How to Avoid the High Cost of College

How to Get Accepted

1Have this slide set up at the beginning of the presentationIntroduction:Introduce yourself. Give a bit of biographical information. Introduce your company.Give reasons why youre teaching this class. Edify yourself a bit.Go over the handout material-page per page. Please use the handouts that weve provided on your CD. Reason: its quick, its easy, you dont have to re-create the wheel. Plus, the evaluation form is what you want-ours has worked well for capturing all of the required info.Give people ground rulesno dumb questions, stop me if I go too fast, use too many acronyms, etc. My biggest concern-too much ground to cover in 1.5 hours. Ask folks to turn off cell phones.

College is ExpensiveThe average public university costs:$14,640 per yearThe average private university costs:$34,295 per yearThe average elite private university costs:$55,000+ per year

So, lets do our homework!

2I always tell people that they know that college is expensivebut do they realize the magnitude?These costs are YEARLY.

They are the TOP LINE costs of education, and not necessarily what theyll have to pay if they get aid.

Some colleges like to make the parallel between buying a car and purchasing a year of college-I think this is a fairly good analogy. Families need to be prepared to spend anywhere between 10k-45k/year to fund their students education. Just as most consumers wont pay the full MSRP, so will families try to pay less for college through financial aid.

Costs are going up; national average 6% increase/yr for private schools, 10% increase for public.Harvard cost $3400 in 1975. Its now more than $50,000!Question: Is your compensation or investment for college keeping pace?

Also, these figures are not true necessarily here in Texas: ie., deregulation of state tuition system has caused higher than normal jumps in college costs at the state university system this past year.

Local College CostsUCLA$34,976CSUF$24,732UC Irvine$33,718USC$61,598Pepperdine$55,540Biola University$47,533Loyola Marymount$58,559Stanford$61,988University of Redlands$54,568Chapman$56,403

39% of all college students graduate in 4 years. 1: Newsweek, How to get into College, 2004

3We saw the nationwide costs on the first slide: Public university: 14K+Private: 30K+Elite: 40K+

Here are some of the updated, YEARLY TOP-LINE costs of Universities here in Texas.

Any surprises?

How about Howard Payne vs. UT? The privates cost is less expense?! (and thats before aid)

How about the statistic from Newsweek that said that only 1 out of every 4 students will graduate from college in 4 years? What does this mean? You might have to multiply Texas A&Ms cost by 5 years (6 years?!!!) instead of 4.

Is the new SAT format significant?What about the ACT? How should I prepare?

Standardized Tests-the ACT and SAT

4In March 2005 the SAT made one of the most significant changes to the test since the early 1990s. It added the writing section-what does that mean for students?

Actually, the colleges demanded the change-they want PROCTORED writing samples. Essays have increasingly been groomed so the colleges want a true assessment of how well a student writes.

ACT has followed suit with an optional writing section.

The real question is how the colleges will treat the new exam! (see next slide)

Why does testing matter?Standardized TestingExtracurricular

Transcript

Big output

Transcript = 8,000 hrs.

Extracurricular= 1,000 hrs.

Standardized Testing = 10 hrs.

Small input

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OK, whats next?Ive studied, taken a test and got a score.

You need to look at the universities themselves, and choose them wisely.

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Selecting the Right University

Academic Programs- Will the course of study provide the required academic experience? Capstone, learning communities, study abroad, service learning, research/creative projects, internships? Major Does it college offer my major and or minor?Location is the location of this college satisfactory to your students needs?Size - is the size of this college satisfactory? Do I prefer a small, medium or large campus?

7So, if the costs of college are so high, the Id submit to you that choosing the correct school is a fairly vital step in the process. Theyre not all created equally, are they?

Please look in your handout, theres a copy of this list. (You can probably hardly see this one on the screen)

2500 colleges in AmericaYou need to apply to 6-10 of them.Here are 25 or so criteria that all parents and students need to look at.This list is by no means complete. Can you find some that are missing?Go through several of the factors, but not all of them.

I usually ask people (while theyre circling their top 5) some of the ones that theyd choose. I usually get:-academic programming-cost/financial aid-Job placement-class size

Which ones are the most important?Have the parents and students do a quick 1 minute drillwhich ones are your top 5?When done-parents-are your lists the same as your students?Probably not.How many people put safety down? (just a few) OK-the point is that even those that dont make your top 5 list are still VERY important.

Now, how many of you like David Letterman? Ive got my own top 10 list on how colleges are chosen by both parents and students.

Selecting the Right UniversitySpecial Programs does this college have special programs or facilities that the student needs or must have (learning disabilities, special medical facilities, etc.)?Co-op Programs does this college have an academic co-op (study/work) program in the students major that can reduce your college costs and help the student achieve employment after graduation?Job Placement does this college have a Placement Office that places a high number of students in jobs prior to graduation?

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Selecting the Right UniversityAttrition does this college have a high number of freshmen that graduate within five years?Student/Faculty Ratio does this college have a low student to faculty ratio to guarantee a more interactive classroom participation and personal faculty attention for the student?Tutoring does the college have a system to help a struggling students? Campus Setting is this college located in a desirable area or neighborhood?

Selecting the Right UniversityAlcohol/Drug Policy what is the policy and or the consequences if violated?Student Body Reputation does this colleges student body reputation fit the students personality?Diversity does the student mix at this college fit the students personality, or desire for cultural growth?Greek System does the role that fraternities and sororities play at this college fit the students needs?Housing is this colleges housing (and housing policy) satisfactory? Is internet and other connectivity readily available?

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Selecting the Right UniversityWeather is this college located in a climate that is satisfactory to your needs?Cost What is the cost of attendance?Financial Aid awards, need and merit moneys, etc.Prestige - will the university fit the students or parents expectations? Accreditation Does the university or college have the proper certification? Can I transfer community college credits to this university, if needed?

Selecting the Right UniversityAthletic Program does this college have a sports program that meets the students needs (as an athlete or a spectator)?Talent Program does this college have a talent program that meets the students needs (theater, newspaper, debate team)?Religion does this college have a religious program that fits your needs? Safety does this colleges campus have adequate security and a good safety reputation?

Selecting the Right UniversityRetention and Persistence Do students vote with their feet after freshman year? How quickly is the education finished?Food is the on-campus food at this college satisfactory to your needs?Campus Personality liberal or conservative does it match students personality?Pre-requisites for freshman enrollment Will my student need to have additional academic preparation prior to enrollment?

How Students and Parents Pick Colleges:Boyfriend /GirlfriendAll of my friendsLocation, Location, LocationIts a party school, but dont tell my dadGood sports teamsMany other reasonsMoneyMoneyQuality of educationI went thereAny school within 2 hours drive of homePrestige

Students: Parents:

14Now, sometimes I see a less-than-rigorous approach to college selection.

This slide usually gets laughs!

What the Universities Want:High school grades and GPAClass rank SAT/ACT ScoresExtra-Curricular ActivitiesEthnicityDemonstrated Interest Special skills and abilities AthleticTalent EssaysLetters of Recommendation

15Now, weve looked at some factors that are important to parents and students when choosing colleges.Heres what the colleges are looking for in your student.

-Some colleges will look beyond just the GPA/Class Rank/SAT score. They want to see the strength of the students high school experience. For example: how many AP courses did your student take in relation to the number offered at the high school.

-Colleges will want to see that the SAT/class rank are correlated. For example, they may not be too impressed with a student that has a 1450 but is in the bottom half of the H.S. class. Conversely, a score of 1000 from a student ranked 10 out of 300 may raise questions as to the academic rigor of the high school education.

-ECAs are highly important. Some colleges look to fill seats with academically talented people who bring diversity and outside experience into the classroom. Students that can demonstrate leadership or commitment to a cause may sometimes find favor with the colleges.

-Essays: very important. Teachers/mentors/parents proof. Dont complete the essays for the student.

-Letters of rec; from H.S. teachers/counselors. Dont wait! Do these early and send a thank you.

-Residency: some states require 80% of all incoming students be state residents. Use this to your advantage and/or be aware of this limitation if youre looking out of state.

-Diversity: Are you an islander? Now is NOT the time to be shy about your ethnicity.

5 Important questions to ask your prospective universities:What are the most important admissions criteria?How are these ranked?How many of your students graduate on time?How many come back after freshman year?What is your enrollment yield?

16On your upcoming college visits ask the college officials these questions:-Question 1/2: important to ask, so that your student can tailor the responses to required admissions essays.ie. Some colleges will even coach your student on the essay content, how they are graded, etc. UT-Austins website has a powerpoint presentation that just addresses essays!-Question 3: Most colleges wont promote this figure.-Question 4: ditto question 3-Question 5: Enrollment yield: point out that this is defined in the handout materials=>An enrollment yield tells a lot about the ability of a particular college to fill seats, so to speak.A small private university, for example, may send out 4,000 acceptance letters and only receive 1000 positive responses. That colleges enrollment yield is only 25%. Compared to some other competitor, this college may have to fight hard to entice a good student to come to their campus, aka. Offer more in terms of financial assistance.

If you start asking these types of questions, the college is going to notice. They will know that youre probably better informed than most.

General GuidelinesBe an educated consumerTop Down ApproachGoal: Apply to 6-10 collegesSafetyTargetReachEnsure that the college will want your student

17Be educated: there are many sources of information:Web, print materials, marketing info from colleges, high school and college counselors, visits, etc. Use all of them and synthesize a composite picture the college of choice.!!!But realize there are distinct limitations on each source:-web: good sources: college websites, collegeboard web site, IRS web site, etc, dept of education website (Limitation: too much to digest)-print: Thompson/Petersons Four Year Colleges, Ruggs Recommendations on the Colleges. U.S. News/World report., etc. (Limitation: information is 1 year old at a minimum)-Visits: go during the academic year, if possible. If you go during the summer or a break, you may not get the full experience.

Top down approach: How do you search for a college-wouldnt it make sense to start with all 2,500 of the colleges and whittle this list down? Otherwise, you may miss a great educational opportunity or miss the opportunity for additional monies. We see students start with a list of 2/3 colleges and try to build out from there. The filler colleges are probably colleges that the student is not as interested in. Weve seen that some students will not finish the apps for these schools (because of lack of true interest). What happens? Youre left with a list of 3-4 colleges instead of 6-10. You now have less choice, less leverage.

Dont let a single factor determine which college your student will go to. (ie. Geography, major, prestige, girlfriend) Youll miss opportunity if they do.

How do you know if a college will want your student? Ask the question. Many parents will believe that just because theyre getting boatloads of mail from XYZ university that theyre interested. This may or not be true. I encourage folks to look at this activity as marketing, rather than an expression of interest. The ultimate expression of interest is a generous award letter. Unfortunately, parents dont get this until (late) spring of the students senior year. The best way to be sure that this award letter is a generous one is to ensure that the student is in the TOP 25% of the incoming freshman class.

Show of hands: parents and students; how many had money on their top 5 lists?Then, its prudent to talk about how and where to get financial help for college.

Questions???

College Planning Professionals

Call 909 210 7049 or Email: info@stephanieharkey.com

Thank you for watching!

18The Close:

Guys, thanks for coming. Im done! (whew!) I hope that you found this useful.Let me just see a show of hands : Was this time well spent? Did you get a lot out of todays talk?How about this one: how many of you would like to know your EFC? Or better yet, how low that figure should be?OK (all the hands are up). What wed ask is this: Please fill out the evaluation form at the back of your handout. Wed love to hear your comments. Also, if youll include your contact information well have someone call and set up a free meeting so that we can show you how to get to those EFC numbers.

One other item, please dont forget to pick up your package as you leave. It has the copies of the slide presentation in it!(the package contains-1. Intro letter 2. map to the office 3. copy of the powerpoint slides 4. data form)