CONSIDERATIONS FOR SEMESTER TWO SENIORS
1. Time to make your college choice
2. Know your financial aid offers
3. How to handle college rejection
4. What do admissions officers consider?
_________________________
Very soon seniors will have to make an
important decision – which college to attend.
In April, many colleges and universities begin
sending offer letters to students who have been accepted for their incoming
freshman class and have applied for financial assistance. Offer letters list
the cost of tuition and fees plus the amount of financial aid offered through
the school.
When you've been accepted and receive the
financial aid offers from more than one school, you need to compare them, make
a choice and accept the offer from the school that best fits your needs – and
your budget. You've probably already started making choices and ranking
schools.
How do you compare offers? Make a list of pros
and cons for each school and the key reasons for your decisions.
Most families need to consider the annual net
cost of attending each school and the annual cash outlay required of the
family. To figure these out, you can make a chart listing each school and
include the following:
1.
Tuition
2.
Fees
3.
Room
4.
Board/meal plan
5.
Travel
6.
Estimated price
of books and supplies
7.
Personal
expenses
1.
Grants and
scholarships
2.
Other gift aid
1.
Federal Stafford
or Direct Loans
2.
Federal Perkins
Loan
3.
Other student
loans
Once you've completed the chart, consider the
pros and cons of each school along with the financial considerations. Consider the nontangible factors (your
feelings about the school and the environment) as well as the tangible factors
(course offerings, cost). Listen to
your parents but realize that the decision is ultimately yours.
_________________________
When you receive offers from colleges, be
aware of the terms of any financial aid offers. In the case of federal, state
and many institutional aid programs, you are required to reapply each
year. Nearly every scholarship also
carries with it an obligation to carry a minimum course load and to maintain a
minimum grade point average (GPA). It's
important to read all financial aid documents carefully and understand their
terms and conditions. The same goes for
loans. You need to consider the terms of any loan—both the interest rate and
when repayment is to begin. Make sure you understand everything before you sign
any documents. If you have questions,
ask the financial aid office at the college.
_________________________
A rejection is never easy—whether it comes
from a friend, a potential employer, or even a stranger. Somehow though, you
usually get over it.
But when you're rejected by your Number 1
college choice, it can be hard to deal with and move on. This is your future
and a door just slammed right in your face.
Here are some ideas to help you work through
and overcome the disappointment:
§
Don't take it
personally. You may have been rejected simply because the college had many
similar applicants.
§
Reaffirm your
strengths. Remind yourself that you have many fine qualifications for
college. An acceptance letter will
come.
§
Remember that
you aren't alone. Almost everyone gets some rejections.
§
Recognize that
brand name doesn't equal success. There
are many paths to a successful career, and no college leads to a sure thing in
job placement.
§
Don't spend a
lot of time agonizing about the rejection. Instead, use the time and energy
finding another school that you will like as much or more.
§
Be positive about
other institutions. You are sure to find several colleges where you could be
happy and receive a great education.
§
Consider that
maybe the rejection isn't such a bad thing. Sometimes you realize down the road
that a rejection was a blessing. Maybe the admissions officer saw something
that signaled the college would not be a good match for your skills, interests
and dislikes, and thereby saved you from a disappointing experience.
§
If at first you
don't succeed . . . If you are dead set on a given school, start at another
school and reapply later as a transfer student.
Adult life will deliver some bumps and
bruises, like getting rejected when applying for jobs or being passed over for
a promotion. If you can learn to handle rejection now, you'll be better
prepared for adult life. And remember, college rejections happen, and they
don't have to define the rest of your life.
_________________________
When looking at college applicants, admissions
officers consider:
ê
Courses taken in
high school – Students who take challenging courses will be considered better
prepared for college than students who take the easier route through high
school.
ê
Grades – A
student's grade point average and class standing is important to admissions
officers.
ê
College entrance
exam score – Colleges use your score to determine your readiness for college
academics and which courses you are prepared to take during your freshman year.
ê
Extracurricular
activities – Are you involved in high school activities, and will you be
involved on campus? Students who are
involved in campus activities are more likely to remain in college and thrive
on campus.
ê
College essay –
Some colleges require essays and use them to judge writing skills and to learn
more about you as an individual.
ê
Interview – If
required, it is important for you to present yourself as someone who is bright,
articulate, and interested in being involved in the school. Be honest, relax
and let them see the real you.
ê
Whether the
college is the right fit for you – Will you like the lifestyle of the
particular campus? Will you fit in with
fellow classmates? Does the campus have
activities that match your interests?