1. The Liberal Arts College
As scholars come into the session, welcome them, ask them their names and if there’s enough time/small enough group, ask the scholars to quickly introduce themselves.

2. Intro to Ms. Ngaruiya
You can change this slide and add pictures of things that you like. For my pictures, the top three are my academic/career journey (Summit Scholar, now counselor at Summit, and the biggest cheerleader for scholars), the bottom row are things that I enjoy (art, Netflix, and ice cream)

3. Myth busters
There are a lot of myths about what liberal arts colleges are.
For the following facts, raise your TRUE card if you think the statement is true and your FALSE card if you think it is false
There should be a red card saying “False” and a green card saying “True” on each desk. Before starting the activity, ensure that each scholar has the cards that they need to participate.

4. Nearly All students at la schools are politically liberal
Myth 1

5. false
The title “liberal” has to do with the flexibility in curriculum and learning, not political affiliation. There are conservative students at every college and admissions look for having a student body that is diverse politically just like in every other way.

6. Nearly all students at la schools are studying the arts
Myth 2

7. false
LA schools offer competitive STEM programs as well! Plenty of doctors, engineers, and scientists graduate with a LA degree.

8. Most la schools have a small population
Myth 3

9. true
The average size of a LA school is 2300 students. Colleges can be as small as 900 students and as large as 5000 students. Some large universities like UT will have a college of liberal arts which will most likely have many more students.

10. It is hard to find a la school with strong stem programs

11. false
Many LA schools will have an engineering degree or might have a mathematics of physics degree that can be tailored to engineering. Some LA colleges with engineering programs include Lafayette College, Smith College, Swarthmore College

12. La colleges are too expensive to attend

13. false
LA schools can be expensive but also can offer great financial aid. More to come!

14. La schools are not real colleges

15. False!
Of course they are real colleges! You will get a top notch education!

16. La colleges offer a great education

17. true

18. So what exactly is a liberal arts college?
A liberal arts college or program involves many different subjects and emphasizes interdisciplinary learning
The focus on critical thinking, writing, and making connections between disciplines prepares students for any field or career

19. Different kind of curriculum
University requirements unt
Liberal arts requirements Rhodes college
English Composition and Rhetoric (6 hours)
Mathematics (3 hours)
Natural Sciences (6 hours)
U.S. History (6 hours)
Political Science (6 hours)
Visual and Performing Arts (3 hours)
Humanities (3 hours)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 hours)
Discovery (3 hours)
Capstone (3 hours)
The Search and Life Programs (First Year)
The Writing Requirement (First Year)
The Foreign Language Requirement
The First-Year Experience (FYE) Foundation Requirement
The Choice of Elective Courses
Universities often times have a more rigid academic structure. They require that you take certain classes no matter your major and sometimes these courses can get in the way of you being able to explore more interests or your major further. Liberal arts curriculums are much more flexible. They do want you to have a variety within your education but the descriptions are more wide ranging and the number of requirements is fewer.

20. do these courses prepare you for your future career?
Image links to website. We will spend 3-5 minutes exploring this graph. Be sure to explore the site prior to the presentation. It’s a lot of fun!
A liberal arts degree doesn’t just prepare you for a specific career but prepares you to go into any field. Many of the jobs that we have today were not in existence 10 or 15 years ago for example social media management. LA degrees prepare you to be a good writer, critical thinker, and interdisciplinary. This graphic that we will explore will show how majors can connect to a variety of career options. (you can also add in here an example of how you chose your major and career or any odd pairings from any friends you have. )

21. How are admissions at liberal arts colleges different?
Most state universities look at GPA and Test Scores first and foremost
Automatic acceptance = yay!
Automatic denial = boo!
Most LA colleges use holistic review – they look at all parts of the application
Transcript Personal Statement
Scores Extracurricular activities
Letters of Recommendation - Family Background
Mostly for the admissions counselor to speak on their experience reading applications

22. But what’s it gonna cost?
Guess the cost of attendance for these top schools

23. Salem College, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

24.  $40,206
Salem college

25. Pomona College, Claremont, California

26.  $67,325
Pomona college

27. Amherst College, Near Boston, Massachussettes

28.  $74,475
Amherst college

29. these schools cost $0 for many uplift scholars!

30. How does financial aid work?
Private and Liberal Arts schools have large endowments
For example: Amherst’s endowment is $2.248 BILLION
Without much state influence, these colleges can use their money as need be.
With smaller school numbers
Money goes further
Every student counts
An endowment is money or funds donated from alumni and sponsors to the college. Endowments are the funds that help sustainthe school. State schools use the state budget to fund their schools which can come with a lot of red tape. With a large endowment and relying less on the state, liberal arts/private colleges have more liberty to use their funds as they please

31. Let’s Compare! Texas state Salem college Cost of Attendance= $21,920
Go through each term and briefly describe what they are. Focus more on the difference between a grant/scholarship and loan and at the total difference in the end. Assure scholars that as they apply for colleges and financial aid, they will learn more about the ins and outs of financial aid.
The gap for Texas State is $2700. BUT there is a $5000 first year grant so the next three years the student has to make up the difference. With Salem, everything is covered! You can choose not to take out a loan and pay out of pocket.
Discuss the pros and cons and say that the college decision is not just based off of financial aid and that the personal choice also plays a big part.
Scholarship/Grants= Free money from the college
Federal Grant = Free money from Federal gov.
Federal Loans = Borrowed money from Federal gov.

32. Why did I choose a liberal arts college?
Great Education
Great Financial Aid
A culture of learning
A hub of thinking, creating, and doing
Completely different than what I knew.
These are the reasons why I chose to attend Vassar College. You can add your own reasons why you chose your college and feel free to change the picture.

33. Now it’s your choice.
Talk about how the scholars should feel empowered to create their college list and their choice in the end. But in making those decisions to consider best fit and to consider all options.

34. Q & a

35. Now let’s hear from our college rep!
Introduce the college admissions officer present. You may want to add their name and college in the sub title of the slide once you know who it is.