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THE
COLLEGE SEARCH
COLLEGE
VISITS & INTERVIEWS
FINANCIAL AID
BRIGHT FUTURES
THE COLLEGE SEARCH
1. WHERE SHOULD I BEGIN THE SEARCH?
Begin with a self-assessment. Ask the questions:
Who? What? When? Where? How? and Why? Why do I want to go to
college? What do I want to learn/study? Who am I now? How will
college help me become who I want to be? Where should I apply?
How will I get admitted?
Don’t rush through the self-assessment
part of your search. Take stock. Consider possibilities. Keep
options open. Dream a little. Imagine your ideal college, keeping
in mind factors such as size, location, type, atmosphere, history,
culture, and ethos. Save the construction of your college list
until you have gone through self-assessment, then begin to build
your list.
2. WHEN SHOULD I BEGIN?
Begin in earnest in September of your Junior
year . This schedule should give you time to do your thinking,
research, and campus visits and minimize unnecessary stress for
yourself and your parents. At the beginning of your Junior year
you can attend visits from college representatives to the Shorecrest
campus. An introduction to a college by an expert is a positive
addition to your research plan.
2. WHAT RESOURCES WILL HELP ME BEGIN MY SEARCH?
The College Center has guidebooks, current
catalogs from a wide range of schools, brochures filed alphabetically,and
computers with access to the World Wide Web. Bookstores are a
wonderful resource, especially for information on specific areas
of interests such as the arts, engineering, or the environment.
You can find articles in current publications in the library.
Thorough research in the print media is an excellent way to begin
your research.
Another effective research strategy is to
contact current students at colleges where you have an interest.
Firsthand opinions are valuable, but remember to sift through
opinions to collect facts. Speaking with alumni is also valuable,
especially for a historical perspective. This effort may answer
the question: How will this particular college help me reach
my goals?
3. SHOULD I DECIDE ON MY MAJOR OR A PARTICULAR
AREA OF STUDY BEFORE I MAKE MY COLLEGE LIST?
Maybe…maybe not. If your area of interest
is specialized, such as engineering, computer science, fine arts,
music (especially performance), architecture, certain foreign
languages (not French or Spanish), then you will need to construct
a list of colleges that support your special interest.
If your interests are more general, you will
find that virtually all selective colleges have strength in the
heart of the liberal arts curriculum: biology, English, history,
and math. At those colleges where your choice of a major can
be put off for a year or two, entering as an undecided student
is the accepted choice.If you are set on a particular major,
such as engineering, it is important to determine the consequences
of changing majors in your first or second year.
4. WHAT SPECIAL FEATURES SHOULD I BE AWARE
OF WHEN I BUILD MY COLLEGE LIST?
Core curriculum, three/two programs, consortiums,
exchange programs, co-op programs, study abroad programs, and
block scheduling are just samples of the unique features you
will find among your favorite list of colleges. For example,
if you are looking forward to selecting a course of study that
is loosely structured, it would be important to examine the strictness
of a college with a required core curriculum. If you want to
study engineering and support your studies with work experience
in the field, you want to find schools that offer a co-op program.
If you are seeking small classes but want an expanded cultural
and social population, you should consider clusters of colleges
within a consortium.
The best resources for exploring special features
are guidebooks that give details, not just facts. Also, colleges
develop comprehensive Web sites that showcase their unique programs.
5. HOW MANY SCHOOLS SHOULD I CHOOSE FOR MY
COLLEGE LIST?
There is no magic number! The most important
factor is to develop a list that reflects your interests, your
credentials, and your dreams. There is no upper limit on the
number of schools where you may apply…but you can attend
only one. Therefore, choose schools that match both your credentials
and interests as closely as possible.
Generally, a well-constructed college list
will include six to eight schools, all of which you have researched
carefully and would be happy to attend. These schools should
range from "reaches,"(based on your GPA, curriculum,
and test scores) to "targets," (where you are a typical
candidate, most but not all of whom are admitted) to "safeties" (where
you are virtually assured admission). It is important to dream,
but equally important to have an "insurance policy" in
your back pocket, just in case.
6. SHOULD I JUST PICK ONE COLLEGE, APPLY EARLY,
AND TRY TO GET ADMITTED?
While you may eventually decide that you would
like to apply using an Early Action or Early Decision plan to
your top-choice school, doing so should be the end result of
thorough research. Each student should first step back and explore
options, ask questions about himself or herself, and assess academic
and non-academic needs and goals. The only way to be certain
that you have identified your top choice is to explore other
possibilities thoroughly. It is also critical that you visit
the school that you are considering for ED/EA while it is in
session, in order to gain the fullest possible sense of the students
and the environment. Do remember that even if you apply somewhere
early, it is essential that you still construct an entire list
of viable options, since there will not be time to do that research
if you are not admitted ED/EA.
COLLEGE VISITS
AND INTERVIEWS
1. WHEN IS THE IDEAL TIME TO VISIT COLLEGES?
Summer vacation is generally when students and their families
have the best opportunity to visit college campuses. These visits
provide a good, general introduction, and there may be more opportunity
to meet with admissions officers and financial aid officers.
However, it is strongly recommended that you visit (or revisit)
those colleges you are most interested in when school is in session,
so that you will have a more complete idea of what the college
is like, and a chance to meet students and visit classes.
2.WHAT SHOULD I DO DURING A VISIT?
Call ahead and arrange to go to the information
session and the campus tour (Though do not judge all students
by the single tour leader). Explore the library, interact with
students, and eat in the dining hall. Pick up a student newspaper
to see what matters to the students there. Attend a sporting
event. Check out the kiosks to see what activities are offered.
If you have a special interest in a department, sport, or activity,
arrange to speak with someone in that department, or at least
check out the facilities.
3. DO I NEED AN INTERVIEW?
If the college offers the opportunity, take
advantage. An interview is a chance to add life and dimension
to your paper application. Students who feel that their extracurricular
or talents can best be highlighted by an interview are especially
good candidates. Also, if you are sure of your first choice/Early
Decision college, an interview can be invaluable.
4. WHICH IS BETTER, AN INTERVIEW ON CAMPUS
OR WITH AN ALUMNUS INTERVIEWER?
Colleges repeatedly assure applicants and
counselors that being interviewed by an alumni representative “counts” as
much as an on-campus interview by an admissions officer or student.
Yet perhaps the interviewer will also be an admissions officer
who later review your file...and remembers an infectious sense
of humor that did not come through in your application. Interviews
also help colleges determine the level of interest and commitment
on the part of the candidate. For your part, an interview is
a great way to gather specific information about the college.
5. HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW?
Come to an interview dressed appropriately
and be prepared to talk about your strengths and interests. Come
prepared to sk questions, but be sure that your questions are
appropriate for the college and not obvious ones that could be
answered from the view book. Be prepared, talk about yourself,
and to take control of the interview should you get “So,
tell me about yourself” as an opener. Practice answering
several of the sample questions provided in this handbook, taking
the opportunity to point our your strengths and interests and
how the college would benefit from these colleges. And relax.
It is in everyone’s interest for the interview to go well.
FINANCIAL AID
1. HOW CAN I OBTAIN THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT THAT
WILL ENABLE ME TO ATTEND THE COLLEGE OF MY CHOICE?
Researching scholarships, loans, and other
financial support for your college costs is as arduous and important
task as finding the best colleges. In fact, if you know that
financial aid is an important factor in your choice you must
begin exploring options as you build your list.
The most reliable source of financial is the
college itself. Most schools offer scholarship opportunities,
based on need, merit, or special talents. This information is
readily available on the Web site of the individual institution.
In addition to the financial support provided by colleges, you
might want to explore outside scholarship opportunities.
2. WHICH FORMS SHOULD I SUBMIT TO BECOME ELIGIBLE
FOR SCHOLARSHIPS AND FINANCIAL AID?
The universal form used by colleges and universities
is the FAFSA, the government sponsored service that is free to
all who apply. The form may be completed online. Paper forms
are available in the College Center in November. The information,
whether given online or using the paper form, cannot be submitted
to the central clearinghouse until after January 1st.
The CSS Profile is an additional scholarship
clearing house service available to students but only the schools
that subscribe to this service require the form. Check on the
College Board Web site for the specific information. It is important
that you complete the information on the CSS form in a timely
fashion. There are a few schools that do not use the CSS form
but have institutional forms that are required. Family financial
information from the year prior to the students’ senior
year is reviewed and recommendation for family contributions
is provided to those colleges that you indicate.
3. WHEN WILL I HEAR FROM COLLEGES ABUT MY
AID PACKAGE?
Colleges usually mail their financial aid
awards either with the acceptance letter or within a week or
two the letter of acceptance. This holds true for both early
and regular decision acceptances. If you do not receive this
information you should immediately contact the admissions office
and/or the financial aid office of the college to clarify any
questions you may have.
You should not commit to any college until
you have received written notice of your financial aid. At this
point your acceptance to the college and your commitment to the
college become very one-on-one. You should feel comfortable about
discussing any changes in your financial profile that will have
an impact on your attendance.
4. IF I AM ACCEPTED TO A COLLEGE, DOESN'T
THAT MEAN THAT THE COLLEGE WILL PROVIDE THE AID?
Being accepted does not guarantee that you
will receive financial aid. You should take the time to compare
all your offers of admission and financial aid before you commit
to one college or university because packages vary widlely from
college to college and from year to year.Remember, colleges will
not award financial aid to students who have not completed the
requisite forms.
5. IF MY FINANCIAL AID OFFERS VARY WIDELY,
WHAT SHOULD I DO?
If your best financial aid package is from
your first choice college, accept their offer! If your first
choice college wasn’t that generous as some other colleges,
you should contact the financial aid office at your top college
choice. DO NOT plan negotiating your financial aid offer. DO
ask for the aid office to help you understand the wide variance
in awards. Make sure that the aid office has all the most current
information, any change to your family’s capability to
meet their contribution segment. SOMETIMES aid officers will
reconfigure your package. Time is an important factor in these
negotiations. Therefore it is important that all the required
forms and pertinent facts are submitted by or before deadlines.
Remember, by the time that you receive your
letter of acceptance to a college the admission’s committee
has invested time and resources in that decision. They want you
to attend. While the financial aid office is a separate entity,
both offices work to assure that accepted students have an opportunity
to matriculate.
BRIGHT
FUTURES
How and When Do I Apply?
Students must apply during their last year
in high school or forfeit all future eligibility for a Bright
Futures Scholarship. Students apply online in December of
their senior year at http://www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org
Why Should I Apply If I plan to attend college
outside of Florida?
A student who receives a Bright Futures award
and attends an out of state postsecondary institution and then
returns to Florida to complete his/her education within 3 years
may apply for reinstatement of the original award.
How and When Will I Be Notified of My Eligibility?
Early Evaluations (7th Semester)
All students whose transcripts are submitted
for an official early evaluation (based on your academic progress
in the middle of the last year of high school) will receive either
an award or an ineligibility letter from the Florida Department
of Education.
End of Year Evaluations (8th Semester)
If your transcript is submitted for an official
evaluation after your last term in high school, you will receive
an award (or ineligibility letter) only if you did not receive
an early evaluation or if your award status has improved since
the early evaluation.
The Process The award (or ineligibility letter)
will be mailed to the address listed on your Florida Financial
Aid Application, within three weeks of the date your transcript
is officially evaluated by the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Program.
Included with an award letter will be:
* information about your award;
* instructions regarding how to notify the
Florida Department of Education of the college you plan to attend
and how to correct any information we have on file for you; and
* a System ID and Personal Identification
Number (PIN) with instructions explaining how you can access
your Bright Futures record on the Internet. This will enable
you to:
* view your award status
* view your demographic information
* view your postsecondary institution choice
* view the amount disbursed each semester
* view spring renewal GPA
* monitor your hours remaining for the year
and for the scholarship
* view a list of correspondence mailed to
you by the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program
Included with an ineligibility letter will
be:
* a System ID and Personal Identification
Number (PIN) with instructions explaining how to monitor your
eligibility status in the event your GPA or test scores improve
prior to the end of June.College Notification
Notification of your award will be made available
to all eligible postsecondary institutions via an Internet Directory
of Eligible Students as soon as your award status is official.
How much money will I receive?
The amount of your award varies depending
on the institution you attend and the number of hours in which
you are enrolled. Contact your financial aid officer for
information pertaining to your award amount.
What if I want to drop a class or withdraw
from school after the drop/add period?
If you DROP OR ADD after the drop/add period,
your institution is not required to revise the award amount for
that term. However, hours dropped or added may affect your
renewal eligibility.
How will I receive my award money?
* A single check is sent by OSFA to each institution
for their Bright Futures recipients prior to the beginning of
the fall term.
* The institution is provided with all eligible
students' names and social security numbers electronically. The
school may also contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
* After the end of the drop/add period, funds
are either applied to the student's account at the institution
or given to the student in a check.
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