PACED Decision
Making Model
BESSIE MOORE CENTER FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION
DR. RITA LITTRELL
What’s an Education Really Worth
High School
Graduate/GED
Some College/
Professional
Training
Bachelor’s
Degree
Graduate
School
Student Profiles

Maria Montez

LaQuanta Laney

Todd Taylor

Mark May

Rodney Roark

Elizabeth (Elly) England
P
– Define Problem
A – List Alternative
C – Determine Criteria
E – Evaluate Alternatives
D – Make a Decision
Where to Study in Arkansas?

Four-Year Public Colleges

Four-Year Private Colleges

Technical Schools

Two-Year Colleges
ARKANSAS COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES:
4 Year Public Universities
4 Year Independent Universities

Arkansas State University

Arkansas Baptist College

Arkansas Tech University

Central Baptist College

Henderson State University

Crowley’s Ridge College

Southern Arkansas University
Harding University

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith

Hendrix College

University of Arkansas at Little Rock


University of Arkansas at Monticello

John Brown University

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Lyon College

University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences

Ouachita Baptist University

Philander Smith College

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

University of the Ozarks

University of Central Arkansas

Williams Baptist College
ARKANSAS COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES:
2 Year Public Universities

Phillips Community College of the
University of Arkansas
Arkansas State University – Mountain Home

Pulaski Technical College

Arkansas State University – Newport

Rich Mountain Community College

Black River Technical College

South Arkansas Community College

Cossatot Community College of the University of
Arkansas

Southeast Arkansas College

College of the Ouachitas

Southern Arkansas University – Tech

East Arkansas Community College


Mid-South Community College
University of Arkansas Community
College at Batesville
National Park Community College


University of Arkansas Community
College at Hope

North Arkansas College


Northwest Arkansas Community College
University of Arkansas Community
College at Morrilton

Ozarka College

Arkansas Northeastern College

Arkansas State University – Beebe

Possible College Criteria:

Majors offered & Accreditation

Location (e.g., close to home, urban or suburban)

Affordability (a combination of costs and aid)

Size

Faculty to Student Ratio

Campus Activities (e.g., theater, symphony, Greek Life)

Prestige

Graduation Rate

Admission Standards

Athletics

Graduate School Opportunities

Career Center Success
Where are the Jobs?

Health Care - $62, 210

Entrepreneurship – varies

Technology - $63,070 for computer systems analyst


$73,550 for software developers

$102,670 for information systems managers
Education - $44,580 for elementary
What They Pay?
 If
you want to be a ___________ in
Arkansas, you’ll make $_____.
Where Can I Study My Chosen
Degree?
PACED Decision Making Model Worksheet:
Define the Problem: Where to study higher education?
Determine the
Criteria 1:
Criteria 2:
Criteria 3:
Criteria 4:
Criteria 5:
Criteria 6:
Criteria:
Cost
Program of
study
Location
Graduation Rate
Student to
Faculty ratio
??
List Alternatives:
Value of
Criteria 1:
Value of
Criteria 2:
Value of
Criteria 3:
Value of
Criteria 5:
Value of
Criteria 6:
Value of
Criteria 4:
Alternative 1:
University of Arkansas
Alternative 2:
Arkansas State University
Alternative 3:
Phillips County
Community College
Alternative 4:
????
Alternative 5:
????
Make a Decision:
Note Opportunity Costs:
Evaluate
Alternatives:
Paying for College
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Fill out the FAFSA
Apply for the Arkansas Academic Scholarship
Apply for scholarships from your college of choice
Search and apply for other scholarships
Use the YOUniversal form
1.
20 scholarships with just one application
2.
Mobile application
Arkansas Governor’s Scholars Program
1.
Governor’s Distinguished Scholars - $10,000/year
1.
2.
32 ACT; 3.5 GPA; or National Achievement Finalist or National Merit Finalist
Governor’s Scholars - $4000/year
Student Loans:

Should be last resort

Research to get the best ones
 Beware
of Debt!!!!
5 Nontraditional Ways to Pay for
College
1.
Begin at a community college
2.
Find a work study program
3.
Become a resident assistant
4.
Pursue an accelerated degree
5.
Join the military
What Degree is Right for You?
Write the letter of your best answer. You can include your second choice also.
1.
What’s your favorite subject in school?
a)
Music or Drama
b)
Political Science or History
c)
Economics or Speech
d)
Wood Shop or Art
e)
Anything math – or science-related
f)
Biology or Health
g)
P.E. or high school sports
What Degree is Right for You?
Write the letter of your best answer. You can include your second choice also.
2. Which statement best describes you?
a)
You love being the center of attention.
b)
You like participating in all the extracurricular activities you can.
c)
You have a lot of hobbies and interests.
d)
you love making or fixing things – then showing them off.
e)
You have to have the latest gadgets as soon as they’re released.
f)
You enjoy volunteering, helping those in need and taking care of
your siblings when they're sick.
g)
You love to be active and seek recreation and/o9r athletic
activities often.
What Degree is Right for You?
Write the letter of your best answer. You can include your second choice also.
3. How do you plan to spend your next summer vacation?
a)
I’ll be performing at the community theater.
b)
I’ll be campaigning for a local politician.
c)
I’ll work part-time and read everything on my summer reading list.
d)
I’ll be helping my dad restore the old car in the driveway.
e)
I’ll be blogging and building up my Twitter followers.
f)
I’ll be volunteering with a local nonprofit or going on a mission trip.
g)
I’ll be playing sports, swimming and staying active.
What Degree is Right for You?
Write the letter of your best answer. You can include your second choice also.
4. Who do you admire most?
a)
Justin Beiber
b)
Barack Obama
c)
Oprah Winfrey
d)
Your parents
e)
Bill Gates
f)
Mother Teresa
g)
Michael Phelps
What Degree is Right for You?
Write the letter of your best answer. You can include your second choice also.
5. Your dream job is to…
a)
Be a celebrity
b)
Make a difference in the world.
c)
Own your own business.
d)
Create things.
e)
Invent new gadgets.
f)
Heal people and serve others.
g)
Not be stuck behind a desk all day.
If you answered mostly A’s:
So you want to be the next big star on TV, on the radio, in the movies or
on the stage? Go for it at an Arkansas college or university!
Degrees to consider:

Theatre

Radio Broadcasting/TV Production

Music Performance

Broadcast Journalism
If you answered mostly B’s:
Your goal is to impact change in the world. Maybe you’ll seek justice in the
courtroom, work to protect the environment, create new laws in Washington,
D.C., or maybe you’ll keep the nation informed with your news stories.
Degrees to consider:

Law

Political Science

Journalism

Criminal Justice

Wildlife Management or Ecology

Sociology

Philosophy
If you answered mostly C’s:
Your natural gravitation to the role of leader in group assignments or in student
clubs proves you’re on the track for a young businessman or businesswoman –
maybe even a future entrepreneur.
Degrees to consider:

Business

Accounting

Economics

Public Relations

Marketing

Human Resource Development
If you answered mostly D’s:
You’re a creative type who has a knack for art and design. Or maybe
carpentry or cooking is more you thing. Either way, you love having
something tangible to show off after an assignment – something that truly
represents you and your talents.
Degrees to consider:

Art

Interior Design

Architecture

Automotive Technology

Construction Management

Culinary Arts

Graphic Design

Cosmetology

Welding
If you answered mostly E’s:
Do you love dissecting computers or working on cars, or are you fascinated by
the inner workings of electronics? A career in science and technology might
suit you.
Degrees to consider:

Computer Science or Programming

Physics

Industrial Electricity

Civil Engineering

Chemistry

Automotive Technology

Aviation
If you answered mostly F’s:
It’s like you were born to help and care for others. You’re fascinated by medical
mysteries and are always working for a good cause. You just can’t stop caring –
and that’s a good thing!
Degrees to consider:








Elementary Education
Hospitality
Pre-Med
Nursing
Emergency Medical Technology/Paramedic
Dental Hygiene
Occupational Therapy
Social Work
If you answered mostly G’s:
You can’t stand to sit in front of the TV, but if you have to, sports are all you
watch. Of course, you’d rather be playing basketball with your friends or
training for that half-marathon, but reading up on the best ways to stay fit and
eat healthy are important too.
Degrees to consider:

Kinesiology

Recreation & Sport Management

Physical Therapy

Athletic Training

Exercise Science

Nutrition
ACT or SAT
ACT = American
College Testing
SAT = Scholastic Aptitude Test
Determine which test is right for you.
Despite the differences between the two neither the ACT nor the SAT is
more likely to produce a greater score. The best way to choose a test is to
investigate each to determine which is right for you.
ACT Practice
1.
Sales for a business were $3 million more the second
year than the first, and sales for the third year were
double the sales for the second year. If sales for the
third year were $38 million, what were sales, in millions of
dollars, for the first year?
A.
16
B.
17.5
C.
20.5
D.
22
E.
35
SAT Practice
1.
Subservient is most nearly opposite in meaning to
A.
Raucous
B.
Onerous
C.
Commanding
D.
Illustrious
Campus Visits

Schedule in advance

Check out places of little interest – you may be surprised!

Speak Up!

Bring Your Parents – this is a family decision

Scout Out the Dorms – would you like to live there?

Locate the Essentials

Go Social

Stick Around

Have Fun!
The Volunteer Advantage

Giving back to others w

ill give you joy

And boost your resume!
Social Network To-Do List
DO

Be aware of what’s public.

Assume that once you’ve posted
it, it’s online (and findable) forever.
DON’T

Safeguard personal information.

Post things you might regret.

Use good grammar and spelling.

Over share personal information.

Follow pages that’ll demonstrate
your academic/career interests.

Tolerate bullying.

Forget common sense.

Ignore networking opportunities.