“where do we begin?” the college search and visit process

“Where do we begin?”

The College Search and Visit Process

Fairfield University

Education For An Inspired Life

Gathering Information

Get an overview of your choices

Develop a ‘short list’

Find out more about your student’s short list Internet, guide books, college fairs, teachers, family/friends Call the College/University

Schedule an appointment with your student’s counselor. Talk with relatives / friends / mentors who have gone through the

process.



What’s Important to You?

Surprise! Students and parents have different priorities sometimes.

Honest discourse about higher education.LocationCostSizeAcademic programs



Characteristics to Consider…

Public vs PrivateSchool & Class SizeFacultyGeographic LocationDistance from Home AthleticsDiversitySocial Activities/Clubs



Admission Criteria Areas of Study Cost Financial Aid Housing Academic Rigor Graduation & Retention Rates

Why visit?Fairfield University


Confirm your research

Demonstrate an interest

See physical surroundings

Make important connections

Get a true ‘feel’ for the school

Before applying vs. after admission

Planning a College Tour

Ideal: “Visit as many schools as possible!”

Identify potential “hurdles”.TransportationFinancesVacationSchool Absences

Reality: “Visit the school(s) you want to most likely consider.”



Types of Visits

Campus Tour – most common Information Sessions Open Houses (Large vs Small) Interviews Day Visits Overnights Athletic Visits “Drive throughs” Internet “visits” Meet professors / coaches Key: Understand what type of visit is most effective for you!



Prep Time: “Preparing for Your Visit”



Encourage your student to take control of this process. How?

Research of the basic information

Confirm reservations and get directions

Start to think about important questions

Know what they’re looking for during a visit. What are the goals?

A prepared student will bring a resume and/or transcript. Unofficial transcripts can be obtained in the high school guidance office.

Relax…

Brainstorm: What to look for?

General University/College InformationStudent body, admissions criteria, financial aid

On-Campus Living/Food ServiceResidential life, cafeteria, parking, etc.

Student Life/AthleticsClubs & organizations, social life, recreation, etc.

Academic LifeClassrooms, professors, course offerings, etc.



Arriving on CampusFairfield University


Check-in first!

Gather printed information: Course catalogues, viewbooks, fee waivers, post graduation reports, etc…

Follow the outlined program

Self-guided tours

The Campus TourFairfield University


Stick to the front of the group and ask your important questions- even if you are embarrassing!

Tour Guide = Student

Picture your student on campus. Picture yourself on parents’ weekend.

How comfortable do you feel on campus?

Afterwards…

Were your questions/concerns addressed?

Do you have new questions?

Who were the people you met with?

Did you make any other significant contacts?

How do you “feel” about the school?



Other Tips & Suggestions

Follow up with counselors / professors / students

Keep a journal

Take pictures/video

2 visit limit/day

Eat on campus

Enjoy the neighborhood





Questions?



Applying for Admission



P.E.A.C.E.• Participate

• Educate

• Agree

• Communicate

• Enjoy

Source : ApplyWiseLLC(applywise.com)



How many colleges should my child apply to?



Working with your child’s counselor

• Partnership

• Schedule an Appointment

• Start Early

• Monitor homework



The Application

• Institutional vs. Common Application

• Application Processes– Early Decision– Early Action– Single Choice Early Action– Regular Decision

• Rolling Admission vs. Deadline



The Transcript

• Typically the most important document

• Official record of all course attempted and grades received

• Rigor of courses

• Number of core subjects

• Senior year courses

• Attendance



The Essay

• Important component

• Opportunity for school to learn more about the applicant

• Brainstorm about possible topics with your child

• Offer to proofread his or her essay

• Don’t be overly critical – the essay is an expression of your child, not you



Standardized Tests

• Types– SAT– ACT– Subject Tests– TOEFL

• When to take them?

• How many times?

• Test optional institutions



Letters of Recommendation• Secondary School Counselor

• Teachers

• Other Educators

• Employer

• Community Figures, Church Leaders



The Resume

• In what activities has your child been involved?

• How long has he/she participated in a particular activity?

• Significant leadership roles

• Special recognitions

• Unique talents and abilities



How Do Colleges Make Their Decisions?• Different schools may take different

approaches

• Multiple reviews

• Admission committee

• Holistic approach

• Demonstrated interest

• Strength of application vs. enrollment objectives



Questions?



How Do I Decide?



Decisions – When will I know?

• Early Action/Early Decision – December– Admit– Defer– Deny

• Rolling Decision – Notified as Decisions are made

• Regular Decision – April– Admit– Conditional Admit– Waitlist– Deny



What Now?

•Visit and Re-Visit–Campus Tours and Information Sessions–Class Visits–Open House Programs–Overnight Visits



What should I ask?• Academic Program & Support

• Residence Life

• Life outside the classroom

• Athletics

• Outcomes



Financial Aid Process

• Most financial aid deadlines fall long before you will hear about a college’s decision, so don’t wait to complete the necessary financial aid forms!

• Colleges assume that the first responsibility for paying for college falls to the student and his/her parents. However, colleges have millions of dollars in aid available to help families with this daunting task.



Applying for Financial Aid

• FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid– www.fafsa.edu.gov– Student and Parents must register for PIN

number– File after January 1 – many colleges require

family to submit by some time in February

http://www.fafsa.edu.gov/



Applying for Financial Aid

• CSS Profile Form – www.collegeboard.com– Additional form required by some private

schools– More comprehensive – includes more assets

but also allows for more allowances– Can be filed after October 1

http://www.collegeboard.com/



Determining Financial Need

• Cost of Attendance – Total cost to attend school – Tuition, Room and Board, Expenses

• Expected Family Contribution – Based on an analysis of all data, measure of how much a family can contribute to a student’s education



Financial NeedCost of Attendance (COA)

Expected Family Contribution (EFC)

=

Eligibility for Need-Based Aid

How that need is met will vary from college to college – hence the importance of comparing financial aid packages



Types of Financial Aid

• Gift Aid– Grants– Scholarships– Aid that a student does not have to work for or

pay back, but there might be some conditions on a scholarship (participation in an activity or academic program)



Types of Financial Aid

• Self Help Aid– Student Loans– Parent Loans– Work Study Grants– Students will work for this aid or be obligated

to pay back any money borrowed.



Additional Documentation

• Tax Returns – Students’ and Parents’– Used to verify information provided in the

FAFSA and CSS Profile Forms

• Business Supplements

• Divorced/Separated Parent Information



Non Need Based Aid

• Merit Scholarships– Offered by college or outside agencies– Policies will vary by school and organization

• Athletic Scholarships– Generally offered at NCAA Division 1 schools

at discretion of coach– Certain academic criteria must be met



Questions?



Contacts


Office of Undergraduate Admission

1073 North Benson Rd

Fairfield, CT 06870

203-254-4100

Lindsay Slattum

Associate Director of Admission

[email protected]

Nakia Noble

Associate Director of Admission

[email protected]

“where do we begin?” the college search and visit process

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