Helpful Hints to Consider During Your College Search

 Vocational schools (PA College of Technology)  Community colleges (HACC or LCCC)  PASSHE schools (Bloomsburg, Millersville, etc)  Public schools (PSU, Temple, Pitt, etc.)  Private schools (Lycoming, Susquehanna, Bucknell, etc.)

 Majors  Minors  Certificate programs  Graduate programs  Doctoral programs  Opportunities to study abroad  Honors programs

 Standardized test scores  High school GPA  Essays  Letters of recommendation  Interviews  Placement tests  Pre-requisites

 Tuition  Room and board  Fees  Parking passes  Books and materials  Meal plans  Licensure or certification

 Grants  Student loans  Work study programs  Scholarships  Employment opportunities on campus  Employer reimbursement  Assistantships (graduate students)

 Where is the school located?  How far is the school from your hometown?  What is the surrounding area like?  What are the demographics of the surrounding community?  Are there employment opportunities near by?  What is the crime rate in the surrounding area?

 Total number of students  Male: female ratio  Age, gender, race, ethnicity, or religious affiliation  Residents v. commuters  PA residents v. out-of-state students  International students  Non-traditional students  Graduate students  Doctoral students

 Enrollment  Faculty  Average class size  Graduation rate  Dropout rate  Job placement rate  Is the school accredited

 Resident halls  Campus apartments  Availability and cost of off-campus housing  Freshman requirements  Visitation requirements  Parking requirements  Vehicle requirements  Accessibility

 Fraternities  Sororities  Student government  NCAA athletic programs  Intramural sports  Clubs  Student organizations  Honors fraternities

 Talk to your school counselor  Surf the Web  Utilize College Navigator  Utilize Education Planner  College Visits  Visit the PHEAA website

 What courses do I need to take to be ready for college?  How should I plan my schedule so I will complete them?  Which elective courses do you recommend?  Which AP courses should I consider taking?  Do you have any college handbooks that I can look at?  What activities can I do to get ready for college?  What kinds of grades do different colleges require?  Are there any college fairs nearby?  Can you put me in touch with recent grads who are attending colleges on my list?  Do you have any information to help me start exploring careers?

 Browse the college newspaper online  Go clubbing (“Student Life’ links)  Patronize the arts (“Events” or “Arts” links)  Enlist academic support (look under Student Services)  Check out the library  Housing (look under Admissions or Prospective students)  Health (look for the Student Health Services link)  Grab a tray (“Dining Services” link)  Root for the home team (click on Athletics)  Browse a course catalog (look under Academics)  Visit a department (look under Academic Departments)

  Allows students to acquire information about post-secondary institutions according to:  Type of school  Degree sought  State  Provides a list of schools that meet the selected criteria  Acquire information by simply selecting the school

  Can access from the PHEAA website  Provides information and resources for the following topics:  Career planning  Preparing for school  Paying for school  Self-assessments

 The PA State System of Higher Education   Provides information about the 14 state schools  Bloomsburg, California, Cheyney, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Edinboro, IUP, Kutztown, Lock Haven, Mansfield, Millersville, Shippensburg, Slippery Rock, and West Chester  Provides information regarding the financial aid process

 Admissions & Academics  Attend an information session at Admissions Office  Interview with an Admissions Officer  Pick up financial aid forms  Sit in on a class that interests you  Meet a professor in your chosen major

 Campus Life  Take a campus tour  Scan bulletin boards  Talk to coaches if interested in playing sports  Go to the career center  Plan an overnight visit with a student  Ask to see a freshmen residence hall  Visit the cafeteria, library, bookstore, fitness center, and other facilities  Walk and drive around the community surrounding the campus

 Ask current students  What are the best reasons to go here?  What do you do on the weekends?  What do you like best about the campus?  What do most students complain about?

 PA Higher Education Assistance Agency   Provides information on college planning   College fairs  Five simple steps to financial aid  FAFSA

 Provides information on Funding Opportunities  PA State Grant  Other educational aid  Work-Study Employment  Aid for military and PA National Guard  Loan forgiveness

 Educationplanner  Collegeboard  PHEAA  PASSHE  College Navigator  ASCA  PDE