Post Secondary Planning

Quick Page Links

  1. Career Resource Center (CRC)
  2. College Admission Recommendations
  3. College Application Procedure
  4. College Entrance Exams
  5. College Profiles
  6. College and Training Information
  7. College Scholarship Recommendation Form
  8. Financial Aid Information
  9. Financial Planning Brochure 2009
  10. HTC
  11. Military Contacts
  12. NCAA- Athletics
  13. NCAA Freshman Eligibility Standards- Quick Reference
  14. On-Site Admission
  15. College Requirements Document 08-09
  16. PSEO
  17. Scholarships
  18. Useful Websites
  19. Visiting College Reps

 

College Entrance Exams

ACT, Inc.
www.actstudent.orgexternal link icon
Provides information on the ACT which tests English, reading, writing,math and science reasoning skills

The College Board
www.collegeboard.com/satexternal link icon
Provides information on the SAT which tests critical reading, writing and math reasoning abilities.

Test of English as a Foreign Language
www.toefl.orgexternal link icon
Provides information on the TOEFL which tests the ability of nonnative speakers of English to understand and use North American English

Admissions Recommendations for Technical Colleges, Colleges & Universities

It is important that students and parents do long-range educational planning to ensure that students are prepared and have the necessary background for the many options available to students after high school. Students should always refer to college catalogs for specific admissions requirements.

Technical Colleges: Technical colleges are two-year colleges that teach specific knowledge and skills leading to specific careers. ADMISSIONS: Must have a high school diploma or GED. All programs require placement testing.

Community Colleges: Students can earn an Associate Degree and transfer after the first two years to a four-year institution. Or, students may choose a Career Program designed to prepare them for a job when they graduate. ADMISSIONS: Open to anyone with a high school diploma or GED. Some programs require prerequisites because of advanced coursework. Placement tests in reading, English, and math are required of most students.

Four-Year Colleges/Universities: The following are high school courses that are generally recommended prior to admission:

It is the student's responsibility to check on specific requirements for individual colleges.

Colleges and Universities

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU)

MnSCU are the community colleges, state universities, technical colleges and comprehensive community and technical colleges organized into a statewide system of 37 college and university campuses in the 46 communities.

MnSCU brings together technical training, academic programs, worker retraining and life-long learning into a higher education organization that responds to the needs of students.

Many of these institutions have open admission which means that the basic requirement is a high school diploma or a GED. Some programs will require placement testing. The link to MnSCUexternal link icon provides information on each campus in the system.

The University of Minnesota System

The University of Minnesota Systemexternal link icon includes four campuses: Twin Cities, Crookston, Duluth and Morris. Nearly 400 undergraduate majors and programs are available. Basic high school preparation includes:

The University considers these preparation requirements along with high school rank & college entrance test (ACT or SAT) scores in making admission decisions. These requirements are considered minimum preparation for baccalaureate programs; individual programs may also require additional preparation.

Members of the Minnesota Private College Council

www.mnprivatecolleges.comexternal link icon

The University of Wisconsin System

www.wisconsin.eduexternal link icon

College Application Procedure

  1. Application Methods
    1. Online
      1. Fill out application on computer.
      2. Print out counselor portion and give to Student Center Secretary.
      3. Request transcript to be sent from your Student Center ($3).
    2. On-Site
      1. Choose up to 2 schools from the participating colleges/universities.
      2. Get applications from the CRC.
      3. Return completed applications with transcript and application fee to the CRC.
    3. Traditional
      1. Fill out paper application and mail it to your college/university.
      2. Request a transcript ($3) from your Student Center to be sent to your college/university.
  2. Letters of Recommendation
    1. Staff must have a two week notice (can be used for teachers & counselors)
    2. Counselor Recommendation
      1. Turn in the counselor recommendation form only. Do not include the entire application.
      2. Allow two weeks for recommendation to be completed.
  3. Teacher Recommendation
    1. Supply addressed & stamped envelopes. Teachers will send your recommendation letters directly to the school.
    2. Please do not ask for a recommendation unless the school requests it.

College and Training Information

Why go to college?

  1. Learning pays. Average annual Salaries of Minnesotans with no high school diploma is $21,008; high school graduates is $28,548, Some college is $33,124; two year college is 34,424; college graduate is $53,300
  2. Explore different careers
  3. Meet new people
  4. Study abroad
  5. Stretch your mind
  6. Have fun
  7. Explore new ideas
  8. Challenge yourself
  9. Learn

Know your options:

  1. Work
  2. Military
  3. Technical college: offer education for employment programs that take two years or less to complete and lead to specific jobs and careers.
  4. Community colleges: provide an affordable way to get a good start on four-year degree or pursue specific career training
  5. Four-year colleges and universities: offer four-year degrees and graduate programs for a variety of careers.

Choosing a college/factors to consider:

  1. Programs/ majors
  2. Size of school
  3. Class size
  4. Location
  5. Cost
  6. Quality and reputation
  7. Setting and campus life
  8. Is it a good "fit" for you?

How to learn about a college:

  1. Schedule a campus visit
  2. Visit a college web site
  3. Call for more information
  4. Talk to graduates
  5. Attend the college Fair
  6. Career Resource Center !!!!!!
  7. College Representatives
  8. College Searches on the Web

Campus Visits - Students and parents are often not fully aware of what many postsecondary schools are like. Counselors suggest that in order to make the best possible decisions, students and their parents should visit the school. The best time to visit a postsecondary school is when it is in session so an accurate assessment can be made about classes, housing, meals and other areas of concern. Some schools schedule opportunities for visits, while others have less formalized opportunities for observation. Call before you plan to visit.

College Representatives - Representatives of many different postsecondary schools as well as the military visit the CRC during the year. They provide information about various programs and courses of study. This is an easy, convenient way for students to gather information about schools that they are interested in.

Post Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO)

PSEO offers high school juniors and seniors the opportunity to take courses at eligible post-secondary institutions. Students must meet the admissions requirements of the post-secondary institution, but do not pay for tuition, fees, or books. They earn high school credit courses and, if students continue their education beyond high school, colleges or universities may choose to transfer their completed coursework through PSEO as college credits.
Link to Minnesota Department of Education PSEO websiteexternal link icon

Financial Aid Information

FAFSA:external link icon (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Completing the FAFSA is the first step in the college financial aid process. This is a required form for any student seeking federal aid.

Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP): The Midwest Student Exchange Program www.mhec.orgexternal link icon enables residents of Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska to enroll in designated institutions and programs at reduced tuition levels outside of their home state. Some schools in the province of Manitoba also participate. The Midwest Student Exchange Program is an interstate initiative established by the Midwestern Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to increase educational opportunities for students in its members states. This program enables residents at reduced tuition (150% of resident tuition) levels. The basic core college prep courses apply for many of these schools' requirements.

Reciprocity Institutions: Minnesota residents may attend public institutions in Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota and pay tuition at a rate lower than non-resident or, in some cases, comparable to resident rates.

Financial Aide Estimator:
www.getreadyforcollege.orgexternal link icon

Scholarships

FastWeb Free Scholarship Search:
www.fastweb.comexternal link icon
Matches students with information on Scholarships, fellowships, internships, grants, and loans from corporations, institutions, philanthropic organizations, foundations and clubs.

Military Contacts

Athletics-NCAA

NCAA:external link icon National Collegiate Athletic Association.

NAIA:external link icon National Assocation of Intercollegiate Athletics. Guide designed for the college-bound athlete.

 

Address

  • Eden Prairie High School
  • 17185 Valley View Road
  • Eden Prairie, MN 55346
  • 952.975.8000