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The Net Price Calculator
A New Way to Estimate College Costs
The federal government recently required that as of October 29 of this year colleges and universities must post a Net Price Calculator on their website so that families can estimate the potential cost of the college before they attend. These calculators use the college's institutional data to provide estimates of how much a family might pay based on the student's individual circumstances. The calculators may request the student's GPA, SAT/ACT scores, family income, assets, and student income and assets in order to provide these estimates. To check out some tips about how to use the net price calculators, check out this article by US News and World Report entitled"4 Things You Need to Know about College Cost Calculators". To view a sample net price calculator, check out Rivier College's calculator here. To check out a different college's net price calculator, look on either their admission or financial aid office web pages. Schools are currently updating their calculators with their 2012-2013 data, so pay close attention as the estimates may not be current for next year!
Note: Many colleges will ask you to register when you use their calculator. While this may be a great way for you to get information from the college, it is usually not necessary. Often, you can skip to the calculator without completing the personal information they request.
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FREE College Planning Workshops and Webinars
Register today for any of the workshops below by clicking
here or calling us at 800.525.2577, x119. Check these out today!
Upcoming workshops held in our College Planning Library in Concord:
Know the Score: Introduction to the SAT and ACT
Monday, October 10, 2011 (Columbus Day)
11:00 - 12:30 p.m.
Learn about the role standardized testing plays in the college process and gain simple tips to assist you in preparing for the SAT.
The College Essay
Monday, October 10, 2011 (Columbus Day)
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
This interactive workshop helps participants learn the process of writing a college essay. The workshop will not only present brainstorming processes and different approaches to getting an essay started, edited, and revised, but will also critique various college essays. Strategies and tips for writing a successful essay will be shared. Attendees will receive a list of helpful internet resources, sample essay prompts, and the College Insider.
The College Interview
Monday, October 10, 2011 (Columbus Day)
2:45 - 4:30 p.m.
Students learn tips for articulating their strengths, creativity and character during the admission interview. Center for College Planning staff will help you practice in a mock college interview.
Financial Aid Overview Webinar
Offered ONLINE
Thursday, October 20, 2011
6:15 - 7:15 p.m. or Monday, November 14, 2011
6:15 - 7:15 p.m.
Financial aid experts discuss
ways to apply for aid, what type of aid is available, and how to complete the financial aid and scholarship applications successfully. Funding options, scholarship searches and the importance of deadlines are discussed. |
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Greetings!
Welcome to the Center for College Planning's e-newsletter! You will find information about the college planning process for high school seniors, juniors and even motivated sophomores and freshmen. As always, the counselors at the Center for College Planning are here to help you in any way we can. Our toll-free College Planning Hotline, 888.7.GRADUATE x119, is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. We also offer one-on-one college counseling appointments to rising college freshmen and their families to explore funding options and college prep appointments for rising high school seniors. Let us help you with your college planning questions. |
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Ask Joe College
If you enjoy reading the Varsity Letter, you may like to read and post to our blog, Ask Joe College. In addition to other teens posting ideas and questions, professors and our college counseling team also share their best advice and the latest news. |
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Spotlight on Seniors
Applying Early vs. Regular Decision
Early Descision and Early Action
While Early Decision and Early Action admissions used to only be associated with competitive colleges, of high school seniors who filled out the Common Application last year, nearly 49% applied to some form of an early program. Students apply early to a college they are very interested in attending. Most colleges either offer Early Decision or Early Action admission, but typically you will not see both offered at the same school. For both Early Decision and Early Action, the deadline for admission is usually in the fall of a student's senior year, typically November 1. This means that students must complete their applications by this date. If students apply early admission, they usually receive an answer by January 1, which is often before other students even apply to college through the regular process.
Early Decision (ED) is a binding commitment by the student to attend the college if you are admitted. For this reason, students may only apply to one school ED. Students and counselors usually have to sign a contract if the student applies ED stating that if admitted, the student will attend the college. To view the common application ED agreement, click here. Often times, ED acceptances are made before students know what their full financial aid package will be. So if you want to compare different financial aid packages or if you are not sure you want to attend the college, ED may not be the right fit.
For Early Action (EA) admission, students again apply early, generally by the November 1 deadline. The difference here is that applying EA does not require a commitment. So students apply early and are notified by December or January of thier admission status, but they do not have to make a decision about the college until Spring. Some students elect to immediately accept thier admission, while others may want to wait and see which other colleges choose to admit them. If a college offers EA admission, students typically can apply to more then one college EA.
Some of the most selective colleges offer something called Single Choice Early Action (SCEA). Although students still do not have to commit to attending their college if admitted, students are allowed to only apply to one college SCEA. To make sure you are aware of the admissions' policies for the college on your list, contact their admissions office (or visit the admissions section of their website) so you are aware of the specific rules and processes.
The College Board offers a worksheet that helps students decide whether applying early is right for them. You can download the worksheet here.
Regular Admission
Regular Admission is the standard college admission deadline, which is between January 1 and April 1 of the student's senior year. Students myst have all of thier materials in by this deadline, and then colleges will admit, waitlist, or deny students admission based on their qualifications. If a student is not accepted for Early Action or Early Decision but is not denied admission, they are usually placed in the Regular Admission pool and the college will look at the student's application in comparison to the other students applying Regular Admission
Rolling Admission
Some colleges offer Rolling Admission. This means there is no exact deadline for admission. Students apply and are admitted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The key here is that the campus will only admit students until they have met their enrollment goals. Sometimes, the college might fill their class in January, while other years, the college fills their class in June. So don't put off Rolling Admission deadlines or you may miss your chance especially if a student is applying to a college with a competitive program like nursing, physical therapy, or engineering. Spots in these programs go quickly. (All seven of NH's Community Colleges offer Rolling Admission)
Quick Tip:
Seniors should apply to 6-8 colleges. Be sure to colleges that range in competitiveness so that you have about two reach schools, two target schools, and two probable schools. Confused on how to make your list? Talk with our school counselor or call the Center for College Planning for a College Preparation appointment today! |
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Just for Juniors
PSAT/NMSQT: Great Practice for the SAT Test!
The PSAT is a Preliminary SAT that is offered in most high schools sophomore or junior year to help students practice the SAT (a standardized test used for college admission). The PSAT is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. Similar to the SAT, the PSAT tests students on their ability to read critically, write, and solve math problems. The PSAT is offered only at high schools, but if your high school does not offer the PSAT, you may be able to take the test at another high school in the area. This year, high schools will choose from a PSAT test date on either Wednesday, October 12 or Saturday October 15. College Board, the company that manages both the PSAT and SAT, offers students who took the PSAT access to a program called My College Quick Start to help them study for the SAT.
Quick Tip: Juniors, be sure to register ASAP for fall or early winter SAT or ACT tests! |
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Financial Aid Tips
The Financial Aid Scene
As you consider where you will apply to college, the cost of college should be a factor in making your final list. Ask your parents about how much money, if any, they are able to contribute toward your college education. Although college is expensive, there is financial aid available to help students go to college. Financial aid is granted both from the federal government and from each college itself. Financial aid can include loans, grants, scholarships, and federal work-study (a job on campus). Surprisingly, even though some colleges may be priced higher than others, students never really know what they will be asked to pay until they receive their financial aid package. A college that is priced at $45,000 may not actually cost the student and his family $45,000.
Confused? Often students are offered grants and scholarships from the college to help offset the cost. So for instance, a student might apply to a school that costs $45,000 a year but the student is offered enough financial aid so that he only actually has to pay the college $15,000 a year. The same student might be offered an entirely different financial aid package at another college, even a college with the same sticker price of $45,000.
So how do you know what colleges will offer you for financial aid? You won't know until you are admitted and the college offers you a financial aid package. However, there are several things you can do to estimate how much a college might cost you. Colleges create their financial aid packages based on a government form called the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Any college that offers federal student financial aid will require the FAFSA form. Students apply for financial aid both from the government and at the college itself by filling out this form. The FAFSA requires information such as the parents' income and assets and the student's income and assets. After entering this information, the FAFSA will generate a number called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This is the amount the federal government estimates a family can pay toward one year of college. Colleges themselves use the EFC to create the student's financial aid package. Since you cannot file the FAFSA until after January 1, 2012 for fall admission to college, we will provide more information about the FAFSA in upcoming newsletters.
Quick Tip: Have you looked at the Common Application yet? Check it out today at www.commonapp.org. |
How to Approach College Recommendations
Recommendations are one of the key pieces of the college application. Colleges and universities usually ask for 1-3 recommendations for admission to their school. If a college only requests one recommendation, the student's guidance counselor should send this letter. The counselor asks teachers from various grade levels about the student and writes an overall letter about the student's performance in high school. If a college requests more than one recommendation, students should ask their guidance counselor first and then teachers or other adults for the subsequent recommendations. So for example, if you needed three recommendations, you might ask your guidance counselor, 11th grade English teacher, and 11th grade Math teacher. Juniors, since you have a full year before you have to request recommendations, if you do not have a strong relationship with a teacher, coach, or another adult, you should start working on making those connections! Seniors, if you are applying to college this year you should start thinking about who you will ask ASAP!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COLLEGE RECOMMENDATIONS
Who Should I Ask for a Recommendation?
Most colleges require one recommendation from the student's guidance counselor. If colleges want additional recommendations, students should ask an adult who knows them well and can speak to their strengths. Although colleges prefer academic recommendations from teachers of a core subject such as Math, Science, or English, you should think about what makes sense for you. For example, if you are going to art school, an art teacher's recommendation would strengthen your application. Teachers, coaches, employers, and religious leaders are appropriate people to ask for recommendations if they can speak to your strengths as a student and as a person. Parents, relatives and friends are not appropriate people to ask for a college recommendation.
When Should I Request a Recommendation?
You should ask your references how much time they will need to write your recommendation. In general, you should ask at least one month in advance of your earliest deadline for your first letter of recommendation. Remember that your references will have other students also asking them for letters, and these letters can be time consuming to write. You don't want to rush someone who is writing a letter on your behalf! At the same time, you should offer a courteous reminder as the deadline approaches.
What Materials Should I Give to my References?
Consider offering your reference a copy of your resume, a list of deadlines and the schools to which you are applying, and a one-page write up of what you did well in his or her class. Some high schools encourage students to create a "brag sheet" which essentially highlights a few examples of papers, projects, or other activities where you demonstrate learning and growth. Also, be sure to indicate how the reference should submit your recommendation. Will the recommendation be emailed, uploaded into the Common Application or mail it to the admissions office? Make the process as clear as possible so there is no confusion in where and when your letters should be sent.
After Receiving the Letter of Recommendation
Remember to send a handwritten note to those who have taken time to write a recommendation for you to thank them for their time! Once you make a decision about the campus you will attend, keep your references informed as a courtesy.
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Catch us next month for information on narrowing your college list and college interview tips!
The NHHEAF Network Organizations' Center for College Planning
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