Review of College Admissions

LIST THE TYPES OF SCHOOLS

Types of Schools

Liberal Arts CollegesUniversitiesCommunity CollegesSpecialized CollegesPublic Schools Private CollegesAcademies

(including military)Prep Schools

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A PUBLIC & PRIVATE SCHOOL?

Public –Financed through federal, state, and local taxes, public schools are part of a larger school system, which functions as a part of the government and must follow the rules and regulations set by politicians. 

Private – generate their own funding, which typically comes from a variety of sources: tuition; private grants; and fundraising from parents, alumni, and other community members; often religious

WHAT DO COLLEGES CONSIDER DURING ADMISSION?

What Do Colleges Consider?

LIST AS MANY COLLEGE ENTRANCE TESTS AS YOU CAN

Testing InformationCollege Board Customer Service # 866.756.7346

ACCUPLACER – 2yr and 4 yr

THEA – 2yr and 4yr

SAT – 4yr

ACT – 4yr

GMAT – graduate

GRE – graduate

LSAT – graduate (law school)

MCAT – graduate (medical school)

PCAT – graduate (pharmacy school)

Testing Information Continued…

ACTAchievement testMeasures actual learning in English,

math, reading, science, and writing13-36 contents ; 3-12 writing

SATMeasures critical reading, math, and

writing2400200-800 each section

College Search Process

Programs Size

Location Campus Life

CostSpecial

Programs

Narrowing

Your Options

The List – Considering The Options

REACH

REALISTIC

SAFETY

FINANCIAL – REACH, REALISTIC, SAFETY

LIST THE TYPES OF ADMISSION

Types of AdmissionEarly Action

Binding Can apply to more than one school with a few exceptions

Priority August-December of senior year Available for more scholarships

Regular Decision Watch deadlines – they vary Hear by April 1st

Rolling Admission “Apply anytime, hear anytime” It is recommended students apply as early as possible to

be sure space is still available Watch for priority deadlines

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO COMPLETE YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION?

College Application Materials

GPA/RankResumeLetters of RecommendationEssay(s)Transcript(s)Test Scores

The Application Process

The STUDENT will submit to the college:The applicationEssayApplication feeOfficial SAT & ACT scores from the testing

organizationOfficial transcript from Alamo Colleges

The GUIDANCE COUNSELOR will submit to the college:Official transcriptCounselor recommendationTeacher recommendations (if received)

WHAT FEDERAL APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED EACH YEAR?

FAFSA...FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Website – www.fafsa.ed.gov

What You Need to Complete It:Parent(s) W-2 and 1040 tax returnsPIN number www.pin.ed.gov Social Security Numbers/Driver’s LicenseSchool(s) Name

http://www.finaid.org/fafsa/video.phtml Video

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COST OF ATTENDANCE AND TUITION?

COA & TuitionCost of Attendance

TuitionFeesRoomBoardBooksTravel/Transportation

TuitionThe price of attending classes

WHAT DOES EFC STAND FOR?

EFC Explained...Expected Family Contribution

What the government says your parents are able to pay for your schooling

Calculation Cost of Attendance – EFC = Your financial need

Your parents’ bills (mortgage, car payments, insurances, credit card debts, etc. are NOT used to create your EFC).

WHAT DOES SAR STAND FOR?

SAR...Student Aid Report

The detailed form that the government sends to each of your schools

This form includes your EFC and other financial information

You must complete the FAFSA in order to receive an SAR

WHEN SHOULD YOU FILE A FAFSA?

When to File a FAFSA...Spring 2013, but check your school’s

deadline.

Priority is usually March 30.

You can estimate your FAFSA based on last year’s tax information, BUT you MUST update it as soon as your parents file.

FAFSA opens January 1st

TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID

Financial Aid

Types of Financial Assistance

Scholarships, Grants, and FellowshipsWork StudyFederal Student Loans (PLUS Loan)Private Signature Loans

WHICH OF THE TYPES ARE FREE MONEY?

Free Money...Scholarships

Grants

Fellowships

WHICH TYPE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE YOUR LAST RESORT?

Last Resort...LOANSFederal

Stafford – Subsidized (gov’t pays interest while you’re in school) and Unsubsidized (you pay the interest or it capitalizes)

Perkins – For students with low EFC’sParent

PLUSPrivate

Credit based

Loan Limits – Stafford Loan

These items will be on your SEMESTER EXAM! Make sure you understand!

QUESTIONS?

SourcesAdapted from Wilmington High School

College Information Night presentation. 2010.

College Board. College MatchMaker. 2010. 8 January 2010

http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/adv_typeofschool.jsp .

University of Texas at Austin. 8 January 2010 College Board. College MatchMaker.

2010. 8 January 2010 http://www.utexas.edu/student/admissions/.