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Spring 2005
In This Issue
» Transitions: Surviving the Move to College
» For Seniors: What to Expect Between Now and College Move In
» Transition Tips for Seniors from Staff and Students
» College Services 411
» Top Summer Activities for Juniors/Rising Seniors
» Minnesota Private College Week: Help Spread the Word
» Quicklinks
TRANSITIONS: SURVIVING THE MOVE TO COLLEGE
As winter transitions into spring, we know what to expect. We’ve experienced this before. As adults and seasoned professionals, you’ve experienced all kinds of transitions – new jobs, new homes, new responsibilities. Because many of the students you work with are about to transition into college life after years at home, or even transition into the college search, we have devoted this issue to providing advice for the transitions ahead. With tips for seniors — and juniors — stories from students who made it through their first year, and links to all kinds of resources, we hope this issue will help as you guide students moving on to college life.
FOR SENIORS: WHAT TO EXPECT AND DO BETWEEN NOW AND COLLEGE MOVE IN
When senior experiences have faded into memory, the graduation pictures are developed, and the party leftovers have dwindled to drying sheet cake, chances are your role in helping seniors will be moving toward memory too. The senior spring and summer can be an emotional rollercoaster for students as they find themselves in limbo between high school and the unknowns of college life. Some students are ready to go, and some are more reluctant. You likely have a few tips you’ve gathered to slip into graduation cards or stolen moments in the hallway. We asked our colleges to talk generally about what to expect in this limbo time and what students can do to get ready for college life. You might find a few new tips to add to your list. | WHAT TO EXPECT AND DO
TRANSITION TIPS FOR SENIORS FROM STAFF AND STUDENTS
After the heady spring of a student’s senior year, when all activity revolves around graduation and being “done” with school, it can be hard to transition into thinking about doing something new. Minnesota’s private college campuses, like all colleges and universities, have many services and staff to help first-year students learn how to navigate their new world. Staff from our campuses — Deans of Students, RA’s, Admissions staff — helped us compile a list — yes, another tip sheet — for students in their first year of college. The collective years of experience in this list exemplify the commitment of our staff members to the students they serve. | TRANSITION TIPS FROM THE PROS
Staff offer experience and wisdom, but sometimes new students just want to hear from students. In addition to the student stories in this issue that offer advice and perspective to new students, some of our current students — Keegan, Shanita, and Heather — offer some tips for transitioning as well. You might be surprised by how much their suggestions overlap with the pros…or maybe not. | TRANSITON TIPS FROM STUDENTS
COLLEGE SERVICES 411
Okay, so most high school students know a Dean of Students or have been introduced to the term, but in the college environment, with more unstructured time and less time with teachers and other administrators than the typical high school, it isn’t always apparent where to go to get help or get answers to questions. Here are our top go-to people/offices on a college campus new students should know about:
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RA / JC — RA’s or Resident Assistants are upperclass students who have been around the campus block. On some campuses, in first-year dormitories these RA’s might be called JC’s, or Junior Counselors, because they are junior students. RA’s/JC’s are there to help students find a class, plan activities, find out about clubs and organizations and help students connect with other people.
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Professors — Okay, so they may not help you find a good place to get your car washed (or they just might), students should not hesitate to talk to professors outside the classroom. It really is okay to talk to professors during their office hours or make appointments to see them. They can answer questions for their specific class, academics in general, and/or connect students with additional ideas and help.
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Dean of Students— Sounds a little scary, but the Dean’s office can be very helpful. Deans of Students help individual students and student groups with all kinds of issues and concerns, including personal and academic matters. If a student has a question about policies, procedures or problems, the Dean of Students is a good place to start to look for an answer. If a student is unsure about where you can go to get assistance, the Dean of Students Office is a good starting place for almost any matter.
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Academic Support Center / Academic Advising— Whether it’s called this or something else, each campus has an office or center where students can go to get help with academic work. Services can include tutoring and referral services, individual assistance in study skills improvement, test taking preparation, college reading techniques, college survival skills, seminars and workshops, and goal setting. It’s a good place to know about. Of course, an RA or JC will surely be able to make this connection for students.
In addition to these, many of Minnesota’s private colleges and universities have Writing Centers to help students with writing papers, math tutoring, multicultural student services, health services, career development centers, and many other places to go and people to see to get help with just about anything. Encourage students to seek these places and people out and add the most important services to the list of things to inquire about when looking at colleges.
TOP SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR JUNIORS/RISING SENIORS
For juniors just starting to think about life after high school, the landscape can be overwhelming. Even if a junior student has been thinking about it for a while, it pays to act a year in advance. The summer before the senior year is often when the rubber hits the road. Here are our top recommendations for the June – August junior, high school class of 2006:
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Request applications, brochures, and financial aid information from colleges that interest you.
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Finalize summer job plans and think about pursuing an activity during the summer that relates to a career interest.
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Visit college campuses. An ideal way to get a great introduction to Minnesota’s private colleges is to visit our campuses during Minnesota Private College Week (MPCW) | LEARN MORE ABOUT MPCW
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Spend time exploring different majors. Minnesota’s private colleges and universities have a searchable database for programs of study. | SEARCH MAJORS AND MINORS
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Keep a calendar of admission and financial aid deadlines. Private college and university application deadline are online. | DEADLINES
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Register early for SAT and ACT tests.
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Narrow your college list by the end of the summer and consider which schools you’d like to revisit for a more in-depth look. Check out our campus visits tips for tips on what to do when you go back for closer inspection. | VISIT TIPS
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Read a couple of good college-level books. Ask teachers for recommendations.
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Have some fun. Maybe that goes without saying….just don’t let the college search become your life.
MINNESOTA PRIVATE COLLEGE WEEK: HELP SPREAD THE WORD
It’s the time of year to daydream about and maybe even start making summer plans. We would like your help in spreading the word to prospective students and their families that they may want to consider spending a day or two in June exploring their future at a private college campus during Minnesota Private College Week – June 20-24. This free, week-long introduction to Minnesota’s private colleges and universities encourages students to explore their college options with campus tours and general information sessions offered twice daily at each campus. The week provides a perfect opportunity to test the “gut factor” and discover a school that fits. We’ve set up an information page that tells you everything you and your students need to know. | LEARN MORE ABOUT MPCW
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FAST FACT
Sixty-two percent of our private college bachelor's-degree-seeking students graduate within four years and 72 percent graduate within six years — the best rates in the state.
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VISIT DAYS
Prospective students are always welcome on our campuses any time. Throughout the year, our campuses have special visit days when there are activities and sessions planned specifically for future students. | CONTACT ADMISSIONS
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ADVICE FROM THIS YEAR'S FIRST-YEARS
MEET JOE
 "My advice to students entering college is to be willing to change. Don’t come in thinking that you have everything figured out, because then you’ll miss the opportunity to grow and learn." | MORE FROM JOE
MEET SERENA
"Do your homework!!! Seriously, it will make your life so much simpler if you can keep on top of your homework from the beginning...Bring shoes you can walk in…quickly…so you can run to class..." | MORE ADVICE FROM SERENA
MEET LAURA
 "My first year of college was incredible! I have learned so much this first year about life, learning and responsibility. I have also learned a lot about managing time." | MORE FROM LAURA
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PROTÉGÉ
Pro•té•gé (prô'teh-zhA') A young person whose welfare, training or career is advanced by an influential person. |
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WHAT DO YOU THINK?
This will be our final issue for this inaugural year of Protégé. We’ll be back in September. As the spirit moves you, please drop us a line or give us a call. We really like to hear from you and learn how we can serve you better as you help students transition into their futures – colleges@mnprivatecolleges.org or 800-PRI-COLL. |
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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
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