN-BSN Allen’s accelMaster of Science in Nursing (MSN) erated BSN pro Nurse Practitioner tracks in four areas gram to 96 new  Nursing Education students each  Nursing Leadership year.

Start your future today with

Allen College

 Community/Public Health Nursing  Leadership in Health Information Technology

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Associate of Science in Radiography (ASR) Bachelor of Health Sciences (BHS)  Diagnostic Medical Sonography  Medical Laboratory Science  Public Health  Dental Hygiene

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MS in OT) Doctor of Education in Health Professions Education (EdD)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL

(319) 226-2014 or go online at allencollege.edu

8 | Sunday, March 19, 2017

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

Find industry-leading programs at La’ James ‌L a’ James International College (LJIC) has been a family-owned business for almost 50 years and has eight accredited locations in Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Davenport, Des Moines (Johnston), Fort Dodge, East Moline, IL and Fremont, NE. La’ James International College has a history for innovation and excellence. We are an industry leader in concept, appearance and the ability to fulfill our mission to “ENROLL, EDUCATE, GRADUATE and PLACE.”

Industry-leading programs of study‌‌ No matter which program you have selected for your personal journey to success — Cosmetology, Massage Therapy, Esthetics or Nail Technology— LJIC offers you the opportunity to embrace the vision, transform your desires into goals and your time into results.

Cosmetology Hybrid 3 Day or Traditional 5 Day — Graduate the Same Day‌‌ La’ James International College gives students the opportunity to choose a Cosmetology program with a Blended 3-day schedule or a Traditional 5-day schedule to fit their needs.

Whether you choose the Hybrid 3-Day or 5-Day Program you can still graduate in about a year.

What is a Cosmetology 3-day blended online? Students attend practical hands-on training three days a week on campus.

Students complete the theory education online outside of the scheduled three days on campus.

The practical hands-on training starts simultaneously with the online course. The Cosmetology Hybrid 3 Day Program with online education is an effective way to receive the highest standard of Cosmetology education and training from an industry leader.

sonal attention you deserve. We enter the professional world. want students to feel supported by our educators to ensure our Transform yourself students are able to pick up con- with travel‌‌ cepts quickly in a supportive environment. Students are not just La’ James International Cola number in a classroom at LJIC. lege offers student educational trips to New York City and opportunity to attend the AmerBe your own boss‌‌ LJIC invests in your success ica’s Beauty Show in Chicago. after graduation by teaching Traveling with LJIC takes you you the skills you need to be one step closer to becoming business savvy in the real world. distinctively different.

La’ James International College has included three business and Become a trendsetter marketing courses to help you at LJIC‌‌ achieve success in the health and beauty business.

Trend Vision is LJIC’s annual student conference and compeEarn an A.A.S. degree‌‌ tition that gives students the Do you want to stand out as a opportunity to compete in and health and beauty business pro- experience a high energy, real fessional? Take advantage of this world runway fashion show La’ James International College atmosphere. exclusive opportunity to apply LJIC hours as credits towards Our industry partners‌‌ a two-year associate’s degree La’ James International Colin Health and Beauty Manage- lege takes pride in graduating ment at Iowa Central Commu- well -rounded professionals by not limiting the student’s nity College.

This program is designed for knowledge of one product line. salon and spa students seeking At LJIC, we work with a variadditional education in business ety of industry partners to give and management. The Health students experience with difand Beauty Management degree ferent options available in the is an ideal continued education health and beauty industry. option for those interested in self-employment or owning and Alumni benefits — job operating a salon or spa. placement & FREE LJIC

State-of-the-art campuses‌‌

La’ James International College realizes health and beauty education doesn’t happen entirely inside the classroom. We offer students real world experience in busy Salon Clinics and TRUE Day Spas.

LJIC students gain hands-on experience with real clients in our state-of-the-art campuses under the guidance of licensed instructors. Students not only work in dynamic facilities, but they are provided professional quality products and equipment. It is LJIC’s mission to graduate students who feel Top educators At LJIC‌‌ You will get the time and per- confident and fully prepared to

continuing education‌‌ Only at La’ James International College will you receive FREE Lifetime LJIC continuing education for our graduates.

LJIC works with industry partners to provide fun and fresh continuing education classes at all 8 campus locations.‌‌

Tech savvy — Jump-start your career on Bloom!‌‌ La’ James International College gives students access to a Premium Bloom membership.

What is Bloom? Bloom is a career building digital program specifically for the health and beauty industry! LJIC is a Bloom Premium schools which gives stu-

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La’ James teaches cosmetology among its industry-leading study programs. dents additional advantages to jump start a career in the health and beauty industry.

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Sunday, March 19, 2017 | 9

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

Central College provides tools to pursue your passion

‌P

ELLA — We believe one person can make all the difference. That’s why Central is focused on your success.

Founded in 1853, Central College provides an exceptional education for undergraduate students. With dedicated professors and zero classes taught by teaching assistants, Central gives you the tools to pursue your passion, whether that means partnering with professors on research, starting a business or preparing for medical school. You become part of the action, with endless opportunities to intern, participate in clubs and athletics, and make lifelong connections with faculty, students and alumni.

Central’s 73 academic programs include pre-professional tracks.

76 percent of students complete internships at sites includ-

ing Iowa, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Granada, London, Vienna, Bangor and Merida.

Engineering, the college’s newest major, offers a bachelor of science degree in four years with time for study abroad, activities and a comprehensive liberal arts education.

Learn. With an average class size of 16 students, you’ll have the chance to interact closely with professors and classmates.

Go. Looking to gain a global perspective? Among Central students, 55 percent have an international experience. Choose from programs around the world and still graduate in four years or less. In addition to semester-long experiences, there are many summer programs and opportunities through classes.

Play. Whether you’re playing a sport, a role in a theater

B E PA R T OF IT ALL.

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Central’s strength in STEM gives you access to top-tier professors and early research opportunities. production or an instrument, at Central you will find your niche.

More than 100 student organizations include everything from the Rugby Club to Student Sen-

ate, and among the 18 musical ensembles is the unique Flying Pans Steel Drum Band. Central’s 19 sports programs have won 11 national NCAA Division III team

73

championships.

Connect. Form the relationships that last a lifetime. From the best friend you meet at orientation to the alumni contacts you create through internships, professors and job shadowing, the people you connect with at Central will support you as you enter the job search or take your next steps academically.

Achieve. Central College sets you up for success. Among our graduates, 92 percent complete their degree in four years or less.

Central’s commitment to affordability, combined with the fact 99 percent of students receive financial aid, means you’ll start your future with the edge you need to achieve your dreams.

Central College is where opportunities find YOU. To become part of the action, visit www.central.edu.

10 | Sunday, March 19, 2017

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

Conquer the dreaded college application essay EMMET ROSENFELD

Special to the Washington Post ‌

‌S

ix hundred fifty words to change your life.

With only that much to work with, Scheherazade, the storytelling Arabian princess of “One Thousand and One Nights,” would have been done before 10 on the first night, even if she weighed each word as carefully as a high school senior trying to get into the college of her dreams.

Those high school hopefuls don’t face execution by a tyrannical king if their stories fall short, but to them their fate is just as dire when completing the all-important personal statement for the Common Application.

Will their 650 words or fewer gain them admission to their No. 1 choice, leading to the perfect job and the life they’ve always imagined? Or will their hopes be dashed by faceless admissions officers who somehow can’t see that they are indeed “the perfect match”?

The Common Application is well-known to most high school seniors. It’s a convenient clearinghouse that lets them apply to over 600 schools via a single online file of essays, recommendations and records. It is also an elephant of a meal, impossible to complete in a single sitting. Applicants should visit early and often to assemble their materials over time, and tailor bids to selected schools. A foundational part of the package, of course, is the personal essay.

While several prompts are available to choose from for 2016-17, the Common App folks themselves say that nearly half of the more than 800,000 kids who used it last year chose this generic prompt: “Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.”

Don’t be daunted by the numbers. Even if they’re not one in half a million, students can up

their odds by wowing admissions readers with an essay that pops.

And, while there are 1,001 articles, consultants and writing tutors out there who claim they can make it happen, the average student can stand out by following a few simple guidelines as illustrated in the drafts that follow.

Bottom line: A kid doesn’t have to spend big bucks or write like Shakespeare to get into college. Like the legendary Arabian princess who saved her life doing it night after night, they just have to tell a good story.

The essay that follows was written by a current senior at a Washington-area high school.

She is a strong student in the top quarter of her class who is planning to apply to a range of schools, including George Mason University and Notre Dame. The first draft was her best attempt before any coaching. The second one was the product after about an hour of discussion with me, a high school English teacher and a writing consultant. My comments are in italics.

First Draft (632 words)

Science and religion have been battling it out for centuries, or so many seem to think. Between the notorious arrest of Galileo in 1633 and the frequently debated theory of evolution, many have come to the conclusion that religion in general, but specifically the Catholic Church, is opposed to the idea of science.

First impressions: (A) The author can write pretty well, without errors in spelling or grammar.

(B) Am I reading an introduction to a research paper about Galileo or a personal essay?

It was also at this point I realized there must be a great number of people in the world who have these same questions but who are not in a comfortable position to ask them.

I love the clarity and directness. In the next few lines, I see what the essay is about: the conflict the writer feels between her interest in science and her religious faith.

She has the most important ingredient for a really strong essay — something to say.

Woe to the essay that doesn’t.

Or worse still, because of all the conflicts that are highlighted upon, they have settled down with the conclusion that the two cannot at all coexist. This could in fact lead to problems that impact humanity as a whole. If people felt they had to make a choice, they would end up sacrificing either the service of a brilliant mind or the service of a charitable soul.

Mankind would be negatively impacted either way. My hope for the world is to get answers to these people along with the understanding that the Church and the scientific community do not completely disagree, but in fact have supported and worked with each other for centuries.

OK, now I’m bored, not because the ideas are unimportant, but because it is too abstract.

What this writer needs is a story to tell.

In the summer of 2015, I attended the Physics of Atomic Nuclei program at Notre Dame, a Catholic college. I was one of the only Catholics in the camp, and one fellow camper in particular had a lot of amazing questions about what the Church says concerning this or that scientific discovery. I was shocked. I had never been asked these questions before, and, though granted some of them were extremely deep, I was slightly disturbed to find that I could not answer some Both science and my faith of them. This prompted me to have become inseparable from further explore the relationship the definition of who I am. between the Church and science. Having been immersed in the

values, teachings, and practices of the Catholic faith from the day I was born, I have become formed morally as a person and well-informed of Catholic teaching as an intellectual. My faith is a relationship with God that has continued to keep me loving and learning in both the good times and the bad. Also from a young age, I displayed an interest in science. This quickly developed into a more specific love for the study of space, which eventually led me to astrophysics and cosmology. I have always loved learning about and seeing the wondrous complexity of the natural world.

Nice first sentence, showing a reasonable degree of introspection, especially for a high school student. The sentence promises me that the paragraph to come will explore both her interest in science and her faith. But she quickly confuses me by not addressing them in that order.

Personally, I want these two extremely important pieces of myself to be in harmony with each other and even possibly combined into the form of a career. In a more outward sense though, I want to extend this sense of coexistence to other people. Not only would this give a great deal of mankind a sense of unity and peace on a personal level, it would prevent tragic losses on both sides.

Um, OK. How do you make a career out of such different things? When I ask her later, the student has a cool answer: Turns out, the pope has an in-house astronomer!

I believe the solution for this issue should stem from finding the sources of the most common misconceptions. Perhaps clarifications or additional explanations need to be made regarding statements made by both the Church and members of the scientific community. The next step would be addressing these Please see ESSAY, Page 12

Sunday, March 19, 2017 | 11

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

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The school offers over 180 online and on-campus programs, all designed to develop the skills and knowledge to help students pursue a new career or advance in their current one.*

Making most of credits you have It’s surprising how many students are unaware of the time and money they could save applying their previous college credit toward a college degree— and how close they may be to graduating. Kaplan University offers several paths designed to help students maximize previous credits, earn credit for what they already know, and map the most direct path to a degree.† Our relationship with community colleges can also help facilitate a smooth transition into a degree program, and may qualify the student for a tuition grant.‡

fessors and students with varied an employee or member of an organization with which Kaplan experience and backgrounds.

University has an educational relationship. Contact an AdmisStudents interested in devel- Support services sions Advisor for details. May not oping or enhancing the relevant ready to assist you skills and knowledge required by employers today in areas like Kaplan University offers a full business, information technol- range of support services to help ogy, criminal justice, legal stud- students achieve their goal, inies, fire science, health sciences, cluding admission and education education, and nursing will find advising, campus tour and orienKaplan University offers a wide tation, live tutoring, resource lirange of programs designed to brary, career services, and more. achieve that goal.

Classes are taught by industry Make your future professionals who bring first- a priority hand knowledge to the subjects they teach. Some courses offer If you are interested in learninternships and an opportunity ing about what Kaplan Unito acquire real-world experi- versity has to offer, visit Kaence. planIowa.com, email midavis@ kaplan.edu, call 319.227.0220, Flexibility or stop by the campus at 7009 Nordic Drive, Cedar Falls. to fit schedule For comprehensive consumer The access and flexibility and gainful employment inforoffered by Kaplan University mation, visit kaplan.edu/info. allows many students with families to continue working Kaplan University cannot guarwhile they attend college. And antee employment or career because Kaplan University’s advancement. †Kaplan University online courses are not restricted does not guarantee transferabilby geographic boundaries, stu- ity of credit. See the University dents have an opportunity to Catalog for the Prior Learning interact and network with pro- Assessment policy. ‡ Must be

Interactive, user-friendly learning

‌T

Campus President Susan Spivey congratulates Jarrod Hogan, Bachelor of Science in Heath Care Administration

B U I L D I N G YO U R

CAREER

STARTS HERE.

Fill out FAFSA for financial assistance he Free Application for Federal Student Aid, 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. 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.

Starting with 2017-2018, the following changes have been put in place: 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.

be combined with scholarships, grants, military tuition reductions, tuition vouchers, or other discounts or Kaplan University Tuition Cap pricing.

Students now report earlier income information. Beginning with the 2017–18 FAFSA, students are required to report income information from an earlier tax year. For example, on the 2017–18 FAFSA, students (and parents, as appropriate) must report their 2015 income information, rather than their 2016 income information.

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.

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

Earn your degree on campus, online, or both. Gain the relevant career skills employers notice.

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12516 2/17

12 | Sunday, March 19, 2017

Essay From 10

misconceptions in a way that is accessible to the entire public.

This may take the form of an online setting where anyone can send in questions anonymously.

This may create the need for individuals well versed in both science and Catholicism to be available to answer said questions accurately. The rest of this effort may come with time and the large amount of it needed to change any stereotype. All in all, the world should know the true relationship between these two major circles of thought, it may benefit us all.

Blah, blah. I’m comatose now.

Finally, I just ask her: What is an example of how a scientific-minded person of faith addresses such misconceptions?

Fortunately, she has an answer that becomes the opening of the new draft. Without it, the essay would have been a flop.

Revised Draft (619 words) I am seated at a long hardwood table in the magnificent South Dining Hall of the University of Notre Dame. As a rising junior among other hungry high schoolers, I cannot help but think this looks like a scene out of Harry Potter. A scrawny, blond boy of 15 sits across from me wearing a Star Trek tee shirt.

Sam is one of the kids I recognize from the camp I am attending, “Physics of Atomic Nuclei.”

Over burgers, light conversation about the decomposition of radioactive isotopes in bananas is made heavy by the mention of a certain characteristic of the institution: its Catholicism.

Someone comments how interesting it is that a school like this would hold a space camp. I offer that it is not so strange, and Sam pipes up.

Now that makes me want to keep reading. Why? It’s the beginning of a story! A few key mechanics help it work: first-person narration, present tense, both external details and internal thoughts are included. And, best of all, it has voice.

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

“Yeah, but doesn’t the Catholic Church have, like, a lot of problems with recent science?”

His tone was not attacking or offensive; he was genuinely curious. Through the discussion that followed, I realized I was one of the only Catholics on this half of the table, and maybe even in the entire camp.

Dialogue is another key feature. A line from her skeptical but open-minded friend is enough to take us into the scene.

I was shocked. Though I had attended Catholic school since Kindergarten and had held similar discussions, they had never reached the same intellectual depth, and I had never been the only one of my background there to answer. I realized I did not have enough information to fully answer some of his questions, like one about the Catholic Church’s stance on the theory of evolution.

It was also at this point I realized there are a lot of people who have these same questions but are not in a comfortable position to discuss them. Or worse still, have accepted that religion and science cannot coexist.

The reason I want to go to college is to find answers to these questions for myself and to share them with others. I believe, and want to help others see, that the Church and science are not incompatible, but simply offer two different and equally legitimate ways of looking at the world.

OK, maybe all the abstractions aren’t gone. But she’s grounding it here and providing a reason to admit her to college: She wants answers and is willing to engage with people who might not share her views.

led me to astrophysics and cosmology. Personally, I want these two extremely important pieces of myself to be in harmony with each other and even possibly combined into a career.

Fixed the parallel construction issue.

I’m pretty sure my dream job would be working as an astronomer for the Pope (yes, there is, in fact, an observatory at the Vatican!).

I also want to help other people understand that they can remain true to the Church and still be members of the scientific community. I believe identifying and addressing the most common questions is a good way to help convey this idea.

Taught me something here.

And just one exclamation point’s worth of optimism speaks volumes about her sincerity.

Which is why I found myself explaining to Sam, my buddy from space camp, that the Catholic Church is not Fundamentalist. This means the Church recognizes and cherishes the spiritual significance of the creation story, but does not take it word for word. This also means there is room for the literal story, which may very well include evolution and all the discoveries made regarding the natural world.

The dialogue that started the essay was throwing a ball; this is catching it. Returning to the lunchroom conversation at the end of the essay provides unity and illustrates her efforts to build bridges between science and religion.

“Come on, Sam,” I said, somewhere along the way, “It’s not rocket science!” My new friend smiled at me, and I smiled back, realizing that we had both moved a little further down the path toward understanding not just the cosmos, but each other.

Cute ending, shows a sense of humor and ends the story on a satisfying note.

Both my faith and science are inseparable from the definition of who I am. Having been immersed in the values, teachings, and practices of the Catholic faith from the day I was born, I have become morally formed as a person. Also from a young age, I displayed an interest in science. This quickly developed Emmet Rosenfeld teaches at T.C. into a more specific love for the Williams High School in Alexanstudy of space, which eventually dria, Va.

IOWA LAKES COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Not all careers follow traditional path

‌E

mily Blanchard’s path to explained her expectations and Iowa Lakes wasn’t exactly the program requirements. a ‘straight’ road.

Blanchard saw the facilities — two new She took all her prestate-of-the-art surrequisite credits at a college close to home gical suites — and was and made plans to atimpressed. Finally, she learned that the protend another surgical gram was not only actechnology program. credited but that she Shortly before she was could also take her due to start there last national certification fall, she found out the Blanchard program was not acexam right on the Iowa credited.

Lakes campus, a real benefit for “Accreditation was a huge someone who expressed some priority for me,” Blanchard said, test anxiety.

Blanchard plans to work as a “because it is a requirement to take the national certification surgical technologist while she exam.” completes her bachelor’s deSo, she began her search for a gree to ultimately enter a physician’s assistant program. new program.

When she met with Iowa Campuses are located in EmLakes Surgical Technology metsburg, Estherville, Algona, program advisor, Dana Grafft, Spencer and Spirit Lake. Call Blanchard got the direct an- (866) 425-2537 or visit www. swers she was looking for. Grafft iowalakes.edu.

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Sunday, March 19, 2017 | 13

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

Choose UICCU as your financial partner

‌U

niversity of Iowa Community Credit Union (UICCU) is Iowa’s largest credit union, serving more than 150,000 members with 15 branches and $4.0 billion in assets. We have two branches conveniently located in Cedar Falls and Waterloo with plans to build a third in the next two years.

If you live or work in Eastern Iowa, you are eligible to join (even if you’re moving away for college).

UICCU is ready to serve you with convenient checking accounts, credit cards with low rates and low credit lines to help you establish credit, student loans to finance your education.

We even offer student loan products to consolidate debt once you graduate.

Convenient checking accounts

no annual fee.

Our checking accounts come with access to our free mobile banking app, the ability to deposit checks on your smartphone, and free access to more than 43,000 ATMs nationwide.

Our online banking offers a budgeting program called MiFi360 where you can set goals and track your spending. You can also set up eAlerts to notify you when balances are low or if a deposit is made.

Responsible credit cards

Our cards are designed to help you establish a credit rating without the risk of taking on more debt than you can handle.

With our card, you get a manageable credit line with a low non-variable rate and there is

theft? Our website has articles and short videos to educate you Private student loans about these topics and more.

We can help you and your Visit uiccu.org and click on Fifamily fill the gaps left by federal nancial Advice to get started. aid. Our Private Student Loans not only offer low rates and no So, why should you origination fees, but are conve- choose a credit union? niently structured as a line of credit. This allows you to apply Unlike a bank that operates for a private student loan just to maximize profits for shareonce and withdraw from it each holders, credit unions exist to semester as needed rather than share profits with their memreapplying each year. We even bers through better rates and offer products to finance grad- lower fees. University of Iowa uate school and to consolidate Community Credit Union has debt after you graduate. Visit been consistently recognized www.uiccu.studentchoice.org over the last three years out of to learn more. more than 13,700 banks and credit unions nationwide as #1 Financial education for returning profits to memWant to know how an auto bers with better rates (Source: loan works, what determines independent research firm your credit score, or how to Callahan & Associates). That protect yourself from identity means the #1 financial insti-

tution in the U.S. is right here in Iowa.

Credit Unions are committed to giving back to the communities they serve. UICCU financially supports hundreds of charitable events and organizations to make our communities stronger. In 2016, UICCU will donate more than $1 million to non-profits in Iowa and our staff will volunteer thousands of hours at charities and non-profits as well. As we continue to grow, so will the amount of money we donate and the hours we volunteer.

Your financial partner

We want to be your financial partner for life. Stop by our offices in Cedar Falls at 3409 Cedar Heights Drive or Waterloo at 930 Tower Park Drive to learn more about membership.

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Stop by an office, call 553-3847 in Cedar Falls or 553-3870 in Waterloo, or visit uiccu.org to open your account.

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14 | Sunday, March 19, 2017

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY

A higher degree of student success ‌F

AYETTE — From flexible class schedules and accommodating methods of course delivery to small class sizes and convenient locations, Upper Iowa University (UIU) is continuously working to address the unique needs of all students.

Whether a new high school graduate, nontraditional student or a member of the U.S. military family, you will discover the academic program best suited for you at UIU. With a traditional campus in Fayette, Iowa, as well as 25 U.S. and two international locations, you don’t have to look far for an outstanding education.

UIU offers face-to-face, online, self-paced, and hybrid classes; however you choose to blend your coursework, all UIU courses count toward your degree. The university’s unique academic year consists of six 8-week terms. Although this generally allows students to take two classes each term, some students choose to attend additional classes to graduate even faster.

UIU offers some 40 majors through four academic schools, which means there’s something for everyone. Some partnership majors allow students to complete pre-professional programs.

UIU encourages hands-on experience, and required field experience is built into most majors. UIU consistently connects students with the opportunity to interact with professionals within a desired field.

Transfer to UIU

Upper Iowa announced in January that it is significantly lowering in-state tuition rates for transfer students to its Fayette, campus beginning in August 2017. The private nonprofit college will provide admitted transfer students with a tuition rate of $9,600 at its Fayette campus.

Hall at Fayette Campus and provides a relaxing physical space for veterans and military-affiliated students to study and connect with other students.

UIU is also a PAVE (Peer Advisors for Veteran Education) network member. PAVE is a peer support program that connects incoming student 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.

Graduate programs

COURTESY PHOTO‌

Work goes on in the athletics training program at Upper Iowa University.

In an effort to become the most transfer friendly college in Iowa, UIU will provide qualifying students the benefits of a premier private education at a price that is comparable to a four-year public university.

This new in-state transfer program also ensures that transfer students will now have access to the same kind of substantial aid that UIU freshmen benefit from to offset the cost of their education.

The new tuition rate applies to transfer students who have completed at least 48 transferable credits and who have resided in Iowa or are currently attending an Iowa institution

of higher education. Transfer students who do not meet this eligibility criteria are eligible to receive a UIU transfer merit scholarship or grant, in addition to other scholarships, grants or financial aid.

At UIU, students can transfer up to 90 hours of undergraduate credit when entering the bachelor’s degree program. Up to 12 credits can be transferred at the graduate level. Credits may also be earned through an individual’s work experience through an experiential learning portfolio or various college examinations.

In addition, articulation agreements are often available with community colleges to facilitate

transferring community college credits.

Top military-friendly university A participating institution in the Principles of Excellence and Yellow Ribbon programs, UIU has been named a top Military-Friendly University by Military Advanced Education & Transition and Victory Media.

The university’s military-based academic advisors help students develop a program of coursework that is reflective of their busy, and often-changing, lifestyles. A UIU Military and Veterans Service Center is located in Garbee

Offered exclusively at the UIU-Waterloo Center, the Master of Science in Counseling program meets the CACREP standards graduates need to be licensed as a mental health counselor. Required core classes are an exact match to the Iowa Code rules for licensure.

UIU’s Master of Education is tailored to the needs of classroom teachers and accommodates the tight schedules of working adults. Likewise, the University’s Master of Public Administration degree provides learners with the current theories, concepts and learning models necessary to assume leadership roles within a nonprofit agency and public sector organizations.

UIU’s Master of Sport Administration, the newest graduate program, is an online degree program in a fast-paced curriculum. Each MSA 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 is available to students not seeking a college degree.

For additional information about Upper Iowa University, visit uiu.edu or call 800-5534150.

Sunday, March 19, 2017 | 15

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

Learn what it means to ‘Experience Ellsworth’ ‌I OWA FALLS — What are you looking for in a college? Compare your specific needs to what’s offered at Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls. ECC has nearly 80 degree programs, lots of student activities and a beautiful campus.

With more than 70 percent of ECC students transferring to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree, ECC has one of the highest student success rates of any community college in Iowa. Another reason so many students choose to 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 access to academic advising, library resources, athletic events and all the other amenities of the state universities.

Many ECC students majoring in engi-

neering, marketing or veterinary medicine choose dual enrollment because it also allows them to save money by earning credits before transferring to a big university. Other ECC degree programs such as nursing, mobile service technology or equine management lead directly to a career after graduation. Many other programs are transferrable, so you can earn valuable (and transferrable) credits while you decide on a career path.

Ellsworth’s equestrian program is currently ranked second in the nation by HorseSchool.com; ECC’s is the only Iowa equestrian program listed in the Top 15.

ECC’s program scored 96.8 percent out of 100, based on teacher/student radios, tuition, number of instructed rides per week, horse/student ratio and a variety of other factors.

And ECC’s agriculture program was recently named as one of six outstanding agriculture education programs nationwide by the National Association of Agricultural Educators.

Here’s even more good news about

COURTESY PHOTO‌

Football is just one of many intercollegiate athletic programs at Ellsworth.

Ellsworth: More than $688,000 is awarded in ECC scholarships each year. More than 70 percent of our 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 and our instructors are outstanding.

ECC has the 17th highest student’s success rate (defined as graduation rate +

transfer rate) in the entire nation! If you plan to graduate and/or transfer, why not choose the college where you’re most likely to succeed?

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 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 portfolio 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 or e-mail eccinfo@iavalley.edu.

There’s more information online at www.EllsworthCollege.com.

16 | Sunday, March 19, 2017

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

GoFundMe as a way to pay for college SPECIAL TO THE WASHINGTON POST

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outhfield, Michigan, native Emettra Nelson, one of 10 winners of a $10,000 GoFundMe Scholarship, was such a driven high school student that she earned a spot at Michigan State University on full scholarship.

“I was determined not to let anything get in the way of my degree,” she says. But a positive pregnancy test at 19 left her asking, “What am I going to do?”

Knowing that taking a break would mean forfeiting financial aid, Nelson finished the term, worked for a construction company over the summer as planned, and started her junior year nine months pregnant. “On September 4, I was in the labor room doing my homework,” she says.

After her daughter’s birth,

Nelson managed to make it work with child care, first from her mother and sister, and then by a day-care center paid for with a grant, financial aid and “always working somewhere.” She was set to begin her final year in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics when she got word that her aid would not be renewed.

“My advisers were really saddened, because a lot of times when stuff like this happens people just drop out and you don’t hear from them again,” Nelson says, but she was determined to achieve her goal of bringing sustainable urban farms to low-income communities. She looked for private scholarships and grants, but deadlines had passed. She sought a loan from a bank, but like most college students, she hadn’t yet developed

sufficient credit. So she turned to GoFundMe. “For me to put up the GoFundMe page,” Nelson says, “just because I’m a very independent person, was a last resort.”

“More than half of all Americans, if they have to come up with $400 unexpectedly, they can’t,” says GoFundMe chief executive Rob Solomon. “A car repair can be the difference between finishing college and dropping out.”

The situation is even more dire for the 4.8 million college students — 71 percent of them women, 54 percent single — who are raising dependent children, according to a 2014 report from the Institute for Women’s Policy Research.

Only 33 percent of students with children complete a certificate or degree within six years of enrollment, according to the

Beginning a four-year college degree at NIACC could save you and your family more than $8,000 in tuition and fees in those first two years. And, NIACC and the NIACC Foundation award more than $1 million in scholarships every year. e numbers just add up – it makes sense to choose NIACC first.

report, in part because of all the time they must spend providing child care (often over 30 hours a week). Moreover, most “have no money to contribute to college expenses... . Among single students with children, 88 percent have incomes at or below 200 percent of poverty.”

Solomon says when the crowdfunding startup first launched, most of the campaigns focused on natural disasters and medical expenses. Then users expanded the platform to education fundraising: everything from teachers requesting supplies to class trips.

When the company started to see college students getting support for tuition and incidentals such as books— $60 million from over 850,000 donations for college-related expenses in the last three years alone, GoFundMe says — it looked for ways to en-

courage the phenomenon.

First came last fall’s scholarship contest. More than 600 entrants vied for the award.

Some pages jump degrees of separation to friends of friends and beyond, Solomon notes, but he says that going viral is the exception rather than the rule. The contest, he says, was therefore less about miracle donations and more about bringing attention to the opportunity for students to “leverage their friends, family and community to get the help they need.”

Solomon says the company is investigating ways to address one impediment to stranger contributions: the fact that “only donations made to a legally registered non-profit or charity may be considered eligible for donors to claim as a tax deduction,” as the website puts it.

Sunday, March 19, 2017 | 17

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

Begin your journey at Wartburg College ‌WAVERLY — Your journey toward success begins the moment you set foot on the Wartburg College campus. Through your coursework, involvement with on-campus organizations and experiences off-campus, like service trips, our Urban Studies Programs in Colorado and Des Moines, and internships, you will learn more about who you are and what you are meant to do.

Our 1,482 students hail from 28 states and 58 countries, including 131 international students. U.S. News and World Report considers Wartburg a first-tier National Liberal Arts College, and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has included Wartburg on its list of exclusively baccalaureate colleges that foster experiential learning and community engagement.

At Wartburg, you can choose from more than 50 areas of study,

More than 50 academic majors offered

including numerous pre-professional tracks and new programs in public health, actuarial science, digital media and production, data analytics and criminology.

If you haven’t decided your path, you will work closely with professors and Pathways Center advisers to find your passion and still graduate in four years.

Interact. Small colleges have big advantages, including personal access to your professors.

No matter your academic path, you will benefit from a low faculty to student ratio (11:1) and classes taught by a professor, not a graduate student.

Get involved. More than one quarter of all students participate in one of the college’s 15 music ensembles, including the Wartburg Choir, Castle Singers and Wind Ensemble, which tour every year and alternate travel abroad on a rotating three-year schedule. More

than 600 students are involved in our intercollegiate athletic program, which consistently ranks in the top 25 in NCAA Division III and has won individual or team national titles for the past 22 years. We also have nearly 100 student-run organizations focusing on academics, media and publications, sports and recreation, performing arts, service and spiritual life, as well as other general interests.

Network. Because we are a residential campus with a vibrant living and learning community, you will build a strong network of friends regardless of where you live or your major. While on campus we will connect you with alumni across the globe who will help you build your network.

When you graduate, you can join the ranks of the alums helping shepherd the next generation of Knights on to success.

Lead. Employers value a well-

rounded employee. At Wartburg, students have the opportunity to lead in the classroom, on the field or stage, through a student organization or through service and in the community. In addition, completion of our leadership program indicates to potential employers that you will be someone they can count on in the office and in the community.

Succeed. At Wartburg, 92 percent of our graduates complete their degree in four years or less. Our pre-health placement rates are more than double the national average, with students in pharmacy, nursing, medical/ clinical laboratory sciences and chiropractic medicine seeing 100 percent placement rates.

In our daily work to educate young people, Wartburg College strives to live its distinctive mission in bold, new contexts. Our calling is to challenge and nurture

Travel the world during our Fall, Winter, or May terms

Get involved with one of our 18 vocal and instrumental groups

More than 600 students are DIII athletes

COURTESY PHOTO‌

Brewmaking at Wartburg College. students of tomorrow, who come to us from many places with many desires and aspirations.

To learn more about why Wartburg College is worth it, visit www.wartburg.edu, call 800772-2085 or email admissions@ wartburg.edu.

90% of all graduates finish in four years or less

EMBRACE YOUR PASSIONS. IT’S WORTH IT.

TM

TM

WWW.WARTBURG.EDU

18

| SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 2017

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

Your education, success top priority at North Iowa Area Community College W

hether you have already mapped out a plan for your life or are considering many possibilities, an education at NIACC will provide you with the opportunities and support to learn more, do more, and become more. Small class sizes and supportive faculty ensure that you will never feel lost in the crowd.

Innovative: Several new facilities on campus ensure a top-notch education. It’s an exciting time on the NIACC campus!  The opening of the Health Care Simulation Center last year has provided our health students with the opportunity to work with the same equipment and in the same type of environment that they will find in regional healthcare centers. We typically see a 100 percent placement rate for our medical program graduates.  The new Diesel Technology Center provide students with state-of-the-art, real-world learning opportunities in the diagnosis, repair, and maintenance of heavy-duty agricultural equipment, over-the-road-diesel trucks, and other heavy-duty diesel systems. Our diesel graduates often have multiple job offers even before graduation.  This spring we will break ground on an $8 million STEM wing. With careers in the STEM fields exploding, this innovative, flexible space will enhance and strengthen our ability to prepare students to successfully transfer to a Regent university in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Affordable: We believe that your education should be affordable. Beginning a four-year college degree at NIACC will save your family over $8000 in the first two years. Additionally, NIACC and the NIACC Foundation award over $1,000,000 in scholarships each year!

Fun! Over 35 student clubs and organizations will keep your free time fun and interesting. Choose from things like ski and snowboarding club, vocal music, anime club, Phi

COURTESY PHOTOS

“I will be graduating from NIACC this spring and attending the University of Iowa next year. I’ve always known that I wanted to be a teacher, and NIACC has taught me what it takes to be an effective teacher. I have learned from great teachers here who care about me and my success. Thanks to NIACC, I am confident I chose the perfect career path.” — Nick, Education major Theta Kappa, disc golf club, and many others. Our athletics program is top notch as well so don’t forget to cheer on the home team — go Trojans!

Quality transfer programs: Transfer agreements with more than 40 four-year institutions make it easy for NIACC graduates to transfer and complete a bachelors’ degree.

Get a job doing something you love: We have more than 50 career and technical programs that are designed to get you into the workforce in one or two years. Ninety-seven percent of our graduates are employed in their field. In fact, many finish at NIACC with multiple job offers!

Committed to your success: We are committed to

“I chose NIACC because of its well-respected and challenging LPN program. It’s a tough curriculum, but the instructors are so helpful, they really care about each of us as individuals and want us to succeed. I will graduate this spring and already have multiple employment options available to me. I just need to decide where I want to work. That’s a really good feeling!” — Cara, LPN program helping our students succeed. In fact, NIACC has received four national rankings since 2012. We have been ranked No. 14 in the nation for student success and have been placed in the top 10 percent of all community colleges by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program.

Home away from home: The new Campus View Student housing complex features floor lounges with large screen TV’s, gorgeous lake views, a convenience store, computer lab, and access to a success coach.

Whatever your educational goals are and wherever you are in your journey, we will help you get there. Make NIACC your first choice!

Discover the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls

C

EDAR FALLS — Every high school senior thinking about attending college is searching for the right fit. For a lot of students, that right fit is the University of Northern Iowa.

From the size of the campus (around 12,000 students) to the academic freedom (more than 160 areas of study), there are a variety of reasons why students have chosen UNI. It could be the right fit for you, as well.

afford. No one should have to break the bank to further his or her education. UNI prides itself on being one of the most affordable four-year institutions in the state for Iowa residents. With more than 12,009 scholarships awarded annually, UNI students owe less many when they graduate than students who graduate from any four-year public institution in the state. Worry less about student debt and more about the quality of your So why choose UNI? education.

Choose a campus where you Choose an education you can

can live and work. With more than 250 student clubs and organizations to get involved with, you’ll have no trouble finding your niche at UNI. There are also 4,000 students working on campus, so you won’t have to go far to find employment opportunities. As your new home away from home, UNI will strive to provide everything that you need to live, learn and have fun.

Choose a university that prepares you for success after graduation. You need a university that will help you succeed

both before and after graduation. With 96 percent of UNI graduates finding employment or furthering their education within six months after graduation, take comfort knowing you’ll be well prepared for life after college. With internship, study abroad, research and leadership opportunities readily available, you’ll receive an education both in and out of the classroom.

Choose a national reputation for academic excellence. With a 17:1 student to faculty ratio,

you won’t feel lost in the crowd when you step into a classroom at UNI. Our faculty members are dedicated to providing an outstanding education to each and every one of our students.

And having been ranked second in the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Regional Universities (Midwest)” category for public universities for three consecutive years, we’re not the only ones who believe that UNI offers a student experience unrivaled by other universities.

Learn more at uni.edu.

Sunday, March 19, 2017 | 19

GUIDE TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE

Hawkeye dedicated to educating, training students ‌ any things about HawkM eye Community College have changed since it first opened its doors 50 years ago, but the dedication to quality education and training has remained constant.

That commitment is just one of many reasons students like Dane Brackmeyer choose Hawkeye.

As a student in the Sustainable Construction and Design program, Dane had the opportunity to gain valuable skills by working on a variety of unique projects, including building a tiny house.

He was able to find a job in his field before graduation, setting up a smooth transition from classroom to career.

“Learning at Hawkeye is a lot more hands-on than it would be at a university, where you might just learn it out of a book,” he said. “You work like you would in the workforce while still learning, instead of reading out of a book and expecting to know it.”

While offering more than 50 career and technical programs to go from classroom to career in two years or less, Hawkeye also offers a convenient and affordable path toward a fouryear degree. Through the Liberal Arts Transfer program, students can take the first two years of a bachelor’s degree, then transfer to one of dozens of colleges and universities with junior status, including Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa.

Hawkeye students can also live on the UNI campus as one of many housing options. Just 15 minutes from Hawkeye, living in the UNI residence halls gives students the opportunity to participate in student life on both campuses, including the Panther marching band, ROTC, and other clubs and organizations. Students can also live in privately-owned apartments,

including Hawkeye Towers and Hawkeye Village, across the street from Hawkeye.

Liberal Arts Transfer student Chloe Landt loves living in the Hawkeye Village because she can walk to class. By completing the first two years of her bachelor’s degree at Hawkeye, Chloe receives a high-quality college education while saving thousands in tuition and fees.

Eighty-five percent of students who apply for financial aid receive assistance and more than $355,000 in scholarships are awarded annually.

During her first year at Hawkeye, Chloe participated in club sports as a member of the golf team. Hawkeye now offers intercollegiate athletics, competing as the Hawkeye RedTails. A sports shooting team and men’s and women’s soccer teams compete against other colleges in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference. Cross country and track and field will join the roster in Fall 2017, with golf, volleyball, and bowling added over the next few years.

For students who just want to stay active, the Health Education and Services Center (HESC) offers fitness classes, personal training, and exercise facilities. The Brock Student Center offers a place to hang out, study, grab a bite to eat, or watch TV. Student Life hosts regular events throughout the year, from the massive and popular Fall Fest celebration to seasonal activities like a gingerbread house contest.

Each year, more than 5,300 students choose Hawkeye. To see if Hawkeye Community College is the right choice for you, schedule a campus visit by calling (319) 296-4000 or online at www.hawkeyecollege.edu/go/ visit.

50 +

CAREER AND TRANSFER PROGRAMS

STATE-OF-THE-ART PATIENT SIMULATOR LAB

STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES

SCHOLARSHIPS + 400 AWARDED ANNUALLY

Seamless transfer to Iowa’s fouryear colleges and universities

SEVEN INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS BY 2019

400 FARM LAB ACRE WORKING

STUDENT CLUBS + 30

AND ORGANIZATIONS

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO

DISCOVER WHY HAWKEYE IS

RIGHT FOR YOU

319-296-4000 or www.hawkeyecollege.edu/explore

DISCOVER YOUR FIT AT UNI! Schedule an in-office visit or sign up to attend one of the Panther Open House dates below at admissions.uni.edu/visit Saturday, April 1 Friday, April 7

SUCCESS STARTS HERE 96% 75%

of last year’s graduating class were employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation

of UNI Students participate in experiential education

90+

MAJORS

17:1

OVERALL STUDENT/ FACULTY RATIO

250+

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

23

AVERAGE UNDERGRADUATE CLASS SIZE

$22

MILLION

AWARDED IN SCHOLARSHIPS EACH YEAR

Friday, April 14 Monday, April 17