NCAA Tourney Colleges/Universities and Their Mascots...Part Two

Oakland University  (Golden Grizzlies)

University of Arkansas Pine Bluff  (Golden Lions)
University of California Berkeley   (Bears)
University of California Santa Barbara   (Gauchos)
University of Florida   (Gators)
University of Houston   (Cougars)
University of Kansas   (Jayhawks)
University of Kentucky   (Wildcats)
University of Louisville   (Cardinals)
University of Maryland   (Terrapins)
University of Minnesota   (Golden Gophers)
University of Missouri   (Tigers)
University of Montana   (Grizzlies)
University of Nevada Las Vegas   (Rebels)
University of New Mexico   (Lobos)
University of North Texas   (Mean Green)
University of Northern Iowa   (Panthers)
University of Notre Dame   (Fighting Irish)
University of Pittsburgh   (Panthers)
University of Richmond   (Spiders)
University of Tennessee   (Volunteers)
University of Texas   (Longhorns)
University of Texas El Paso   (Miners)
University of Vermont   (Catamounts)
University of Washington   (Huskies)
University of Wisconsin   (Badgers)
Utah State University   (Aggies)
Vanderbilt University   (Commodores)
Villanova University   (Wildcats)
Wake Forest University   (Demon Deacons)
West Virginia University   (Mountaineers)
Wofford College   (Terriers)
Xavier University   (Musketeers)

What is your favorite 2010 tourney mascot?

NCAA Tourney Colleges/Universities and Their Mascots...Part One

Although only two Big 12 teams and only one Kansas City area "local" school remains in the tourney, here is a listing of all 64 of the 2010 NCAA tournament colleges and universities, along with their mascots.

Baylor University   (Bears)
Brigham Young University   (Cougars)
Butler University   (Bulldogs)
Clemson University   (Tigers)
Cornell University   (no official mascot, but athletic teams nicknamed "Big Red")
Duke University   (Blue Devils)
East Tennessee State University   (Buccaneers)
Florida State University   (Seminoles)
Georgetown University   (Hoyas)
Georgia Institute of Technology   (Yellow Jackets)
Gonzaga University   (Zags)
Kansas State University   (Wildcats)
Lehigh University   (Mountain Hawks)
Marquette University   (Golden Eagles)
Michigan State University   (Spartans)
Morgan State University   (Bears)
Murray State University   (Racers)
New Mexico State University   (Aggies)
Ohio State University   (Buckeyes)
Ohio University   (Bobcats)
Oklahoma State University   (Cowboys)
Old Dominion University   (Monarchs)
Purdue University   (Boilermakers)
Robert Morris University   (Colonials)
Sam Houston State University   (Bearkats)
San Diego State University   (Aztecs)
Siena College    (Saints)
St. Mary’s College of California   (Gaels)
Syracuse University   (Orangemen)
Temple University   (Owls)

**To read additional Examiner articles written by Steph Hart, click here or visit Essential Elements: Comprehensive College Planning.

Hart's Helpful Hint #3...One Minute Per Question

As high school juniors across the KC Metro prepare for the April 10 ACT,  many dread the math section.  Second in the line-up, it is the longest period of testing.  Students are given sixty minutes to answer exactly that many math questions.  Time is of the essence and some students may struggle to finish without simply filling in bubbles at random during the last five minutes.

So here is an easy tip to help acclimate the student's mind and internal clock to what one minute feels like:

When sitting down to do assigned math homework, grab the kitchen timer.  Before attempting each question, set the timer for one minute and work the problem.  Repeat.  Clearly, students should go back and complete any unanswered questions for classwork and it may take slightly more time each evening, but by instituting this practice technique, the body will begin to know when one minute has elapsed. 

On test day, students will recognize when an answer is elusive and move on to the next, hopefully allowing enough time to follow-up on unanswered questions before the five minute alert.

Who Will Pay College Application Fees?

As the end of the school year approaches and students look forward to the coveted summer months, families of current high school juniors are encouraged to discuss fees for next fall’s application submissions. Specifically, make the decision now about who is paying the application fees. In some households, this is a gift from parent(s) to child and, in other homes, it is an opportunity for the student to start becoming accountable for college education.

Quite a few schools offer free online applications. This is actually a cost saving measure for many campuses, even though a school is not attracting funds from assessing fees. In these particular cases, schools usually have an “automatic dump” of information from the online application directly to their database, saving them the need to hire someone to manually enter student data. The savings is passed along to the applicant in the form of a free online application.

Note: Just because an application is free does not mean a student should apply! The free application should simply be seen as an added bonus for schools that truly have captured interest as a result of adequate research.

Some schools offer a free application if the student applies online, but charges an application fee if they choose to apply via hard copy. For example, Xavier University offers a free online application, but requires $35 to apply on paper.

For colleges and universities that do not offer a free online application option, the fees vary from campus to campus. Here is a sampling of Missouri, Kansas, as well as a few nationally known institutions and their non-refundable application fees:

• Belmont University…$35
• Boston College…$70
• Colorado College…$50
• Kansas State University…$30
• Miami University of Ohio…$50
• Rice University…$65
• Stanford University…$90
• Texas Christian University…$40
• University of Kansas…$30
• University of Missouri Columbia…$45
• University of Notre Dame…$65

Families should make the decision about who will pay the fees well in advance of submitting applications, allowing time for the student to save money if the responsibility falls on his/her shoulders.

Campus Housing Applications

Once a student has decided which college to attend in the fall, the family will pay an enrollment deposit to secure a place in the incoming freshman class. In addition, a housing deposit and an application will also be required if living on campus for freshman year.

The housing deposit ensures that a student will have a room in one of the freshman residence halls. It is not refundable after May 1, but is usually deducted from housing costs once billed for fall semester.

The application itself is also quite important. Based upon answers to the questionnaire, a student will be assigned not only to a future residence hall, but also to a roommate. It is highly recommended that only the student fill out this form, not a parent, so that he or she may feel comfortable to be as completely honest as possible.

Here are some sample questions that may be found on the housing application:
• When it comes to your bedroom, would you consider yourself to be messy, immaculate, or somewhere in between?
• Are you a night owl? Or an early riser?
• Do you typically stir the pot? Or do you prefer to keep the peace?
• Do you enjoy studying in your room? Or do you like to find alternate locations to hit the books?
• On a typical week day morning, how many times do you hit the snooze button?
• Given your regular routine, are you a night time shower taker or do you have a morning preference?
• Are you a smoker or a non-smoker?
• How social would you describe yourself to be? Do you anticipate friends, whether from on campus or off, visiting your residence hall room often?

Thanks to technology, a lot of campuses have virtual tours of residence halls and/or floor plans posted on their websites, as well as a list of amenities available in each residence hall.

Most colleges and universities “match up” incoming freshmen during May and June and will send out housing assignments in mid to late July, although each campus operates on its own calendar.

In most cases, a new college freshman will be provided with the assigned roommate’s name and contact information, so that they may communicate with each other before arriving on campus for move-in day and orientation.

Some KC Metro Test Prep Opportunities

While there are multiple free options available for self-exploration and learning, many high school students and their families find benefit in participating in a preparation course for upcoming standardized testing, specifically the ACT and the SAT.

There are several organizations in the Kansas City metro that offer fee-based courses, as well as individual test prep tutoring. Here is a sampling:

Stephen Heiner
Get Smarter Prep
6707 West 91st Street
Overland Park, Kansas 66212
(913) 322 3400

Adam Groden
Personal Test Prep
agroden@kc.rr.com
(913) 549 3262

Sylvan Learning Centers
6910 North Holmes, Suite 152
Gladstone, MO 64118
(816) 468 7900
or
1170 West Kansas, Suite M
Liberty, MO 64068
(816) 792 5944

Kansas City Kaplan Center
5800 Foxridge Drive, Suite 103
Mission, KS 66202
(800) KAP TEST

 

ACT Prep Online
(the only ACT prep program designed by ACT)
This is an online course that families may subscribe to for $19.95 per year. Before purchasing, families should check with their guidance counselor, as some high schools purchase the program and provide access for each student in their school at no cost.

In addition, many metro high schools offer free or more affordable test preparation courses either during or after school. Interested students should check with their guidance counselor to find out what options are available at their particular school.

Remember, academic curriculum and effort toward daily homework and testing is the best preparation for standardized testing. These prep course opportunities, though, allow students to become acquainted with standardized test format and content so there is a degree of familiarity and comfort on testing morning.

May 1: National Candidates Reply Deadline

The National Candidates Reply Deadline is May 1. This is the date by which students must formally notify the college or university of their choice for attendance in the fall. This year (2010), May 1 falls on a Saturday, so please consider Friday, April 30 to be the final reply deadline.

For most colleges and universities, an enrollment deposit is required. Paying the enrollment deposit confirms intent to enroll at the school and reserves a spot in the incoming freshman class. Only students who have paid the enrollment deposit are then able to register for classes, request on-campus housing, and attend freshman orientation.

For some institutions, particularly highly selective schools, missing the May 1 deadline equates to forfeiting a position in the incoming freshman class.  Campuses that employ an admission decision waitlist will then begin filling the unclaimed freshman spots after May 1 in order to fill their class.  This is not a deadline a student should chance missing!

It is considered unethical to submit a deposit to more than one school, so the final decision truly needs to be made in advance of this deadline.
This enrollment deposit is typically credited toward the student’s first semester tuition bill.
In addition to the enrollment deposit, most campuses also require a housing deposit and application/contract to secure a room in a residence hall for the freshman year. This deposit is also usually credited to the first semester’s bill.
In most cases, both the enrollment deposit and the housing deposit are non-refundable after May 1.