This presentation was from a co-presented session focused on "College Options: The Right Choice for you and your Family" at the 11th Annual Latino Youth Conference at American University, Washington, DC. This session was targeted for Latina/o/x high school students and their families and provided an overview of the college application and search process, campus resources available at colleges/universities, and demystifying the jargon/academic terminology used in higher education.

1. INSTITUTIONAL TYPES
AND
ACADEMIC TERMS
April 10, 2010
11th Annual Latino Youth Conference
American University
AMERICAN HIGHER EDUCATION
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)

2. THE U.S. BECOME THE GLOBAL LEADER IN COLLEGE
GRADUATES BY 2020
ONE OF PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ADMINISTRATION
GOALS IS TO HAVE
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)

3. TYPES OF
COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
Public Private Selective
Open University/College For Profit
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)

4. TYPES OF COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES
(Ever R.C. Grier, M.Ed. & Molly F. Morin)
Minority Serving
Institutions (Hispanic,
Tribal, and Historically
Black Serving
Institutions)
Community Colleges
(2-year)
Trade/Technical
Institutions
Religiously-affiliated Specialized
Colleges/Universities
Single-gender
Institutions

5. FACTORS TO CONSIDER IN
DECIDING A COLLEGE
 Personal goals
 Environment
 Location (in-state vs.
out-of-state)
 Academic programs
 Curriculum
 General Education
 Major
 Institutional size
 Institutional type
 Affordability/costs
 Student-to-teacher ratio
 Involvement
opportunities
 Athletics
 Reputation
 Demographics
 Housing options
 Alumni success
 Campus safety
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)

6. WHAT IF MY ACADEMIC PROGRAM IS
NOT OFFERED IN MY STATE?
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
_  16 STATES (DE AND MD) INCLUDED
PARTICIPATE IN THE ACADEMIC
COMMON MARKET
 THE ACADEMIC COMMON MARKET
ALLOWS STUDY IN A SPECIALIZED
FIELD AT AN OUT OF STATE
INSTITUTION AND PAY IN-STATE
TUITION
http://www.sreb.org/page/1304/academic_common_market.html

7. GETTING INFORMATION ABOUT
COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
 Visit the campus
 Explore the campus website
 Talk to current students and alumni
 Talk to your teachers/guidance counselors
 Talk to college representatives
 Review marketing materials
 College guidebooks

8. WHAT FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES LOOK FOR IN APPLICANTS
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
 Grades
 Quality of courses (college prep, AP/IB)
 Standardized test scores (SAT/ACT)
 Extracurricular activities
 Letters of recommendation
 Personal statement
 Lots of other factors!

9. Example: University of Maryland College Park
(Ever R.C. Grier, M.Ed. & Molly F. Morin)
 Admissions
Review
Factors

10. PERSONAL STATEMENT TIPS
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
 Start early
 Allow time for reflection, thoughtful preparation, and
revision
 Compose your personal statement in a word-
processing program before putting it directly into
the application (to spell-check/proof-read)
 Write in a natural style (be true to yourself)
 Proof-read
 Ask for feedback

11. COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
 Get organized
 Be aware of deadlines (for applications and
financial aid) and application fees
 Be aware of academic requirements
 Application terms
 Regular admission
 Rolling admission
 Early action
 Early decision

12. THE LANGUAGE OF HIGHER
EDUCATION
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
CURRICULUM
MAJOR
PROGRAM OF
STUDY
ADMISSIONS
PROCESS
ENROLLMENT
REGISTRATION
MATRICULATION
FRESHMEN/1ST YEAR
SOPHOMORE/2ND YEAR
JUNIOR/3RD YEAR
SENIOR/4TH YEAR

13. THE LANGUAGE OF HIGHER
EDUCATION
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
•FAFSA
•ADVISING
•COUNSELING
•PROFESSOR
•DEAN
COURSE DESCRIPTION
•ASSESSMENT LEVEL
•PRE-REQUISITE
•CO-REQUISITE
•COURSE CODE
•COURSE NUMBER
•FIRST GENERATION

14. THE LANGUAGE OF HIGHER
EDUCATION
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
•EDUCATION PLAN
•ADVISING
•COURSE
•CREDIT
•DISCIPLINE
•G.P.A.
•STUDENT SERVICES
•TUITION
•FEES
•BACHELOR DEGREE
•ASSOCIATE DEGREE
•MASTER DEGREE
•TERMINAL DEGREE

15. INSTITUTIONAL RESOURCES IN
STUDENT AFFAIRS
 Academic Advising
 Academic Support Services
 Admissions
 Orientation
 Student Life
 Residence Life
 Judicial Affairs
 Student Life
 Leadership Programs
 Records and Registration
 Financial Aid
 Career Services
 Study Abroad Resources
 Counseling Center
 Multicultural Affairs
 International Student
Programs
 Religious Life/Campus
Ministries
 Health Center
 Recreation/Fitness Center
 Campus Safety
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)

16. COMMUNITY COLLEGES
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
•1200 COMMUNITY COLLEGES
•ENROLL MORE THAN 6 MILLION
STUDENTS
•APPROXIMATELY 50% OF COLLEGE
UNDERGRADUATES
• IN EVERY STATE
• OPEN DOOR, LOW FEES
OPEN ENROLLMENT ATTRACTS GREAT
NUMBERS OF LOW-INCOME, FIRST
GENERATION, IMMIGRANT AND
HISPANIC STUDENTS
16 IN MARYLAND
ONE IN D.C.

17. COMMUNITY COLLEGE APPLICATION
AND ENROLLMENT PROCESS
 ADMISSION
APPLICATION
 HIGH SCHOOL
TRANSCRIPT
 SAT SCORES
 ACT SCORES
 AP SCORES
 TAKE TESTS, IF
REQUIRED
 APPLY FOR DISABILITY
SUPPORT SERVICES
 PARTICIPATE IN
ACADEMIC ADVISING
PROGRAM
 ATTEND NEW
STUDENT
ORIENTATION
 SEND FINAL
TRANSCRIPTS
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)

18. 21ST CENTURY CAREER TRENDS
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
COMPUTER SUPPORT
DENTAL HYGIENISTS
ENGINEERING
TECHNICIANS
OCCUPATIONAL
THERAPISTS
• PARALEGALS
•REGISTERED NURSES
•RADIATION
THERAPISTS
• HEALTH EDUCATORS
•COLLEGE
PROFESSORS
•GEOSCIENTISTS
•SURVEYORS AND
CARTOGRAPHERS

19. ROLE OF THE PARENT/PRIMARY
SUPPORT SYSTEM
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
•SEEK INFORMATION
PROMOTE YOUR STUDENT’S
INDEPENDENCE

20. ROLE OF THE PARENT/PRIMARY
SUPPORT SYSTEM
 ADVOCATE/INTERVENER
 CONTROLLER, MANAGER
 ADVERSARY
 STUDENT + PARENT
PARTNERSHIP
 SOUNDING BOARD,
SUPPORTER, ADVISOR
 COACH, PARTNER
 ALLY, BROKER,
PARTNER
 STUDENT + PARENT +
INSTITUTION
PARTNERSHIP
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
PRIOR TO COLLEGE COLLEGE YEARS

21. PARENT SYSTEM/STUDENT
PARTNERSHIPS
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
•COMMUNICATION
•CURRICULUM
•CONNECTIVITY
 MESSAGE ALIGNMENT
 INTERFACE WITH STUDENT
EXPERIENCE
 CONNECT TO RESOURCES,
OTHER PARENTS, APPROPRIATE
INVOLVEMENT

22. REFERENCES
(Ever R.C. Grier & Molly F. Morin)
 MONTGOMERY COLLEGE CAREER CENTER
 MARJORIE SAVAGE (U OF MN)
 KATHERINE WARTMAN (BOSTON COLLEGE)
 AMERICAN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE 21ST
CENTURY (ALTBACH, BERDAHL & GUMPORT, 1999)
 WASHINGTON DC EDUCATION RESOURCE
CENTER: http://educationcenter.dc.gov/ec/site/default.asp
 SOUTHERN REGION EDUCATION BOARD (SREB):
https://www.sreb.org/academic-common-market