Congratulations, you are in the final semester of your senior year. Life is good as you think about prom, finishing that last semester of high school and graduation day. You have already been accepted at those 4-6 colleges on your list and probably received your merit scholarship offers as well!
Now you wait for the financial aid notification in March and then begin to come to a final decision on your college choice. Unless you are a D-1 or D-II athletic recruit don't let anyone pressure you into making a decision before you are ready. We are bound ethically as a profession to not require a decision from you prior to May 1st.
Now you will hear that making a decision, or depositing early has its benefits and it does. Most institutions make decisions on housing placement, class registration dates based upon the receipt of the deposit. So, if you have made up your mind then send in your deposit to insure that you get your housing preference and an early registration date. If those things aren't important to you and you are truly undecided then make another visit to your final college choices before making a final decison.
You are making a decision of where you want to spend the next four years. Most employers and higher education administrators say that the college experience is one of the most important in a young persons life. Make the decision that is best for YOU, not your parents, not your friends and not your current love interest!
Good luck with your decision.
Best wishes!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Sunday, December 5, 2010
THE ROLE OF THE COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELOR
As college admission counselors our jobs are to promote the institution we work for on a daily basis. But our profession as counselors is to above all else make sure we are providing information that helps you find the institution that is the best fit for you.
Admissions counselors are trained in admissions standards, counseling and financial aid in order to help you make a great decision. Let's face it, like any business colleges want to have satisfied customers. We have no desire to bring students to our campus who we don't feel are a right fit or have a chance to succeed. Many students and families develop a close bond with the admissions counselor they are working with through the process. Your admission counselor is an individual that can help you sift through all of the information you have received and assist you in making that "right choice" decision.
I know here at Wartburg because of the relationships we build with student prospects and familes we want the student to succeed. Because of that approach we want, and are willing to answer questions and help students make decisions even if they are at institutions other than our's. The bond between an admission counselor and the student prospect is sometimes so strong that the counselor continues to be the students primary contact once on campus.
Please use your admission counselor as a resource and sounding board throughout your decision making process. Our job is to communicate to you the value of a Wartburg education and provide you with opportunities to see if Wartburg is the place you want to call home for four years. But because we value the relationships we build with students and families so much our ultimate goal is to make sure you find the right place to call home!
Admission counselors are usually individuals who truly valued their college experience and want to assist others in having a similar opportunity. Just like in any sales interaction you can spot sincerity and belief in what they are selling immediately. Great counselors put the value of the person finding the right institution over the "sale" everyday.
Please view your admission representative as a "counselor" and not a "saleperson" and it will make the process more fruitful.
Best wishes!
Admissions counselors are trained in admissions standards, counseling and financial aid in order to help you make a great decision. Let's face it, like any business colleges want to have satisfied customers. We have no desire to bring students to our campus who we don't feel are a right fit or have a chance to succeed. Many students and families develop a close bond with the admissions counselor they are working with through the process. Your admission counselor is an individual that can help you sift through all of the information you have received and assist you in making that "right choice" decision.
I know here at Wartburg because of the relationships we build with student prospects and familes we want the student to succeed. Because of that approach we want, and are willing to answer questions and help students make decisions even if they are at institutions other than our's. The bond between an admission counselor and the student prospect is sometimes so strong that the counselor continues to be the students primary contact once on campus.
Please use your admission counselor as a resource and sounding board throughout your decision making process. Our job is to communicate to you the value of a Wartburg education and provide you with opportunities to see if Wartburg is the place you want to call home for four years. But because we value the relationships we build with students and families so much our ultimate goal is to make sure you find the right place to call home!
Admission counselors are usually individuals who truly valued their college experience and want to assist others in having a similar opportunity. Just like in any sales interaction you can spot sincerity and belief in what they are selling immediately. Great counselors put the value of the person finding the right institution over the "sale" everyday.
Please view your admission representative as a "counselor" and not a "saleperson" and it will make the process more fruitful.
Best wishes!
FIRST COME - FIRST SERVED !
As a high school senior after you complete the college application process and have been admitted the next step will be making a deposit! A deposit is meant to be a signal that you have made your college decision and are reserving a place in the entering class. At some institutions the deposit is refundable before a certain date and at others it is non-refundable. Institutions need to tell you upfront whether the deposit is refundable or not.
Why Deposit? At the most selective institutions you are depositing to literally reserve a spot in the class. The highly selective institutions have far more admits then they can enroll and use the deposit to determine level of commitment.
At most other institutions the deposit continues to be a sign of commitment but also carries a slightly different meaning. Although making your deposit does secure your place in the next class the timing of the deposit is many times used in assigning housing and other campus opportunities.
There are several steps in the process and one action on your part prompts another action on the behalf of the college. Housing for instance is assigned based upon when the housing document is received. When you deposit one of the items that prompts is for the college to send you the housing form. So the earlier you deposit the earlier you will receive the housing form and other materials such as registration for classes. What this means is that you are more likely to receive your first preference on a residence hall assignment and or date to come and register.
Please remember: Institutions cannot force you to deposit prior to May 1 or hold any incentives over you to do so. What I have outlined for you above is how the process works though. Just like those folks that "call ahead" and then by-pass me at my favorite eating establishment, the sooner you deposit the higher you are in line for the next decision that needs to be made.
Todd's Tidbit's:
Remember to check to see if the deposit is refundable.
Is the deposit applied to your tuition like it is here at Wartburg or is it just an additional expense of your educational experience. (At Wartburg if you enroll your deposit is applied toward your tuition) At many other institutions the deposit is a seperate revenue stream for the college that is not applied toward tuition and fee's.
The deposit is your own personal signal to the school that "I am commiting to you". This will prompt the institution to provide you with other important decisions to make such as those I have outlined.
Deposit amounts range from $100 to $600 at many institutions so depositing a several institutions isn't an option for most people. Usually in March after federal financial aid awards have been sent out you will see more communication from colleges about making your deposit.
The bottom line is when you are ready to make this important decision, make it. But do not allow yourself to be pressured into making a decision until you are ready.
Please know that just like your favorite ice cream place, the person in front of you usually gets served before you do! So when you deposit and subsequently when you turn your forms in does make a difference in many of the other decisions you will make.
Why Deposit? At the most selective institutions you are depositing to literally reserve a spot in the class. The highly selective institutions have far more admits then they can enroll and use the deposit to determine level of commitment.
At most other institutions the deposit continues to be a sign of commitment but also carries a slightly different meaning. Although making your deposit does secure your place in the next class the timing of the deposit is many times used in assigning housing and other campus opportunities.
There are several steps in the process and one action on your part prompts another action on the behalf of the college. Housing for instance is assigned based upon when the housing document is received. When you deposit one of the items that prompts is for the college to send you the housing form. So the earlier you deposit the earlier you will receive the housing form and other materials such as registration for classes. What this means is that you are more likely to receive your first preference on a residence hall assignment and or date to come and register.
Please remember: Institutions cannot force you to deposit prior to May 1 or hold any incentives over you to do so. What I have outlined for you above is how the process works though. Just like those folks that "call ahead" and then by-pass me at my favorite eating establishment, the sooner you deposit the higher you are in line for the next decision that needs to be made.
Todd's Tidbit's:
Remember to check to see if the deposit is refundable.
Is the deposit applied to your tuition like it is here at Wartburg or is it just an additional expense of your educational experience. (At Wartburg if you enroll your deposit is applied toward your tuition) At many other institutions the deposit is a seperate revenue stream for the college that is not applied toward tuition and fee's.
The deposit is your own personal signal to the school that "I am commiting to you". This will prompt the institution to provide you with other important decisions to make such as those I have outlined.
Deposit amounts range from $100 to $600 at many institutions so depositing a several institutions isn't an option for most people. Usually in March after federal financial aid awards have been sent out you will see more communication from colleges about making your deposit.
The bottom line is when you are ready to make this important decision, make it. But do not allow yourself to be pressured into making a decision until you are ready.
Please know that just like your favorite ice cream place, the person in front of you usually gets served before you do! So when you deposit and subsequently when you turn your forms in does make a difference in many of the other decisions you will make.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
IMPORTANCE OF GRADUATING IN FOUR YEARS!
The higher education market place has been established around the four year degree program for ages. Although there are adaptations and business models that have been created offering alternatives the basic four year degree has remained intact. What this means for the consumer, students and parents, is that any additional time spent acquiring that four year degree is costing you in a variety of ways. I will attempt to outline the myriad of ways that additional time pursuing a degree is lowering your return on your college investment.
1) It is obvoious that each additional year is costing the student tuition and room/board costs.
Most college scholarships offered are for a finite period of time, 4 years or 8 semesters usually. As a recepient of a scholarship you may be paying as much as 50% less in tuition at some institutions and then suddenly in the 5th year your costs increase to 100%.
2) Every year you remain in school past 4 years in addition to paying tuition and room/board you have to consider lost income as well.
The average starting salary for a college graduate today with a 4 year degree is approximately $35,000. If you are still accruing cost for a 5th or 6th year of education and losing the ability to earn a salary then the total loss to you could be staggering.
For those of you who plan to enter graduate school then you are just delaying that achievement further as well.
The items I have talked about above are real and far too many students and families don't take them in to consideration. We have a tendency to only look at the next year in front of us. In reality we have to as consumers look at the four year investment you are making and how quickly you will receive a return on that investment.
I strongly encourage families to consider the four year investment total and really seriously consider what that 5th or 6th year of education will cost your student, and our family. You may pay a slightly higher cost to attend an institution that will graduate you in four years verse how rapidly the total costs increase that 5th and 6th year.
In conclusion, when considering college and how important graduating in four years is please remember:
100% of the college costs will be yours (scholarships are only for 4 years)
Loss of income - if you are not in a job you will be forfeiting on average $35,000.
If you have had to secure college loans then you will begin repayment one year earlier.
Big decisions need your attention so please consider these items when making your college decision.
1) It is obvoious that each additional year is costing the student tuition and room/board costs.
Most college scholarships offered are for a finite period of time, 4 years or 8 semesters usually. As a recepient of a scholarship you may be paying as much as 50% less in tuition at some institutions and then suddenly in the 5th year your costs increase to 100%.
2) Every year you remain in school past 4 years in addition to paying tuition and room/board you have to consider lost income as well.
The average starting salary for a college graduate today with a 4 year degree is approximately $35,000. If you are still accruing cost for a 5th or 6th year of education and losing the ability to earn a salary then the total loss to you could be staggering.
For those of you who plan to enter graduate school then you are just delaying that achievement further as well.
The items I have talked about above are real and far too many students and families don't take them in to consideration. We have a tendency to only look at the next year in front of us. In reality we have to as consumers look at the four year investment you are making and how quickly you will receive a return on that investment.
I strongly encourage families to consider the four year investment total and really seriously consider what that 5th or 6th year of education will cost your student, and our family. You may pay a slightly higher cost to attend an institution that will graduate you in four years verse how rapidly the total costs increase that 5th and 6th year.
In conclusion, when considering college and how important graduating in four years is please remember:
100% of the college costs will be yours (scholarships are only for 4 years)
Loss of income - if you are not in a job you will be forfeiting on average $35,000.
If you have had to secure college loans then you will begin repayment one year earlier.
Big decisions need your attention so please consider these items when making your college decision.
Monday, November 29, 2010
THE MOST IMPORTANT COLLEGE STATISTICS!
Want to know that one question you should be asking colleges to help you determine where to make an investment in your education?
HOW MANY OF YOUR STUDENTS GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS AND WHAT IS YOUR PLACEMENT RATE?
You are making an investment in YOU, Inc. and you want to know is this a wise investment and what will your return on that investment be. As the cost of education continues to increase it becomes even more imperative that you select an institution that will provide you a robust education in four years. The Department of Education states that only 38% of the students entering public institutions will graduate in four years. People will talk about six year graduation rates but the fact is that private colleges graduate students at twice the percentage of state institutions.
At Wartburg College I am proud to say that of all our graduates 90% of them completed their degree in four years or less. The students do so without sacrificing internships, study abroad or participation in co-curricular activities.
So is graduting in four years with a robust educational experience a wise investment? I think so!
Over 90% of our graduates, six months after graduation will either have secured a job or be in graduate school. So if your goal of receiving an undergraduate degree is to secure a job or be admitted to graduate school then mission accomplished at Wartburg College!
I encourage you to ask these two questions on your college visits. In addition make sure you visit the Department of Education web site to determine the graduation and placement rates at the institutions you are considering.
An all too common response to many of these questions are, "yes we have study abroad but it may delay your graduation", "we encourage you to do an internship but it might delay your graduation". There are institutions where you can get the complete education you are seeking in four years!
Investors want to know if their investment will reap dividends. Make sure you ask these two questions before you make the most important investment of your life, a college education!
HOW MANY OF YOUR STUDENTS GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS AND WHAT IS YOUR PLACEMENT RATE?
You are making an investment in YOU, Inc. and you want to know is this a wise investment and what will your return on that investment be. As the cost of education continues to increase it becomes even more imperative that you select an institution that will provide you a robust education in four years. The Department of Education states that only 38% of the students entering public institutions will graduate in four years. People will talk about six year graduation rates but the fact is that private colleges graduate students at twice the percentage of state institutions.
At Wartburg College I am proud to say that of all our graduates 90% of them completed their degree in four years or less. The students do so without sacrificing internships, study abroad or participation in co-curricular activities.
So is graduting in four years with a robust educational experience a wise investment? I think so!
Over 90% of our graduates, six months after graduation will either have secured a job or be in graduate school. So if your goal of receiving an undergraduate degree is to secure a job or be admitted to graduate school then mission accomplished at Wartburg College!
I encourage you to ask these two questions on your college visits. In addition make sure you visit the Department of Education web site to determine the graduation and placement rates at the institutions you are considering.
An all too common response to many of these questions are, "yes we have study abroad but it may delay your graduation", "we encourage you to do an internship but it might delay your graduation". There are institutions where you can get the complete education you are seeking in four years!
Investors want to know if their investment will reap dividends. Make sure you ask these two questions before you make the most important investment of your life, a college education!
LIVING ON CAMPUS
You know the old saying "you learn as much outside the classroom as you do in it"?
Well that statement carries a tremendous amount of truth and don't let the current economic climate reduce your overall college learning experience. I understand and respect that families believe they will save money by living at home or off campus. Over 25 years of higher education experience has only reinforced my belief that the on-campus experience is critical to the maturation of the student and makes the graduate more marketable.
College campuses by nature are diverse and living on campus exposes most students to individuals from places and cultures they have never experienced previously. Since a majority of students have single bedrooms and bathrooms at home this may be the first opportunity to live with someone else. We live in a world today that requires relationship building, communication and collaboration skills. I know personally I gained a great deal of experience from the lessons I learned in dealing with a variety of roommates. You learn to work out your differences, compromise on decisions and gain valuable knowledge from someone who is not like you.
I was one of those students who convinced my parents that living off campus would be cheaper, WRONG! I spent just as much money living off campus as I did on campus and didn't have the convenience of someone else cooking my meals and cleaning my room. I strongly encourage families to create a budget sheet and determine for sure if things will really be less expensive.
Finally, and the most important reason to live on campus is that statistics show that students who live on campus do better academically than those who live off campus. Becoming part of the campus you decide to attend is an important factor in student success. Although parents don't like to hear these words, an important response is when students refer to "going home" as going back to college. No one will ever replace mom and dad but these words signify that the student has successfully maneuvered their college experience.
Well that statement carries a tremendous amount of truth and don't let the current economic climate reduce your overall college learning experience. I understand and respect that families believe they will save money by living at home or off campus. Over 25 years of higher education experience has only reinforced my belief that the on-campus experience is critical to the maturation of the student and makes the graduate more marketable.
College campuses by nature are diverse and living on campus exposes most students to individuals from places and cultures they have never experienced previously. Since a majority of students have single bedrooms and bathrooms at home this may be the first opportunity to live with someone else. We live in a world today that requires relationship building, communication and collaboration skills. I know personally I gained a great deal of experience from the lessons I learned in dealing with a variety of roommates. You learn to work out your differences, compromise on decisions and gain valuable knowledge from someone who is not like you.
I was one of those students who convinced my parents that living off campus would be cheaper, WRONG! I spent just as much money living off campus as I did on campus and didn't have the convenience of someone else cooking my meals and cleaning my room. I strongly encourage families to create a budget sheet and determine for sure if things will really be less expensive.
Finally, and the most important reason to live on campus is that statistics show that students who live on campus do better academically than those who live off campus. Becoming part of the campus you decide to attend is an important factor in student success. Although parents don't like to hear these words, an important response is when students refer to "going home" as going back to college. No one will ever replace mom and dad but these words signify that the student has successfully maneuvered their college experience.
I AM A SENIOR AND WHAT SHOULD I BE DOING?
Congratulations on making it to the half-way point of your senior year!
I know you have been busy getting the final year started off on the right foot! Hopefully you have already filled out your college admission applications and have been accepted to your preferred colleges! If you haven't applied yet to any colleges then the time is NOW! Here at Wartburg College the application process is all online and easy to complete!
Just visit www.wartburg.edu/apply to fill out the application and start your college TODAY!
The deadlines that colleges provide you are for a reason so please pay attention to them. There are advantages to being first in line. Make sure you meet all of the required dates to insure first choice housing and an early class registration day.
Todd's Tidbit's:
Apply in the fall of your senior year.
Get a recommendation from a core class teacher.
Have your high school send your transcripts.
Fill out the deposit/housing card early.
Sign up for Student Orientation And Registration day (SOAR)
Relax and enjoy your summer until classes begin in early September 2011!
I know you have been busy getting the final year started off on the right foot! Hopefully you have already filled out your college admission applications and have been accepted to your preferred colleges! If you haven't applied yet to any colleges then the time is NOW! Here at Wartburg College the application process is all online and easy to complete!
Just visit www.wartburg.edu/apply to fill out the application and start your college TODAY!
The deadlines that colleges provide you are for a reason so please pay attention to them. There are advantages to being first in line. Make sure you meet all of the required dates to insure first choice housing and an early class registration day.
Todd's Tidbit's:
Apply in the fall of your senior year.
Get a recommendation from a core class teacher.
Have your high school send your transcripts.
Fill out the deposit/housing card early.
Sign up for Student Orientation And Registration day (SOAR)
Relax and enjoy your summer until classes begin in early September 2011!
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