College Comparison
How do I get where I am going?
By: Derik Emerson
Iowa State University
http://orderform.iowacollegeaid.gov/products/pdf/IC-YCTC.pdf
What will I study?
- Graphic Design
- Interior Design
- Landscape Architecture
- Apperal, Merchandising, and Design
These are all programs I am interested in.
Location
- Ames, Iowa
- 121 miles from Osage, IA
- 1 hour and 53 minute drive
http://www.distancebetweencities.net/osage_ia_and_iowa-state-university_ames_ia/
Size of the college.
- A total of 27,659 undergraduate students are enrolled at Iowa State
- There is a average class size of 33 students
- The student to facility ratio is 15 to 1
- Iowa state has a total campus size of 1,795 acres
- Are nearly 50 fraternities ans sororities on campus
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/iowa-state-university-1869
What test score is required for admission?
- You need a RAI score of 245 or higher
What makes up your RAI Score
- Percentile class rank x 1
- + ACT composite score x 2
- + Cumulative GPA x 20
- + Number of years of high school core courses x 5
RAI score
https://www.admissions.iastate.edu/freshman/requirements.php
Grade point average
- There is no grade point average requirement for the University of Iowa State although your high school GPA is one of the biggest factors on you RAI score which is the score they look at when deciding whether or not to accept you.
- The average grade point average of high school students that attend Iowa State University is around 3.2 or higher.
Foreign Language Required
In order to attend
- There is no number requirement of how many years you have to have of foreign language to get admitted to Iowa State although there is a number requirement to graduate.
In order to graduate
- If a student has completed one year of foreign language but not more than one then he or she will have to take at least on semester of foreign language in a college class.
- If a student has not taken any foreign language in high school then he or she will have to take two full semesters of a foreign language.
https://www.admissions.iastate.edu/orientation/during/place_foreign.php
Math Requirement
The math requirements for Iowa State are pretty clear. You need:
- Three years of math
- One year of algebra
- One year of geometry
- One year of an advance algebra
Science Requirement
- Three years of Science
- One year in a course in biology
- One year in a course of chemistry
- One year in a course of physics
Social Studies Requirement
- The only requirement for Social Studies is that you have two years in high school
English Requirement
- Four Years
- Writing class
- Reading class
- Speaking class
- Understanding literature class
College Visit
- To go on a college visit you simplify can click on the link provided below and register to go visit the college
https://www.admissions.iastate.edu/visit/calendar.php?month=Apr&year=2015&
- Iowa state has a campus walking tour, with a university housing and lunch tour and a academic information session ready for you when you go to a visit.
Iowa state provides a wide variety of special tours besides the normal walk around tour that you would usually get when making a visit to a college
Some of the optional tours include:
- Engineering College Tour
- Pre-med and pre-health preparation sessions
- Music and ensembles information sessions
- Many more!
Have I been on a visit to Iowa State yet?
No I have not been on a visit at Iowa State, but I am planning on taking one in the near future. I will most likely go on a visit some time in May.
Cost
- Tuition and fees: Resident- $9,172
Nonresident- $22,096
- Room and Board (housing and food): $8,275
- Books and supplies: $1,033
- Estimated/anticipated personal expenses: $2,990
- Laptops and other equipment: $2,000
http://images.clipartpanda.com/no-money-sign-clip-art-dollar-sign1.jpg
How am I going to pay for college?
- Though Iowa State
- Academic Recognition Award - $500-4,500
- Hinton Chistina Opportunity Award
-Scholarships not through Iowa State:
Local Scholarships
- Raub Scholarship
- Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Iowa Templar Scholarship - $2,000
- ACACIA Leadership Scholarship
- Dale Schroeder Scholarship
- Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Television Academy
- Alliant Energy Scholarship Program
Deadline to file for financial aid:
- FAFSA
- March, 1st
- Completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the single most important thing you can do to get assistance paying for college. The U.S. Department of Education uses the FAFSA to determine students' eligibility for federal student aid.
http://www.financialaid.iastate.edu/scholarships/
http://www.icansucceed.org/index.cfm?nodeID=63200&audienceID=1
What are the three reasons I like this school?
2. College specializes in graphic design and technology which is the field in which I am applying myself.
3. College is familiar to my family and is recommended by them.
4. I get a great education.
5. Only requires two years of a foreign language where as colleges like Iowa require 3 or 4 years of a foreign language.
6. This college will challenge me, but will provide a solid and stable education.
7. This college has a trap shooting club.
8. I know a couple of friends will be attending Iowa State so I won't be all alone if I choose to go to Iowa State.
NIACC
http://orderform.iowacollegeaid.gov/products/pdf/IC-YCTC.pdf
https://lintvkimt.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/niacc-vo-six.jpg?w=650
What will I study?
(I will try to get all my geneds done while in NIACC and take their Visual/Graphic program then transfer over to Iowa State to get my bachelors degree at Iowa State.
So yes this college does have programs that fit my interest, but I will have to transfer over once I am done with two years.
Size of the college
- Number of students- 3,700 (all undergraduate)
- Average class size- 25-35 students
- Student to staff ratio- 17:1
- Number of acres- 500
- Average Age of students 23-25
- Dormitories built to house over 450
What test score is required for admission?
NIACC does not require you to take the ACT or SAT, but if you do then you have to take the Compass test as well.
- It does not say that there is any certain score that you have to get on the Compass score, but it does say that where you place on the test may affect what classes you are put into.
- This is also true for the ACT and the SAT when talking about the importance of a test score at NIACC.
They also do recomended before taking the Compass test to familiarize your self in the subjects of:
- reading
- writing
- mathematics
http://www.niacc.edu/admissions/compass-information/
http://aae.boisestate.edu/testing/files/2011/09/CompassLogo.jpg
Grade point average
- Although there is not specific GPA you must get in high school in order to go to NIACC for some Degrees there are for others.
- If you want to go into practical nursing at NIACC you need a 2.00 GPA at high school.
When being considered for Financial Aid many academics do come into play, such as:
- At least a 2.00 GPA while at college
- Complete program of study
- Complete at least 67% of semester hours
- Continue current progress
Although I would like to tell you the average high school GPA for students attending NIACC I can not seem to find the information.
http://www.niacc.edu/admissions/finance-your-education/financial-aid/satisfactory-academic-progress/
Foreign Language Required
- It never says that there is any requirement of foreign language for admissions
- You must complete one year of foreign language before graduation
- If you are transferring though you should make sure that you have enough foreign language for admission and graduation at that school.
Math Requirement
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Higher Algebra
Science Requirement
- Three years of Science
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
Social Studies Requirement
English Requirement
- Four years of English
- Writing
- Speaking
- Reading
College Visit
- October 18, 2014
- November 15, 2014
- January 17, 2015
- February 21, 2015
- March 21, 2015
- April 18, 2015
Then there are other opportunities like business visits, agriculture visit. The normal visit is just a walk around tour of the college.
Yes I have been on a small visit, but no I have not been a legit college visit to NiACC with a tour and everything that comes a long with it. I am going to a college fair soon at NIACC so I may have another chance to look around the college.
Cost
- Tuition and fees- On campus and off campus = 4,703
- Room and Board (housing and food)- On campus = 6,518 and off campus = 4,908
- Books and Supplies- On campus = 942 and off campus = 942
- Transportation- On campus = 508 and off campus = 1542
- Personal - On campus = 1905 and off campus = 1905
- Total around $14,000
http://www.niacc.edu/admissions/finance-your-education/financial-aid/estimated-cost-of-attendance/
How will I pay for college?
- Automatic scholarship for student with a ACT higher than 23.
- Trustees scholarship
- President's scholarship
Scholarships not though NIACC-
- Raub Scholarship
- Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Iowa Templar Scholarship - $2,000
- ACACIA Leadership Scholarship
- Dale Schroeder Scholarship
- Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Television Academy
- Alliant Energy Scholarship Program
Deadline for when you can apply for the FAFSA:
- March 1st
- Completing and submitting a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the single most important thing you can do to get assistance paying for college. The U.S. Department of Education uses the FAFSA to determine students' eligibility for federal student aid.
http://www.icansucceed.org/index.cfm?nodeID=63200&audienceID=1
https://fafsa.ed.gov/help/whyApply.htm
https://lafollette.madison.k12.wi.us/files/lafollette/college_costs_alot.gif
What are the three reasons I like this school?
2. It has smaller class sizes
3. It is really close to home (could get a dorm or still live at home)
4. I already am taking NIACC classes in school so the credits would transfer very easily over
5. I can go to NIACC to first get my college bearings going an then after two years I can transfer over to a college like Iowa State.
6. Has a trap shooting team
7. I know multiple people that attend this college