Counselors’ Guide to Minnesota Postsecondary Education 2010-2011 Edition Published by: Minnesota Office of Higher Education Sponsored by: Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation About the Counselors’ Guide The Counselors’ Guide to Minnesota Postsecondary Education is published to assist high school counselors, teachers, and other education professionals as they help students prepare and apply for college, explore Minnesota higher education options and learn about financial aid. Additional information about counseling students on college and financial aid is available at www.getreadyforcollege.org under Educators’ Corner. The Counselors’ Guide is updated annually and provided to Minnesota high schools. Additional copies may be requested by calling 651-259-3901 or 1-800-657-3866. Or it can be downloaded at www.getreadyforcollege.org; under Educators’ Corner, click on Supplementing Your College Counseling and then Counselors’ Guide to Minnesota Postsecondary Education. About Us The Minnesota Office of Higher Education is a cabinet-level state agency providing students with financial aid programs and information to help them gain access to postsecondary education. The agency serves as the state’s clearinghouse for data, research and analysis on postsecondary enrollment, financial aid, finance and trends. The Minnesota State Grant program, which is administered by the agency, is a need-based tuition assistance program for Minnesota students. The agency also oversees tuition reciprocity programs, a student loan program, Minnesota’s 529 college savings program, licensing and an early awareness outreach initiative for youth. Through collaboration with systems and institutions, the agency assists in the development of the state’s education technology infrastructure and shared library resources. This document can be made available in an alternative format to individuals with disabilities by calling 651-642-0567 or 1-800-657-3866. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Preparing for Higher Education Careers and Education Resources............................................................................................... 1-1 Recommended High School Classes ........................................................................................... 1-2 Earning College Credit While in High School ............................................................................... 1-3 Aptitude or Assessment Tests ...................................................................................................... 1-4 College Counseling Calendar ....................................................................................................... 1-5 Narrowing Down College Options ................................................................................................ 1-7 Special Considerations for Students with Disabilities................................................................... 1-8 College Fairs ................................................................................................................................. 1-9 College Visits .............................................................................................................................. 1-10 Preparing for College Athletics ................................................................................................... 1-11 ROTC .......................................................................................................................................... 1-13 Chapter 2: Navigating the Admissions Process How Do Schools Decide Which Students to Admit? .................................................................... 2-1 Admissions Selectivity .................................................................................................................. 2-2 Admissions Deadlines .................................................................................................................. 2-3 What Students Will Need to Apply................................................................................................ 2-4 College Admissions Tests ............................................................................................................ 2-5 Placement Tests ........................................................................................................................... 2-6 Application Essays........................................................................................................................ 2-7 Admissions Interviews .................................................................................................................. 2-8 Letters of Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 2-8 Chapter 3: Minnesota Higher Education Options Public Institutions .......................................................................................................................... 3-1 Private Institutions ........................................................................................................................ 3-2 College and University Profiles ..................................................................................................... 3-3 Two-Year Degree Program Grids ............................................................................................... 3-84 Four-Year Degree Program Grids .............................................................................................. 3-98 Chapter 4: Student Financial Aid Purpose of Financial Aid ............................................................................................................... 4-1 Type of Financial Aid .................................................................................................................... 4-1 Sources of Financial Aid ............................................................................................................... 4-2 Applying for Financial Aid ............................................................................................................. 4-3 Federal Eligibility Requirements ................................................................................................... 4-4 Minnesota Residency Requirements ............................................................................................ 4-4 Factors That Affect Eligibility ....................................................................................................... 4-5 Financial Aid Events ..................................................................................................................... 4-5 School-Specific Scholarships ....................................................................................................... 4-6 Chapter 5: High School Counselors’ Directory ............................................................. 5-1 Appendix A: Other Useful Resources ........................................................................................................... A-1 B: Handouts for Students & Parents............................................................................................. B-1 Chapter 1: Preparing for Higher Education Most students and parents know that education after high school provides the skills you need to succeed both professionally and personally: Knowledge. A college education teaches students to think critically and abstractly, to express thoughts and opinions, and to weigh options and make informed decisions. It helps them learn how to find and use information. Potential. College helps students explore their interests and understand the issues that connect communities, the nation and the world. Opportunity. Critical thinking and new technology skills are vital for success and advancement in today’s workforce and provide students with more career and job options. Income. A person with a college degree typically has a higher income and is less likely to be unemployed or underemployed than someone with less education. But higher education doesn't just happen. It requires careful academic and financial preparation by both students and families. Career and Education Resources There are many resources you can use to help students learn and understand the connection between careers and education, including three specific to Minnesota: The Internet System for Education and Employment Knowledge (ISEEK) is an online resource that provides information on careers and higher education options in Minnesota. Visit www.iseek.org to learn more. The Office of Higher Education website offers information on preparing, selecting and paying for college. Visit www.getreadyforcollege.org to learn more. The state’s postsecondary institutions currently sponsor an outreach campaign for students in seventh through ninth grade to help them make sound choices about the future. For more information, visit www.imakeithappen.org. Minnesota Office of Higher Education │ 2010-2011 Counselors’ Guide Chapter 1-1 Recommended High School Classes Too many students leave high school unprepared for college because they only take those classes needed to meet basic graduation requirements. Many college-bound students also avoid more difficult courses that might lower their grade point average even though a higher grade point average is less important than challenging coursework on a transcript. College admissions offices weigh grades and rankings against a course's level of difficulty. Language Arts People who succeed are people who can read and