Volume 9, Number 2

Inside This Issue

Training and Careers
Jobs and Education
Planning For Success
Community/Technical Colleges
The Advantages of Community and Technical Colleges
What are Technical Colleges?
Colleges and Universities
The Admission Process
What information do you need to give for admission ?
UW and Evergreen State offer Admission Email Address
Careful College Choices
Money Talk
Private Scholarship Eligibility
Determining family contribution

Copyright© 1996. Material in Beyond High School is published quarterly by the nonprofit College Planning Network, Campion Tower, 914 E. Jefferson, Seattle, WA 98122, (206) 323-0624. President and Editor: Douglas J. Breithaupt; Designer: Jan Jahnke; Illustrator: Kiam Wright. Material may not be reproduced without the publisher's permission.

Test-Driving Colleges

"With few exceptions, trustees and legislators do not yet understand they are in the driver's
seat of educational Model T's. Tinkering with the engine to reduce fuel consumption and
rearranging the seats to accommodate more passengers do not address public concerns
about the quality of education or productivity of our colleges and universities."

Clara M. Lovett
President - Northern Arizona University


Would you consider commuting to college in an 80 year old Ford Model T? According to Clara
Lovett, President of Northern Arizona University, the colleges you may be considering
are operating using systems even older than the Model T, systems from the last century and before.

Do you still need summers off to help harvest crops? While some students still live on farms, most do not, yet colleges still operate with academic years that are a relic of a time when agriculture and farming controlled the calendar. Did you know that degree requirements at most colleges reflect a process that duplicates an industrial assembly line? This process dates back to a time when industrial assembly lines were the cutting edge of time and production management. Today, many colleges realize that education should not be delivered to students using outdated methods.

Some colleges are trying to change to fit the needs of current students. When choosing a college you may want to look for the following:

· Program offerings available year-round, especially in the summer. Classes available evenings and weekends, perhaps offered electronically via Internet.
· Movement away from 'seat time' and credit hours as the measure of successful education. New programs allow students to move at their natural learning pace, which is usually much faster than traditional models. A four-year degree may be possible in three years.
· Opportunities for creative study/work or intern programs that allow students to learn in the classroom and on-the-job at the same time.

Training and Careers

Jobs and Education


How much education is needed to get the job or career you want? The chart below shows a partial listing of occupations and the level of education necessary for each.

High School Diploma (with short-term, on- the-job training)

Home health aides
Travel agents
Subway/streetcar operators
Social welfare service aides
Human services workers
Sales workers
Janitors
Waiters and waitresses
General office clerks
Cashiers
Secretaries
Nursing aides and orderlies
Truck drivers
Jailers and guards
Receptionists and clerks
Flight attendants
Bakers, bread and pastry

Two-Year College Four-Year College Graduate School (Associate's Degree) (Bachelor's Degree) (Graduate Degree)

Electrician Accountant Lawyer
Drafter Teacher Doctor
Dental Hygienist Registered Nurse Architect
Medical Technician Engineer Scientist
Computer Technician Journalist University Professor
Bookeeper Diplomat Economist
Commercial Artist Insurance Agent Psychologist
Film Technician Sociologist
Medical Illustrator Dentist

Planning For Success


High school students and their families realize that planning is necessary to succeed after high school. The challenge is, where and when to start? In addition to challenging yourself academically, the following checklist offers some of the key elements in planning carefully for careers and college. Career and guidance counselors may be able to provide more detailed checklists.

9th Grade
· Get to know high school career and guidance counselors, let them know your goals.
· Identify role models and adults in interesting careers. Ask how they got where they are and the
education required for specific careers.
10th Grade
· Become involved in school and community activities to expand your interests and connect with
career, educational and scholarship opportunities.
· Look for opportunities to visit colleges or prospective workplaces.
· Identify need and merit-based scholarship and financial aid options.
11th Grade
· Take PSAT and/or PLAN preliminary pre-college tests in fall.
· Begin matching your interests with prospective colleges and request admission and financial aid
information. Attend college fairs and financial aid/scholarship seminars.
· Identify people who can provide you with letters of recommendation for college/work.
· Register to take the SAT or ACT pre-college tests in spring or following fall.
12th Grade
· Narrow college admission choices, send applications for admission, financial aid and scholarships.
· Apply for part-time jobs during college, or full-time work, starting after graduation.
· Review admission and financial aid offers and make your college choice.

The Advantages of Community and Technical Colleges


Because of their open enrollment policies and their flexible scheduling of classes, community colleges offer a valuable option to students pursuing a first degree or who are interested in updating existing work skills. Their friendly environments can offer encouragement to students who are unsure of abilities or goals. In offering evening as well as day classes, community colleges accommodate the student who must work while attending classes. Their low cost in comparison to four year schools offers an attractive alternative to students who are concerned about financing their education. An added advantage is the agreement in Washington State between all four year institutions and community colleges to allow a student receiving a two-year associate degree from a community college to be accepted with junior status at any four year college or university state-wide.

Technical colleges can prepare students for jobs in existing vocational fields. Because most programs are open entry/open exit, they allow the student to enroll when a vacancy exists and leave when the student is ready for employment. Most programs at the technical schools are hands on, practical, skill-building classes designed to prepare the student for immediate employment.

What are Technical Colleges?


In Washington State, technical colleges are part of the public community and technical college system. It is very important not to confuse public technical colleges with for-profit trade or 'proprietary' schools. Public technical colleges cost about one-third as much as the for-profit trade schools, have many credits that WILL transfer to other colleges and provide greater access to financial aid. Washington's public technical colleges are:

Bates Technical College - Tacoma, phone, (206) 596-1500
Bellingham Technical College - Bellingham, phone, (360) 738-0221
Clover Park Technical College - Tacoma, phone, (206) 589-5800
Lake Washington Technical College - Kirkland, phone (206) 828-5600
Renton Technical College - Renton, phone (206) 235-2352
Seattle Vocational Institute - Seattle, phone (206) 587-4950


The mission of the technical colleges is to provide basic skills, vocational and workforce training through short-term programs that lead to job opportunities. In addition to the technical colleges shown above, all community colleges have technical and vocational program offerings. Technical and community colleges offer on-going job training program orientation sessions for interested students. Call your local technical or community college for more information.

Colleges and Universities

The Admission Process


Admission methods change from one college to the next. For degree candidates, the selection process will be more thorough than for non-degree candidates. Most colleges assume that degree candidates will enter in the fall term, and the selection process becomes a yearly cycle, in one of three ways: rolling, regular or early.

Rolling admission programs set a date when the college will begin accepting applications - usually in December or January. Like 'first- come, first-served,' rolling admission applications are reviewed as they are received, and are decided upon within 4-6 weeks. There is no specific application or notification deadline - but it is advantageous to apply earlier rather than later.

Regular admission refers to colleges which set a specific date when applications are due (usually January or February), and they set a notification date as well (usually in early May.) In this way, the
selection committee can review the whole applicant pool at the same time, rather than person by person as in rolling admission.

Early admission programs are designed for students who are certain of their first choice college. The student applies in the fall (usually November) and hears within a month. There are two kinds of early programs: early action and early decision. Early decision involves a commitment on the student's part - so that if accepted, the student is automatically matriculated. Early action, on the other hand, does not involve that commitment. The student accepted under early action programs has until late spring to notify the school whether or not he/ she will attend.

In both early admission programs, students can be accepted (generally it is very competitive), rejected (usually only those who clearly would not be accepted in regular action), or deferred. Deferred students are automatically reviewed in the spring with the "regular" pool and colleges often accept additional information to up-date the deferred student's application.

What information do you need to give to schools
when you apply for admission?


Generally colleges and universities ask for:

· Personal and academic information - name, address, date of birth, graduation, etc.
· Official transcripts - high school classes and pre-college test scores, any college courses
(from programs like running start)
· Activities listing- non-academic interests, participation in clubs, organizations and other activities
· Personal statements and essays - goal statements, essays on selected topics
· Recommendations - from employers, teachers, friends and others

University of Washington Offers Admission Email Address


askuwadm@u.washington.edu is the new email address that students and their families can use to contact the University of Washington Admission Office. The UW is offering this communication link to improve their outreach and service to the public. Through email, the following requests can be made:

· request for application materials and for information on deadlines, required documents to complete a file, and how to complete core requirements.
· What GPA does it take to get into the UW?
· Requests for information about UW academic programs and student services.
· Status checks: Is my admission file complete?

The admission office will not provide information on admission decisions (did I get in?) via email.

The Evergreen State College has email too...


Inquiries can be made to the Evergreen Admission Office by email. Evergreen's email address is admissions@elwha.evergreen.edu.

Careful College Choices


Choosing a college can be confusing. It is important not to be misled by slick marketing materials or hard-sell recruiters. Some basic tips can help students and parents find colleges that match well with student goals.

· In addition to the glossy college brochures, collect the materials you really need like the college catalog, student handbook or listings of available financial aid and scholarships. Simply call and ask for these materials. You may want to start collecting these materials during the sophomore and junior year.

· Take advantage of new electronic college selection and admission computer programs available at many high school career centers. These tools allow students and parents to use the computer to identify college options, request materials by modem and even submit electronic applications.

· If at all possible, arrange to visit colleges you are considering. There is no substitute for actually touring campus facilities. If you cannot visit a campus, request a college video from the admission office.

· Ask the admission office about 'retention', the percentage of freshman who actually go on to graduate, in your area of study. The national average is about 60%. Also ask what percent of graduates receive 'placement' in jobs relating to their studies. Who recruits on campus and hires graduates?

Money Talk

Who is Eligible for Private Scholarships?


While the largest sources of funds for education are still the federal and state governments and the colleges and universities, there is one additional source of funds for students and families to consider. These are the "private" scholarships offered by many organizations to specific populations and based on a variety of criteria. These scholarships may range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand and can sometimes be renewed for several years. Because scholarships organizations aim to further the interests of their contributors, each organization chooses the eligibility qualifications. You must match the scholarship and the student applicant. These are some of the factors commonly considered.

Academic Achievement: This category examines grades, level of course work, test scores, and exceptional skills in specific fields.

Career Interests: Students who plan to major in specific career fields may be awarded scholarships by academic departments, private foundations or employers.

Financial Need: Financial need can often be a determining factor in many scholarships. Variation exists in defining financial need so students may be classified as needy for one award, but not another. Some scholarships clearly define the term "financial need." Others allow the applicant or school to make that determination.

School, Community, and Leadership Activities: A review of participation in community organizations and employment history are considered. Here, the extent to which you are committed and involved in these activities is most important. How you make a difference when you choose to be involved is a reflection of leadership.

Special Populations: This category may include racial or ethnic groups, religious affiliations, the physically challenged, children of alumni and others.

Special Skills or Talents: Music, drama, art and athletics are major areas for which these awards are granted. Usually there are added procedures for these merit scholarships, either submitting a portfolio, an audition, meeting with coaches, etc.

In addition to the criteria listed for selection, the application is also evaluated on other subjective factors. The application itself, its neatness and completeness, makes a definite impression on the reader. The ability to follow the application's directions (as to format or content) should not be underestimated. Well-written personal statements or letters of recommendation very often sway the judges. When there are many qualified applicants, judges look at small differences to select recipients.

How much will your family's contribution to college be?


This worksheet will allow families to figure out an estimate of how much they might be expected to contribute toward the cost of education at the college of their choice. This worksheet is based on the 1996-97 federal needs analysis formula. To complete this worksheet, use your most recent tax return or pay stub to get earnings estimates.

PARENT INCOME - 1995 year
(custodial household only in case of divorce/seperation)


1. Parent Income: wages, include payments to retirement plans,
social security benefits, interest/investment/tax-exempt interest
income, child support received and unemployment compensation. $_________________________

2. Federal Income Tax Paid $______________________________

3. Income Protection Allowance: $10,520 for a household of two,
$13,100 for three, $16,180 for four, $19,090 for five, $22,350 for six
or more. Subtract $1,790 for each child in college (if living on campus).$_____________________

4. Employment Expense Allowance: $2,500 or 35% of the smaller
income, whichever is less, if both parents or a single parent works.$________________________

5. Add lines 2. 3 and 4. $____________________________

6. Parent's Available Income: subtract line 5 from line 1 $_________________________________

PARENT ASSETS (custodial household only)

7. Total Assets: cash and bank/savings accounts (moneys available
for college), investments/real estate, exclude home & retirement funds.$______________________

8. Asset Protection Allowance: use following table

 Age-Older Parent   One Parent Family     Two Parent Family 

 to-44                $24,700               $34100
 45-49                $27,600               $38,800
 50-54                $31,100               $44,300
 55-59                $35,200               $51,300
 60-64                $40,300               $60,300
 65+                  $44,000               $66,800


9. Parent's Available Assets: subtract line 8 from line 7 $________________________________

10. Multiply line 9 by 12%, if negative, enter 0 $______________________________________

11. Adjusted Available Income and Assets: add lines 6 and 10 $__________________________

12. Parent's Expected Contribution: using number on line 11, see the
table below. Divide line 12 by number of students in college at the same time for contribution per student. NOTE - line 12 negotiable based on family circumstances.$_____________________

Available Funds from line 11   Parent Contribution
Less than $3,409               $750 
$3,410 to $9,400               22% of line 11
$9,401 to $11,800              $2,068 + 25% of $ over $9,400
$11,801 to $14,200             $2,668 + 29% of $ over $11,800
$14,201 to $16,600             $3,364 + 34% of $ over $14,200
$16,601 to $19,000             $4,180 + 40% of $ over $16,600
$19,001 or more                $5,140 + 47% of $ over $19,000



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