your guide to college admission and scholarships...administration (mba) is popular too. doctoral...

You are college material YOUR GUIDE TO COLLEGE

ADMISSION AND SCHOLARSHIPS

Get2College counselors can provide you with personalized advice

on how to do everything outlined in this booklet. Just call one of

our Centers listed on the back cover or chat with us live at

get2college.org.

YOU ARE COLLEGE MATERIAL 2

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Sometimes called junior or technical colleges,

community colleges are typically schools that

offer students two-year associate degrees,

certificates, or workforce training. Programs

are geared toward either providing specific job

training or preparing students to transfer to a

four-year institution. There are 15 community

colleges in Mississippi, and many have multiple

campuses.

PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

Mississippi has eight public universities. All offer

bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in a

variety of subjects. They range in size from 2,300

to 17,000 undergraduates.

PRIVATE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

As the name implies, private colleges and

universities are privately funded (not

state-funded) schools. In Mississippi, there

are seven private schools. All offer bachelor’s

degrees, and some offer graduate degrees.

Private colleges tend to be smaller, but not

always.

Colleges come in different kinds


GET2COLLEGE.ORG 3

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES:

Certificate Programs

Certificate programs offer credentials related

to a specific occupation. Programs typically

last less than one year and provide practical

job training skills. Certificate programs may

be required to qualify for a certain career or

specialty within that career.

Associate’s Degree An associate’s degree is a two-year degree

awarded by community colleges, junior colleges,

business colleges, and some four-year colleges

and universities. It is generally equivalent to the

first two years of a four-year college degree.

Bachelor’s Degree

Also called a baccalaureate degree, this degree

is awarded to students who successfully

complete a college’s undergraduate curriculum

– typically four years of coursework. Bachelor of

Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS) are the

two most common examples.

GRADUATE DEGREES:

Master’s Degree After receiving a bachelor’s degree, many

students decide to continue their studies with

a master’s degree program. Master’s degrees

require at least one year of study beyond the

bachelor’s degree. The most common degrees

awarded are Master of Arts (MA) and Master

of Science (MS). The Master of Business

Administration (MBA) is popular too.

Doctoral Degree Following a master’s degree, students may earn

their doctorate by completing one to three years

of study, a comprehensive test or series of tests,

a written thesis or dissertation, and often an

oral presentation and exam. Doctoral degrees

are most commonly awarded to those seeking

a career in research or university-level teaching.

The most common doctorate is the Doctor of

Philosophy (Ph.D.).

Professional Degree Certain careers, such as medicine, law, and

dentistry, require a professional degree.

Depending on the field of study, professional

degrees can be awarded on the bachelor,

master, or doctoral level. Some occupations have

more than one level of professional degrees.

Degrees vary by... well, degree!


Requirements for college admission

FOUR WAYS TO GAIN ADMISSION TO A MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

WHAT IF YOU DO NOT MEET THE CRITERIA?

Students who do not meet the above criteria are nonetheless eligible for admission. Such students must

participate, however, in an on-campus placement process at the university of their choice. The process will

determine whether the student may be enrolled in regular freshman-level courses or be required to enroll

in the summer semester with mandatory participation in the Summer Developmental Program. Successful

completion of the summer semester entitles the student to continued enrollment in the fall semester at the

university of his or her choice.

1

3

2

4

Complete the College

Preparatory Curriculum

(CPC) with a minimum

3.2 high school grade

point average (GPA) on

the CPC; or




2.00 high school GPA on

the CPC and a score of

18 or higher on the ACT*

(Composite); or

Satisfy the NCAA

standards for student

athletes who are “full-

qualifiers” under Division

I guidelines.




2.50 high school GPA on

the CPC or a class rank in

the top 50% and a score of

16 or higher on the ACT*

(Composite); or

*In lieu of ACT scores, students may submit equivalent SAT scores.


GET2COLLEGE.ORG 5

ENGLISH: 4 Carnegie units • All must require substantial communication skills (i.e., reading,

writing, listening, and speaking). Compensatory Reading andWriting may not be included.

MATHEMATICS: 3 Carnegie units • Algebra I or its equivalent• Math higher than Algebra I (2 units)

SCIENCE: 3 Carnegie units • Biology I or its equivalent• Science higher than Biology I (2 units)

SOCIAL STUDIES: 3 Carnegie units • U.S. History• World History• U.S. Government (½ unit)• Economics (½ unit) or Introduction to World Geography (½ unit)

ARTS: 1 Carnegie unit • Includes any one Carnegie unit (or two ½ units) of visual and

performing arts course(s) meeting the requirements for highschool graduation.

ADVANCED ELECTIVES: 2 Carnegie units• Option 1: Foreign Language I and Foreign Language II• Option 2: Foreign Language I and Advanced World

Geography• Option 3: Any combination of English, Mathematics higher

than Algebra I, Science higher than Biology I, AdvancedElective category, any AP course, any IB course

TECHNOLOGY: ½ Carnegie unit• A course that emphasizes the use of technology as a

productivity tool. Instruction should include utilizing variousforms of technology to create, collaborate, organize, andpublish information. The application of technology as aproductivity tool, rather than specific hardware and/orsoftware packages should be the focus of the course.

• Pre-High School units: Courses taken prior to high schoolwill be accepted for admission provided the course earnsCarnegie credit and the content is the same as the highschool course.

• Substitutions: Advanced Placement (AP) and InternationalBaccalaureate (IB) courses can be substituted for eachrequirement in the College Preparatory Curriculum.

• Course Acceptance: A course may not be used to satisfymore than one requirement.

• The Required and Recommended College PreparatoryCurricula (CPC) are approved by the IHL Board of Trustees,and the IHL Office of Academic and Student Affairs maintainsa complete list of courses that can be used to satisfy the CPCrequirements. See www.mississippi.edu/admissions/.

ENGLISH: 4 Carnegie units • All must require substantial communication skills (i.e., reading,

writing, listening, and speaking). Compensatory Reading andWriting may not be included.

MATHEMATICS: 4 Carnegie units • Algebra I or its equivalent• Math higher than Algebra I (3 units)

SCIENCE: 4 Carnegie units • Biology I or its equivalent• Science higher than Biology I (3 units)

SOCIAL STUDIES: 4 Carnegie units • U.S. History• World History• U.S. Government (½ unit)• Economics (½ unit)• Introduction to World Geography (½ unit)• Mississippi Studies (or state/local government course in

any other state)

ARTS: 1 Carnegie unit • Includes any one Carnegie unit (or two ½ units) of visual and

performing arts course(s) meeting the requirements for highschool graduation.

ADVANCED ELECTIVES: 2 Carnegie units • Option 1: Foreign Language I and Foreign Language II• Option 2: Foreign Language I and Advanced World Geography• Option 3: Any combination of English, Mathematics higher than

Algebra I, Science higher than Biology I, Advanced Electivecategory, any AP course, any IB course

TECHNOLOGY: ½ Carnegie unit • A course that emphasizes the use of technology as a

productivity tool. Instruction should include utilizing variousforms of technology to create, collaborate, organize, andpublish information. The application of technology as aproductivity tool, rather than specific hardware and/orsoftware packages should be the focus of the course.

FRESHMAN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS FOR UNIVERSITY SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS (COLLEGE PREPARATORY CURRICULUM)

NOTES:

The minimum recommended CPC for full admission into a Mississippi public university is as follows:

The minimum required CPC for full admission into a Mississippi public university is as follows:

16½ Carnegie units

19½ Carnegie units


The “Five Ps” are widely recognized as the key elements of importance in the college admission

process. They will serve as touchstones for admission and scholarship decision-makers. It is

imperative that you clearly understand these criteria upon which you will be evaluated.

1

2

4 3

PROGRAM:• High school profile

• Curriculum

• Classes completed compared to

what is available

PERSONALITY:• Essays

• Recommendations

* interviews

PARTICIPATION:• A difference the

student made in

his or her school

or community

POTENTIAL:• Test scores - ACT,

SAT, AP, IB

PERFORMANCE:• Grades

• Class rank

The 5Ps of college admission

4 4

5

GET2COLLEGE.ORG 7

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES

Alcorn State University www.alcorn.edu

Delta State University www.deltastate.edu

Jackson State University www.jsums.edu

Mississippi State University www.msstate.edu

Mississippi University for Women www.muw.edu

Mississippi Valley State University www.mvsu.edu

University of Mississippi www.olemiss.edu

University of Southern Mississippi www.usm.edu

PRIVATE UNIVERSITIES

Belhaven University www.belhaven.edu

Blue Mountain College www.bmc.edu

Millsaps College www.millsaps.edu

Mississippi Collegewww.mc.edu

Rust College www.rustcollege.edu

Tougaloo Collegewww.tougaloo.edu

William Carey Universitywww.wmcarey.edu

COMMUNITY & JUNIOR COLLEGES

Coahoma CC - www.coahomacc.edu

Copiah-Lincoln CC - www.colin.edu

East Central CC - www.eccc.edu

East MS CC - www.eastms.edu

Hinds CC - www.hindscc.edu

Holmes CC - www.holmescc.edu

Itawamba CC - www.iccms.edu

Jones County JC - www.jcjc.edu

Meridian CC - www.meridiancc.edu

MS Delta CC - www.msdelta.edu

MS Gulf Coast CC - www.mgccc.edu

Northeast MS CC - www.nemcc.edu

Northwest MS CC - www.northwestms.edu

Pearl River CC - www.prcc.edu

Southwest MS CC - www.smcc.edu

NORTHWESTMS CC

RUSTCOLLEGE

BLUE MOUNTAINCOLLEGE

NORTHEASTMS CC

COAHOMACC

OLE MISS

ITAWAMBACC

DSU

MVSU

MS DELTACC

MUW

MSU

EAST MSCC

HOLMESCC

EAST CENTRALCC

MERIDIANCCBELHAVEN, HINDS CC,

JSU, MILLSAPS,MS COLLEGE, TOUGALOO

ALCORN STATE

CO-LINCC

SOUTHWESTMS CC

JONES COUNTYJUNIOR COLLEGE

USM,WILLIAM CAREY

PEARL RIL RIL VERCC

MS GULF COASTCC


Make sure you visit your favorite colleges

8

GET2COLLEGE.ORG 9

The best visit may include meeting your admission counselor, taking a campus tour, sitting in on a class, having lunch with current students, and meeting faculty or staff who teach or work in your interest areas.

DURING YOUR VISIT:

• Listen to the college radio station.

• Read the student newspaper and other student publications.

• Scan bulletin boards to see what daily student life is like.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUR TOUR GUIDE OR STUDENTS YOU MEET ON CAMPUS:

• Why did you choose this college?

• What is it like to go from high school to college?

• What do you do in your free time and on the weekends?

• What do you love about this college?

• What would you have changed about your college search?

OTHER GOOD QUESTIONS TO ASK DURING YOUR VISIT:

• What forms are required for admission, and what are the deadlines? Are there any advantages to

applying early?

• What special programs are available such as honors programs, study abroad, learning communities,

freshman experience, or internship opportunities?

• What percentage of the campus is wireless? Do the faculty and students rely on network-sharing for

assignments?

• How do I apply for financial aid? What forms are required, and when are the deadlines?

• What percentage of your students pursue graduate or professional degrees? What type of career

services do you offer?

• What types of support services are available to students on campus such as tutoring programs and

writing centers?


How to take the ACT: Practice really helps

ACT or SAT scores are requested by most colleges and universities

as a part of the admission process. Your results provide one way for

colleges to measure your potential for academic success. Colleges

may also use these scores for course placement, academic advising,

and scholarship evaluation. Most students take the ACT and/or

SAT during their junior or senior year in high school. At least half of

all students take it twice and improve their score the second time

around. Free ACT Prep resources may be available through your

local library or high school, and the Get2College Centers offer free

ACT Prep Workshops.

GET2COLLEGE OFFERS FREE ACT PREP WORKSHOPS. CHECK DATES AND REGISTER AT

GET2COLLEGE.ORG.

Fee waivers may

be available from

your high school

counselor if you

meet indicators

of financial need.


GET2COLLEGE.ORG 11

CHOOSE CHALLENGING HIGH SCHOOL COURSES.

• Work with your high school counselor to develop a four-year plan.

• The courses you take in high school show colleges what kind of goals you set for yourself.

• Sign up for advanced classes, honors sections, AP, or IB classes.

• Choose electives that really stretch your mind and help you develop new abilities.

• Research academic coursework required by colleges and universities of interest.

START BUILDING A RESUME.

• Keep your academic records and lists of awards, honors, and activities at school and in

the community.

• Participate in extracurricular activities, academic programs, summer camps, and workshops.

START THINKING ABOUT THE COLLEGES YOU WANT TO ATTEND.

• Create a list of colleges and universities in which you are interested.

• Gather information about the colleges from their websites.

• Request brochures and information.

• Use www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org as a resource.

MAKE CAMPUS VISITS.

• Visit colleges and talk with admissions staff, sit in on classes, meet college students,

and take campus tours.

PREPARE FOR STANDARDIZED TESTING.

• Prepare for the PSAT, the SAT, and/or the ACT.

• Sign up to take the SAT at www.sat.org or the ACT at www.actstudent.org.

• ACT recommends students take the ACT at least once their junior year, but you can begin earlier.

BEGIN TO RESEARCH FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP SOURCES.

• If you are interested in playing sports in college, research NCAA eligibility requirements.

• Explore summer opportunities and start saving for college.

College planning timeline

GET2COLLEGE.ORG

Gulf Coast Get2College Center715 Cox Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564

Phone: 228.875.4441

[email protected]

North Mississippi Get2College Center5699 Getwell Road, Building H, Suite 3

Southaven, MS 38672

Phone: 662.349.2789

[email protected]

Don’t live near a Get2College Center?Live chat with us at get2college.org, call us at

601.321.5533 or 800.986.4322, or send an email

to [email protected].

Jackson Get2College Center2600 Lakeland Terrace, Jackson, MS 39216

Phone: 601.321.5533

[email protected]

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY FOR PERSONALIZED COUNSELING ON HOW TO GET TO COLLEGE

GET2COLLEGE ORIENTATION - We’ll tell you how we can help you prepare for college.

COLLEGE TIMELINE - Together we will develop a timeline for college planning to include applications for scholarships, admission, and financial aid.

ACT PREPARATION - Choose from a variety of options including workshops and online interactive test prep to improve your scores.

CAREER EXPLORATION - What field of employment best suits your personality? What will your major be? We’ll use a personality and interest assessment to guide you in researching a career cluster or college major that may be a good fit for you.

COLLEGE SEARCH - We’ll help you find colleges that provide the right fit for you and assist you with completing application forms.

RESUME WRITING - During this session, we’ll guide you as you format your high school or college resume often required for scholarships and college admission.

ESSAY WRITING - We’ll help you capture a college’s attention with your admission or scholarship essay that illustrates who you are and what you are passionate about.

FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS - Learn about different types of need-based and non-need-based aid, including federal and state grants, student loans, work study, and merit-based scholarships.

FAFSA, STATE, AND OTHER FINANCIAL AID APPLICATIONS - Whether you are renewing or filing for the first time, let us guide you through the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), the Mississippi Office of Student Financial Aid application, and institutional aid applications.

INTERVIEWING SKILLS - Let us prepare you for your scholarship, honors college, or admissions interview. With a mock interview, we’ll give you a heads-up on what to expect and the best way to prepare.

OUR SERVICES

your guide to college admission and scholarships...administration (mba) is popular too. doctoral...

Documents