Presented by Wendy Biggs and Scott Lilly

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Private Colleges

• Presented by Wendy Biggs and Scott Lilly

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Sound familiar?

• I just want my child to go to a good college.

What is the best college for (insert major here)?
Youre not going to a school with a direction in
its name.
Ive never heard of that school, so it cant be
any good.
We cant afford private schools
My bosss nieces best friends cousin went there
and she said it was a good (or bad) school.
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College or University

• Why are some schools called college and others
  referred to as a university?

Colleges of Business Media Education Engineering
General Studies Fine and Applied Arts Applied
Health Sciences Liberal Arts and
Sciences Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental
Sciences
Universities are comprised of a group of colleges.
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One of these things isnot like the others

• Though all have similar names, which of the
  following schools has a very different philosophy
  from its counterparts on the religious component
  to its educational requirements?

1. Illinois Wesleyan
2. Iowa Wesleyan
3. Indiana Wesleyan
4. Ohio Wesleyan

A) Though originally founded in the Wesleyan
tradition, Illinois Wesleyan has moved away from
its religious roots and adopted a more general
Liberal Arts curriculum.
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So you say you are lookingfor a unique
experience

• Colorado College (not University of) and Cornell
  College (also, not University) are the only two
  institutions that require that you do this when
  choosing your classes?

Answer Only pick one According to Cornell
students, You can do anything for 18 days!
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Private Schools Most Often Applied to by wheaton
North Students

• Marquette University
• Taylor University
• DePaul University
• Wheaton College
• North Central College
• Carthage College
• Augustana College
• Bradley University
• Loyola University
• Butler University
• Northwestern University
• Hope College
• Indiana Wesleyan University
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Elmhurst College
• Calvin College
• Washington University (St. Louis)
• North Park University
• University of Chicago

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Applications

• The Holistic approach
• Not just a mathematical equation, but still
  starts with strength of schedule, GPA, and ACT
  (but not always)
• Essays
• Resum of activities, involvements, and work
  experiences
• Letters of recommendation
• Interviews
• Visits
• Demonstrated interest
• Legacy

REMEMBER Colleges are looking for ways to get
students IN,
not keep them OUT
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Size

• Colleges range in size from 20 students to 50,000
  students.
• Big difference between attending a small school
  (under 3,000) usually referred to as a college.
• And attending a large school (3,000-50,000)
  usually referred to as a university.

2500 Augustana College North Central
College Illinois Wesleyan U North Park
University Knox College Monmouth College Beloit
College Lawrence University
2500-7500 Bradley University Butler
University Creighton University Drake
University Millikin University Carthage College
7500 Marquette University Depaul
University Northewestern University Loyola
University University of Chicago Washington
University (St. Louis)
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Finding the right pair of pantsWhat size is
right for you?

• Large schools offer
• Class sizes anywhere from 20-350 students
• Tend to be more impersonal
• Allow more anonymity and learning of independent
  living skills
• Tend to be less expensive
• Offer the college experience
• Carry a bigger name

• Small schools offer
• More personal involvement
• Community atmosphere (including faculty)
• Smaller classes (from 5-50 students)
• Faculty focused on teaching undergraduates, not
  conducting research
• Direct instruction by faculty, not graduate
  students
• Usually a higher price tag.
• Do not discount small schools because of
• price when conducting your initial search.

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The Liberal Arts college

• Focuses on creating a well-rounded student
• Broad education study literature, languages,
  and the natural and social sciences
• Requires a more complex list of general
  education requirements which may include
  religious study
• Smaller number of requirements in each major with
  a lot of overlap allows for multiple majors
  and/or minors

• Unique schedule of academic terms (trimesters
  with J-terms, etc.)
• Higher rates for admission to graduate and
  professional school programs

• What do you want your student to be able to do
  when s/he graduates?
• Get a job in a specific field
• Have a diverse array of options including going
  on to graduate school

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Christian Colleges

• CCCU Council for Christian Colleges and
  Universities
• College fair at Calvary Church in Naperville
  offered every October
• What does Christian mean on campus?
• Class requirements
• Chapel attendance
• Pledge or code of conduct

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Selective Colleges in the Midwest

• Selective Colleges
• require elite credentials and may only admit
  20-30 of their applicants.
• ACT Averages are typically in the 28-32 range
• Have the highest placement rates for graduate
  school
• Merit scholarships are typically not available
• Recommend that students take the most rigorous
  coursework available to them while in high school

• Knox College
• Grinnell College
• Carleton College
• Hillsdale College
• McAllister College
• Notre Dame University
• Lawrence University
• Northwestern University
• Kenyon College
• University of Chicago
• Washington University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

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Understanding YOUr ValuesWhy are we sending our
son/daughter to college?
Get a good job when s/he graduates
Become an educated and well-rounded person
Get into graduate or professional school

• Go live anywhere but here!

Develop independence
The college experience (however you define that
is up to you)
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Final considerations
Student Will I feel closed in and trapped at a
small school, or will I feel lost and overwhelmed
at a large school?
Parent Is my student ready to go away to
college (academically, emotionally, etc.), and am
I ready for him/her to leave?

• Family
• How far from home is too far (or too close)?
• What is our backup plan if the financial aid does
  not work out the way we had hoped?
• What do we get for the extra cost of a private or
  out of state school, and is it worth it?