General+College+Information



Thoughts to Ponder: Selecting a college is like buying a car. You would never purchase a vehicle without first test driving it...RIGHT? You must "test drive" colleges. The most effective way to do this is through a college visit! Often I hear students reluctant about meeting with college representatives or visiting a school. Most of the time, this reluctance is due to not knowing what to ask or say. I have the solution for you! Below you will find helpful information about what to look for and ask colleges while visiting the campus or meeting with college reps. Let me know if you need more ideas. I would be happy to help you!

__ Campus Visit __ The college visit is a valuable piece in the college selection process. Here are some pointers for a successful college visit. 1. Best time to visit: March-October (Junior-Senior Year). 2. Set up an appointment to visit with the admission’s office and take a tour. Generally, campus tours are given daily. 3. Checklist for a successful college visit:  · Campus tour   · Student Union, Library, Dorm, Recreational Facilities   · Visit department of your college interest or major   · Visit the various dormitory options   · Inquire into student activities   · Pick up a school newspaper. What are students concerned about? What do they do in their free time?  · Inquire into school security-walking across campus at night  · Ask if freshmen can have a car on campus. What are the fees for parking?  · Visit with students you know who attend this school. What are their opinions?  · If possible spend the night. The admission’s office will assist you if this is an option.  · Fraternities/Sororities?  · Brainstorm what is important to YOU!

__ Visiting with College Admission Representatives-Tips for students and Parents __ Many students and their parents hesitate to talk with a college representative because they feel they may have an obligation to that school as a result of their visit, or they may not know what questions to ask. Remember that a conversation or completing a request card does not constitute a commitment to attend that particular school. In fact, knowledgeable admission representative will often refer a family to another college that may be a better fit for a particular student. Student should know their basic academic information (GPA, test scores) before talking with an admission representative. Have a fulfilling conversation by using this list of potential questions:  · What are your admission requirements? Do I need to write an essay? If so, what are the possible topics?  · What factors are emphasized in the admission process?  · What can you tell me about your program in (inert major/program here)? <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Does your college give credit for AP/IB scores? If so, do you have a chart I could see? <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · What is the academic profile of students attending your college? <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · If I’m interested in art/engineering/music/etc, are there specific requirements for admission? <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Tell me about your cost of attendance. What percent of students are offered need-based financial aid? How many receive scholarships? <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Is housing guaranteed if I am accepted? How many students live on campus? What are your policies regarding on-campus housing? <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · What is the average class size? For freshmen? For junior an seniors? What is the largest class on your campus? <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Are freshmen taught by professors or graduate students? <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Tell me about your academic advising program. <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · Are there parking restrictions on campus? Can I bring my car? <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · What do students do on weekends? Do they tend to leave campus or stick around? <span style="display: block; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 1in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in;"> · What percentage of your recent graduates started working right after graduation? How many went on to graduate school?

I attend a workshop every year where the colleges from the state of Colorado give a school update. Some schools discuss new or popular programs available, while others discuss scholarship opportunities. I decided it might be beneficial to make a quick reference to each school and what they discussed at the workshop. These updates are merely to highlight what the college wanted school counselors to know for that particular year. Below is the update with the college links from September of 2010.

**__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">College Updates: __** **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Adams State College: __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> [|www.adams.edu] ** · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No waiting list for their nursing program · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bachelors and Masters in Business in 5 years · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Index of 100-119- Automatically receive a $1,000 scholarship · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Index of 120 or greater-Automatically receive a scholarship greater than $1,000 **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Arapahoe Community College: __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> [|www.arapahoe.edu] **

· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Offers a Mortuary Science Program · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Popular Nursing Program · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First Generation Scholarship-$1,600 with a 2.25 GPA or higher · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Presidents Scholarship-80% of tuition with a 3.25 or higher **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Colorado College: __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> [|www.ColoradoCollege.edu] **

· <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Must interview if student lives within three hours of campus **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Colorado Northwestern Community College: __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> [|www.cncc.edu] ** · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No waiting list for their nursing program · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dental Hygiene Program · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Aviation Maintenance Technology and Aviation Technology Programs are popular · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Offers a Park Ranger Program **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Colorado State University __**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">: [|www.admissions.colostate.edu] · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">With a household income of $57,000 or less, you may qualify to receive ½ - full tuition paid for **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Colorado School of Mines: __ __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[|www.mines.edu] __** · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Does not offer Aerospace Engineering; however, there are other majors which will enable you to work in the Aerospace field · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Talk to admissions about which programs would be best if that is your career goal **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Johnson and Wales University: __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> [|www.jwu.edu/denver] ** · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">There will continue to be no application fee **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Lamar Community College: __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> [|www.lamarcc.edu] ** · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No waiting list for their nursing program · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Horse Training and Management-Trainer and Equine Business Management remain top programs **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mesa State College: __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> [] ** · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Academic Achievement Award-$1,200 per year <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">-Based on the combination of any two of the three following criteria: 3.0 GPA; top 20% of class, or a 22 ACT · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Presidential Scholarship- $2,000 per year <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">- Based on the combination of any two of the three following criteria: 3.25 GPA; top 15% of class, or a 25 ACT · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Trustee Scholarship-$2,500 per year <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">- Based on the combination of any two of the three following criteria: 3.5 GPA; top 10% of class, or a 27 ACT · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mesa State College Distinguished Scholarship-Pays for resident tuition and student fees <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">- Based on the combination of any two of the three following criteria: 3.75 GPA; top 5% of class, or a 29 ACT · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First Generation Scholarship- $1,000 per year <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">- Based on the combination of any two of the three following criteria: 2.5 GPA; top 25% of class, or a 21 ACT **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Regis University: __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> [|www.regis.edu] ** · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3.5 GPA and ACT of 25 could qualify for a $11,000-$13,000 scholarship **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Trinidad State Junior College: __ __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[|www.trinidadstate.edu] __** · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Gunsmithing program is ranked #2 in the world **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">University of Colorado Denver: __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> [] ** · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">BA/BS to MD Program. If admitted into the program, students can get their Bachelors of Arts/ Bachelors of Science at UCD and then be admitted into their medical program · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Deadline to be admitted into the program is in October

**__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">University of Northern Colorado: __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> [|www.unco.edu] ** · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">UNC Bear Tracks Scholarship-$1,000 with a Index of 100-111 · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">UNC Provost Freshman Scholarship-$1,250 with an Index of 112-128 · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">UNC Presidential Freshman Scholarship: $2,000 with an Index of 129 or above · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">UNC Trustees Scholarship- $5,000 with an Index of 140 or higher · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Valedictorian Scholarship-$1,000 if ranked first in class. Can receive in addition to one of the scholarships listed above · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First Generation Scholarship- $4,000 selection is based on financial need. Can receive in addition to one of the scholarships listed above. **__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Western State College of Colorado: __<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> [|www.western.edu] ** · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">No application fee until November 1, 2010

**__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">General Reminders: __** · <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Almost every school’s financial aid deadline is **//__<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">March 1st __//**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 20pt; line-height: 115%;">! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you do not submit the proper paperwork to each school by then… you will not be eligible for any of their scholarships.