In This Issue
Access to Higher Education
Training and Careers
How much education do you have
Military Solutions
Community and Technical Colleges
The Community College as 1st Choice
ACT & SAT average scores increase
Colleges and Universities
Building an Educational Plan
Career and Lifestyle Opportunities
Application Anxiety
Making a strong Admission Application
Major Northwest Colleges
Money Talk
The treasure hunt for private scholarships
What are early financial estimates?
What do scholarship committees look for?
Insider Tips for scholarship applications
Since 1980, higher education in the United States has taken a new path.
A special report for the Chronicle of Higher Education (6/14/96), identified
new trends determining who has access to higher education today. According
to the Chronicle:
What family income brackets are represented in colleges today? Only 58%
of families with incomes up to $23,000 sent children to college. This contrasts
with 68% with incomes of $23-41,000, 77% with incomes $41-68,000 and 88%
with incomes above $68,000. Efforts to provide equal access to higher education
in the 1960's and 70's have given way to a widening gap in the 1980's and
90's.
While reports like this are cause for real concern, this is all the more
reason for families and students to take advantage of college planning opportunities.
Over 80 high schools in Washington have committed to send this newsletter
home to families in order to provide some of that help. Up to 50,000 families
will receive each issue of the Beyond High School (BHS) newsletter this
year. The goal of this publication is to provide students and families with
tools and expertise to make education beyond high school more accessible.
Careful planning is essential for success in higher education today. Welcome
to BHS for 1996-97.
The Pacific Northwest has placed a strong value on education for many years.
In the 1990 U.S. Census, the following levels of education were reported.
Percentage of Population Completing Educational Level
8th grade some high high sch. some Associate Bachelor's Graduate or less school diploma college degree degree degree WA 5.5% 10.7% 27.9% 25% 7.9% 15.9% 7% OR 6.2% 12.3% 28.9% 25% 6.9% 13.6% 7% ID 7.4% 12.9% 30.4% 24.2% 7.5% 12.4% 5.3% AK 5.1% 8.2% 28.7% 27.6% 7.2% 15% 8% US 10.4% 14.4% 30% 18.7 6.2% 13.1% 7.2%
All Pacific NW states have a higher levels of educational completion than
the U.S. average, with the exception of graduate degrees.
While not everyone is attracted by a military career, The U.S. Armed Forces
works hard to reach those who are. Students who consider military service
following high school have two options. They can join and serve their country
as enlisted personnel or they can participate in the Reserve Officer's Training
Corps (ROTC), while attending college. A student choosing either option
must be clear on one point. If you join the military, you must be willing
to serve, in combat if necessary.
Students and families may see the military as a means to save or pay for
college. While both enlisted and ROTC programs offer money to pay college
costs, they do so at a potentially high price. Military service is a proud
tradition and provides many with a valuable career or career skills. It
is not however, an alternative form of college financial aid. College funds
provided by the armed services are payment for service and work, not a scholarship
in the traditional sense.
ROTC programs require students to take ROTC courses while in college. Special
weekend and summer duties are also mandatory. The student is provided with
college funding for all or most of tuition and campus educational expenses.
Each ROTC cadet also receives $1,000 per year for additional expenses, and
pay for required training sessions.
Upon graduation, cadets become officers and must serve eight years of additional
military service. Two to four years is served in full-time active duty with
the remainder being served in the Reserve or National Guard. More than 1,000
colleges offer ROTC programs and program specifics may change for different
branches of the service. Interested students should contact the following:
"If I can't go anywhere else, I'll attend a community college."
When considering college, many high school students and parents look at
the local community college as a 'safety' choice. While this may be a good
admission strategy, it can also make sense to consider your local community
college as a top choice.
Community Colleges offer unique opportunities to their students. The first
advantage is location. Every area in the state is served by a community
college. These locations often allow a student to stay at home or close
to home as they complete their first two years of college. The second advantage
is cost. One year at a community college is less that half the cost of a
four-year public college and less than one quarter the cost of a private
university. All community colleges offer full financial aid programs to
eligible students. The third advantage is quality of instruction. Most community
college classes are small, often averaging 25 students per class. This means
more individual interaction with faculty and can improve the quality of
the education received. A final advantage is that community college credits
are easy to transfer if students plan to pursue a four-year degree. In Washington,
students with an associates degree from a community college are allowed
direct transfer to any public or private university, at junior status. While
transfer students must be accepted for admission, once admitted, all associate
degree credits will transfer.
The following is a list of Washington Community Colleges and their location.
Full-time, annual tuition and fees for 1996-97 are $1,401.
Note: lower activity fees may reduce some college costs
In Washington, 159,249 students attended public two-year colleges in 1995-96.
Associate degrees were awarded to 18,365 graduates. Many of these graduates
will transfer to a four-year university. When they receive their Bachelor's
degree, it will have the same value as if they had attended the university
all four years. For many students, attending a community college can improve
their learning opportunities.
As many students prepare to take the ACT or SAT pre-college tests, a slight
increase in average scores nation-wide has been reported by The Chronicle
of Higher Education (9/6/96).
ACT Combined Averages SAT-I Averages 1996 20.9 combined - 1013 math - 508 verbal - 505 1995 20.8 combined - 1010 math - 506 verbal - 504
Most people neglect to plan carefully for the one decision that will most
effect their career opportunities and lifetime income potential. Provided
with the college planning basics, prospective college students and their
families can plan for a successful higher education. Here are some questions
to ask yourself:
For many students, the secret of a successful college experience is to focus
on academic strengths and avoid any college major that requires substantial
study of subjects that are disliked. Most employers recommend that students
get a good basic education, worrying less about specialization and more
about fundamental communication and learning skills. On-the-job training
covers the more technical aspects of most work environments. Academic basics
cannot be avoided and all colleges require a core of study that includes
essential knowledge for program completion.
What career or lifestyle opportunities
do you want available after college?
A college degree does not always lead to the desired job or career. Planning
for career or lifestyle options can help. Do some research on prospective
employers. Contact the human resource or personnel office at local companies
that recruit and hire college graduates in select fields. Ask them about
programs and colleges that best prepare students for their company.
How do you match up with:
College size (enrollment, gender) - Would you be comfortable in a college
of more than 15,000 or less than 1,000 students? Are diversity and gender
balance important to your college decision?
Geographic location, housing & campus life - Do you prefer an
urban or rural environment? Do you want to stay close to home or are you
ready for a change? What about climate, recreational options, culture, food
and housing?
Cost - Many college cost options are available. Remember, cost is
more than just tuition and fees, it also includes books and supplies, food
and housing, transportation and other expenses. College financial aid is
based on this "Total Cost of Education."
Key Facts About Students in: Washington Oregon Idaho Alaska Percentage of students in 1994 attending public colleges 86% 86% 81% 96% Increase in high school graduates by 2006-07 +29% +17% -12% +25%
Will you be offered admission to your top choice colleges? While the final
decision is up to each college admission committee, applicants can do a
great deal to prepare for success and avoid anxiety.
Which colleges are most likely to offer you admission? In your college research,
consider what percentage of applicants are being offered admission. The
higher the percentage, the better your chances. What are the average pre-college
test scores and grades of successful applicants? Are your scores above or
below? Admission rates and average scores are available through various
reference books and computer listings, ask at your high school career center.
How many college applications should you submit? A minimum of three colleges
should be considered. One choice could be higher risk based on academic
requirements. One should be a good match for your test scores and grades.
Your third choice should be a safety, where you can be sure of an admission
offer. If you apply to more than three, remember each application requires
a fee. Colleges often waive this fee for low-income students, be sure to
ask if the fee poses a financial burden.
What information do you need to give to schools when you apply for admission?
Generally schools ask for:
Admission applications come in various forms. Some are simply a single sheet of paper on which you answer questions. Others ask that you submit an essay, recommendations, perhaps a portfolio of past accomplishments. Most require a combination of academic and personal information. Be sure to read the application guidelines carefully and contact an admission counselor if you have any questions. Be sure to give yourself 6 weeks or more to complete admission applications and required attachments. Have a friend or family member read your application for content and to spot any errors you might have missed.
In 1994 the Carnegie Commission categorized major doctorate-granting colleges
as follows:
Research Universities 1 Research Universities II Doctoral Universities 1 Doctoral Universities II full baccalaureate same as Research I award at least 40 award at least 10 programs, over 50 schools but with $15.5 doctoral degrees in doctoral degrees in doctoral degrees each to $40 million in five or more three or more disciplines year, +$40 million in annual federal support disciplines annual federal support one discipline
Only Eight Northwest Colleges Qualify:
Oregon State Univ. Univ. of Idaho none Idaho State Univ, Univ. of Washington Univ. of Oregon Seattle University Washington State Univ. Univ. of Alaska-Fairbanks
Contacting Scholarship Organizations
Getting information about scholarships is as easy as picking up the phone
or writing a postcard. The organizations that administer scholarships have
booklets, brochures and applications just waiting to be sent to interested
students.
You can call or write. If you call, be sure to get the name and title of
the person with whom you spoke. They may ask you about your academic and
extracurricular interests. This is not a formal interview, but a way to
see if their program is appropriate for you.
If you write, be sure to type or print clearly. Include your name and full
address, tell them when you hope to start school (i.e., when you will be
applying) and list any subjects, activities or campus support services in
which you are interested. When writing for scholarship programs, it is better
to send a more complete letter of introduction. The following should be
included in your letter.
Keep a list of the programs where you requested information; note the date. Generally, if you have not received anything back within a month, you should call the office and ask again. If you are requesting information close to the deadline, you should definitely call to request application materials. Organizations may extend the deadline by a week of two if you call close to the deadline. BUT, do not rely on that - it is better to request information early, giving yourself enough time to complete a strong application.
With the high cost of college today, many families need to know as early
as possible what financial aid they might receive. With the regular financial
aid process, aid offers are not available until April or even later.
Many colleges are now offering 'early financial aid estimates' to students
and families. These estimates are often provided in the fall, before financial
aid forms are completed by the family. Families complete simple financial
data forms based on numbers from their last tax return. The college uses
this data to 'rough out' a possible financial aid package. These early estimates
are not a guarantee of aid but do provide a reasonable idea of what a family
can expect. Students and families seeking early estimates should contact
the college financial aid office. Some colleges provide early estimates
during a student's junior year in high school, or even earlier.
Applications should always be written to provide the reader with what they
want to see. Before you prepare scholarship applications, do what you can
to find out who will be on the review committee. While this information
is not always available, it can often be gained simply by asking, "Who
will be reviewing my application?", when you request materials. You
can often use common sense to figure that a bank-sponsored scholarship is
reviewed by bankers or a music scholarship by musicians.
Prepare your application with the scholarship committee in mind. Would they
prefer a more formal or relaxed essay style? Be sure that whatever you write
it is personal and specific. Re-read your essay, if it could have been written
by someone else, it's not personal. Put yourself in the place of the scholarship
committee. What do you envision they are seeking from successful applicants?
Scholarship applications usually require a general information form, a list
of activities and honors, an essay, several letters of recommendation and
an official transcript. The general information form and transcript are
easy. The general information should always be typed neatly and transcripts
should remain sealed in 'official' envelopes. Activity and honors lists
can be prepared in advance and updated as necessary. This list should not
exceed one page and should only include listings from high school years.
Letters of recommendation should be requested from people how know you best
and at least four weeks in advance. You should read these letters before
they are sent and never send a poorly-written or generic letter. Give the
writer an outline of the points you would like covered.
The essay is often the key item in scholarship applications. This is where
the committee can 'visualize' the real you, your goals and accomplishments.
Write several drafts and share them with teachers, family and friends. Begin
and end with strong statements that capture the reader's attention and leave
a lasting impression. Use personal anecdotes or experience to illustrate
your points. Committees may read 50 or 100 essays, make yours memorable.
Individuals who serve on scholarship selection committees know that few
applications really stand out as superior. Often the applicant may be just
who the committee is seeking but the application is average or poor. The
following are tips to make your application one the committee will remember.
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