College Spotlight: Utah Valley University

Utah Valley University (UVU) has exploded in the past 20 years, becoming the largest university in the state in terms of student population.  Usually, people think that the U of U is the largest, but the U was eclipsed a few years back by UVU.  And it isn't just numbers--the UVU's diversity of programs and student services rival any other college in the state.

Here's a few things you should know about UVU, their application, and deadlines, in no specific order.  Be sure to read the entire list!  

• The ONLY way that UVU gives an application waiver is for students who attend an Open House--and the last Open House is on December 1st, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.  The fee is $35, and you get a chance to see a little more about UVU to decide if it is a good fit for you.  
• By the way, I think that every student should tour the colleges they are thinking about attending.  There is no substitute for being on campus and making sure it's a good fit for the individual that will be attending.

• February 1st is a huge deadline!
• FAFSA deadline for UVU
• Scholarship Deadline
• Including:  Academic Meric Awards, general scholarships, and need based 

• Scholarship Application Tip:  be sure to fill out the extra section for "general scholarships" AND "need based".  
• You will automatically be looked at for academic scholarships--but you need to fill out the other application COMPLETELY to be considered for the others

• Be sure when you complete the application, that you check the "Undergraduate Student" Box.  You are not a Graduate Student.  :-)

• Be sure that you complete your online application AND submit the supplementary materials (transcripts) within a few days.  Long delays between the two create problems.
• By the way, they are okay with ACT scores on the high school transcript

• Common mistake:  residency.  Many students put an incomplete response.  
• If nothing is listed here:  listed as nonresident.  
• Half answer:  "Utah" (also not enough information to qualify you as a "resident" to gain "in-state tuition"
• Correct response:  Put down start and end dates, that you've been here for more than 3 years.  
• Be sure to take time with this--it's a cumbersome process to change from non-resident to resident. 
• A note:  It makes it a lot easier if a student has a Utah Driver's License or a State ID Card.  Get one!  This will help establish residency.  

• Once a student is accepted, they are required to have orientation before they can register.  
• Students watch an orientation video online, then attend orientation on campus (2 parts required--but this is a good thing! It helps you be prepared to succeed!)
• THEN...a student can register for classes

• UVU is great at serving 1^st generation and underrepresented populations. You won't be alone in navigating the system!

• Big Service-Learning Initiative
• Students can receive distinction that they have participated in service-learning.
• This can be a great thing for students planning on Graduate School 
• Also--students involved with service-learning can receive extra scholarships

• UVU—teaching is the primary focus of faculty.  Even though they do a lot of research—focus is on teaching.  Class:  average is 23 (there are larger classes, but this is an average)

Work Ethic

Taking a little break from the College Spotlights to highlight an important aspect that comes through on college and scholarship applications:  work ethic.

I've had conversations with senior students in the past few months that show a wide range of work ethic and work experience.  Some students have been working odd jobs since their early teen years, and holding down a consistent part-time job since they were 16.  I thoroughly enjoy talking to these students:  they understand the value of work, the value of a dollar, and are reasonable when they talk about their college choices.  This is because when you work 15 hours a week, you have a good understanding of just how much "work" it takes to earn $100.  Also, these students shine on the part of college and scholarship applications that ask for work experience.  It's especially fun to see a senior that has held down a part-time job, maintained excellent grades, and been involved in student government.  She's had to balance her time, but she speaks through the application to admissions officers in ways that peers who haven't worked just can't.  Let me introduce you to that student.

That student spoke to me earlier this year.  He had okay grades, but he didn't have any service, didn't have a job, and made this statement, "I don't have a job because bagging groceries is simply beneath me."

Hmmm.... all I could think was, Breathe in, breathe out.

This happened months ago, and I still have to take a moment to gain my composure.  And here's why--my background taught me that NO job was beneath me.  I milked goats, cleaned out barns, and when my family was bankrupt, I helped by selling scones door-to-door.  I stuffed mailers by the hundreds, which paid one penny per envelope.  That was when I was 9 years old.  So when this student, a 17-year-old, said that bagging groceries was beneath him, I was floored.  I hope that if you're reading this, you're a little floored, too.

But why am I bringing this up?  What does this have to do with college applications?  Because as much as we talk about grades and tests and community service and student involvement--there is also this "work" section that usually gets overlooked.  And I'm inviting you to NOT overlook it.  You might not work during the school year, and that's a very understandable decision.  But working during the summer?  That's not just a good thing, that's a great thing.  In 3 months of working, you'd build up some depth in your work record, as well as navigate a workplace.  The skills you learn in a job are transferable to college, and that is why they are included on college and scholarship applications.  These skills include showing up on time, completing your work, working with peers, reporting to a boss, as well as others.  That's the work-ethic that is going to help not only on college and scholarship applications by showing a depth of maturity, but also will help you succeed once you get there!

One exception:  if a student is serving on a weekly basis, building up the same skills through their consistent service, then they can look at things a little differently.  But if a student isn't serving on a weekly basis (10 hours / week minimum), then they need to be putting that time to build up the same skills in a job.

And finally...the reason this "bagging groceries is simply beneath me" argument was so ridiculous is that EVERY student at our school can attend the ATC, FREE OF CHARGE, get a certificate in 3 weeks - 6 months for a "high paying job", ranging from being a CNA to a Pharmacy Tech, and including 20 other jobs.  So, no excuses!  Get out there and WORK!!!  (Or get yourself to the ATC, get a certificate, then get to work!)

Where To Go To College?

The decision of where to apply to college, and eventually where to attend college loom over senior year like a giant rain cloud, threatening many students to freeze with fear.  Many seniors feel that if they go to one certain college, their future is set for success.  Alternatively, if they don't get into that college, their life is set for failure.  Here's a novel thought:  your success is determined more by YOU than by any college you go to, or don't go to.

Need some convincing?  Here's some great advice Abraham Lincoln gave a young student (letter quoted in the book Lincoln Unbounded, by Rich Lowry):

"In 1855, Lincoln wrote back to Isham Reavis, who had inquired about studying law with him.  Lincoln told him he was away from the office too often to take him on as a student, but he offered this advice:  "If you are resolutely determined to make a lawyer of yourself, the thing is more than half done already.  It is but a small matter whether you read with any body or not.  I did not read with any one.  Get the books, and read and study them till you understand them in their principal features; and that is the main thing.  It is of no consequence to be in a large town while you are reading.  I read at New-Salem, which never had three hundred people living in it.  The books, and your capacity for understanding them, are just the same in all places."  Before signing off he urged:  "Always bear in mind that your resolution to succeed, is more important than any other one thing."  (Reavis went on to become a judge).    

Wow!  Powerful advice from Abraham Lincoln, and I completely agree!  Your success in college is based on your attendance, your interaction with professors and classmates, your involvement in academic pursuits, your reading the books to master the field you choose to study.  And these sorts of things can happen anywhere!  You can earn a degree at a small college or a large university--and when you've graduated and sitting in the interview--they'll want to know about YOUR expertise, YOUR knowledge, YOUR creativity, drive, and work ethic, much more than the name of the college you went to.  So, wherever you study, heed Lincoln's advice and remember the "main thing".

Also Read:   Book Reviews of "Where You Go Isn't Who You'll Be":  Book Post #1 and Book Post #2...yes, a book so good it deserved two posts.