1. Finding the Best Fit College

2. Systems of Higher Education
There are over 4,000 colleges in the US. There’s a place for you!

3. Why Invest in College?
Knowledge Gap: Parents and students may not understand the economic value of a college degree.
HSF Message: Research shows the higher level of education one obtains, the higher pay they are likely to receive in the future.

4. Value of College Education
Average salary:
High School Diploma: $34, 000
Bachelor’s Degree: $61,000
Master’s Degree: $71,000
Unemployment rate:
15.6% for high school drop out
10.5% for high school diploma
5% for Bachelors Degree
Lifetime earnings (45 years):
High School: $1.5 million
Bachelor’s Degree: $2.7 million
Master’s Degree: $3.2 million
As of February 2010
Recently some media attention to claims that degree is overvalued. Take cost of education and invest that money, start own business etc (i.e. Bill Gates). This may be the case for some people..but, a very, very small percentage of people. Most of us don’t have the talent and ability to make that happen.

5. College is Fun!!!
Humans vs. Zombies: Students looking for an all-out, real-time survival-horror experience can find it in Humans vs. Zombies, a worldwide college activity that's about as extracurricular as it gets. Students on the human side arm themselves with sock grenades and foam dart blasters and try to keep the other side from laying hands on them and turning them into zombies.
Wizards and Muggles: For legions of Harry Potter fansEach semester begins with a Sorting Ceremony that determines the wizardly house to which each student belongs. The houses engage in friendly competition over the course of the semester to decide the winner of the House Cup.
Fine Cheese Club: Semimonthly meetings center on understanding, appreciating and enjoying gourmet cheese from all over the world.

6. University of California
Stats:
10 campuses
Research-based
Cost of Attendance: Approximately $34,000 per year total
Basic admission requirements:
A-G coursework
3.0 GPA minimum
SAT or ACT
Personal Insight Questions
“Comprehensive/Holistic Review”
Important factors: extracurricular activities, leadership roles, community service, etc.
Emphasize that COA is sticker price.

7. Note on Eligibility
Colleges and Universities communicate the MINIMUM eligibility requirements. But, many colleges in California (and outside of CA) are very competitive.
GPAs of admitted students are much higher than the minimum eligibility requirements
Schools look at academic rigor not simply A-G completion
You want your applications to make you standout!

8. California State University
Stats:
23 campuses throughout California
Traditional university setting
Cost of Attendance: Approximately $25,000 per year for total
Basic admission requirements:
A-G coursework
Minimum 2.0 gpa, Meet minimum eligibility index (a number derived from an equation that considers both GPA and SAT/ACT scores)
SAT or ACT
-Explain the difference between UCs and CSUs.
-In 2009: Minimum eligibility index for CSU bound California residents: 2900 using the SAT and 694 using the ACT

9. California Community College
Stats:
113 campuses
Transfer, Associate’s Degree, vocational, and certificate programs available
Cost of Attendance approximately $12,000 total
Basic admission requirements:
High school diploma or GED or
18 years old
(Note: High school students can enroll in community college classes with high school’s approval.)
Explain what each degree means.

10. Private Colleges Stats: Basic admission requirements:
Many, many campuses (i.e. University of San Francisco, Santa Clara, USC, Stanford University, Dominican)
Campus settings/focuses vary widely
Costs vary widely
Basic admission requirements:
Vary, but generally accept courses covered by the A-G curriculum
GPA varies
Testing requirements vary, but most require SAT or ACT
Generally practice Holistic Review
Extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and community service considered
Explain what a private institution is.

11. Out of State Public Colleges
Stats:
Many, many out of state public colleges in U.S. such as University of Oregon, Arizona State University, University of Nevada at Reno)
Often times out of state public schools are less competitive than California Schools
Cost of Attendance varies widely
Basic admission requirements:
Admissions requirements vary widely – check individual websites to learn more

12. Historically Black Colleges & Universities
Stats
100 Campuses
Locations: South and East Coast
School size varies from 789 to over 6000
All schools have programs they are known for and produce top grads for all career fields
Not all students attending are African American
Many colleges have 20 to 40 % non AA students
Basic Admissions Requirements
Selective HBCU’s 3.0 or better and 1100 on SAT
2.5 GPA with a 950 on the SAT
Personal Statement
2 Letters of Rec are required by some HBCUs
Overview
Introduction
Where you’re from, your position
Type of college
Location, # campuses
Culture of the school
Programs offered

13. Vocational/Technical Institutions
Stats:
Many campuses, depending on field of study (i.e. Wyotech, Art Institute of California, Expression College for Digital Arts, Heald College)
Degrees and/or certificates available
Costs vary widely, but can be VERY costly
Basic admission requirements:
Admission requirements vary widely. Research application procedures at each program of interest.
Make sure to research thoroughly cost and success of each program.
(Note: Many vocational programs are available at community colleges for a much lesser cost.)

14. Make-or-break criteria
A few, basic factors to consider when researching college campuses…
Institution type (public, private, vocational)
Majors/minors offered
Campus/enrollment size (large vs. small classes)
Campus reputation
Geography (urban/rural; in-state/out-of-state)
Distance from home
Housing (available/guaranteed?)
Campus resources (libraries, computers)
Costs (tuition, books, room and board)
Financial aid offered

15. Make-or-break criteria
Some more factors to consider…
Religious affiliation
Gender-specific vs. co-ed
Student body diversity
Extracurricular activities offered
Social life (sororities, fraternities, clubs)
Tips for successful research:
Don’t rely on name recognition/hype. Find your best fit!
Don’t pick campuses just because your friends are applying. Make your own decisions!
Don’t rule out colleges because of cost. Financial aid is available.

16. Sample Unmet Need by Institution Type
School
Institution Type
COA
Gift Aid
Unmet Need
Sacramento State
CSU
$23,324
$12,675
$10,649
Contra Costa College
CCC
$11,900
$7,018
$4,882
UC Santa Cruz UC
$34,164
$24,431
$9,733
Santa Clara University
Private
$61,683
$58,916
$2,767
Tuskegee
HBCU
$29,129
$18,730
$10,399
Dominican
$52,414
$21,986
$30,428
You will not know how much a school will cost you until after you apply and after they offer you your financial aid. Never rule a school out simply based on sticker price.
You will not know how much a school will cost you until after you apply and after they offer you your financial aid.

17. Junior Year Checklist
Refer to Getting Ready for College Handbook for Junior Year Checklist.
Review items on Junior’s College Admissions Checklist from GRFCC Handbook.

18. Exploring and Applying
Exploring Colleges:
(includes all community colleges in California)
College Searches online can help you identify schools that you may be interested in exploring in more detail