Volume 9, Number 2
Training and Careers
Jobs and Education
Planning For Success
Community/Technical Colleges
The Advantages of Community and Technical Colleges
What are Technical Colleges?
Colleges and Universities
The Admission Process
What information do you need to give for admission
?
UW and Evergreen State offer Admission Email Address
Careful College Choices
Money Talk
Private Scholarship Eligibility
Determining family contribution
"With few exceptions, trustees and legislators do
not yet understand they are in the driver's
seat of educational Model T's. Tinkering with the engine to reduce fuel
consumption and
rearranging the seats to accommodate more passengers do not address public
concerns
about the quality of education or productivity of our colleges and universities."
Would you consider commuting to college in an 80 year old Ford Model T?
According to Clara
Lovett, President of Northern Arizona University, the colleges you may be
considering
are operating using systems even older than the Model T, systems from the
last century and before.
Do you still need summers off to help harvest crops? While some students
still live on farms, most do not, yet colleges still operate with academic
years that are a relic of a time when agriculture and farming controlled
the calendar. Did you know that degree requirements at most colleges reflect
a process that duplicates an industrial assembly line? This process dates
back to a time when industrial assembly lines were the cutting edge of time
and production management. Today, many colleges realize that education should
not be delivered to students using outdated methods.
Some colleges are trying to change to fit the needs of current students.
When choosing a college you may want to look for the following:
· Program offerings available year-round, especially in the summer.
Classes available evenings and weekends, perhaps offered electronically
via Internet.
· Movement away from 'seat time' and credit hours as the measure
of successful education. New programs allow students to move at their natural
learning pace, which is usually much faster than traditional models. A four-year
degree may be possible in three years.
· Opportunities for creative study/work or intern programs that allow
students to learn in the classroom and on-the-job at the same time.
How much education is needed to get the job or career you want? The chart
below shows a partial listing of occupations and the level of education
necessary for each.
High School Diploma (with short-term, on- the-job training)
Two-Year College Four-Year College Graduate School (Associate's Degree) (Bachelor's Degree) (Graduate Degree)
High school students and their families realize that planning is necessary
to succeed after high school. The challenge is, where and when to start?
In addition to challenging yourself academically, the following checklist
offers some of the key elements in planning carefully for careers and college.
Career and guidance counselors may be able to provide more detailed checklists.
9th Grade
· Get to know high school career and guidance counselors, let them
know your goals.
· Identify role models and adults in interesting careers. Ask how
they got where they are and the
education required for specific careers.
10th Grade
· Become involved in school and community activities to expand your
interests and connect with
career, educational and scholarship opportunities.
· Look for opportunities to visit colleges or prospective workplaces.
· Identify need and merit-based scholarship and financial aid options.
11th Grade
· Take PSAT and/or PLAN preliminary pre-college tests in fall.
· Begin matching your interests with prospective colleges and request
admission and financial aid
information. Attend college fairs and financial aid/scholarship seminars.
· Identify people who can provide you with letters of recommendation
for college/work.
· Register to take the SAT or ACT pre-college tests in spring or
following fall.
12th Grade
· Narrow college admission choices, send applications for admission,
financial aid and scholarships.
· Apply for part-time jobs during college, or full-time work, starting
after graduation.
· Review admission and financial aid offers and make your college
choice.
Because of their open enrollment policies and their flexible scheduling
of classes, community colleges offer a valuable option to students pursuing
a first degree or who are interested in updating existing work skills. Their
friendly environments can offer encouragement to students who are unsure
of abilities or goals. In offering evening as well as day classes, community
colleges accommodate the student who must work while attending classes.
Their low cost in comparison to four year schools offers an attractive alternative
to students who are concerned about financing their education. An added
advantage is the agreement in Washington State between all four year institutions
and community colleges to allow a student receiving a two-year associate
degree from a community college to be accepted with junior status at any
four year college or university state-wide.
Technical colleges can prepare students for jobs in existing vocational
fields. Because most programs are open entry/open exit, they allow the student
to enroll when a vacancy exists and leave when the student is ready for
employment. Most programs at the technical schools are hands on, practical,
skill-building classes designed to prepare the student for immediate employment.
In Washington State, technical colleges are part of the public community
and technical college system. It is very important not to confuse public
technical colleges with for-profit trade or 'proprietary' schools. Public
technical colleges cost about one-third as much as the for-profit trade
schools, have many credits that WILL transfer to other colleges and provide
greater access to financial aid. Washington's public technical colleges
are:
The mission of the technical colleges is to provide basic skills, vocational
and workforce training through short-term programs that lead to job opportunities.
In addition to the technical colleges shown above, all community colleges
have technical and vocational program offerings. Technical and community
colleges offer on-going job training program orientation sessions for interested
students. Call your local technical or community college for more information.
Admission methods change from one college to the next. For degree candidates,
the selection process will be more thorough than for non-degree candidates.
Most colleges assume that degree candidates will enter in the fall term,
and the selection process becomes a yearly cycle, in one of three ways:
rolling, regular or early.
Rolling admission programs set a date when the college will begin
accepting applications - usually in December or January. Like 'first- come,
first-served,' rolling admission applications are reviewed as they are received,
and are decided upon within 4-6 weeks. There is no specific application
or notification deadline - but it is advantageous to apply earlier rather
than later.
Regular admission refers to colleges which set a specific date when
applications are due (usually January or February), and they set a notification
date as well (usually in early May.) In this way, the
selection committee can review the whole applicant pool at the same time,
rather than person by person as in rolling admission.
Early admission programs are designed for students who are certain
of their first choice college. The student applies in the fall (usually
November) and hears within a month. There are two kinds of early programs:
early action and early decision. Early decision involves a commitment on
the student's part - so that if accepted, the student is automatically matriculated.
Early action, on the other hand, does not involve that commitment. The student
accepted under early action programs has until late spring to notify the
school whether or not he/ she will attend.
In both early admission programs, students can be accepted (generally it
is very competitive), rejected (usually only those who clearly would not
be accepted in regular action), or deferred. Deferred students are automatically
reviewed in the spring with the "regular" pool and colleges often
accept additional information to up-date the deferred student's application.
Generally colleges and universities ask for:
· Personal and academic information - name, address, date of birth,
graduation, etc.
· Official transcripts - high school classes and pre-college test
scores, any college courses
(from programs like running start)
· Activities listing- non-academic interests, participation in clubs,
organizations and other activities
· Personal statements and essays - goal statements, essays on selected
topics
· Recommendations - from employers, teachers, friends and others
askuwadm@u.washington.edu is the new email address that students and their
families can use to contact the University of Washington Admission Office.
The UW is offering this communication link to improve their outreach and
service to the public. Through email, the following requests can be made:
· request for application materials and for information on deadlines,
required documents to complete a file, and how to complete core requirements.
· What GPA does it take to get into the UW?
· Requests for information about UW academic programs and student
services.
· Status checks: Is my admission file complete?
The admission office will not provide information on admission decisions
(did I get in?) via email.
Inquiries can be made to the Evergreen Admission Office by email. Evergreen's
email address is admissions@elwha.evergreen.edu.
Choosing a college can be confusing. It is important not to be misled by
slick marketing materials or hard-sell recruiters. Some basic tips can help
students and parents find colleges that match well with student goals.
· In addition to the glossy college brochures, collect the materials
you really need like the college catalog, student handbook or listings of
available financial aid and scholarships. Simply call and ask for these
materials. You may want to start collecting these materials during the sophomore
and junior year.
· Take advantage of new electronic college selection and admission
computer programs available at many high school career centers. These tools
allow students and parents to use the computer to identify college options,
request materials by modem and even submit electronic applications.
· If at all possible, arrange to visit colleges you are considering.
There is no substitute for actually touring campus facilities. If you cannot
visit a campus, request a college video from the admission office.
· Ask the admission office about 'retention', the percentage of freshman
who actually go on to graduate, in your area of study. The national average
is about 60%. Also ask what percent of graduates receive 'placement' in
jobs relating to their studies. Who recruits on campus and hires graduates?
While the largest sources of funds for education are still the federal and
state governments and the colleges and universities, there is one additional
source of funds for students and families to consider. These are the "private"
scholarships offered by many organizations to specific populations and based
on a variety of criteria. These scholarships may range from a few hundred
dollars to several thousand and can sometimes be renewed for several years.
Because scholarships organizations aim to further the interests of their
contributors, each organization chooses the eligibility qualifications.
You must match the scholarship and the student applicant. These are some
of the factors commonly considered.
Academic Achievement: This category examines grades, level of course
work, test scores, and exceptional skills in specific fields.
Career Interests: Students who plan to major in specific career fields
may be awarded scholarships by academic departments, private foundations
or employers.
Financial Need: Financial need can often be a determining factor
in many scholarships. Variation exists in defining financial need so students
may be classified as needy for one award, but not another. Some scholarships
clearly define the term "financial need." Others allow the applicant
or school to make that determination.
School, Community, and Leadership Activities: A review of participation
in community organizations and employment history are considered. Here,
the extent to which you are committed and involved in these activities is
most important. How you make a difference when you choose to be involved
is a reflection of leadership.
Special Populations: This category may include racial or ethnic groups,
religious affiliations, the physically challenged, children of alumni and
others.
Special Skills or Talents: Music, drama, art and athletics are major
areas for which these awards are granted. Usually there are added procedures
for these merit scholarships, either submitting a portfolio, an audition,
meeting with coaches, etc.
In addition to the criteria listed for selection, the application is also
evaluated on other subjective factors. The application itself, its neatness
and completeness, makes a definite impression on the reader. The ability
to follow the application's directions (as to format or content) should
not be underestimated. Well-written personal statements or letters of recommendation
very often sway the judges. When there are many qualified applicants, judges
look at small differences to select recipients.
This worksheet will allow families to figure out an estimate of how much
they might be expected to contribute toward the cost of education at the
college of their choice. This worksheet is based on the 1996-97 federal
needs analysis formula. To complete this worksheet, use your most recent
tax return or pay stub to get earnings estimates.
PARENT INCOME - 1995 year
(custodial household only in case of divorce/seperation)
1. Parent Income: wages, include payments to retirement plans,
social security benefits, interest/investment/tax-exempt interest
income, child support received and unemployment compensation. $_________________________
2. Federal Income Tax Paid $______________________________
3. Income Protection Allowance: $10,520 for a household of two,
$13,100 for three, $16,180 for four, $19,090 for five, $22,350 for six
or more. Subtract $1,790 for each child in college (if living on campus).$_____________________
4. Employment Expense Allowance: $2,500 or 35% of the smaller
income, whichever is less, if both parents or a single parent works.$________________________
5. Add lines 2. 3 and 4. $____________________________
6. Parent's Available Income: subtract line 5 from line 1 $_________________________________
PARENT ASSETS (custodial household only)
7. Total Assets: cash and bank/savings accounts (moneys available
for college), investments/real estate, exclude home & retirement funds.$______________________
8. Asset Protection Allowance: use following table
Age-Older Parent One Parent Family Two Parent Family to-44 $24,700 $34100 45-49 $27,600 $38,800 50-54 $31,100 $44,300 55-59 $35,200 $51,300 60-64 $40,300 $60,300 65+ $44,000 $66,800
9. Parent's Available Assets: subtract line 8 from line 7 $________________________________
10. Multiply line 9 by 12%, if negative, enter 0 $______________________________________
11. Adjusted Available Income and Assets: add lines 6 and 10 $__________________________
12. Parent's Expected Contribution: using number on line 11, see the
table below. Divide line 12 by number of students in college at the same
time for contribution per student. NOTE - line 12 negotiable based on family
circumstances.$_____________________
Available Funds from line 11 Parent Contribution Less than $3,409 $750 $3,410 to $9,400 22% of line 11 $9,401 to $11,800 $2,068 + 25% of $ over $9,400 $11,801 to $14,200 $2,668 + 29% of $ over $11,800 $14,201 to $16,600 $3,364 + 34% of $ over $14,200 $16,601 to $19,000 $4,180 + 40% of $ over $16,600 $19,001 or more $5,140 + 47% of $ over $19,000
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