When applying to a school, check their website.  Some Indiana schools like Butler, DePauw, Franklin, Hanover, Holy Cross, Indiana Tech, Ivy Tech, Manchester North Central Purdue, Rose Hulman, St. Mary’s College, Trine, University of Indianapolis, University of St. Francis and Valparaiso have free on-line applications.  Xavier (Cincinnati) and St. Louis University also waive the application fee if students apply on line.  Many schools encourage applying on line to speed up the application process since written application information must be entered into a computer before a decision is made.

 Class of 2011:  If you are considering West Point as your post-high school experience, it is important that you start the application process in the Spring of your Junior year.  A West Point offer of admission provides a fully funded 4-year educational and leadership experience, including tuition, room and board, medical and dental care and a salary.  Additional information is available in the Counseling Office and on line at http://admissions.usma.edu.  

Class of 2011: Students interested in nomination add admission processes to get into a US Service Academy like West Point, the Naval Academy, etc. should plan on attending the Dick Lugar Academy Day which will be held in New Albany on Sunday April 11 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. est at IU Southeast University Center North – Hoosier Room, 4201 Grant Line Road. Representatives from each of the Service Academy Admissions Offices as well as ROTC representatives from various branches of service will be in attendance. If you are unable to attend in New Albany Senator Lugar’s office will host an identical presentation in Fort Wayne on April 18^th and Indianapolis May 2^nd.  You can register and/or get further information at www.lugar.senate.gov/services/academy.   You can also e-mail Dawun_Herring@lugar.senate.gov with specific questions.

A lot of schools have “open houses” to allow them to accommodate groups who wish to learn about the school and take tours – in other words, whole groups can have concerns and questions answered.  Juniors and Seniors are encouraged to “shop” around.  Students can check a school’s website to get dates of open houses this fall or call about two weeks in advance to schedule an individual tour and meeting with admissions. 

The National Co-op Scholarship Application offers a merit based award of $5,000 to 170 students who plan to participate in co-op education at one of the following schools:  Drexel University, Johnson & Wales University, Kettering University, Pace University, Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Cincinnati, University of Toledo and Wentworth Institute of Technology.  Visit their web site at www.co-op.edu.

DECA, which is an association of Marketing Students, has developed a web site – www.entrepreneurU.org which provides students and parents a searchable database of college entrepreneurship programs.  It will provide names of colleges that offer such programs as well as resources about starting and operating small businesses

Students that are using on-line applications are reminded to notify teachers as soon as possible when a teacher is listed as a “recommender” or “evaluator.”  The application site e-mails the necessary forms to the teacher, but too often a teacher doesn’t know what is needed from them.  Also, students are assuming the teacher is okay with the recommendation and will write a good one and meet the deadline.

College News:

If you are wondering if the college you are applying to has any merit scholarships (financial need is not required, just your great grades), a new website is available for a search.  Go to www.meritaid.com and type in the name of the school that you have questions about.  It’s quick and simple.

Ave Maria University is a fairly new college that opened in Southwest Florida in 2003. If you are looking for a small college (about 750 undergrads), you might want to check out Ave Maria which is about 20 miles East of Naples. They have free on-line applications and offer several open house weekends to “test the water”. Once a student is provisionally accepted, they qualify for a $200 travel voucher to off-set the cost. Visit their website at www.avemaria.edu.  

Ball State University has offered a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology for several years.  They now offer a minor in Digital Forensics.  Digital Forensics is used to collect evidence in cases using the computer – cyber crimes, crimes involving child solicitation, child pornography.  More information can be found at bsu.edu or e-mail James Hendricks at jhendricks@bsu.edu.

Ball State University’s Department of Art offers 4-year degrees in many areas of art including ceramics, photography, electronic art, and teaching majors in visual arts.  In addition to being admitted to Ball State, majoring in art requires students to submit a supplemental art application along with a portfolio of artwork.  The Department of Art will host its annual Open House and Portfolio Review on Saturday, February 20^th.  Artwork will be reviewed on that day. If you plan to have a por4tfolio reviewed. Advance Registration is required.  March 1 is the priority deadline for admission and scholarship consideration.  April 1 is the deadline for regular admission.  .  Specifics and application can be found in the Counseling Office and online at http://cms.bsu.edu/AdmissionsLanding/UndergraduateAdmissions.aspx (click on “apply now:) and the admission packet request for art.

Ball Statealso offers the Inglehart News Scholars Program. This is a competitive program that puts top students together  in intensive journalism classes. Scholars get special perks, including trips to professional news organizations and one-on-one time with visiting media professionals. Applicants must complete the application online at www.bu.edu/forms/journalism/newsscholars and submit a portfolio of work samples by March 15.

Emory University (Atlanta) accepts one nomination from each high school for the Goizueta Scholars in their School of Business.  This is a highly competitive school as they have been ranked in the top 10 US undergraduate business programs for thee past three years by Business Week Magazine.  Check out their web site at www.emory.edu.

Indiana State University, Terre Haute offers the Networks Scholarship (full tuition) for new students interested in a career in financial services.  Beyond the full in-state tuition, this scholarship includes $3,000 for professional development, a laptop, leadership and professional development training and opportunities, access to internship opportunities and international travel and faculty and corporate mentor support.

Indiana State University (Terre Haute) is proud to be the oldest Athletic Training program in the country.  The Athletic Training Dept. encompasses Education Programs, Athletic Services and a Rehab Clinic for the community.  They are now able to increase the number of students per class from 18 – 32.    You can discover more information at www.indstate.edu/athtrn/index.html. 

Link to Indiana University Scholarships page

Indiana University admission staff is hosting "IU Previews" at The Bauerhaus (13605 Darmstadt Road, Evansville,, IN  47225) on Sunday, March 28th at 2:00 CST.  This is especially for members of the Class of 2011 or current Juniors and their families.  It will be a "festive, fun environment, with a short presentation, a reception and lots of mingling with IU staff, students and hopefully YOU.

Marian University offers a one-half tution discoun to accepted students that graduate from a Catholic High School.

ollege, Indianapolis is now Marian University!  They are proud of their new Marching Band and Color Guard Programs and have scholarships ranging from $6,000 to full tuition availabe from these programs.  Students do not have to be a music major to qualify, but must commit to the Marching Band or Color Guard Programs.   Visit their website at www.marian.edu. 

Marian University, offers a special scholarship for students who would like a career working in a parish, classroom, religiously affiliated hospital or religiously affiliated not-for-profit. You can learn specifics about the San Damiano Scholars Program for Church leaders at www.marian.edu/RMC/SanDamianoScholars .

Oakland City College also offers an automatic one-half tuition discount to any accepted student that is a graduate of a Christian high school.

Link to Purdue University Scholarship page

Purdue University has announced that starting with the class of 2010, SAT or ACT score reports will only by accepted from the testing agency (Collegeboard or ACT).  When a student takes the test, a request to have the testing agency send the scores directly to Purdue will save you $9.00 - $10.00.  Since SAT and/or ACT score reports will no longer be accepted on the high school transcript, a student MUST request that scores be sent to Purdue using 1230 (ACT’s Purdue code) and/or 1631 (SAT’s code for Purdue).  The admission process will not be complete until Purdue receives scores.  Both the ACT and SAT allow up to 4 free requests for scores to be sent to colleges.  However this must be done before a student takes the test.  If the scores are requested after the test, a student will be charged a fee.Purdue University offers three types of housing to accepted students – University Residences, Cooperative Housing and Greek Housing.   There are 12 cooperative houses on the West Lafayette campus which average 30 residents each – 7 women’s and 5 men’s houses.  Residents of Cooperative Housing share household responsibilities such as cleaning and preparing meals which reduces living costs.You can learn more at www.purduecooperatives.org. 

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale now offers Illinois rate tuition to all Indiana students.   This could be another option to consider along with other State schools in Indiana, Western Kentucky and Murray State.  Check Southern Illinois out at www.siu.edu.Trine University (Angola, IN) – formally known as Tri-State University announces that they now offer an new academic program  -- a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Hospitality and Tourism Management.  For more information, visit their website at www.trine.edu. 

The University of Evansville offers the William L. Ridgway Award.  Through this merit award, UE strives to offer Vanderburgh County students (and those who graduate from an accredited high school located in Vanderburgh County) a cost comparable to Indiana’s state schools.  The recipients of this award will receive $18,000 annually.  Even upperclassmen transferring to UE are eligible to apply.  There is the stipulation that Ridgway recipients must live on campus. 

Link to University of Evansville Scholarship page

Link to Universtiy of Southern Indiana Scholarship page

Vanderbilt University offers a new Expanded Aid Program for Vanderbilt undergraduate.  Because they believe strongly that a student’s ability to pay for college should not be a factor in the admission process they are need-blind in the admission process.  They will meet 100% if demonstrated financial need for all admitted and returning undergraduates and need-based financial aid packages offered to entering undergraduates do not include need-based loans.  The amount of aid previously met with loans is now met with gift aid or through employment opportunities.  For more information, go to www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/expandied-aid-program. 

Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ offers degrees a Bachelor of Science in Diplomacy and International Relations.  Check them out at http://diplomacy.shu.edu .