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Fall 2005

In This Issue

» Finding the Right Fit
» Visit Us at the College Fair!
» Easing the Stress of College Applications
» PSEO — An Opportunity to Jumpstart College
» In the Next Issue
» Quicklinks

WELCOME BACK!
With the dawn of another school year comes the influx of high school juniors and seniors who are entering the college decision-making process. In this issue of Protégé, you’ll find fast access to useful tools that will help you guide your students to the college that best fits their needs. As you know, Minnesota's private colleges and universities offer affordable, high quality options to students from all socioeconomic levels. This newsletter is designed to assist you — a high school guidance counselor — to locate and disseminate information on our colleges quickly and easily. We invite you to contact us with comments and story ideas at colleges@mnprivatecolleges.org.

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT
There are so many factors to consider in choosing a college. Here are a few resources that can help your students find the right college:

VISIT US AT THE COLLEGE FAIR!
Member campuses of Minnesota's Private Colleges will host booths at the National College Fair, September 28-29, at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Students can visit with admissions counselors to find out more about our institutions, and attend breakout sessions to learn the facts about a private college education in Minnesota. 

The Minnesota Association of College Admission Counselors hosts college fairs in greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities in September–October 2005 and April 2006. These fairs are a great opportunity for students and parents to speak with college admissions counselors and learn about academics, campus life, the cities where campuses are located and more. |  MINNESOTA EDUCATION FAIR SCHEDULE

Help Your Students Get the Most Out of a College Fair | READ COLLEGEBOARD TIPS

EASING THE STRESS OF COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Application requirements, deadlines, and fees vary for Minnesota's private colleges so it helps to plan ahead. Here are some tools and tips:

  • Application requirements for Minnesota's Private Colleges | APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
  • Deadlines and tuition and fees for Minnesota's Private Colleges 
  • Application essays provide admission decisionmakers with a window into a students’ personality, values, goals and strengths. Essays are required by 13 of Minnesota’s Private Colleges. Here are some dos and don’ts for students: DO: keep a narrow focus—reveal who you are, support your claims, focus on what you’ll contribute to their college, be specific—reference instances and events from your own experience. DON'T: tell them about the wonderful assets of their college (they know), repeat what you wrote in your application, be too wordy, or forget to proofread. |  MORE ON ESSAY WRITING FROM COLLEGEBOARD
  • References or letters of recommendation are required for application at 12 of Minnesota's private colleges | RECOMMENDATION LETTER TIPS FROM COLLEGEBOARD

PSEO — AN OPPORTUNITY TO JUMPSTART COLLEGE
Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) allow high school juniors and seniors to take courses that earn them college credits. Fourteen of Minnesota's private colleges offer PSEO. Students must meet the admissions requirements of the post-secondary institution, but they don't pay for tuition, fees or books. Colleges or universities may choose to transfer completed coursework as college credits. Interested students should work closely with the college campus and their high school. For more information on PSEO, visit the MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION or the MINNESOTA OFFICE OF HIGHER EDUCATION Web sites.

IN THE NEXT ISSUE
In the winter issue, we’ll talk about financial aid and scholarship options including information on how to apply, and we'll provide resources and tools for counselors and students. In the meantime, see our PAYING FOR COLLEGE QUICKLINKS.

Macalester College's Jan Serie and students

PROTÉGÉ
Pro•té•gé (prô'teh-zhA') A young person whose welfare, training or career is advanced by an influential person.

ORDER VIEWBOOKS
A student's introduction to our 17 private colleges and universities, this free valuable tool provides brief profiles of each of the 17 schools as well as information about preparing for and financing a college education. Request copies for your students today! | ORDER VIEWBOOKS

FAST FACT
On average, there is one professor for every 12 students at our campuses — and the average class size is 19 students.

A STUDENT VIEWPOINT
"It is important to consider the notion of fit. Any school will provide classes taught by accomplished faculty. But it takes a personalized community to achieve the truly exceptional experience."

—Tim McDonald, Junior, Political Science, Hamline University

OUR COLLEGES
Augsburg College
Bethany Lutheran College
Bethel University
Carleton College
Concordia College
Concordia University
College of Saint Benedict
College of St. Catherine
College of St. Scholastica
Gustavus Adolphus College
Hamline University
Macalester College
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Saint John’s University
St. Olaf College
University of St. Thomas

 


QUICKLINKS

OUR COLLEGES
Our 17 colleges | Why choose us? | Majors & minors | Tuition and fees | Transferring | Resources for diverse students | Private College Week | Transfer Days

PAYING FOR COLLEGE
Affording a Minnesota Private College | Financial aid 101 | Grants | Scholarship aid | Our scholarships | Loans | FAFSA codes

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE
Finding a fit | Campus visit tips | Helping your student prepare

Minnesota Private College Council, Fund and Research Foundation | Bremer Tower | 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 500 | St. Paul, MN 55101
651-228-9061 | colleges@mnprivatecolleges.org

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