Preparing for and picking a College

Micaela DesmondUniversity of Central Missouri

What do colleges expect?

• College Prep Certificate–Many colleges require additional courses

• Stay involved–Well rounded student– Athletics and organizations

• Take your ACT!!– Scholarship and admittance

What about college athletes?

• Junior year performance• Offers senior year• Complete inquiries• Send information• NCAA.org• Pick a division

How do I pick a school?

• What do you want?• What is important to you?• What major do you want?

Endless Options

• Location• Size• Programs• Public and Private• Financial Aid

Location

• In state or out of state– Tuition agreement

• Close to home or far away• Commute or live on campus• Small Town or Big City

Campus Living

Size

Small• Small classes• Personalized attention• Individualized

programs• Fewer programs• Fewer activities and

sports

Large• Many programs• Strong sports• More facilities• Large classes• Less personalized

What is there to do?

• Student Activities• Athletics– Collegiate– Intermural

• Organizations– Academic and Personal Interest

Programs

• What do I want to major in?• Do they have my major?• Do they have other majors I am

interested in?• Do they have an undecided

option?• Are they accredited?• What is their learning style?

Public vs. Private

• Cost• Regulations• Religion • Scholarships

Average Costs

• $3,000 - $4,000

Community Colleges

• $13,500 - $16,000

Public Colleges and Universities

• $15,205University of

Central Missouri

• $25,000 - $60,000

Private Colleges and Universities

Financial Aid

Gift= Grants and Scholarships

Work Study= Earned

Loans= Must Repay

What is Need Based?

• – Federal and state grants (free money)

• – Work-Study (earned aid)• – Subsidized student loans (repay)

• Need-based aid:

• –College and state-funded scholarships

• – Unsubsidized student loans• – Parent loans (repay)

• Non-need-based aid:

Time for some True/False

True or False

The costs of a collegeeducation just aren’t worth it.

False

• Fact: A 4-year college graduate earns almost $1 million more than a high school graduate.

• Other benefits include:– More job opportunities– Greater knowledge– Broadened perspectives

What 1 Million dollars looks like

True or False

I need to pay a service to find scholarships for college.

False

• Fact: Most are free.

• Fact: Nobody can guarantee a scholarship.

• If it sounds too good to be true, it might be a scam! Fafsa.com

• Free searches: – www.fastweb.com

What are Scholarships?

• Scholarships do not have to be paid back.

• Demonstrate achievement in:

- Keep track of your accomplishments. START NOW!

• Scholarships are awarded by the college or other organizations (churches, corporations, etc.)

Academics Athletics The Arts Communi

ty service

True or False

Student loans are for school if I graduate I wont have to pay

them back.

False

• Fact: Student loans are debt but you are increasing your earnings potential.

• Fact: Student loan repayments are manageable.

• Fact: There are loan forgiveness programs.

• Fact: Defaulting on a student loan (or any loan) is bad. They can garnish your wages!

They must be repaid.

Most Important

• Visit visit visit• See the campus• Meet the departments• Safety• Campus atmosphere• Would you buy a car without driving

it?

Recap

• Stay on track• Stay involved• Take your ACT• Start researching schools• Look at scholarships and costs• Start visiting