1. College Prep Night @ Stevens High School
Molly Moore—Director of Admissions
South Dakota School of Mines

2. Choosing a College

3. It Starts With You—Self-Inventory
What are your values?
Which classes do you enjoy? What subjects always bore you?
What's your learning style? Hands-on?
Large group or small group preference?
Proximity to home?
What are your academic/career goals?
What makes you happy?

4. What our students say: Long-term goals
Brianna: I decided on Mines because I knew what I wanted as my goals but I didn't know how to achieve them. The head of the department was able to outline my options and reassure my concerns, and explain what opportunities I can come across in the future.

5. What our students say: Cost and Professors
Kristin: Cost is good to think about! Also the smaller campus and less students than most colleges help you get classes with real teachers not just TAs, smaller class sizes and more access to the staff and teachers. Even as a non-trad these were very important to me.

6. What our students say: Size & Community
Connell: Definitely look at size and community activity opportunities. The biggest thing that drew me to Mines and kept me here was that it's small enough for professors to build personal connections with students on an individual level. And the next biggest reason was that there were so many programs/events/organizations to get involved with.

7. What our students say: Majors available
Jenna: Do they have your top 2-3 majors you are considering so you don't constantly transfer? Placement rate/How successful that major is at that particular college.

8. Create a short list
Make a list of your top 5-7 universities

9. Utilize your local resources
Rapid City Planning Days College Fair
8:00 a.m. on October 23 at the Rapid City Civic Center
50 different universities and military representatives
College Rep visits at the high school
Talk with family, friends, teachers, and coaches

10. Make Campus Visits Personalized Visits Open Houses Personalized
One-on-One
Chance to see a lot about a few specific things
Mon-Fri for most schools
SD Mines:
Sign up online OR Call our office.
Open Houses
Many more students
Chance to see a little bit of everything
Usually a few times a year.
Saturday options
SD Mines:
Sign up online

11. Important Questions to Ask
Student to Teacher Ratio
Placement Rate
Starting Salary
Internship Opportunities
Learning Communities
Tutors/Academic Support
Academic Advising
Graduate Assistants
Campus involvement with students
Study Abroad Opportunities
Clubs and Activities

12. What our students say about campus visits:
Kristen: The main reason I ended up picking Mines was because I visited and everyone treated me so well.

13. Applying Deadlines Material Requirements Varies school to school
Early Admission (Non-Binding)
Early Decision (Binding)
Rolling Admissions
Material Requirements
Apply online
Application fee
Official high school transcript
Official vs. Unofficial
Official college transcript if enrolled in college courses
Essays
Letters of Recommendation

14. I’m admitted. Now what?

15. Admissions Counselors
What do we do?
Territories
Phone Calls
Answer Questions
Travel
How can you benefit from us?

16. Enrollment Checklist Housing Classes Meal Plans Orientation
Parking Pass

17. Financial Aid & Scholarships
Merit based vs. Need based
Specific Eligibility Scholarships
Speak with Financial Aid Office.
SD Mines
Deadline is February 1st, 2016
Students are automatically entered for merit based scholarships.
Notified via mail in March.
FAFSA
Apply online at .
Apply as soon as possible after January 1st.
SDSM&T FAFSA School Code is:
Need Based, Subsidized Direct Loans and Federal Work Study (FWS).
Contact Financial Aid Office for more information.

18. Costs Tuition Room & Board Books & Materials Average Credits Fees
Instate
Out of state
Reciprocity
Room & Board
Average Room
Meal Plan
Books & Materials
This is not always included.
SD Mines does include this.
Undergraduate
SD Resident
Tuition and Fees
$10,370
Books and Supplies   
$ 2,000
Room and Board
$ 7,300
Estimated Yearly Total
$19,670

19. Class Schedules & Housing Assignments
Varies School to School
Many have a class registration day.
Talk with the Admissions Counselor
SD Mines
Complete Course Survey
Registrar’s Office creates schedule.
Continuously come out as they are finished.
Housing Assignments
Varies School to School
Talk with the Admissions Counselor
SD Mines
Complete Housing Application
Housing assignments given out in June.
$100 Deposit.

20. Questions?