Getting Involved: Why it's Important and Where to Begin

Although going to class and studying each day may be enough to earn a degree, getting involved outside of the classroom can provide greater reward.

Here are 10 reasons why you should get involved on your college campus:

1. Pursue your interests
   Getting involved in clubs and organizations related to your academic interest can be a great way to narrow your focus and discover the direction you want to go in.
2. Gain new skills and experience
   Clubs and organizations provide a type of hands-on experience that you can't get inside of the classroom. For example, broadcasting on your school's radio or television station will allow you to directly practice any skills you may have learned in a broadcasting class.
3. Make connectionsThe people you meet are just as important as the skills you learn. Peers and staff who are involved in your organization can serve as mentors and they can also point you in a certain direction or connect you with different resources. 
4. Build a communityBeing a part of a group of people with a common interest can help students feel more acquainted with their peers and campus.
5. Develop self-confidenceIn clubs and organizations, you may be asked to step out of your comfort zone. This will benefit you in terms of gaining self-confidence.
6. Share your talentsWhether you have an article published in the newspaper or you just gave a speech at a student senate meeting, there is no feeling quite as rewarding as sharing your talents with your peers.
7. Explore leadership opportunitiesIf you enjoy your organization and want to push it one step further, consider applying for a leadership position. Being an editor-in-chief, secretary, or vice president of an organization can provide you with even more beneficial skills and experience.
8. Build your resumeFuture employers are looking for well-rounded individuals who took the initiative to get involved beyond the classroom. 
9. Learn to prioritizeHaving free time isn't always good. Learning to be on time, work out a schedule, and prioritize time are all things you will learn when becoming involved.
10. Have fun
    True happiness can be found in an organization that you are passionate about. Once you find something that interests you, it can make your perspective on your major and career much brighter. 

Now you're probably thinking, "That all sounds great, but how do I find a club or organization that is a good fit for me?"

Typically, schools hold campus involvement fairs for students to discover all of the clubs and organizations on campus. Big Future by College Board is also a great resource to find a general overview of activities at different colleges and universities. Once you have searched the name of the school, go to the Campus Life tab and then click on Activities for a general list. 

If you have any questions, please email us at ubou67@gmail.com or message us on Facebook!

College Fair: The January Workshop

Get excited for College Fair, the January workshop! This is your chance to explore different colleges, ask questions, and find out what each school can provide for you.

Want to get a head start? Here is a list of the 10 colleges that will be represented at the workshop. Feel free to read up on the basic information listed below and also explore the College Board and college website links to help you formulate any questions to ask during the workshop.

If you are unsure how to navigate the College Board website, check out some of the previous blog posts : The College Search: Step-By-Step and Digging Deeper into Big Future by College Board. These posts give a breakdown of the website's layout as well as the importance of certain college statistics.

1. Hocking College
   - 2-year public college
   - Located in Nelsonville, OH
   - About 4,000 undergraduate students
   - 100% of applicants admitted
   
   Hocking College Website
   College Board - Hocking College
2. Shawnee State University
   - 4-year public university
   - Located in Portsmouth, OH
   - About 4,000 undergraduate students
   - 83% of applicants admitted
   
   Shawnee State University Website
   College Board - Shawnee State University
3. Marshall University- 4-year public university
   - Located in Huntington, WV
   - About 10,000 undergraduate students
   - 79% of applicants admitted
   
   Marshall University Website
   College Board - Marshall University
4. Washington State Community College
   - 2-year public community college
   - Located in Marietta, OH
   - About 2,000 undergraduate students
   - 100% of applicants admitted
   
   Washington State Community College Website
   College Board - Washington State Community College
5. University of Rio Grande
   - 4-year private community college
   - Located in Rio Grande, OH
   - About 2,000 undergraduate students
   - 73% of applicants admitted
   
   University of Rio Grande Website
   College Board - University of Rio Grande
6. Marietta College- 4-year private college
   - Located in Marietta, OH
   - About 1,500 undergraduate students
   - 64% of applicants admitted
   
   Marietta College Website
   College Board - Marietta College
7. Ohio Valley University
   - 4-year private university
   - Located in Vienna, WV
   - About 500 undergraduate students
   - 38% of applicants admitted
   
   Ohio Valley University Website
   College Board - Ohio Valley University
8. Ohio Christian University- 4-year private university
   - Located in Circleville, OH
   - About 3,000 undergraduate students
   - 97% of applicants admitted
   
   Ohio Christian University Website
   College Board - Ohio Christian University
9. University of Cincinnati
   - 4-year public university
   - Located in Cincinnati, OH
   - About 24,000 undergraduate students
   - 73% of applicants admitted
   
   University of Cincinnati Website
   College Board - University of Cincinnati
10. Ohio University 
    - 4-year public university
    - Located in Athens, OH
    - About 24,000 undergraduate students
    - 73% of applicants admitted
    
    Ohio University Website
    College Board - Ohio University

If you have any questions, email us at ubou67@gmail.com or message us on Facebook!

Majors, Minors, Certificates and Your Path to a Career

The Basics

A major is a specific subject area that college students choose to specialize in, and it will help prepare students for their careers after college.

When applying to college, do not panic when it comes to selecting a major. Many students go into college undecided. At most four-year colleges, students have until the end of sophomore year to declare a major. This gives students plenty of time to take a range of classes to find an area of interest.
However, if you know what you would like to focus in, go ahead and declare your major, and if your mind changes later on, that's okay too. Most students switch their major during college.

There are two different general categories of majors; career-oriented and liberal arts.

Career-oriented majors:
Students in these majors are being prepared for a very specific career. Nursing is a great example of a career-oriented major. These students learn explicit skills needed to pass a licensing exam and to ultimately become a nurse.
Career-oriented majors typically have specific course requirements. Most classes will be related to the major.
Some other examples of career-oriented majors are:

• Culinary Arts
• Dental Hygiene
• Mechanical Engineering
• Commercial Art

Liberal arts majors:
Liberal arts is an umbrella term -- meaning that a wider variety of classes fall under the decided major. Students who choose liberal arts majors aren't necessarily on a narrow path to a specific career, rather they are open to more variation.
Some examples of liberal-arts majors and careers that they may lead to are:

• English: editor, writer, playwright
• History: museum registrar, researcher, archivist
• Political Science: consumer affairs, international relations, elected public official
• Psychology: counselor, laboratory assistant, psychologist

Career Center is a great website in which you can learn about the various careers that different liberal arts majors can lead to.

At most colleges, students have the opportunity to double-major, add a minor, create a new major, and earn a certificate.

Double-major
Taking on two majors is a lot of work, but has potential for a greater reward.
Students who choose to double-major must critically map out their four-year plan. Each class must be chosen wisely -- some classes may overlap and count for double credit. It is important to set up a meeting with an advisor to map out a precise schedule if you want to graduate on time.
** Do not declare a double-major if you are just unable to decide between two different majors. That's not the point.
A double major is meant to give students a broader base and a potential for a more competitive advantage when it comes to searching for jobs. Students who double-major tend to pick two majors that can work together for a desired career.

Minor
A minor is similar to a second major, but requires fewer classes. Some departments even require students to select a minor to go along with their major. Adding a minor is important if a student with a liberal arts major want an area of focus.
For example, a student with a dance major may want to consider a minor in business administration if he or she would like to start up a dance studio after college.
Some other examples of minors are:

• Film
• World Religions
• Business
• Applied Nutrition

Create your own major
This opportunity often goes unnoticed. If you really are passionate about something, but your college doesn't offer a major for it, see if you can create your own -- some colleges allow this, but some do not.
When creating a major, students have the freedom and responsibility of selecting a variety of classes that fit to the desired outcome.
**Creating a degree requires an application process -- this will vary depending on the school. Talk to an adviser or school official to see what is needed to be done.

Certificate Programs
Getting a certificate is not the same as getting a minor. College certificate programs are designed for students who are interested in learning a specific subject or skill in a short amount of time.
Some examples of certificates are:

• Diversity studies
• Political communication
• Entrepreneurship
• Global leadership

See how these are more specific than most majors/minors? Once you're accepted into a certificate program, you will be taking a few very specific classes that pertain to the certificate title.
**Some certificate programs require application.


When planning for the future, remember that it is important to truly enjoy what you do. Making a hefty salary is great, but what's not great is having to dread going to work every day.
Too many students pick a major based on the money and wind up working jobs that they wish they weren't. College is a time for you to explore -- take classes that interest you. You will know when you find the path that is meant for you.

Digging Deeper into Big Future by College Board

In the previous post, I gave a breakdown of the Big Future by College Board website. In this post I dig a bit deeper into the importance of student-to faculty ratio, costs, financial aid, and activities.

Student-to-Faculty Ratio - Although it is an extremely important number, it is often misinterpreted. Just because a university has a 9:1 student-faculty ratio doesn't mean students should expect to always be in a class of around 9 people. The ratio literally means the number of students at the school in comparison to the number of faculty.You will normally see these ratios in advanced classes, not development classes (first and second year).

Here are a few student-to-faculty ratios at nearby colleges and universities according to Big Future by College Board:

4 year
Ohio University (main) - 18:1
Ohio University Zanesville - 22:1
Ohio State University - 19:1
Kent State University - 17:1
Wittenberg University -  12:1
Miami University - 18:1

2 year
Hocking College - 16:1
Washington State - 15:1


Costs - Tuition isn't the only fee for college. There are other fees including: room and board, meal plans, books, and other personal/transportation expenses.

Here are two charts showing the breakdown of costs between a private and public university. These costs are for in-state students.

Public: Ohio University - Main (Athens, OH)

	On-Campus	Off-Campus	At Home
Tuition and Fees	$10,602	$10,602	$10,602
Room and Board	$10,478	$10,230	--
Books and Supplies	$916	$916	$916
Estimated personal expenses	$1,050	--	$1,140
Transportation	$1,768	--	$4,916
Estimated Total	$24,814	$21,748	$17,574

Private: Wittenberg Univerity - (Springfield, OH)

	On-Campus	Off-Campus	At Home
Tuition and Fees	$38,030	$38,030	$38,030
Room and Board	$9,932	$9,736	--
Books and Supplies	$1,000	$1,000	$1,000
Estimated personal expenses	$1,600	$1,600	$1,600
Transportation	$400	$400	$400
Estimated Total	$50,962	$50,766	$41,030

As you can see, the total estimated cost of Wittenberg University is over double that of Ohio University. Keep in mind, financial aid has not yet been factored in.

Financial Aid - The estimated costs listed in the charts above aren't what families pay for school. Most students receive financial aid, which reduces the total cost. Financial aid packages vary depending on individual circumstances.

Here is a chart showing the comparison of financial aid between the two universities. This chart breaks down the average first year financial aid package, the percentage of aid coming from scholarship/grants, percentage of aid coming from loans/jobs, percentage of freshmen with need who received financial aid, and percentage of need actually met for these students:

	Average Financial Aid	% Aid from scholarships/grants	% Aid from loans/jobs	% of freshmen with need who received aid	% of need met
Ohio University	$9,232	30%	70%	100%	53%
Wittenberg University	$31,935	73%	27%	100%	83%

Here are the total estimated costs after the average financial aid was subtracted from the original estimated totals.

	On-Campus	Off-Campus	At Home
Ohio University	$15,582	$12,516	$8,342
Wittenberg University	$19,027	$18,831	$9,095

After financial aid was calculated, the total cost of attending Wittenberg University dropped significantly. Often, private schools like Wittenberg offer more financial aid than public universities, which brings the cost to a more comparable number.

Another great website to compare cost breakdowns between schools is Consumer Finance. On this site, you can add three schools to compare. They will automatically calculate the estimated cost and then you fill in the amount of financial aid you have received. Then the site will show comparisons of first year costs, debt at graduation, graduation rates, and other important information.

Activities - Although education comes first, there is more to college than the classroom. Every school offers a multitude of opportunities for students to become involved. Getting involved can help students meet new people, discover new interests and build a sense of community. Getting involved in organizations that pertain to your major will also boost your resume.

If you're interested in something specific and your college doesn't offer any programs for it, you can create your own!

Check out the activities tab on Big Future by College Board when searching colleges to find lists of the activities offered.

All of the numbers given in this post were found via Big Future by College Board.
If you have any questions about navigating the Big Future by College Board website or about any of the information listed above, please feel free to contact us at ubou67@gmail.com or message us on Facebook!

The College Search: Step-By-Step

Big Future by College Board is an awesome, informational website in which you can search colleges by name and find out just about anything you need to know.
Not only does it offer the basic facts and statistics, but Big Future also has many links and videos scattered throughout that offer advice from professionals as well as other college students.

In this post, I will show you how to navigate the Big Future website by using Ohio University (main campus) as the example.

In the search, you will be directed to a page with a list of schools that match your search. In this example, I selected the first link which just simply says "Ohio University."

At A Glance - 

This is the main page that you see when you click on Ohio University. It gives a generic bio on OU as well as some quick facts and contact information. As you can see, on the left of the page are the rest of the tabs: Deadlines, Majors & Learning Environment, Campus Life, Applying, and Paying. Below these tabs are additional tabs for transfer and international students and also one to explore 20 similar schools including the top five: Ohio State University, Miami University, Boston University, Kent State University, and Penn State University


Deadlines - 

This tab gives you the deadline dates for admissions, test scores, and financial aid. It also provides other specific deadlines for international and transfer students. On the right side of the page is a link to a video about when to apply for financial aid, which many of you may find helpful.

Majors & Learning Environment - 

This tab gives general information on student-faculty ratio, retention rates, degrees offered, and majors.
There are four sub-sections to this tab.
The first tab, Most Popular Majors, lists the most popular majors at OU along with answering the question "Do you need to choose a major before choosing a college?"
The second section, All Majors, gives a list of every major offered at OU, what department they fall under, and what degree you can receive with that major. This section also answers the question "How do students choose their majors?"
The third section, Study Options & Services, lists outside opportunities for students like study-abroad and internship programs.
The fourth tab, Where Graduates Go, shows where graduates continue to study within one year of receiving a bachelor's degree

Campus Life - 

This tab gives an overview of the school size, location, and unique facilities.
It also has five sub-sections.
The Student-Body section gives information on average age, race/ethnicity, gender, in-state and out-of state, full time students, and part-time students.
The Housing section gives percentages of students living in college housing and what type of housing options there are. It also gives housing deposit deadlines and dollar amounts.
The Activities section lists all of the student-organizations on campus and the percentage of students who join sororities and fraternities.
The Sports section lists all of the sports offered at OU as well as what level. Some sports are only offered at the division level (the actual college sports team), however you can get involved in some sports by trying out for the club team or getting together an intramural team.
The Support Service section lists programs regarding counseling & wellness, academic support, and services for students with disabilities.

Applying - 

From deadlines, to fees, to requirements, this tab shows gives all the information you may need on the application process for a specific school.
It gives the total number of applicants, the number admitted, and the number enrolled.
The first sub-section, What's Important, lists academic and non-academic factors in admission decisions.
The other sub-sections include general information regarding application requirements, academics & gpa, SAT and ACT scores, AP class credit, and College-Level Exam Program tests (exams you can take to gain college credit for a specific course).

Paying - 

This tab gives the low-down on all things related to money. It gives the cost of attendance (in and out of state), how to apply for financial aid, financial aid by the number, and scholarships.
The financial aid by the number section also gives information on tuition payment plans.


College Board may seem overwhelming at first, but it really can provide you with a lot of the essential information needed in your college search. I hope you found this post helpful. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please message UB on Facebook or email us at ubou67@gmail.com.

Good luck navigating!

Career Exploration: The November Workshop

This coming Saturday, November 15th, Upward Bound will be diving into the professional world. This workshop is designed to help students explore different careers and to help aid in the process of finding one suitable for them.

So far, we have three guest speakers from different career paths. They are Laura Meyers (lawyer), Tom Duncan (contractor), and Ashley Crow (physical therapist).

Here is some background info on these three careers.

Lawyer

What does a lawyer do? 
A lawyer is someone who advises and represents individuals, businesses, and government agencies on legal issues and disputes. 

How long do they go to school? 

Prospective lawyers typically go to school for about 7 years. 4 of those years are undergraduate study and the other 3 years are spent at law school. Almost all law schools require students to take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) to measure ability.

How much do they get paid? 

As of November 2014, the average annual income for an entry level lawyer is $82,254; however, this number can vary based on industry, company size, location, years of experience, and level of education.

Check out this link for more on what lawyers do.

Contractor

What does a contractor do? 

A general contractor is responsible for day-to-day oversight of a construction site, management of vendors and trades, and communication of information to those involved throughout the course of a building project

How long do they go to school?

A contractor typically needs to have received an associates degree (2 years) or bachelors degree (4 years) in construction management or another related degree.

How much do they get paid?

As of November 2014, the average annual income for a general contractor is $71,877. Experience has the most effect on pay for contractors. Skills that are associated with higher pay are sales, carpentry, and construction estimating.

Check out this link for more on what contractors do.

Physical Therapist

What does a physical therapist do?

Physical therapists provide services to patients that help restore function, improve mobility, relieve pain, and prevent or limit permanent physical disabilities.

How long do they go to school?

Typically, prospective physical therapists are in school for 7 years. Professional (entry-level) physical therapist education programs offer the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree to all new students who enroll. This program usually takes 3 years. Most applicants must earn a bachelor's degree (4 years) before entering a DPT program. However, few programs recruit students directly from high school.

How much do they get paid?

As of November 2014, the average annual income for a physical therapist is $79,453. This number may vary based on industry, company size, location, years of experience, and level of education.

Check out this link for more on what physical therapists do. 


After exploring these careers, UB students will be taking a career aptitude test to see what other careers fit them best.

If you have any questions, shoot us an email at ubou67@gmail.com!

Breeze Through the Application Process

Many questions swarm the mind during the college application process. Before you even begin to apply, I'm sure you're asking yourself: Is college even what I want to do after high school? How many schools should I apply to? Which schools should I apply to? What should I write my application essay on? When should I start?

Here we will address those questions and also take a look at The Common App: a generalized college application form that most schools use.

Is college even what I want to do after high school?

After high school, some people choose to go into the military, some may go straight into work, and others may choose to take a year off. However, even if college doesn't seem like the best bet for you, it would never hurt to apply to a few schools. It is always great to have a back up plan just in case your mind changes within the upcoming months.

How many schools should I apply to?

There is no golden number of schools that you should apply to; however, more is probably better than less. If you would like a lot of options, apply to as many schools as you see fitting. Also, don't be afraid to apply to your "dream" school, even if you feel that it is unlikely that you will be accepted or that you will attend. Don't be afraid to set the bar high; you never know what will happen!

Which schools should I apply to?

After you've figured out what type of school is best for you (like we discussed in this article), you can begin picking schools to apply to. Make a chart including the curriculum, location, size, cost, and culture of each school so that you can compare each of them when you begin picking which ones to apply to.

What should I write my college application essay on? 

Many schools will have essay prompts specific to their own application. No matter what topic you are writing about, it is important to be honest. Schools want to know the real you. There is no need to make up a bunch of extracurricular activities that you were never actually involved in. If an application gives you the opportunity to choose your own essay prompt, use this to your advantage! Write about something you're truly passionate about or something that has made you better prepared for college, like Upward Bound!\

When should I start?

Start early! And not only that, also stay on top of deadlines. You definitely don't want to be swamped with applications the week they are due and you also don't want your application to be lost in the crowd of applications that get sent in at the last minute. Do yourself a favor: start early, take your time, be precise, and feel free to work in increments.


Most colleges now use The Common App: take advantage of this!

The sections of The Common App include:

Profile - This is where you fill out various information about yourself; date of birth, social security number, citizenship, etc.

Family - In this section you fill out information on your parents and siblings, such as where they work, whether they went to college, where they went to college, etc.

Education - This section is where you include information regarding the high school you attended, your gpa, college credits, recognition of National Honors Society, transcripts, etc.

Testing - This is where you fill out all of your ACT/SAT scores and when those tests were taken.

Activities - In this section you will record all of your extra-curricular activities and anything you may be involved in outside of school. You will also record any awards or honors you have received.

Writing - This is the essay portion of the application.
The 2014-2015 essay prompts, according the The Common App website, are as follows:

• Some students have a background or story that is so central to their identity that they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.   
• Recount an incident or time when you experienced failure.  How did it affect you, and what lessons did you learn?
• Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea.  What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again?
• Describe a place or environment where you are perfectly content.  What do you do or experience there, and why is it meaningful to you?
• Discuss an accomplishment or event, formal or informal, that marked your transition from childhood to adulthood within your culture, community, or family.

Recommenders - Here you will have to get a letter of recommendation. Most schools also ask for teacher recommendations, but some ask for others which can include coaches, counselors, family members, or peers.

Lastly, you will be asked to submit a payment for the applications that you submit. These payments vary by school. Some are even free.

If you have any more questions about the application process, email ubou67@gmail.com or message us on Facebook!