Looking for the Fit,
Not the Brand:
College Search 101
Shelly Johnson, M. Ed., LPC, NCC
PHS 11th Grade Counselor
205.682.5603/s3johnson@shelbyed.k12.al.us/@phspanthercc
http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/phhs-counseling
Original material borrowed from Kathy Leaver (former SCS Gifted Ed), Bobby Deavers (OMHS) & Pat Holder (OMHS)
Edited and Updated for PHS Juniors of 2013-2014
Why College?
Expand knowledge and skills
Improve written and oral communication skills
Grasp abstract content and theory
Increase global awareness
Experience self-discovery
Potentially earn higher income (current job
market concerns aside)
Chosen career path requires degree
Common Excuses
“I can’t afford it.”
“Nobody in my family has ever gone to
college.”
“I don’t know how to apply or where to go.”
“I don’t know what I want to do with my life.”
“College is too hard for me.”
“I just won’t fit in.”
“My GPA is too low.”
“My ACT score is too low.”
Research College Choices…
Ask some questions…
 Does the college offer the major(s)
you are considering?
 What size institution would
be the best fit?
 What type of environment?
Region of the country, city size,
weather, convenience of travel?
 What about costs? And scholarships? AND…
CAN YOU GAIN ADMISSION?
Do Your College Homework…

College guidebooks and surveys

Web search engines-Google, etc.


College publications & web pages
College DVD visits

Admission rep visits, college fairs

College & Career Fair: Th, 9/12, 7-9 PM at PHS

Resources in the Counseling Center
Try to narrow the list to 3-5 colleges by the
beginning of your senior year. Try to visit MOST/
ALL of those colleges—via DVD or web-based tours,
if not in person.
Public v. Private
Public Colleges/Universities
– Institutions in a given state that are largely
funded by state tax monies
– Usually easier for students to be admitted
– Out-of-state refers to colleges outside state of
residence (Tuition is usually higher and
entrance requirements are sometimes more
stringent)
– Examples: UA, AU, UAB, TU, UM, FSU, UT
Public v. Private
Private Colleges/Universities
– Supported by tuition, endowment, and
donations from alumni and friends
– Usually more expensive than public
colleges but depends on the school
– Some are more selective but depends
on the school
– Examples: Birmingham Southern,
Samford, Vanderbilt, Duke
What Factors Do Colleges Consider?
Test Scores (ACT and/or SAT)
Grades (in appropriately challenging college-prep courses)
Strength of curriculum (AP, Honors, Dual Enrollment, etc.)
And sometimes…
Essays (Follow directions and proof, proof, proof!)
Recommendation Letters (Don’t wait till the last minute
and expect a great letter. Plan ahead for who and when.)
Extracurricular Interests/Community Service
(Laundry list resumes’ are easy to spot and not very credible.
So is “service for resume building.” Focus on 3-5 things.)
The College Application Process
Apply online at the college’s website and/or use
Common App.
Pay application fee, if applicable.
Complete the transcript request form.
Request ACT/SAT directly from ACT or
CollegeBoard (SAT). To be official, scores must
come from the testing company.
Allow for timely completion of letters of
recommendation, if needed.
Complete essay/schedule interview, if needed.
Making the Application Stand Out…
 What is an appropriate number of schools for you to
apply to? Think about application fees!
 Be mindful of deadlines.
 Treat this as a homework project. Care should be given
to the accuracy of the application.
 Complete the on-line application form. Always make a hard
copy of anything submitted!
 Essay required? Give it proper attention!
 Understand various kinds of admission decisions,
what they mean AND require, i.e. Early Decision,
Early Action, Deferral, Wait List, etc.
The Common Application
“Common App”--www.commonapp.org
This is an admission application that is accepted
by over 400 colleges & universities.
Students, counselors and teachers complete
their sections online.
Once completed, the application will be sent to
selected colleges.
Colleges may have additional supplemental
pages to be completed.
Early Action
A non-binding early admission program
Students apply early (usually Oct/Nov)
Students receive early response (usually
Dec/Jan)
Students are not restricted to one college
Early Decision
Binding early admission program
Students can submit only 1 early decision
application
Receive decision as early as Nov 1st of
senior year
If offered admission, student must
withdraw all other applications
Deferred Admission
College decision is delayed until:
– the college has seen its full applicant
pool
– additional testing/grade information is
received
– Letter of recommendation is received, if
needed or requested
Wait List
Colleges’ process of initially delaying or
denying admission
Colleges extend the possibility of
admission in the future
Based on number of regularly admitted
students accepting their offers
Students may choose whether or not to
remain on the “Wait List”
Competitive Schools and/or Competitive
Scholarships = Interviews and Essays…
Many selective schools require an admission essay.
Many special programs and scholarships require essays and
interviews.
The more selective the school, the more likely a student will
benefit by scheduling an interview IF he/she is well-prepared
and polished!
BUT…
the quality of an interview and/or an essay
will nearly ALWAYS affect scholarship
amounts —positively or negatively,
it’s up to YOU!!!
College Essays
Tells a story only the you can tell
Allows the reader to get to know you in ways
other than the rest of the application
Illustrates uniqueness
Provides an example of writing and
communication skills
Provides window to personality, values & goals
Consider taking Competitive Writing (with Ms. Nolen)
The Interview
Allows the college, special program or
scholarship committee to learn more about
YOU
Provides opportunity for face-to-face
communication
Allows YOU to assess their “fit”
Could be held on campus or in the
community
Practice, practice, practice
Special Opportunities
Honors Programs/Early Professional School
Admission Programs
Cooperative Programs (Co-op)
Internships
Student Designed Majors
Study Away
Academic Common Market - study in a
specialized field at an out-of-state college, while
paying in-state tuition rates
STARS – 2-yr college transfer agreement
OK, Now What?
APPLY & SEND TRANSCRIPTS
Summer before senior year is better. Fall may be okay. Later may be
too late, depending on the school and situation. (A common final
deadline is December 1.)
Take the ACT, SAT (Either one, or both—more than once!)
Consider taking the PSAT (Register in CC 9/16-10/4;10/16 test)
Consider taking a prep course for the ACT, SAT, &/or PSAT
(Free or cheap ones available. PHS will host ACT prep in October and April.)
Check grades to see if you meet requirements for admission
Register with NCAA Eligibility Center, if applicable
Research scholarship/financial aid possibilities
Create a resume
Get organized
Keep a calendar; maintain a log and folder; make copies of everything sent
Don’t let up! Colleges will check back for your final transcript.
A Big Question…
How Will We PAY for College?
 What types of financial aid are available?
Scholarships – Grants – Work programs – Loans

What is the FAFSA and what does it do?

Will financial aid pay for my education?

Many opportunities to learn this year!
September 12th – Scholarship Q & A session, at College & Career Fair
October 8th – College/Scholarship Workshop – sign-up required
Morning mini-sessions in library – sign up required; more info to follow
Financial Aid Workshop in January – no sign-up necessary
Start now! Research the options, apply early,
expect college to be a major investment!
Sign Letter “G”
What is a federal grant?
Grants are “free money” for
which students qualify because
of demonstrated financial need.
Remember. . . Grants are Great!
– PELL Grant does not have to be re-paid
Qualification is very limited
Maximum PELL Grant for 2013-14 ranged from a low
of just over $600 to a maximum of $5635
– FSEOG Grant also does not have to be re-paid
Preference goes to PELL recipients
What About Loans?
– Federal Perkins Student Loan (5%)
(not all schools participate)
– Stafford Direct Student Loans (2 types)
*Subsidized (3.86%) is need-based and the government
pays the interest while the student is enrolled at
least ½ time
* Unsubsidized (3.86%) is not need-based, but interest is
not deferred; interest accrues quarterly while in school
http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans
– PLUS (Parent) Loans (6.41% plus 4.204% orig. fee)
Remember: Loans that make your “1st choice” college a
viable option are an excellent investment. However, be
prudent and take out only what you need.
Loans, continued…
Eligibility and Loan amounts
•
Regular student enrolled at least 1/2 time
•
Subsidized Stafford Student Loans are available to
dependent undergraduate students as follows:
$5500 - first year maximum
$6500 - second year maximum
$7500 - junior and senior year maximum
Loan eligibility amounts increase as you demonstrate
your ability to progress successfully through college.
Federally Funded Work-Study…
– Federal Work Study Program provides jobs for students
with financial need.
– Considered financial aid because the government pays
75% of the student’s salary and the college pays 25%.
– The program encourages community service work and work
related to course of study.
– Jobs pay at least minimum wage.
– Students are paid by the hour, in regular pay periods.
– Jobs are available both on- and off-campus.
Studies show college students who work
10-14 hours per week have higher GPAs
and are more likely to graduate.
How the Government Determines
Financial Need Is NOT Magic…
 Government-funded financial aid is awarded on the
basis of something called “Demonstrated Financial Need”
 A formula from the Federal Government determines your
financial need, NOT the individual college!
 Your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is used as part of the
calculation for financial aid
A simplified version of the formula:
Cost of the college
-
EFC (Expected Family Contribution)
= Demonstrated Financial Need
Curious to know your approximate EFC?
The Federal Government has a form you
can complete that gives you an
“early estimate” of your EFC
based on the current year’s
income and assets to help
you make projections for
NEXT year. Go to…
http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov/
Web Sites to Help in the
Search for Scholarships
www.fastweb.com
www.collegetoolkit.com
www.collegeboard.com
AND… Some great starting points for all things
college: GOOGLE or BING!
Search with phrases that are specific to you and
your interests, i.e. “college scholarships for male
nursing majors” etc.
After you’ve been admitted and
received financial aid, what’s next ??
 Confirm the details of your enrollment
 Reserve space in the residence hall or at off-campus housing
 Health forms/vaccination requirements
Measles and meningitis vaccinations are likely required
Consider: Tetanus booster and others as appropriate
 Additional needs to be met?
 Academic accommodations
 Special physical/dietary needs
 Accept financial aid offers before deadlines and no later
than May 1!
Do not endanger your good work up to this point by
missing important deadlines!
Resources
https://www.twitter.com/phspanthercc
http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/phhs-counseling/
http://www.shelbyed.k12.al.us/studentresources/scholars
hip.html
http://podcasts.shelbyed.k12.al.us/kleaver/
http://www.actstudent.org
http://www.collegeboard.com
http://www.freetestprep.com
http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
http://www.fastweb.com
http://www.cappex.com
http://stars.troy.edu (example)
http://www.nacacnet.org