College Spotlight: Southern Utah University

Southern Utah University is the up-and-coming college in the state. It's a growing university, each class increasing by about 15-20%.  They're building the university in a myriad of ways, bringing in great professors and programs.  SUU gives students all the perks of a university, but the attention of a small college.  Check out the list below of some SUU facts (in no specific order), and also become familiar with their website.  

• With 140 majors to choose from, the university helps students in many fields, ranging from Aviation to Computer Science, Performing Arts to Outdoor Education.  Check out all the possibilities on their "Majors Page"
• The "Outdoor Education" Major doesn't happen at every university!  You have to be in a location that will help students build skills in a variety of outdoor pursuits.  Cedar City is just such a place, and they have built an impressive program as the "University of the Parks".  It's a great fit for students who are interested in working in the outdoors, outdoor management, or recreation therapy (to name a few)
• The Aviation program has partnered with SkyWest, helping students learn with flight simulators and actual aircraft.  By just earning an Associate Degree, students are qualified to be hired to regional airline companies.  (In order to be a pilot for a major airline, a student would need to continue on and receive a Bachelor's Degree)
• Students help students!  SUU involves student advisors, known as "ACES" to help incoming freshman.  
• ACES don't take the place of an actual advisor, but help give advice on which classes they should take, how to arrange a schedule, and how to succeed as a co-ed.  
• It gives freshman an immediate student-mentor, helping the graduation rate. 
• December 1st is the Priority Deadline
• If you are going for the Presidential Scholarship, you must meet this deadline
• If you are going for a different scholarship (less money), then you simply need to meet the February 1st deadline
• Look at the Scholarship Index Here
• A lot of focus on the individual
• Even though it is a "university", there is always someone to help you
• When you call, you get an individual helping you (seriously, this is one of the best universities that has helped me over the phone)
• Strong Athletic Program 
• Men's and Women's NCAA Sports
• Intramurals
• The Location
• seriously...if you love the outdoors, this is your Mecca.  

College Spotlight: BYU

The next college spotlight is BYU, the largest religious university in the state, with a student enrollment of 33,500 students.  BYU is one of four colleges run by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the other three being BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, and LDS Business College).  Here are some things to consider about BYU:

• It is the most selective university in the state, accepting 50% of all applicants.  This is known as a "selective" institution, and students should definitely research the level of competition if they are interested...and do everything to fulfill the items important to BYU Admissions.
• BYU Admissions looks at the regular things most selective universities do:  grades, standardized test scores, rigor or classes (Honors / AP / IB), leadership and extracurricular involvement.  But in addition, they require the following:
• Seminary Attendance and Graduation 
• Students need to attend Seminary for all 4 years of high school.  Seminary is essentially a class focusing on gospel teachings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  
• Honor Code Agreement
• Students agree to a Honor Code, and also verify that they have lived the Honor Code in the past. From the website:  "students live by set spiritual standards".  
• Read the Honor Code 
• Their AP Policy grants credit as most selective universities do (sparse), because they want students to take the specific courses at BYU.  
• AP and IB Guide
• Because it is a HUGE university, the list of majors and minors seems limitless.  Check out these few to get started
•  International Studies Program
• Animation Program 
• Engineering and Technology College 
• Find more through the main website:  www.byu.edu
• The application weighs the essay heavily.  Follow this advice:
• They want to know how will BYU benefit you, how you will add to BYU culture, and how BYU will help you achieve your goals.  
• Don't write thinking that you have to write what BYU wants to hear.  Instead, be real and authentic.  
• The cost for BYU is $5,460 for the year--which is comparable to many state colleges
• Because it is a "church" school and is financed by offerings given by members of the church, there is a different cost of attendance for those belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and those who do not.  Whichever group you fall into, it's a bargain for a great education. 
• Read more here about the specific costs of BYU 

College Spotlight: LDS-Business College

Next on our lineup of college spotlights is LDS Business College, which is similar to Westminster is one way:  people know the name, but not exactly why it is a college worth looking at.  Hopefully this post helps with that.

LDS Business College is located in downtown Salt Lake City.  It's not exactly a junior college, tech college, community college, or 4-year university.  It's aim is entirely different:  to help students earn certificates needed for the business world, and have them working by graduation date.  And they help students reach that goal in 2 years!  So, if time and money are primary concerns of yours AND these are fields you would look at anyway...this might be your perfect fit!  Also, you can earn an Associate Degree so that if you do decide to transfer to a 4-year university, you have completed your Gen.Ed. Requirements (win-win).  Here are 6 areas that their degrees and certificates fall into:

1. Business
2.  Health Professions
3.  Interior Design
4.  IT & Computer Programming
5.  Paralegal Studies
6.  Social Media Marketing

As you may have guessed by the name, LDS Business College is one of the four colleges associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (The other three are BYU, BYU-Idaho, and BYU-Hawaii).  Because it is a "church" school and is financed by offerings given by members of the church, there is a different cost of attendance for those belonging to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and those who do not.  Whichever group you fall into, it's a bargain for a great education.  Read more about the specific costs here.  The Cost of LDSBC

Also, because it is a "church" school, students agree to a specific Honor Code if they attend, and also need to be interviewed by their church leader.  LDS Church members receive an ecclesiastical endorsement through their local congregation leader, a Bishop.  Non-LDS students can go to their own ecclesiastical leader for the first part of the interview, and then have the second portion completed by an LDS Bishop.  LDS-Business is happy to have many students of other faiths study there, and if you want to attend but still have questions just check out the Enrollment Page online, or contact them at the Phone # provided.

The important fact to remember about LDSBC is that the goal is for every graduate to earn a job-specific certificate, earning a salary at the same level that they would with a similar 4-year degree.  Again, if time and money for a 4-year degree seem unrealistic or simply undesirable, check out this option.  It's worth a look:  LDS Business College Website

College Spotlight: Westminster

Westminster College is the ONLY small, liberal-arts college in Utah, and even if you think that liberal-arts colleges aren't for you, take time to actually explore this particular college.  We're lucky to have such a stellar place to study in Utah, and you might discover your own college gem right here.  Westminster aims to create thinkers and developers, opening minds to different perspectives.  They seek to help students participate in social change and justice, being a part of the global world.  It's a great place to study, and here are a few things to help you become familiar with Westminster:

• Great range of programs and majors, check them out!  List of Undergraduate Programs
• Also, if you can't decide on a specific major, you can opt to create one with the help of an Advisory Board.  This is a perk of going to a small, liberal-arts college, the one-on-one attention is phenomenal.  Check out how you would create your own:  Customized Major
• They also encourage double-majors, and help students to fulfill requirements in both areas of study
• Check out majors like Art Administration, Aviation, Outdoor Education, Film Studies, Global Studies, Environment Studies (they are off campus a lot!)
• Also, take time to use their webpage to understand how your interests connect to possible and careers....ones you probably didn't think of!  
• The "WCore" is the Westminster-style to "general-education".  Sure, you have to take gen-ed courses, but why not make it applicable?  Real-life?  Interesting?  That's what they have done with "WCore", and it's going to help create some very happy college students!  
• Read more here:  WCore
• The other benefit of WCore is that these classes focus on two areas--such as history and science--and helping students earn credits in both subjects at once.  The outcome?  Students are finishing General Ed or "WCore" requirements a lot faster.  
• Some fields, such as Music and Dance, require an audition.  Auditions run January - March, and have to be scheduled 2-3 months prior.
• Music Audition Link
• Dance Audition Link
• Don't be tricked by the name "liberal-arts"--they have great rates for students going into the Dental and Medical Fields.  In fact, 100% of their students were accepted into medical and dental school.  
• The price for Westminster looks high if you look simply at the "sticker price.  Be sure to look at the financial aid process, because it is a process, and you don't know how much $$$ you will be awarded.
• Take time to find out more--explore their Website and take a tour in person
• One cool note:  if you go on a tour of their campus, the application fee is waived!  

Want to Win Scholarships? Study Past Winners

Last night, I attended the yearly ceremony for Sterling Scholar.  I have been proud of our students that have competed over the years.  Sterling Scholar is a rigorous examination of all they have accomplished in one specific academic area, while also looking for the "Big Three" of Leadership, Activity Involvement, and Service (see "Big Three" Post).  This year one of our students, Blaine Whitford advanced as a semi-finalist, and another student Lizzie Miller, advanced to become a finalist in this competition, which has only happened for two other students from DaVinci Academy (Daniel Amsel, '11; Sheyne Anderson, '11).  A huge shout-out to both Blaine and Lizzie for excellent work in this competition--we are so proud of them!

As I sat in the auditorium, listening to excerpts from the winning student's portfolio and essay, I was struck (again) by the depth that is demanded to be in the running for such a competition.  As with most things on this blog, I've given out this advice in person, but I'm finally putting it in print:
if you want to win scholarships, look at what past winners have done.  Don't copy them, of course, but learn from their level of commitment in their activities and leadership, academic strength, and far-reaching service.  That way, you are placing yourself on the level to play against students around the state and country in multiple scholarship competitions.  The reason I say this is that students at DaVinci benefit from a small environment, but that can be detrimental if you forget that you are competing from students across the state when it comes to college admittance and scholarship winnings.

Back to Sterling Scholar.  I've said before that the reason we spend a lot of time helping our students understand Sterling Scholar is that it is the template for 90% of all other scholarships.  If you prepare for Sterling Scholar--you're prepared for scholarships.  And the best way to prepare for Sterling Scholar is to know what Sterling Scholar Winners are doing...which is why watching the Awards Assembly is so helpful.

I understand that most families didn't make it to Salt Lake last night.  No worries--Sterling Scholar has already uploaded a recording of the entire night.  It's 1 hour and 22 minutes long, but you will start to notice a trend if you watch even half of the categories, which I would recommend.  There are 14 categories students can compete in, which are:

       English
       Social Science
       World Languages
       Mathematics
       Science
       Computer Technology
       Skilled & Technical Sciences Education
       Business & Marketing
       Family & Consumer Sciences
       Speech / Theatre Arts / Forensics
       Vocal Performance
       Instrumental Music
       Dance
       Visual Arts

Also, if you are thinking of competing in a specific area, be sure to watch that segment.  Enough of the explanation, go on and watch it yourself:

                              Sterling Scholar Awards Night