Updates at SLU and SJU

New information just crossed my desk about two great Jesuit colleges, Saint Louis University (SLU) and Saint Joseph’s University (SJU) in Philadelphia.

Saint Joseph’s University

SJU has recently welcomed their largest freshmen class in the school’s history with over 1300 students. Their physical campus has nearly doubled in size over the past few years, and they are starting to fill-up some of that extra space!

SJU has also implemented four new majors and five new minors including: Majors: Entertainment Marketing, Information Technology, Linguistics, Secondary Education, and minors in Creative Writing , Environmental & Sustainability Studies, Journalism, Justice & Ethics in the Law, and Medieval, Renaissance & Reformation Studies.

Saint Louis University

SLU has already started accepting applications for admission and will begin delivering answers out on a rolling basis beginning October 15^th.

Although many of their application deadlines are later in the year, be aware of some of the special programs with earlier deadlines. December 1, 2014 is the application deadline for our Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy programs and the preferred deadline for our Nursing program. December 1 is also the deadline for applications for the Presidential Scholarship, University Honors Program, and Medical Scholars Program.

If you are interested in visiting SLU, please visit their website at visit.slu.edu

If you cannot make it to SLU, feel free to chat online College Week Live chats twice this month on the following dates:

September 18, 3:00pm - 7:00pm EST

September 24, 11:00am - 1:00pm EST

I hope this information helps, and as always, happy searching!

-Mr. Joe Korfmacher, MA

Applying to College by Video

Goucher College, a small, private liberal arts school in Baltimore has just come out with a new way to apply to their school. The traditional way to apply still exists using the Common Application, but they have created a very unique way to apply that may interest some students. We know that many schools are beginning to go test-optional, where they do not look at test scores, but put more focus on the academic transcript. However, Goucher is taking it a step further with their creation of the Goucher Video Application (GVA). If you choose to go this route, test scores and transcripts are not required. Yes, you read that right…they do not consider test scores or high school transcripts for admission! If you are accepted to Goucher, you will need to eventually send your transcript to be considered for merit scholarships, but not to be accepted to the school. This is a great option for students, who have not done well in the traditional structure of high school and standardized tests, but are creative and have other strengths and productive outlets. If students choose this route, they will need to provide the following:

·        -2 minute personal video describing how your talents and experiences have shaped you so far in your life

·        -A brief application form

·        -A signed statement of academic integrity

·        -One graded writing assignment and project or artistic piece that showcases your talents

·        -$55 application fee

·       - Application deadline is December 1^st

I am a big fan of test-optional schools, but I may be even more of a fan of Goucher now. I think this is incredibly forward-thinking and removes the limitations of the traditional college application process. I have worked with countless of students throughout my career who were incredibly bright and creative; it just didn’t show on their official academic records, for a variety of reasons. Individuals are intelligent in different ways, and I hate to see young men and women being denied an opportunity of their top choice college because they were late bloomers in the classroom or didn’t perform well on a 3 ½ hour test. This avenue of applying to schools will not work at all colleges, but I am a fan of it and I hope more and more schools start doing this in the future.

-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

Marist College-Learning Disabilities Support Program Open House

Anyone who is going through the college search process knows there are limitless factors to consider when choosing the right college. For students with learning differences, the quality of the school's support program may be near the top of that list of important factors. Colleges range in what they offer, costs, experience of support personnel, and overall effectiveness of the program. If you are a student or a parent of a student with learning differences, it is very important that you research these programs and ask a ton of questions when visiting the schools. There are many great schools across the country with excellent support programs, but the one I wanted to present to you today is Marist College. Past students have had great experiences there with their support program, and it is a school I can highly recommend. For those interested, Marist College is having an informational open house specifically about their learning disabilities support program.

This program will take place Sunday, September 21st at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY from 8:30-2:00. The program will include a presentation on the program overview and admissions, presentations by learning disability specialists, panel discussions with current program students, time for Q & A, and campus tours.

If you are interested, please RSVP at (845) 575-3274 or SpecServ@marist.edu Also, for more information on their program, please visit their Special Services website.

As always, happy searching!!

-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

Great Resource-'College Results Online'

As always, I want to try to provide everyone with the most up-to-date resources on college admissions, and I want to share this very helpful website. It is called, College Results Online, and is part of The Education Trust. This website has a ton of information on graduation rates (something you all should be comparing at colleges), financial aid and average net cost after financial aid, and much more. It also allows you to search and compare schools on various factors that are important to you. I would encourage you all to take some time to look through this website and hopefully it will come in handy for you during the college search process. Take care, and happy searching!

-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

Wesleyan Now Test-Optional

Just a quick post here in alerting everyone of the new policy at the highly selective Wesleyan University. As we are seeing with many colleges each year, Wesleyan has decided to go test-optional in their admissions. This can be very helpful for the students who have performed well in the classroom, but just can't seem to showcase their best during standardized testing. Students no longer have to send in their test scores for the admissions process. For more specific information on Wesleyan's new policy, please click on their website link here. Enjoy, and as always, happy searching!

-Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

Summer College Checklist for Rising Seniors

So you are officially a senior...this is exciting right? Only one more year of high school and then you are off to pursue the major of your choice at hopefully the college of your choosing! Although many students would like the college application process to be over already, you still have many months left. Some of the more important months throughout this process are June, July and August. The summer is a crucial time to prepare, search, and begin to formalize your college application plans. It is definitely not a time to sit around and do nothing. So look at these following tips on ways you can best utilize your summer days to best prepare yourself for the fall when you finally apply to college!

Get Involved: Depending on the selectiveness of the colleges you are applying to, admissions counselors are looking for applicants who have done something positive during their time off. Whether it is traveling, taking a pre-college summer class, volunteering, or working, make sure you are doing something! It looks good on college applications and it is just good to stay active in a positive way!

Continue to visit schools: If you are able to get to college campuses during the school year, that is great, but it is not always possible. Although high school does not begin until September, many colleges start during the last week or two of August. Whether you can go in August, or the other summer months, visiting schools is a vital part of this process. Get to the campus, walk around, ask questions, and imagine if this is the best place for you. Make sure to contact the undergraduate admissions office prior to the visit, to see if they offer an information session or guided tour while you are there.

Begin narrowing down your college list: With many application deadlines beginning in November (some earlier), it is now time to eliminate some colleges from your list. You should end up with about 8-10 colleges on your list; all of which you would love to attend. Make sure to have at least 2-3 colleges that you are certain you will be accepted into, often referred to as safety schools. Safety schools should still be schools that you have investigated and would be happy attending. Your list should reflect hard work on your part, and you want to be completely satisfied with the final amount of schools you apply to in the fall.

Research school specific application guidelines: Colleges differ across the board on application procedures such as how to apply (Common Application or their own), deadlines for regular decision, early action/early decision, priority, and rolling decisions, and application requirements such as SATs, subject tests, and additional supplements. Be sure to have all of the requirements and deadlines organized in one centralized location to reference (i.e. your college list)

Work on your résumé for college: You are able to upload a résumé for many colleges, so you want to be prepared. Try your best to remember everything you have been involved in and accomplished during your time in high school, and get these down on paper in an organized template.

Make your plan for admission testing: You may be satisfied with your SAT and/or ACT scores, which is great! However, many students need to retake these tests in hopes of higher scores. For the SAT, there are testing dates in October, November, and December, which most likely are the latest ones you can take. For the ACT there are testing dates in September, October, and December. Also, if any of your colleges require subject tests (SAT II), remember to sign-up during one of these test dates. You cannot take the SAT and Subject test the same sitting, so please plan accordingly!

Begin the Common Application starting in August: The Common Application opens August 1^st. Feel free to create an account and begin working on the application. There is no need to rush this, but it will be helpful to get familiar with the application and see what other supplements are needed for schools. Also, if you haven’t done so already, start writing the main CA essay, and feel free to send it to your college counselor to help with editing.

Keep in touch with your counselor: If you have any pressing questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to your college counselor. Also, once school begins, make an appointment to see your counselor and talk about a plan to apply to schools.

-Mr. Joe Korfmacher, MA

3-2 Engineering Program (King’s College & Notre Dame)

I want to bring to your attention a unique opportunity for students to obtain two bachelor’s degrees from two separate colleges, one being the University of Notre Dame. King’sCollege in Pennsylvania has collaborated with Notre Dame to offer this dual degree program. This is a chance to experience life at two different colleges, and is a remarkable chance for students to graduate from Notre Dame, who may not originally have been able to be accepted to the University.  Although different environments, both of these schools are part of the congregation of the Holy Cross, and each are committed to the same academic and personal values.

So how does this program work, you may be asking? Students should have at least a 3.2 GPA to get into this specific program, and they will complete three years at King’s College, earning a BS in fields such as Physics, Chemistry, Environmental Science or Computer Science. While at King’s, students will also take courses in the liberal arts to help with oral/written communication and critical thinking, which all employers want to see., Students will then transfer to the University of Notre Dame to complete a second BS in Engineering in fields such as Aerospace, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, or Mechanical.

This can be a great opportunity for many students, especially for those who are thinking about majoring in engineering, and have always dreamed of graduating from Notre Dame. Take a look, and as always, happy searching!

3-2 Program

Joseph D. Korfmacher, MA

College Spotlight- Seattle University

I’m going to stay in the Pacific Northwest, with the next college to showcase. Seattle University is a Jesuit university in the middle of stunning Seattle. It has just over 4,500 undergraduate students with a diverse population of students and a myriad of top notch programs to study. When I first arrived on campus, I was struck by the beauty of the campus and how it meshed very well with the surrounding environment. Although the campus is right outside downtown Seattle, you are surrounded by water and snow-capped mountains, and the modern and unique architecture of the school buildings is quite breathtaking. I know Seattle is far for us east-coasters, but as I talked to students, faculty, and administration at Seattle University, I realized this was truly a special place with so much to offer for students across the county, and it is a place I would feel very comfortable recommending. Here are a few fun and helpful facts about the school, so enjoy!

Student Population: 4,500 Undergraduates, 35% minority students, average class size is 20, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 14:1.

AdmissionsInfo: Middle 50% GPA for acceptance: 3.3-3.9, SATs: 1600-1910, ACT: 24-29. Seattle U has both Early Action (11/15) and Regular Decision (1/15).

Cost: The current total cost of attendance is $46,410 per year. However, 96% of freshmen come in with financial aid help, which averages at $27,000 per student.

Colleges: Albers School of Business and Economics, College of Arts and Sciences, Collegeof Education, College of Nursing, College of Science and Engineering, School ofLaw, School of Theology and Ministry, Matteo Ricci College (Jesuit centered, humanities program).

Standout Majors Offered at Seattle University: Their nursing program is very competitive, where students should have a minimum 3.7 GPA, and mid 600s in each of the SAT sections. Other standout majors include cultural anthropology, digital design, prelaw, social work, sports and exercise science, finance, business economics, biochemistry, and engineering (civil, environmental, computer science/software, electrical, mechanical).

Seattle University has numerous Division 1 sports and a ton of school pride when it comes to athletics. Some of the sports they offer are baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, swimming and more.

Seattle U is committed to its Jesuit foundation and students there truly care about helping the surrounding community. They offer a program called the Seattle University Youth Initiative (SUYI), which is a popular organization at school where students are very involved in supporting and helping the neighborhood to improve academic and personal development. The sense of community is very noticeable at SU, both on and off of campus.

NotableRecognition:

·         US News and World Report ranked SU as the #6 institution in the west

·         SU has the #1 legal writing program in their school of law

·         Bloomberg Businessweek has ranked SU’s business school the #1 program for macroeconomics

·         SU has been ranked #1 in the nation among private institutions for increasing graduation rates and closing the gaps between Hispanic and Caucasian students

·         SU has the 5^th highest amount of Fulbright Scholars in the nation among master’s institutions in 2013-2014

·         In 2012, the White House honored Seattle University with the Presidential Award for community service

Final Thoughts:

I have been to many outstanding colleges across the country, and Seattle University is near the top of my list of standout institutions. It has an amazing community, strong and diverse academics, and is set on a stunning campus in one of the more beautiful parts of our country. Students who want to venture out to another part of the country and are committed to academics and being an active member of the community should definitely take a look at Seattle University. Whether you are in the engineering or humanities college, all students will come away with an education that will prepare them to become integral members of our society. Students are challenged to push themselves in the classroom, and to possibly go out of their comfort zone to help others in the community. The Jesuit education is very real at Seattle University, and the overall environment is a place that I foresee many students being very happy at. I know Seattle often has the reputation of rainy weather, but all I can say is that while I was there, the sun was shining and I felt a great sense of positive energy in a vibrant community…and I think if you dig deeper into Seattle University, you may just see the light too. Enjoy and happy searching!

-Mr. Joe Korfmacher, MA  

Temple University-Fly-In-4 Program

College is expensive. Taking more than 4 years to graduate usually makes college even more expensive. In many situations, students are unable to register for certain courses when they need them, and have to continue at school for another semester or two. More semesters, means more credits (more tuition money) and other fees associated with staying on campus. I would like to bring to your attention, at least one school that is trying to help students avoid paying more, if they have to stay longer than 4 years to complete their degree. Temple University in Philadelphia has a program called Fly-In-4. Students, who agree to this, join a partnership with Temple to graduate within 4 years. If Temple does not hold up their end of the bargain, and the student has to come back for another semester or longer, Temple will grant that student free education for the remaining coursework. Make sure you read about the qualifications for this program, but it is definitely something to think about. Visit the Fly-in-4 website for more information.

-Mr. Joe Korfmacher, MA

College Spotlight - The University of Portland

The next school I would like to highlight is the University of Portland. UP is in beautiful Portland, Oregon, surrounded by a picturesque river and mountain range. It is a Roman Catholic school, and is part of the Holy Cross congregation. The two other colleges that are Holy Cross schools are Stonehill and Notre Dame. Although UP is far from the east coast, this is definitely a school worth checking out. The campus was stunning, the academics are diverse and strong, and you get a real sense of a strong and vibrant community. This is a school I would feel very comfortable recommending to my students. Below are some “quick hitter” stats about the school, and I will have my final thoughts at the bottom. Enjoy!

University of Portland Stats

Undergraduate enrollment: 3,320

Middle 50% for admissions: SAT: 1610-1940, GPA: 3.64, Percent Accepted: 66%

Average Amount of Merit Scholarships Awarded per year, per student: $13, 420

Average Amount of Need Based Financial Aid Awarded per year, per student: $21, 120

Colleges: College ofArts and Science, School of Education, Pre-Professional Programs, Pamplin School of Business, Shiley School of Engineering, and School of Nursing.

Standout Majors offered at UP: Drama, Environmental Ethics and Policy, Social Work, Elementary/Secondary Education, accounting, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, Global Business, Engineering (Civil, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical), and Nursing.

15 D1 Sports, with soccer being one of the hottest sporting events on campus

18 years in a row, UP has been ranked as a top 10 western university by U.S. News & World Report

UP students annually spend 163,000 hours in community completing volunteer service and service-learning projects.

UP is the number 1 school in the nation among peer institutions for the number of students who have received Fulbright Awards to study or teach abroad since 2010.

Bloomberg Businessweek named UP top college in Oregon for return on investment in 2011 and 2012.

Final Thoughts

To be honest, I did not know much at all about the University of Portland before my visit there last month. I arrived eager to learn about the school, and left with a ton of knowledge on the school and I even had a little bit of UP Pilot pride. UP is a perfect place for students who are adventurous and want to go to an entirely different part of the country. For east coasters, you are looking at a 5 hour plane ride, but it’s a ride that I think is worth it. Once you arrive to UP, you will be surrounded by a beautiful green campus, minutes from the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon Coast, and Mount Hood. The environment doesn’t get much more spectacular than this, and for individuals who like the outdoors, but still want to be close to the city, downtown Portland is only minutes away from the campus. UP offers a free shuttle to downtown, where Portland is known for its delicious food, music and arts scene, incredibly friendly people, and a wealth of learning and employment opportunities.

Academically, UP has a ton of different areas for students to study. They have great study abroad opportunities, solid internship connections for all students with majors ranging from accounting to history. For anyone interested in nursing, they have a 90% job placement rate within 6 months of graduation. UP also has small class sizes, and a very caring faculty. Students are well-cared for at UP, and you know that everyone will be closely watched and supported through graduation. UP also has an incredible residential experience. With more than half of their students choosing to live on campus, they mix their years, so upperclassmen could share the same hallways as the underclassmen. This creates an inclusive community where everyone is working and living together. Finally, UP  has one of the best orientation and freshmen transition programs I have seen. They have mandatory parent and student orientation programs, for a few days, so both students and parents make a successful transition to college. Also, they also place orientation groups in at least one freshmen academic class together. This way, once school starts, students will already know a few familiar faces from orientation.

All in all, if you are looking for a school on the smaller side, a good mix of outdoors and city living, committed to service, and a caring, inclusive, and vibrant community, you may just want to give the University of Portland a look! Happy searching…

-Joseph Korfmacher, MA