Exploring College Options

College is a match to be made, not a prize to be won!

Agenda The college search Where have EPHS students gone to

college? Hidden Gems How to make the most of a college visit Creating a spreadsheet

Keep in mind: More than 4000 schools; lots to explore; only so much time!

Things to know about the college search and admissions Most colleges let in most students

72% of students across the country are admitted to their first choice college – CIRP Freshman Survey

The admissions office is there to help students – students can call and email for answers not easily found elsewhere

The exploration process can take time!

The application process can be simple and quick or complicated and time-consuming, depending on the college

There are many great colleges with excellent reputations that you haven’t heard of – yet.

Where to begin – assess yourself Student self-assessment:

What classes do you like? What do you like to do in your free time? How do you learn best?

Considering college options: Geography Size – consider small too! Location – City/suburb/small town/cornfield

Be ready to change your mind about what you like/want

Searching for schools#1 – VISIT, VISIT, VISIT

Start local – take notes (parents as scribe?) Schedule an actual visit – easily done online Visit a class/department Eat in the student union

#2 Things to think about – Size? Location? What degree programs are offered? What are the students like? What do students do when they aren’t in class? –

Greek life, sports, clubs, etc. What percentage of students are admitted? What

is the profile of admits? Graduation rates/career placement

My Favorite Tools to Use Fiske Guide – book! Great descriptions

College Navigator – Dept of Ed website THE single best source of data about

schools Admissions information – ACT, Admit Rates Net Price and Financial Aid/Scholarship Program - # of graduates per major Graduation Rates Safety data

Book of Majors – in the CRC

Naviance College Search – the boring one

Other Great Tools (handout)Websites with Student Feedback-

College Confidential Cappex Zinch Unigo Niche

Data driven sites – College Insight College Board’s Big Future

EPHS College Choices

EP students are well prepared for college

Students attend a range of schools from very selective and national to academically accessible and regional

College is a “match to be made not a prize to be won”

There are paths to your success wherever you go to college

95% of the class is attending a 2 or 4 year college  Of those, 83% are attending 4 year colleges and

17% are attending 2 year colleges Class of 2015 students are at 154 schools in 38

states 16 students joined the military Another 3 students are attending military

academies – 2 at West Point and 1 at the Naval Academy

6 students took a gap year 55% are attending school in MN 25% are attending private schools       75% are attending public schools      

Class of 2015

1. University of Minnesota (107 students)

2. Normandale  (83 students)           3. Iowa State University (46 students)        4. University of Minnesota Duluth (29 students)          

5. University of St Thomas (25 students)          6. Minnesota State University

Mankato (23 students)          7. University of Wisconsin Madison (22 students)          

8. Hennepin Technical College (19 students)          9. St. Johns University/ St. Ben's (17 students)       10. St. Cloud State University (14 students)                 

Top 10 EPHS Colleges 2015

Other EPHS College Choices American University (Washington, DC) Augsburg College (TC) Baylor University (Texas) Boston College (Massachusetts) Bowdoin College (Maine) Bradley University (Illinois) Case Western Reserve University (Ohio) Coe College (Iowa) Creighton University (Nebraska) Drake University (Iowa) E,F,G….

Beth’s list of “Hidden” Gems Engaging, vibrant schools Known for quality education Admissions rates of 50% or higher Range of sizes Partial list! This is a treasure hunt – what

gems can you find? Look for “Crossover” schools

Bradley University (Peoria, IL) 5200 undergrads, 92% placement in field of study; strong engineering, health professions and Sports Communications; Avg ACT – 25; Avg GPA ?; 70% of applicants admitted

Cornell College (Mt. Vernon, IA) 1100 students, Top tier liberal arts, colleges that change lives, best values in education; One course at a time for 3.5 weeks; 23-29ACT; 3.3-40GPA; 43% accepted

Baylor University (Waco, TX) 12,500 undergrads; top 100 universities; best buy school; strong athletics; 26 AVG ACT; ? AVG GPA; engineering, business; 50% accepted

University of Minnesota, Morris; 1900 undergrads; A+ schools for B students; focused on sustainability and environmental research; access to UM research funding; award winning teachers; 50%+ study abroad; 25AVG ACT; 3.6 AVG GPA; 62% admitted

Creighton University (Omaha, Nebraska); 4200 undergrads; #1 midwest regional university; strong health science and business; division I athletics; 94% get scholarships; 78% accepted

Drake University (Des Moines, IA); 3500 undergrads; top ranked regional university; 80% of students leave with at least one internship; 97% placement rate; 27 – AVG ACT; 3.6 AVG GPA; 63% accepted

Butler University (Indianapolis, IN); 4000 undergrads; top ranked regional university; near Indianapolis - a great city for jobs for young adults; Division I athletics; 84% receive scholarships or grants; 25-31 ACT; 3.5-4.0 GPA; 66% accepted

Case Western Reserve (Cleveland, OH); 4000 undergrads and 6000 grad students; strong engineering, science and pre-med as well as liberal arts and art; leading research institution; 29-33ACT; 50% acceptance rate

University of Missouri (Columbia, MO); 27,000 undergrads; world class broadcast and journalism programs; strong business school; potential for in-state tuition after 1 year; division I sports; very accessible admissions; 82% acceptance rate

Lawrence University (Appleton, WI); 1500 students, all undergrads; liberal arts + conservatory of music; 60% of classes have a single student; 100% placement into med school; test optional; top 50 liberal arts college; 97% of students get financial or merit aid; 76% accepted

Sarah Lawrence College(Bronxville, NY); 1300 undergrads; lowest student faculty ratio in the country; weekly one on one conferences with professors; 15 miles from Manhattan; senior year internships; test optional; 80% of students get some form of aid; 63% accepted

Other ways to learn about colleges 200+ college visits in the CRC – often by

the reader of the applications College Fair – March 17th 6-8pm at EPHS College Fair – March 14th 6-8pm at

Minnetonka High School Minnesota Private College Week – June

20-June 24, 2016 Wisconsin Private College Week – July 11-

16 Iowa Private College Week – 1st week of

August

College app spreadsheet Start one now!! Add and subtract schools, but keep

track of the requirements and deadlines Find a sample on the CRC website

Other resources Binder with EP college choices at front

desk Your counselors CRC