Planning for College:
An Introduction for
Middle School Families
Where do Middle School Students get
Their Ideas about College?
• Home: If family members went to college,
they know where and may be fans.
• School: They often know where teachers went
to college.
• Sports: They know who won the ACC and
NCAA tournaments!
• Friends: They know which colleges their
friends like.
Where do Middle School Students get
Their Ideas about College?
• Like most of us, middle school students
gravitate toward the familiar or the popular
choice, even when thinking about college.
• Are those the only options?
• Are they necessarily the best option? Maybe –
but not in every case!
• The more you know about colleges, the better
you will be equipped to help your student
make the right decision!
TYPES OF COLLEGES
• 195 Colleges and Universities
in North Carolina.
• Types:
–Public – v – Private
–For Profit –v—Not for Profit
–Two-Year –v—Four Year
Public Colleges In NC
• Public colleges are largely funded by the state.
• Two systems of publicly funded Institutions of Higher
Education in NC….
• Your tax dollars go to support the University of North
Carolina system, as well as the NC Community College
system.
• Thus, in-state tuition is cheaper at these schools than
out of state tuition. (At UNC Chapel Hill for 2013-14,
tuition was $8,340 in-state -v- $30,122 out-of-state.
Does not include room and board or fees.)
• 54 community colleges and 16 public universities
Private or Independent Colleges
and Universities
• 36 Independent Colleges and Universities in NC
• Range in size from about 1,700 to 14,512 full-time
students.
• Character of these colleges is as unique and
individual as you and your students!
• Not state funded: Tuition ranges from about
$11,500 at Shaw University to $51,478 at Duke
University. This also does not include room and
board or fees.
• Don’t let the price tag scare you! More about that
later…
For Profit –v- Not for Profit
• All of the colleges we’ve talked about up until now are Not
for Profit institutions. (Nonprofit)
• For Profit schools are private – not government funded.
• Include some where you can earn four year degrees or
even Masters Degrees, like DeVry and ECPI.
• Many offer shorter courses, like Kings College in Charlotte
or UTI Nascar Technical Institute in Mooresville.
• Some are online only.
• In most cases, students can still receive Federal Financial
Aid and may receive scholarships.
• Why might a student choose one of these? Shorter
programs. Specialized instruction. Convenience. Online or
distance learning. Quick path into a high-demand field.
Two Year—v—Four Year
• Two year colleges include community colleges,
junior colleges and two year or less for-profit
institutes.
• These colleges generally offer two year
Associates Degrees designed for transfer to a
four year school, two year Associates in
Applied Science Degrees not intended for
transfer, one year diplomas and certificates.
Two Year—v—Four Year
• Four year colleges include public universities
and private colleges and universities.
• So-called four year colleges offer bachelors
Degrees (usually four years), Masters Degrees
(which require prior completion of a bachelors
degree), Doctoral programs and professional
programs (med school, law school, vet school,
dentistry, etc…)
How do we choose?
• Research! The more you know, the better
decision you can make.
1. College Web Sites
2. Princeton Review, College Board and other
college information web sites and publications.
3. CFNC.org – my personal favorite starting point
4. Talk to experts – current students or alumni
4. Campus visits – a critical step!
Learn about Yourself
• His he or she more comfortable on a small
campus, or a large one?
• Sports? Either as a participant or spectator.
• Special activities or interests?
• Geographic region? Big city or small town?
• Close to home or far away?
• What careers interest your student? Choosing a
college that offers your major can save a lot of
money and time!
What do colleges want from you?
• Selectivity: Open Door to Highly Selective, and
everything in between.
• In general… most selective colleges look for:
- Students who have taken the strongest academic
course load available to them.
- Students who have made good grades in those
courses
- Standardized test scores like the SAT or ACT. Why?
Because it works! (But there are a few exceptions,
called “test optional,” like Lees-McRae and Wake
Forest.)
What Do Colleges Want from You?
• Demonstrated Commitment to Service – Looking for
students who want to make the world a better place, who
care, who know how to recognize a need and fix it.
• Capacity for Leadership – Students who are motivated,
active leaders in their community; who know how to
organize a task and motivate others to get involved.
• Learning Outside the Classroom – Students who have taken
part in summer programs, projects, experiences not
required for school.
• Special talents – Athletes, artists, writers, etc; those who
can fill a specific role on campus.
• Students with Passion – Students who care deeply about a
subject of activity and can demonstrate their commitment.
How do Colleges Measure These less
Tangible Traits?
• Essays: For applications, for Honors programs,
for Scholarships
• Activity Resumes – to be uploaded or mailed.
• Activity lists – completed on each application
• Letters of Recommendation – From faculty
members, coaches, volunteer service
supervisors.
• Interviews – Students should be prepared!
How does IB Help?
• IB is internationally recognized as one of the most rigorous
courses of study in the world.
• Personal Project is a great way to demonstrate passion and
service.
• Colleges know if you can complete the IB Diploma, you
have a statistically much greater chance of finishing college
successfully.
• Higher rate of acceptance at selective colleges and
universities for IB Diploma candidates.
• In many cases, higher rates of acceptance for “some IB”
(MYP Certificate).
• Some colleges offer specific IB Scholarships.
• More on our web site under “Why IB?”
Process
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Begin visiting colleges as soon as you can. It’s never too early to focus on the
future.
Remember that every grade counts in high school! Beginning in the ninth grade.
Begin developing a list of college possibilities.
Prepare for standardized tests (PSAT, ACT PLAN, followed by SAT or ACT).
Take those tests! Several times if needed.
By 11th grade, the college list should be refined to those to which you have a
serious interest.
By Summer before Senior year, list should include one or two top choice “dream”
schools, one to three second choice schools, and one or two schools where you
believe your student could get in and be happy.
Apply to those schools. Remember, application fees are between $20 and $85
dollars… so your budget may determine how many you apply to!
Free lunch students may get up to three fee waivers to use at selected schools.
College Application Week – many colleges offer no fee this week. Usually October
or November of senior year through CFNC.org.
Applying for College
• Fall of the Senior Year
• You should have already done your ACT/SATs, but may still
retest if needed or desired.
• Be sure to meet deadlines!
• Early Decision/early action—v—Binding early decision.
• Scholarship deadlines, too! Many colleges require
scholarship candidates to apply earlier.
• Communicate regularly with your High school guidance
counselor and your college admissions counselor (Students
should always initiate contact with colleges… not parents!
Colleges consider students to be adults and expect them to
take the initiative.)
• Follow all steps required by each college.
Resources for Families
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Your High School Guidance Office
CFNC.org
College Web Sites
College Admissions Counselors
Testing Service Web Sites
A.S.P.I.R.E – “Free” 30-day ACT/SAT prep course
from NC State University (CVCC)
• Pre-college summer programs for students
• Paid Services
Paying for College
• Just because a college’s initial price tag is
higher (independent colleges), don’t
automatically rule them out.
• Types of Aid:
1. Need-based grants
2. Merit based scholarships
3. Alternative Financing
Financial Aid 101
• Next Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at 6 pm in the
Northview Media Center.
• Please join us then!
Questions?