COLLEGE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A CHALLENGE—BUT YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH SHOULDN’T. KEEP THIS TRANSLATOR NEARBY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT COLLEGE ADMISSION REPS ARE REALLY SAYING.

COLLEGE ADMISSION MADE REAL:This Essential Pocket College Admission

Translator is provided courtesy of Coe

College, a nationally-recognized liberal

arts college where you can prepare for a

rewarding career and fulfilling life.

WHAT IS A LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION?Technically speaking, a liberal arts education is the study of literature, the arts, philosophy, history, foreign languages, social sciences, mathematics and natural sciences. In real terms, though, it’s more than that. A liberal arts education teaches you how to communicate. It helps you learn to think critically and creatively. It shows you how to compare and merge subjects and information in new ways. A liberal arts education allows you not only to succeed in your career, but live a more fulfilling life.

Coe’s excellence in the liberal arts has been recognized by several leading publications which rank Coe among the top 20% of all colleges in the country.

• Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Best Value in Liberal Arts Colleges

• U.S. News & World Report National Liberal Arts College

• The Princeton Review’s Best 381 Colleges

• Awards credit for scores of 4 or 5 on select AP exams.

• Is accredited by seven organizations, including the American Chemical Society and the National Association of Schools of Music.

• Guarantees an internship, research or off-campus study for all grads.

• Is one of only 283 colleges in the nation with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.

• Awards additional scholarships to National Merit Semi-Finalists and Finalists.

COE SLANG:THE LEARNING COMMONS:At the center of campus, The Learning Commons provides academic student support and houses the Writing Center, Speaking Center, Academic Achievement Program, Academic Technology and Community Engagement.

THE “U”:Coe’s Cafeteria

CAPs : College Adjustment Peers, paired first-year students and upperclassmen to help with the transition to Coe

PREZ BALL: The annual Presidential Ball

877.CALL.COE www.coe.edu admission@coe.edu

C ALL , CLICK OR E MAIL TO LE ARN MORE:

1220 First Avenue NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402

@Go2CoeCoeCollege Coe_AdmissionCoe_Admission

COLLEGE ADMISSION

MADE REALTHE ESSENTIAL POCKET COLLEGE

ADMISSION TRANSLATOR

ACCREDITATIONA stamp of approval by a regional or national organization, indicating that a college, university or department has met that organization’s standards.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT Earn college credits or bypass introductory classes through the Advanced Placement Program, offered by College Board. Details vary by college; visit http://apcentral.collegeboard.com for more information.

COMMON APPLICATION An online application (www.commonapp.org) that allows a prospective student to apply to a variety of prestigious institutions using the same application.

HONORS Special programs that offer the opportunity for education enrichment, independent study, research or acceleration; may range from access to special labs and events to full academic programs.

LEGACY An applicant whose parents or other family members graduated from the institution; many will provide scholarships for legacy applicants.

OUTCOMES The practical results of an education from a given institution, often demonstrated through profiles of alumni in successful careers or pursuing advanced degrees.

FAFSA (FREE APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL STUDENT AID)A form required if you’re applying for need-based federal financial aid; available through your high school counselor or online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

GRANTSAn amount of money given (rather than loaned or earned) for college expenses. Many are based on need, like the Pell Grant and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.

LOANSMoney loaned to students by the federal government or other financial institutions to pay for their college education; must be paid back with interest. Principal and interest can usually be deferred until after graduation.

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMA program offering scholarships to students based on PSAT scores, grades, leadership, interests, goals and school recommendations.

PELL GRANTFederal need-based grants given to undergraduate students, with a maximum of $5,815 for the 2016-2017 school year.

SCHOLARSHIPS Funding for college expenses provided to students who demonstrate academic achievement, remarkable leadership, special interests or talents; the money does not have to be paid back.

WORK-STUDYPrograms that allow students to work part-time on campus during the school year as part of their financial aid package.

A DMISSION DECODED

EARLY DECISION A binding admission plan. When students apply to an institution with the Early Decision Plan they are committing to attend.

PHI BETA KAPPA The nation’s oldest and largest honor society, founded to recognize excellence in the liberal arts and sciences; a prestigious addition to a resumé.

ROLLING ADMISSION An admission procedure where your application is considered as soon as all necessary materials are submitted; applicants are usually notified of the decision without delay.

STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO The average number of students per instructor; a lower ratio makes it much easier for faculty to get to know students and provide them with a personalized, one-on-one education.

WAIT LIST A list of students not immediately accepted for enrollment by an institution. Even though it says “wait” applicants should continue to show interest. Unless they are explicitly told not to, students should provide a follow-up letter indicating continued interest in the school and any new information (higher GPA, new extracurriculars) that might convince them to take another look.

WEIGHTED GPA An adjusted version of your high school GPA that adds additional points for grades in honors, AP or IB classes.

ACADEMICS• Total enrollment: 1,400+

• Student/faculty ratio: 11:1

• Average class size: 16

• Percentage of faculty holding the highest degree in their field: 95%

• Number of courses taught by teaching assistants: 0

• Percentage of Coe’s active faculty regularly contributing to their field (includes research, projects and new musical and creative works): 90%

• Besides Coe, the number of liberal arts colleges in the nation hosting the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates program: Less than 10

• State-of-the-art physics research equipment purchased in the last 10 years: Over $2 million. This equipment is housed in Coe’s state-of-the-art science facility, Peterson Hall.

• Summer research opportunities for students in biology, business, chemistry, economics, mathematics and physics.

STUDENT BODY• Percentage of out-of-state students: 50%

• Number of student clubs and organizations: 80+

• Total number of men’s and women’s varsity sports: 21

INCOMING FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS• Average High School GPA: 3.6

• Average ACT score: 25

• Average SAT score: 1162

REWARDING YOUR SUCCESS• At Coe College, 99 percent of students receive some

sort of financial aid with an average award of more than $35,800; over 85 percent of Coe students receive a scholarship.

• Academic success in high school can translate into scholarships at Coe College. Our awards up to full-tuition are valued at more than $155,000 over four years.

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