Frequently Asked Questions
How do I go about applying to college?
If you are a high school student, you should plan on applying for admission in the fall of your senior year. Schools that admit students both semesters will have different deadlines for admissions. Be aware of specific deadlines for Early decision, rolling admission and regular admission to college. Applications can be obtained by either submitting one on line, use of the Common Application (found on line), or obtaining a paper application directly from the college admissions office. Your high school can familiarize you with their requirements or restrictions in applying, including procedures, deadlines, etc. Students are advised to apply to a number of schools in order to ensure that they get into at least one of their choices. Students should include in that list, a number of schools they feel reasonably sure they will be able to get into, as well as including one or two schools that may be more selective or considered “a reach”. High schools are responsible for sending out the transcripts required for each college. You are responsible for asking for teacher or counselor recommendations. An application fee is required for each application. For those students who can demonstrate financial hardship, there are ways to apply for assistance in reducing or eliminating some of the fees. You are also responsible for arranging to take any required exams, such as the ACT or SAT and should arrange to have those scores sent to the schools you indicate when registering.
Are my chances better applying early decision?
Early Decision allows students to indicate one school as their choice for early decision. This is different from Early Action. This is discussed in the “Applying to College” section. The main difference is that the student is obligated to attend the school if they are offered admission. The filing deadline is usually set for Early November. For those students who have a first choice school and have completed their application to meet the deadline, applying Early Decision can be an advantage. Often, there are fewer students applying and the admission rate is usually higher for students in this group. The down side is that the student must make the commitment to attend, often without having important information on financial aid or the opportunity to compare offers from other schools. Students waiting to hear about scholarships as well as athletes waiting on offers are not able to exercise this option.
How soon should I apply for financial aid?
When you apply to the college, you should complete the financial aid form as well. Students intending to apply for loans or who want to be considered for federal grants must complete the FAFSA. This form is available on line in January. Some schools also require completion of the CSS profile.
Do I have to be rich to go to a private school?
Many people think that you have to be well off to attend a private school. But that is not true. First, many private schools are supported or funded by churches or groups that have donated monies to keep the tuition affordable. Public schools are able to offer lower tuition because they are supported from public funds collected in state taxes. Out of state tuition for individuals whose permanent residence is outside of the state will pay considerably more to attend that school. Private colleges, while tending to have higher tuitions, often offer more scholarships to attract students who might not normally be able to afford to attend that school. With the availability of federal grants, college work study, competitive and need based scholarships as well as federally subsidized loans, education at a private school can be affordable for many students.
Is it ever too late to go back to school?
The average age of the student attending college is going up as more and more adults make the decision to start or return to school to earn a degree. College credits earned earlier in life as well as CLEP credits (learning experience credits) enable many adults to complete a degree. Students can attend school both full and part time. So the answer is no….it is never too late. Matter of fact, recent studies have shown that health and longevity is positively affected by continued learning and education.
What is the difference between a college and a university?
Although the two terms are often used interchangeably, the distinction is often one of size. We are usually talking about colleges that offer a Bachelors degree (BA or AB or BS) in liberal arts and sciences. (Often they are called 4 year colleges or senior colleges) Universities are usually made up of more than one college: It could be a university that has several undergraduate schools, i.e., college of liberal arts and an engineering college or a combination of both undergraduate and graduate schools.
What is a two year or junior college?
A junior college or community college, offers a plan of study leading up to an Associate Degree. Often people refer to these schools as two year colleges which can be a misnomer. The time it takes to earn a degree is dependent upon the amount of remedial courses a person will take, as well as whether they attend full time or part time. There are usually 2 types of degrees that are offered – an AAA (Associate degree in Applied Arts) and an AA (Associate of Arts degree). The AAA usually prepares a student to complete a course of study leading to some type of applied/job related skill. Some examples of this are, radiology technician, secretarial studies, and computer technician. An AA degree is an approved course of study in liberal arts. Students earning this degree are prepared to transfer to a senior college in order to obtain a Bachelors degree. Often, the junior college has an agreement (articulation agreement) with a corresponding senior college, to accept some if not all of the credits towards a program of study. Although all college credits earned in an accredited program are eligible for credit, the school that accepts a transfer student has the discretion to allow, credit or waive certain course requirements based on grades, course content and credits earned, keeping in mind its own graduation or degree requirements.
Is there financial aid for adults?
Federal loans are available for students as long as they are enrolled in school and attend at least part time. While there are fewer grants and scholarships available, a little research can come up with a variety of resources. Adults who are employed should look to their employers for employee reimbursement benefits, corporate scholarships as well as internships available.
Is going to college really worth the time and cost?
From a purely monetary perspective, the most recent projections indicate that the difference in lifetime earning between a high school and college graduate may be as much as a million dollars. What a difference four years of your life can make. But more than that is the opportunity to expand one’s knowledge base, learn specific skills for work and pursue a career that one enjoys, finds meaningful and financially rewarding. In order to keep up with a fast changing, highly competitive job market, today’s young adults must be literate, technically savvy, and knowledgeable about a variety of topics as well as be prepared to problem solve and meet a variety of professional demands.
Do I have to be smart to get a scholarship?
Scholarships come in two varieties. The first type is the competitive one, where a student competes with other applicants and is measured by a combination of factors including academic achievement, competitive performance (i.e., artistic or musical or athletic ability), service, and leadership or character as evidenced in an essay or listed activities. Need based scholarships are usually offered to students who meet some type of competitive criteria, but also demonstrate financial need as evidenced by the family’s income and assets. Many colleges offer both types of scholarships and automatically consider the applicant for both if they qualify. Private or corporate scholarships may also require a particular field of study, or that a student maintain a certain GPA to continue to be eligible.