Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling

www.mn-acac.org

MACAC supports education professionals (HS & College) as they guide students & families in the postsecondary education planning process. We advocate for policies & programs that benefit our members & those students & families whom we serve at local, regional

& national levels.

Dan Tomhave, Bethany Lutheran College, MACAC President:

dtomhave@d.umn.edu

Chris Franken, Eastview High School ,MACAC Past President: Chris.Franken@district196.org

Craig Dodson, Breck School, MACAC President Elect :

craig.dodson@breckschool.org

Minnesota Association for College Admission Counseling

www.mn-acac.org

Inclusion, Access, and Success Committee Tri- Chairs: Purpose of the IAS committee is to advocate & recommend strategies that promote sensitivity to human differences & expansion of equal access to postsecondary educational opportunities for all students.

Laura Favreau, Senior Admissions Counselor, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities

Committee Co-chair: lauraf@umn.edu

Samantha Savoie, Assistant Director of Admission, St. Catherine University

Committee Co-chair: shsavoie@stkate.edu

An Important Policy Issue

• Six out of every ten jobs in our economy depend on workers with at least a two-year college degree.

• A shortage of 14 million college-educated workers is predicted by 2020.

• Despite extensive financial aid expenditures, the gap between low-income and high-income students attending college today is roughly the same as that participation gap in the 1960s.

• Improving academic preparation for college and ensuring affordability, especially for low-income students and students of color, has widespread support from researchers, policymakers, and advocates.

Underrepresentation

College Enrollment rates:• First-generation students - 59% • Students with parent with a 4-year degree - 93%

• African-American, Latino and Native American students are still significantly underrepresented in college in general and in four-year colleges in particular.

• Rural students, despite better high school graduation rates, enroll in college at rates 6% lower than the national average, and 8% lower than their metropolitan counterparts.

Underrepresentation

Families As College Preparation Partners• Family encouragement is key to stimulating students

forming college plans by 8th grade

• Family support and early educational plans predict students

– 1) developing and maintaining college aspirations

– 2) sustaining motivation and academic achievements

– 3) actual college enrollment

• Consistent communication among students, parents, and school personnel predicts increased enrollment in college

• Parents need to have an accurate understanding of college costs and the financial aid system

NACAC Resource – Guiding the Way to Higher Education

• Step-by-Step: College Awareness and Planning for Families, Counselors and Communities

• 3 separate curriculums – middle school, early high school, late high school – Parent/Guardian Workshops– Financial Aid Parent/ Guardian Workshops– Spanish Powerpoints Available

Step-by-Step to College

• 45-60 minute student centered lesson plans with optional parent sessions

• Sequential program • Middle School - grades 7 and 8• Early High School - grades 9, 10, and first

semester grade 11• Late High School - second semester of

grade 11 and grade 12

Middle School Curriculum

• Challenge students to see college admissions and attendance as a goal

• Help students assess their interests, strengths, and academic habits

• Explain concepts about college options and financial aid

Middle School Curriculum

• Provide a template for building a college preparatory curriculum

• Encourage students to build a profile and support network to help them reach their college goals

Middle School Curriculum

– College Bound Bingo (pg. 94) : First Activity

Early High School Curriculum

• Instill the belief that college is accessible and affordable

• Demonstrate ways for students to build a strong curricular and extracurricular foundation

• Develop an understanding of and a plan for standardized testing

Early High School Curriculum

• Promote the need for self-motivation and a network of adult mentors

• Assess career interests and aspirations as a way to research college options

Early High School Curriculum

• Activites

– Beach Ball Toss

– Long Term Dreams / Goals (pg. 96)

– Curriculum Planning (pg.120-122)

– Understanding the Big Picture (pg.139-143)

Late High School Curriculum

• Develop a strategic plan for the college search and application process and the transition to college

• Review standardized test questions and schedule test dates

• Provide more in-depth analysis of career interests

Late High School Curriculum

• Guide students through the application and essay process

• Walk students through the financial aid process

Early / Late High School Curriculum

• Activity : The Great Sorting Game (pgs. 289-300)

• Use discretion with group age, ability and environment with activities

Early / Late High School Curriculum• Sample Worksheet

– Understanding Standardized Testing (pg. 220)

– How to Use your School Counselor (pg. 215-216)

Current Uses of Step-by-Step

• High School Counselors– For College Tours / College Fairs : give each student

a copy of the College Visit Checklist & Sample Interview Questions (pgs. 239 - 244 and pgs. 265 - 266)

– Teacher Recommendation Forms and Activities : for students to give to their teachers. (pgs. 259 – 264)

– “Career and College Planning” for Juniors : used SBS curriculum for all juniors. Taught by teachers during home room.

Current Uses of Step-by-Step

• High School Counselors

– After – School Workshops : Uses SBS - Late High School for after-school workshops with juniors 1 day a week for 6 weeks with juniors

– Testing : Use with sophomores & juniors in the fall

– Parent & Student Workshops - Discuss college & financial options

Current Uses of Step-by-Step• College Admissions Representatives

• From an admissions office perspective - it is a great resource for working with groups of middle school and early high school students

• As a presenter - it is a good way to orient oneself and how to target themes & messages to this age group. Also, group activities add an interactive element.

Example for a large group visit (Trio/ College Possible/ Avid)

• Katie Sankey example – Great Sorting Game and notecards

• 7-8th graders - Used the Bingo game in which the students talk to their peers. Gave Frisbees and pens to the winners.

• 9-10th graders - A popular activity focuses on students naming colleges based on a category (public state school, HBCU, Ivy League, art and design, etc.). Gave prizes to the first few finishers

Current Uses of Step-by-Step• Affiliate State Organizations, Community Based Organizations &

Independent Consultants

– College Admission Workshops –for underserved students

– Use at AVID Workshops Nationwide

– Family Night Programs –at libraries, schools & churches

– College Application Week- now College Knowledge Month

– Emergency Housing Family Centers – do evening programs for students and parents.

– Work with Community Group –use parent materials to help parents become more comfortable advocating for their children.

Suggested Student Learning Activities

Preparing to Apply/College Search Session 1 – Goal Setting: Taking Stock p.196-217

Session 3 – The College Search p.234-244

Session 3 - Making the Most of a Campus Visit p. 239-244

The College Application ProcessSession 4 – The Application Process (Part 1) p.245-266

Session 5 – The Application Process (Part 2) p. 267-278

Financing College/Financial AidSession 6 – Financial Aid p. 280-288

Parent Learning Activities College Preparation & Applications:Session 7 – Resources for Late HS p. 302-316

Financing College/Financial Aid:Session 7 – Resources for Financial Aid p.

317-323

Paying for College Videos

• Address general audience and first generation families

• Spanish, Hmong and Somali videos and resources

• Co-produced by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and Minnesota Private Council

• http://www.mnprivatecolleges.org/paying

Early Awareness Resource List

• NACAC - Step-by-Stepwww.nacacnet.org/steps

• NACAC – Knowledge Centerwww.nacacnet.org/research/KnowledgeCenter

• Center for Student Opportunity www.csopportunity.org

• Big Future by The College Boardwww.bigfuture.collegeboard.org

• KnowHow2GOwww.knowhow2go.org

• Pathways to College www.pathwaystocollege.net

Early Awareness Resource List

• College For Every Student www.collegefes.org

• College: Making It Happen www.certicc.org/collegemakingit.aspx

• Counselor Zone www.collegezone.com/counselorzone/265.htm

• ECMC Foundation – The College Place www.ecmcfoundation.org

• Get Ready for College (MN) www.getreadyforcollege.org

• Illinois Resource for undocumented students http://www.iacac.org/undocumented/

Laura FavreauUniversity of Minnesota- Twin Cities

MACAC Inclusion, Access and Success Committee Co-Chair

lauraf@umn.edu

612-626-4486

Samantha SavoieSt. Catherine University

MACAC Inclusion, Access and Success Co-chair

shsavoie@stkate.edu

651-690-8655