College Connection (10.13.17)

COLLEGE CONNECTION OCTOBER 2017 • stltoday.com/collegeconnection

ST. LOUIS NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIR SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY Simon Recreation Center Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017, 1-4 p.m.

Register Now at gotomyncf.com

Inside:

• 2017 Saint Louis National College Fair tips • Guide to exhibitors and floorplan

• How colleges boost local economies • Using high school courses and activities to prepare for college

Special to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

COLLEGE

CONNECTION CONTENTS

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Beyond lattes and pizzas How colleges boost local economies Financial aid questions Understand and prepare for the costs of a college education

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NACAC National College Fair Sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling

Tips for attending a college fair Simple steps to make things easier Preparing for college How to use high school courses and activities to get you ready

DATE: Sunday, October 22, 2017 PLACE: Saint Louis University, Simon Recreation Center, 3639 Laclede Ave., St. Louis, MO 63108 TIME: 1 to 4 p.m.

ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Susan Eckert seckert@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8587

MEDIA SPECIALIST Charles Mems cmems@post-dispatch.com 314-340-8033

EDITOR Greg Uptain guptain@yourjournal.com 314-744-5728

Exhibitors list and floorplan Help to find everything at the fair

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 11675 Fairgrove Industrial Blvd.

Maryland Heights, MO 63043

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Continue Your Story For over 189 years, McKendree University has been committed to providing a high quality, undergraduate and graduate education to exceptional students. With convenient locations at our Lebanon campus and The Center at Scott Air Force Base, we offer a variety of formats to fit your busy lifestyle – onsite and online programs, accelerated classes, and evening instruction.

mckendree.edu

Apply Today!

UNDERGRADUATE • GRADUATE • ONLINE M A K E

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October 2017 | COLLEGE CONNECTION

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Y O U R

M A R K

Special to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Be part of something bigger Sponsored content by Madelaine Gerard, BA ’16, Mass Communications

When I arrived at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), I was only sure of one thing: I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself.

The second I joined the Department of Mass Communications, I knew I would finally have my chance.

Every professor worked diligently to combine media theory and practice through a number of hands-on experiences. From assisting on video productions or writing sections of code for websites, to conducting interviews for stories and filming footage for my own films, I was able to put a piece of myself in each project.

As I completed each project, I realized I was becoming more marketable.

I was quickly offered an internship with a local news organization and, after it concluded, I was asked to stay on as a staff writer and photographer.

I had a plan in place for a full-time

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY EDWARDSVILLE PHOTO

job before I walked across the stage at graduation.

Two years and 750 news articles later, I finally know what it’s like to be

part of something bigger than myself, thanks to my time at SIUE.

BUZZWORTHY RESEARCH Whether your future includes a beekeeper suit or a business suit, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed for a successful career.

Visit SIUE at booth 93 and 94.

See how it ends siue.edu/buzzworthy

Special to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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COLLEGE CONNECTION | October 2017

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BEYOND LATTES AND PIZZAS: How colleges boost local economies faculty members and many more employees working to support the faculty and students alike.

When Amazon launched its search All told, Washington University for a second headquarters location, estimates it spent more than $261 one of the items on its wish list was million on goods and services in 2016 a highly educated labor pool to help fill its potential need for some 50,000 and supported thousands more jobs in the region — everything from the jobs. small businesses that supply janitorial Cities like St. Louis that are home supplies or landscaping services to the to a diverse group of colleges and numerous local companies involved in universities can check that box. But producing educated and skilled work- its ongoing multi-million dollar main campus and medical campus redevelers is just one of the ways a college or opment projects. In fact, in the last university supports a region and adds fiscal year, the university spent about to the local economy. $242 million on payments to local construction vendors.

Spending money Then, there are the thousands of Like any business, colleges and unistudents who help boost the economy versities help fuel the local economy by spending money on goods, services by dropping dollars at area coffee shops and pizza parlors. More than and salaries.

90 percent of Washington UniverWashington University, for example, is one of the largest employ- sity’s roughly 13,000 students come ers in the St. Louis region with more Economy, 6 than 14,000 employees — some 3,700

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October 2017 | COLLEGE CONNECTION

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Special to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Maryville University provides excellent return on investment Sponsored content and photo

by Maryville University

Maryville talks with industry experts and hiring managers about their need for qualified job candidates and listens closely to deliver a solution.

The decision to launch a new academic program is highly data-driven. Maryville analyzes the market to assess the potential for growth and the opportunity for graduates to find jobs in the industry.

The program director collaborates with experts to gain industry insight and learn what skills will give students a competitive edge in the field, then builds curriculum with relevant content.

Maryville adds real-world elements to programs to enrich the student experience. The Cyber Fusion Center, an on-campus cyber lab where students help actual clients with security issues, is an example of how programs enhance the marketability of graduates.

Maryville’s first-year class increased in 2017 by 45 percent over the previous year, a record-setting enrollment for the 13th year in a row.

Maryville has a 97 percent post-graduation job placement rate because our students are well-prepared to meet the hiring needs of employers.

97%

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JOB PLACEMENT RATE

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

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100+

RESIDENCE HALLS

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NCAA DIVISION II ATHLETIC TEAMS

MARYVILLE. MANY CONNECTIONS. ONE U. Special to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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650 Maryville University Drive St. Louis, MO 63141 314.529.9350 or 800.627.9855 admissions@maryville.edu maryville.edu /maryvilleadmissions

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COLLEGE CONNECTION | October 2017

5

Economy | Page 4

MacDonald, an economics professor at Washington University. It’s not a given that graduates land a job here — or from out of state. While they’re here even want to. in St. Louis, they spend money on “What happens is, we’re competeverything from rent and groceries, to ing everywhere for students,” he said. transportation and entertainment.

“They’re going to come here, and then Saint Louis University, with an they’re going to go get a job someenrollment of almost 13,000, estiwhere else. They’re going to be here mates its students spend $73 million for four years, and then they’re going each year. The sports scene tacks on to disappear.” more dollars. SLU alone hosts more It’s a different story at the Univerthan 160 sporting events a year, which officials estimate translates to 10,000 sity of Missouri-St. Louis, Chancellor Tom George said. overnight stays and $250 per person “We buck the trend on that one,” he spent on lodging, food, souvenirs and said. “Most of our students come from more. the region and so they tend to stay in the region.”

Earning power At UMSL, George said, almost 75 With diploma in hand, students percent of UMSL alumni stay right can reasonably be expected to earn here after graduation. more and spend more. The average In addition, a majority of UMSL’s bachelor’s degree holder contributes 11,000 students — whose average $278,000 more to local economies age is 26 — are already contributing than the average high school gradudirectly to the economy because they ate through direct spending over the course of his or her lifetime, according are working either full- or part-time while going to school, George said. to a 2015 report from the Brookings Institution. An associate degree holder They may not be spending money in contributes $81,000 more than a high more “traditional” college ways — only 1,000 live on campus, for example — school graduate, the report found. but they’re paying taxes and mortgages The challenge is keeping those students and their earning power here and supporting families, too.

“Their money is spread out in the after they graduate, said Dr. Glenn

economy in different ways,” he said.

“They’re more ingrained in the economy than a typical student.”

Improving our brand Top-ranked national institutions like Washington University certainly attract students to St. Louis.

MacDonald points out schools like WashU also attract their students’ visiting parents as well as prospective students, who in turn spend money on hotel rooms and restaurants while they’re in town.

Beyond that, each time a visitor has a good experience in St. Louis, it helps to improve the city’s image and counteract any negative perceptions, he said.

“It’s a kind of advertising for us,” MacDonald said. “When we have people who visit and say, you know, actually St. Louis is a pretty good place, it helps us have a better brand.”

Universities also tend to shape the character of a town by creating a demand for and augmenting the creative and entertainment offerings, from art exhibitions to drama and music performances.

“The university adds something to the intellectual life of the city,” MacDonald said. “It adds dimension

and gives the city character and unites people.”

In addition, the education business tends to be counter-cyclical, MacDonald said. That means if the economy in general is in a downturn — when workers are being laid off, for example — industries like education help fill the gap. They are often less directly affected because demand for education continues or even goes up, he said.

Building partnerships with local businesses is another way universities contribute to the economy and also help entice graduates to stay in the region.

UMSL’s chancellor points to the university’s partnership with Express Scripts, which has led to hundreds of students finding jobs or internships. A partnership with Ameren in its Ameren Accelerator is aimed at creating new jobs in the energy industry.

All three universities are collaborating in the Cortex Innovation Community, the growing technology district in St. Louis that is home to several hundred high-tech and other businesses designed to help create high-quality jobs.

“All of this should be very attractive to Amazon,” George said.

MARIAN UNIVERSITY Indianapolis

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It’s a pivotal question that will shape your life. At Marian University, we’ll challenge you to think about who you want to become. You’ll work hard, but you won’t be alone—professors will teach and mentor you. You’ll learn to find your voice, speak out, and step up.

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Gabrielle Fales ’17

B.A. in Communication, San Damiano Scholar, St. Louis Native Events and Communication Manager, The Pujols Family Foundation, St. Louis

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October 2017 | COLLEGE CONNECTION

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Marian University is sponsored by the Sisters of St. Francis, Oldenburg, Indiana.

Special to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

SIU Carbondale becomes a university without borders Sponsored content by Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Southern Illinois University Carbondale has a long history of opening doors. As of this fall, we are a university without borders — all United States residents pay the same tuition as Illinois residents.

We are all about opportunity. From one-on-one faculty mentoring, to hands-on learning in everything from the arts to the sciences, SIU puts students on career paths they care about with the skills and confidence they need to excel. We’re a university where the students know their professors and the professors know their students.

What can students do at SIU? Students can get their hands dirty at the student-run organic farms. They can help manage $1.8 million of the SIU Foundation’s portfolio. Students can star on stage or in the orchestra, or they track deer, save endangered frogs, or contribute to research in hyperpolarization or biomedical technology. Students can even earn an Emmy for news coverage.

Come for a visit, let us show off our beautiful campus.

We’d love to talk about what SIU can do for you.

FINANCIAL AID QUESTIONS Sponsored content by Green Shoot Media

Your goal should be to try to finish your degree with as little debt as possible. While at least some amount of student loans might be unavoidable for most students in the U.S., you can take steps to decrease the amount.

Your financial aid office will be able to help you find programs to which you are eligible to apply.

Asking the following questions will help you understand and prepare for the costs of a college education.

What is a FAFSA? FAFSA is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Every student should fill out one if they are interested in receiving financial aid.

What is the whole cost of the university?

Not just tuition and room and board, but everything it takes for

a student to live, eat, sleep and attend college in one year. Costs outside of tuition can add up fast.

loans. You might not be able to swing the upfront cost, but could you afford a monthly installment?

How much have costs increased over the last five years?

You can’t just be concerned about the current year. This also is likely the amount of time it will take you to finish your degree and will give you a comparable look at how the rate of costs could change during your tenure at the university.

What are the deadlines for applying for financial aid?

It helps to know for sure.

Assuming incorrectly could wreck a whole year.

How much debt do students have when they graduate from this university? And what percentage of students graduate without debt?

This can be a good indicator of your own potential debt accumulation.

What academic requirements or other conditions are attached to financial aid eligibility?

Be clear from the beginning not only what you need to do to receive money, but what you need to do to keep it.

Is there additional financial aid available?

Don’t assume you know what’s available to you. You never know what you might qualify for.

Also, don’t forget about the aid awarded to students who end up Are there any tuition choosing another university. That payment plans? aid could now be up for grabs. If This could make the difference in whether you even take out you don’t ask, you don’t receive.

WHAT SIU CAN DO FOR YOU World-class professors.

Alumni world-wide.

Real world learning.

Special to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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COLLEGE CONNECTION | October 2017

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EXHIBITORS & BOOTH NUMBERS INTERNATIONAL • Les Roches-Glion Global Hospitality Education �� 236 • St. Mary’s University Twickenham London ������160 • University of Dundee — Scotland Dundee �����������212 ARMED FORCES • United States Air Force ROTC �������������������������������197 ALABAMA • Samford University ��������182 • Spring Hill College ������������97 • The University of Alabama �����������������������72 • University of Alabama at Birmingham ������������������� 181 • The University of Alabama in Huntsville ������������������������� 89 ARKANSAS • Hendrix College ��������������104 • University of Arkansas ����� 13 ARIZONA • Arizona State University ��22 • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ����������������������� 167 • Grand Canyon University �����������������������129 • University of Advancing Technology �����������������������73 • The University of Arizona �����������������������227 CALIFORNIA • FIDM/The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ���������������� 66 • Les Roches-Glion Global Hospitality Education �� 236 • Santa Monica College ���� 161 • University of the West ����221 • University of San Francisco ����������������200 • University of Southern California ������������������������231 COLORADO • Colorado Mesa University ��������������������� 238 • Colorado State University �����������������������165 • University of Colorado Boulder ���������������������������� 45 • University of Colorado Colorado Springs ���������� 237 • University of Northern Colorado ��������������������������141 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA • American University ��������57 • The George Washington University ������������������������ 29 FLORIDA • Barry University �������������183 • Florida Atlantic University � 8 8

ST. LOUIS NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIR OCTOBER 22, 2017 MAIN ENTRANCE

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ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY SIMON GYM

• Eckerd College ����������������� 95 • Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University ����������������������� 167 • Florida Institute of Technology ����������������������� 64 • Florida Southern College � 27 • Full Sail University ����������� 88 • Lynn University �����������������76 • Nova Southeastern University ������������������������� 10 • Saint Leo University ������� 155 • The University of Tampa � 43 GEORGIA • Georgia State University ���������������������� 220 • Morehouse College ��������164 • Savannah College of Art and Design ��������������������������������� 6

October 2017 | COLLEGE CONNECTION

277-7' X 8' BOOTHS REVISED 06/07/16

Prepared by

• Spelman College ������������153 IOWA • Coe College ���������������������� 12 • Cornell College ���������������� 96 • Drake University ��������������� 19 • Iowa State University ������� 51 • Iowa Wesleyan University 135 • Loras College ����������������� 226 • Saint Ambrose University 14 • Simpson College �������������� 42 • University of Iowa �����������201 • Wartburg College ������������ 114 ILLINOIS • Aurora University �����������219 • Augustana College ����������� 71 • Bradley University ��������������9 • Concordia University Chicago ���������������������������� 49

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

DePaul University �����������148 Dominican University ���� 158 Eastern Illinois University 106 Elmhurst College ������������ 113 Illinois College ������������������ 68 Illinois Institute of Technology �����������������������52 Illinois State University ���� 46 Illinois Wesleyan University ������������������������� 191 Knox College �������������������122 Lake Forest College ���������� 56 Lewis University ���������������16 Lincoln College ��������������� 239 Lindenwood University — Belleville �������������������������� 98 Loyola University Chicago ��������������������������� 121

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MacMurray College �������� 195 McKendree University ��� 196 Millikin University �����������144 Monmouth College ������� 223 North Central College ���������3 Northern Illinois University 85 Parkland College ������������� 63 Quincy University ������������ 32 Rockford University �������� 60 Roosevelt University ��������78 Southern Illinois University Carbondale �������������������� 139 • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ��������������� 93,94 • University of Illinois at Springfield ����������������������132 • University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 2 32,233 • • • • • • • • • • •

• Western Illinois University 213 INDIANA • Ball State University ������� 30 • Butler University �������������� 58 • DePauw University �������� 202 • Franklin College ���������������� 77 • Indiana State University 166 • Indiana University Bloomington ������������������156 • Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis �� 189 • Marian University ������������� 21 • Oakland City University �� 50 • Purdue University ��������������4 • University of Evansville ��134 • University of Indianapolis 44 • University of Southern Indiana ���������������������������� 112

Special to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Mobile Registration

Register today at www.gotomyncf.com.

The benefits of online student registration • Students register for the fair one time.

• It eliminates the need for college contact cards.

• Students are easily able to elaborate on special interests, extracurricular activities and accomplishments.

KANSAS • Benedictine College �������184 • Baker University ������������� 207 • Kansas State University � 33 • MidAmerica Nazarene University....................... 234 • University of Kansas �������� 17 • University of Saint Mary � 211 • Wichita State University ��55 KENTUCKY • Eastern Kentucky University ���������������������������������������� 147 • Bellarmine University ������67 • Western Kentucky University ������������������������ 69 • Brescia University ������������75 • Murray State University ��������������������91,92 • University of Kentucky ����������������������������������125,126 LOUISIANA • Dillard University ����������� 222 • Xavier University of Louisiana ������������������������ 163 • Tulane University ������������� 28 MASSACHUSETTS • Suffolk University ������������ 99 • Worcester Polytechnic Institute ��������������������������� 86 MICHIGAN • Central Michigan University ������������������������ 80 • Calvin College ���������������� 194 • Hope College ������������������ 138 • Michigan State University ������������������������� 87

• Western Michigan University — College of Aviation ����� 180 • Western Michigan University — Office of Admissions �� 179 MINNESOTA • Southwest Minnesota State University ����������������������� 101 • St. Olaf College ��������������� 136 • University of Minnesota-Twin Cities ���� 150 MISSOURI • Avila University �������������� 54 • Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing ���������������������� 203 • Central Methodist University ���������������������� 206 • Columbia College .......... 235 • Cottey College ������������������ 15 • Culver-Stockton College ���������������������������� 100 • Drury University ������������ 204 • Fontbonne University ���� 228 • Hannibal-LaGrange University �����������������������185 • Harris-Stowe State University �����������������������124 • Lindenwood University ��� 151 • Maryville University �����������������217,218 • Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary ����133 • Missouri Baptist University ������������������������ 70 • Missouri State University ������������ 23 ,24 ,25

Special to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

• Missouri University of Science and Technology ������������������117 ,118 , 119 , 120 • Missouri Valley College ��145 • Northwest Missouri State University ���������������������� 208 • Park University ��������������� 173 • Rockhurst University ����� 1 ,2 • Saint Louis University ����175,176,177,178 • St. Louis College of Pharmacy ����������������������� 215 • St. Louis Community College ��������������������������� 225 • Southeast Missouri State University ����� 81,82,83 • Southwest Baptist University ���������������������� 209 • Stephens College ����������� 214 • Truman State University �����������������127,128 • UMKC School of Pharmacy ����������������������� 172 • University of Central Missouri �������������������������� 131 • University of Missouri ������������35,36,37,38,39,40,41 • University of MissouriKansas City ������� 169,170,171 • University of Missouri-Saint Louis �����������������108,109,110 • Washington University in St. Louis ������������������������� 229 • Webster University ��������� 142 • Westminster College ����� 230 • William Jewell College ���� 162

MISSISSIPPI • Mississippi State University ����������������������� 159 • University of Mississippi ��� 11 NORTH CAROLINA • High Point University ����� 192 NEBRASKA • Creighton University ���������� 5 • University of NebraskaLincoln ����������������������������198 NEW JERSEY • Seton Hall University �������47 NEW YORK • Rochester Institute of Technology ���������������������190 • SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry �����������������������216 • United States Military Academy ������������������������ 188 • University of Rochester ��143 OHIO • Kent State University �����103 • Miami University ������������� 115 • Ohio University ����������������� 79 • Shawnee State University ����������������������� 224 • University of Dayton �������� 53 • Xavier University ������������ 137 OKLAHOMA • University of Oklahoma ���18 • The University of Tulsa ����� 48 OREGON • University of Oregon ������152 PENNSYLVANIA • Duquesne University ������ 111

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• Penn State University ����� 174 • University of Pittsburgh �� 20 • Villanova University ��������� 62 SOUTH CAROLINA • The Citadel ��������������������� 130 • Clemson University ��������� 90 • University of South Carolina ����������������� 31 TENNESSEE • Austin Peay State University ������������������������� 65 • Belmont University ��������� 116 • Fisk University ����������������146 • The University of Memphis �������������������� 186 • Vanderbilt University ����� 107 • Union University ������������ 199 TEXAS • Southern Methodist University ����������������������� 149 • St. Mary’s University ������� 84

• Texas State University �����74 • Texas A & M University at Galveston �������������������� 26 • Texas Christian University �������������������������61 VIRGINIA • Roanoke College ������������193 • Sweet Briar College �������� 59 • Virginia Military Institute �������������������������� 140 WISCONSIN • Alverno College ������������������ 7 • Carthage College ����������� 157 • Concordia University Wisconsin ����������������������� 168 • Marquette University ������� 34 WYOMING • University of Wyoming ���187

This list was last updated Sept. 28, 2017

COLLEGE CONNECTION | October 2017 9

2017 St. Louis National College Fair Committee

NATIONAL COLLEGE FAIR CHAIRPERSONS Beth Brasel Chaminade College Preparatory School beth@crossroadscollegeprep.org Heather Brock Saint Louis University hbrock2@slu.edu

NACAC would like to thank the following companies for their support of the 2017 Saint Louis National College Fair:

College Categories As you plan for college you have many options. Listed below are the college categories that describe the different types of institutions available to you.

Non-profit

Private These colleges and universities: • receive funding primarily from student tuition and endowments.

Some funding comes from governmental support in the form of tax breaks and student loans.

• follow the leadership of a board of trustees • develop own institutional plans since they operate mostly on private support • rely on private funds, which leads to a higher average cost • offer financial aid opportunities to reduce the total cost

LINDENWOOD UNIVERSITY DAY • EVENING • ONLINE

Your degree is closer than you think 636-949-4949 www.lindenwood.edu 10

October 2017 | COLLEGE CONNECTION

2017 FALL ST. LOUIS NCF WORKSHOPS HOW TO CHOOSE A COLLEGE

(Multipurpose Room #1) 1:30 p.m. —­2 p.m.

2:30 p.m. — 3 p.m.

• are, in many cases, state-run, which lowers the tuition for in-state students • typically categorized as twoyear, four-year, research, comprehensive or community colleges

For-profit/Proprietary

These colleges and universities: • receive up to 90 percent of their FINANCIAL AID 101 revenue from federal student aid (Multipurpose Room #2) • operate under the demands of 2 p.m. — 2:30 p.m. investors and stockholders 3 p.m. — 3:30 p.m.

• usually offer a non-traditional format • have come under federal scruPublic tiny for high pressure sales/recruitThese colleges and universities: ment tactics • receive a large part of funding A close examination of the acafrom state or local taxes. Some fund- demic, social and financial factors ing comes from tuition and endowwill lead you to a best-fit college. ments To read more on the differences in • follow performance standards college categories, please visit our set by the state website at nacacfairs.org.

Fall Schedule

Saturday, October 14, Monday, November 6 and Friday, December 8 Whether you are currently in high school or planning to transfer to Webster University, there’s no better way to learn about all that Webster has to offer than to attend a Webster Preview Day. At each event you’ll have the chance to speak with current students and faculty, as well as ask your questions about financial aid, scholarships and the admissions process. Plus, you can tour the campus and lunch is on us!

Discover more and register: webster.edu/previewdays

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The Fontbonne experience Tips for attending a NACAC National College Fair Sponsored content and photo by Fontbonne University

At Fontbonne University, when you walk down the sidewalk, chances are, someone knows your name. It might be your classmate who lives down the hall, it might be the professor teaching your 10 a.m. English class, or it might be the president of the university. Or it might be all of these people and then some.

At nearly 1,500 students, Fontbonne is small enough to be a close, tight-knit community, but it’s big enough to challenge and inspire you.

Choose from nearly 50 majors (or create your own), play NCAA Division III athletics and get involved with or lead numerous student organizations and honor societies.

This year, we’re making the Fontbonne experience even more accessible through The Fontbonne Promise, a unique opportunity for qualifying first-time, first-year Missouri residents to attend Fontbonne — debt free. As an institution, we’re committed to helping all students learn more and be more.

Learn more about The Fontbonne Promise, explore our academic programs, sign up for a preview day and see Fontbonne for yourself at fontbonne.edu/connection.

Before the Fair ...

1. Register online for the fair at www.gotomyncf.com to receive a barcode for easy onsite access to college representatives.

2. Print the barcode and bring it to the fair as your electronic ID. 3. Ask yourself the following questions to help determine what kind of school would be best for you: • Do I want to attend a large, medium, or small school?

• What major do I wish to study?

• Do I want to attend an urban, suburban, or rural school?

• Do I want to attend a two-year, four-year, single-sex, or religiouslyaffiliated school?

• Do I want to participate in athletics, clubs, fraternities, sororities, or special programs such as study abroad or cooperative education.

4. Research colleges attending the fair to determine if they meet your search criteria.

5. Make a list of questions to ask college representatives.

At the Fair ...

1. Pick up a fair directory and bag for all of the materials you collect.

2. Visit schools that match or are the closest match to your search criteria. Be adventurous. Don’t just talk to the well-known schools.

3. Ask the college representative to scan your barcode. This will allow the representative to follow up with you directly — and quickly.

4. Ask the same questions to each college representative you visit.

5. Take notes. Write down what you find most interesting about each college.

6. Attend an information session to learn more about the college search process, financial aid, and other topics.

After the Fair ...

1. Review college websites, catalogs, and viewbooks to gather more information to help narrow your choices.

2. Send a thank you note/e-mail to the college representatives you met.

This simple gesture can show admission officials you’re serious about wanting to attend their college.

REWARDING YOUR EFFORTS Fontbonne University offers numerous opportunities, including merit, talent and recognition awards, to help students reach their goals. And beginning in 2018, The Fontbonne Promise program will help qualifying Missouri students achieve the dream of a debt-free education!

THE FONTBONNE PROMISE: Full tuition and fees for up to five years for first-time, first-year Missouri residents who meet Fontbonne’s admission requirements and are calculated with an expected family contribution of zero on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. PRESIDENTIAL AWARD: Full tuition offered through a competitive honors interview day.

LEADERSHIP AWARD: For involved, engaged leaders.

Features leadership training and opportunities.

STUDENTS AND PARENTS, LEARN MORE TODAY:

www.fontbonne.edu/connection

Special to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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COLLEGE CONNECTION | October 2017

11

COLLEGE PREP GUIDE: GETTING STARTED

CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY

anonymity and the opportunity to meet new people every day?

• Size also affects student-teacher ratio. Do you learn best with more individualized attention?

• Large universities tend to have more of everything — more classes, more activities and more student services.

Sponsored content and photo by Green Shoot Media

You’ve applied to a list of colleges and now acceptance letters are rolling in. Congratulations!

The question of “Will I get in?” has been answered, but now a whole new question has presented itself, “Where should I go?”

The college you choose will have a big impact on your success in school. To choose a university that fits your needs well, you first need to figure out what is important to you. What do you want?

The basic criteria you should consider are location, size and cost.

Cost • Cost can be a weighty determining factor in choosing a college. Did you receive any scholarships?

• What is the yearly tuition without factoring in scholarships or grants?

• What are the financial aid options available to you?

• How much student debt are you comfortable experiences outside of university life? Are you always Location — geography • Are you ready to live in a part of the country that eager to see the latest live show or enjoy great night- taking on? life? (Think city!) is completely different from where you live now?

Additional considerations • Do you love the outdoors and want access to • Is it important for you to go to school within a Think about how you will move (and what you outdoor sports and trails? (Think rural areas!) day’s drive of home so you don’t have to incur the will want to move) when choosing a location. Also cost of a flight in case of an emergency? think about how different it would be from your curSize • Is year-round sunshine important for your rent atmosphere.

• Are you used to a large high school or a small mental health?

Striking a balance between new and familiar is one? ideal — otherwise you might find yourself homesick • Do you prefer it when everyone knows you Location — setting a lot quicker than you think. and you know everyone? Or do you like having • Is it important for you to have cultural

Make Your

DREAMS

H A P P E N. ST. CHARLES COMMUNITY COLLEGE To schedule a campus visit go to murraystate.edu/myopportunity and discover the opportunities waiting for you at Murray State.

“

scc online -

Murray State has afforded me classroom and research opportunities that boosted my self-confidence and allowed me to realize that my childhood dreams of graduate school are well within reach.

”

~ Molly Karnes, earth science major

#MurrayState Equal education and employment opportunities M/F/D, AA employer. Murray State University supports a clean and healthy campus. Please refrain from personal tobacco use.

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October 2017 | COLLEGE CONNECTION

Flexibility to fit your lifestyle.

Anywhere. Anytime.

Spring registration opens Oct. 23.

Apply today!

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Now offering 9 certificates and 6 degrees including the Associate of Arts (A.A.) transfer degree – 100% online.

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COLLEGE PREP GUIDE: ACADEMICS

CHOOSING A MAJOR Sponsored content and photo

by Green Shoot Media

Choosing a major can be overwhelming because it feels as if you are deciding on the rest of your life.

Remember college is about exploring your interests, so take the pressure off yourself.

Here are a few pieces of advice to help you navigate your way to your college major.

Dare to be undeclared While you might think you need to know what you want to study as soon as you start college (or even before you get there) remember college is the place to discover all your options.

You have many required classes to take, so you are fine studying for a year or more before choosing a major.

Fill your electives with classes that sound interesting. This allows you to envision many different paths for yourself.

WIU The Right Choice for Your Success Apply today!

• In-state Tuition WIU’s low tuition is provided to domestic students from all 50 states. or three times in their lifetime.

Even most graduate programs and professional degrees are seeking applicants with diverse educational

backgrounds. Just because you get a degree in one thing doesn’t mean you won’t have a profession in something else.

• Automatic Scholarships Western Commitment Scholarship program for incoming freshmen provides automatic four-year scholarships based on a student’s h.s. GPA and ACT/SAT score, and for transfer students who meet select criteria.

Test it out Before you decide you are “premed,” test it out. Take a few science and math classes and make sure you don’t hate it.

If you do, be ready to change things up. Approximately 80 percent of college students in the United States change their major at least once, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

That doesn’t mean you have wasted your time. Every class adds value to your education, and you never know what might end up being useful down the road.

• Signature Academic Programs WIU’s 12 signature programs are unique to WIU, and in some instances, the state and the nation. In addition to these signature academic programs, Western offers 66 comprehensive undergraduate degree programs, 38 master’s degree programs, as well as select doctoral degrees and certificate programs.

Know what’s important to you They say money can’t buy happiness, but it can provide security and peace of mind. See if you can balance doing what you love with your future earning potential. If you envision a certain lifestyle for yourself, make sure your chosen major can provide it.

• Application Fee Waiver Sign up for Discover Western or a campus visit and apply on-site and the $30 application fee will be waived.

Your major is not the end According to the United States Department of Labor, the average young professional switches jobs every three years and the average person changes career fields at least two Special to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

• WIU’s exclusive Cost Guarantee Locks in your tuition, fees, room and meal plan for four years. No increases, no surprises.

Learn more at

wiu.edu/yourchoice. stltoday.com/collegeconnection

COLLEGE CONNECTION | October 2017 13

Using high school courses and activities to prepare for college Your post-high school years hold tremendous promise.

At college you’ll have the opportunity to make new friends, follow your interests and — hopefully— find a satisfying career.

However, nearly half of all students who enter college fail to graduate with a bachelor’s degree within six years.

“There are two reasons why kids flunk out,” said Amy Thompson, a counselor at York (Ill.) Community High School. “They are either academically unprepared or they are emotionally unprepared.”

Increase your chances for success by making the most out of your high school years.

Buckle down in the classroom Taking rigorous classes in high school doesn’t only help you get into college, the knowledge and skills you acquire work double-duty, preparing you to be successful in your pursuit of a degree.

Seek out honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in subjects that interest you.

“You want to take the most demanding courses you can while maintaining your sanity and still achieving good grades,” Thompson said.

Look for courses that require lots of writing and critical thinking — two skills you’ll be asked to use in almost every college class. Don’t panic if the material seems difficult at first.

Developing good study habits and timemanagement skills in high school can help you persevere in college, even when times get tough.

Some rigorous courses actually allow you to jumpstart your postsecondary education. Students who do well on AP tests, for example, can earn college credit. Some high schools also partner with local colleges to offer dual-credit courses for high school students.

Get involved From athletics to theater to volunteer work — there’s a whole world of 14

October 2017 | COLLEGE CONNECTION

extracurricular activities open to high school students.

“It can be overwhelming,” Thompson said. “But, the one piece of advice I give students is don’t just join something to pad your resume. Pick something you’re genuinely interested in.”

Your goal: By senior year, “be in a position that shows not only your devotion to the group, but also some level of initiative or leadership on your part,” she said.

“Admission officers can see through the applicant who joins a million different clubs in their junior or senior year,” Thompson noted. “Use your activities to show colleges who you are.”

Universities are looking for students who will make the most of the opportunities available to them.

A high school record that includes extracurricular activities helps show admission officers you’ll be a valuable part of their campus community.

Finish strong Your senior year of high school will be hectic.

In addition to applying for colleges, you may find yourself leading a student organization or sports team.

It can be tempting to sluff off in the classroom, but stay focused. Senior year grades and courses still count.

“You need to maintain your academic performance, and do at least as well — if not better — because you don’t want to have your admission offer rescinded,” Thompson said.

When planning out your schedule, make sure you’re on-track to meet college entrance requirements, including at least two years of a foreign language and four years of math, science and English courses.

“Colleges want to see that you know how to work hard, and that you have taken advantage of the courses and activities your high school has to offer,” Thompson said. “A strong finish in your senior year helps make you a more attractive candidate.”

COLLEGE PREP GUIDE: LIFE SKILLS

MORE THAN A DEGREE

Sponsored content and photo

by Green Shoot Media

College is about much more than earning a degree. You will be learning skills that are essential to your success past college and making lifelong memories.

College is a time to learn, but it is also a time of growth. Here are five must-have experiences you should enjoy and five must-have skills you should develop before graduation day.

These experiences will not only enrich your college experience, but will serve as lessons you will take with you, helping you long after you’ve graduated.

the desert in November and it sounds awesome. Just because.

5. Studying abroad (if possible).

It combines travel with studying. And there is almost always a way to obtain at least a few course credits for it, if not an entire semester.

Five must-have skills No matter what you majored in, some skills are universal.

1. Strong people skills. No matter what your profession, you will need to network to be successful.

2. Understanding how you work best. This allows you to create an effective routine so you can easily set and achieve your goals.

3. Learning how to make your money work for you. Know how Five must-have experiences 1. Reading as much as possible. to set up and stick to a budget. This might seem like an easy task, but it Anything. All the time.

2. Volunteering. Volunteer expe- will help you understand financial language, as well as the options availrience does look good on a resume, able to you later on when you want to but it also is about being a part of buy a car or a home. something that is bigger than your4. Figuring out what your self. Find a cause you care about and personal brand is. Companies are give back. constantly screening prospective 3. Getting work experience.

Jobs teach responsibility. They provide employees. How do you want to look? us with an income and show us we can Google yourself and see what pops up. collaborate with people of all different This is what companies see.

5. Incidental technical skills. backgrounds and personalities.

4. Taking at least one class just Photo editing might not be particubecause. Because you’ve always been larly relevant to your career field, but it comes in handy in many jobs. You’ll interested in modern architecture, appreciate it in your personal life because you wouldn’t mind knowing a bit more about drawing, because the as well. Soak up the opportunity to astronomy class takes a field trip into diversify.

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On the move, launching

extraordinary and innovative careers Sponsored content and photo

by Southeast Missouri State University

Southeast Missouri State University opened the fall 2017 semester with a record high retention rate and with its students doing all it takes to succeed.

Students experience a personal and supportive environment, groundbreaking and dynamic academics and diverse opportunities in and out of the classroom — all hallmarks of the Southeast experience.

The university launched the fall semester as an institution on the move, offering engaging and innovative programs. For the first time, Southeast is offering a new major in industrial and systems engineering, giving students access to STEM education opportunities in southeast

“I have big dreams for my future.”

Southeast marine biology major Noah McCarter Missouri and preparing them for today’s engineering workforce. It is among Southeast’s more than 145 undergraduate majors, 100-plus undergraduate certificates and minors, and more than 75 graduate programs, many of which are nationally accredited, emphasizing experiential learning and career preparation.

Marine biology major Noah McCarter recently took advantage of one of Southeast’s many STEM opportunities.

“I have big dreams for my future,”

McCarter said.

Last summer, he interned with White Shark Africa, a shark cage diving and research company in Mossel Bay, South Africa. The experience included taking part in the production of a Discovery Channel “Shark Week” episode.

Southeast takes pride in its will to do. It encourages students like Noah to follow their dreams and celebrate when they succeed.

For more information on launching a career at Southeast Missouri State University, contact the Office of Admissions at (573) 651-2590 or admissions@ semo.edu, or apply online at semo. edu/apply. To read more about Noah Southeast marine biology major Noah McCarter’s internship, visit news.

McCarter recently interned with White semo.edu/southeast-marine-biologyShark Africa in Mossel Bay, South Africa. student-swims-with-sharks/.

elmhurst.edu/openhouse

Minutes from downtown Chicago Special to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

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COLLEGE CONNECTION | October 2017

15

ARE YOU READY TO LAUNCH AN EXTRAORDINARY CAREER? Let’s get started!

1

1st

place in Missouri Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition

2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013

Missouri’s only bachelor’s degrees in unmanned aircraft systems (drones) and geographic information science

TECHNOLOGY MATH SCIENCE

ENGINEERING

NEW IN FALL 2017 Bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering

(573) 651-2590 admissions@semo.edu semo.edu 16

October 2017 | COLLEGE CONNECTION

White House Innovators’ Summit recognized Southeast’s EDvolution in Teacher Education

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Missouri’s only campus dedicated to art, dance, music, and theatre

1

of 119 journalism and mass communication programs accredited

by ACEJMC

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