On the Road with the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling

Butler University

Undeterred by record-setting heat and drought conditions, the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) hit the road last week for its biannual “Micro Bus Tour of Colleges.”

Starting at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois, the tour took 39 school-based and independent counselors on a whirlwind tour of six additional Hoosier State colleges, all of which opened their doors for a closer look at facilities and programs.

While the campuses seemed relatively quiet, admissions offices were working behind the scenes to put finishing touches on student recruitment programs scheduled for this fall.  Several campuses were taken over by summer campers while others were already welcoming newly-minted freshmen for transition programs.

Here is a little more of what the 39 counselors learned about each school:

• Lewis University is one of only 36 schools nationally, and the only one in Illinois, to be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to offer an Air Traffic Control program.  With an estimated need for more than 15,000 air traffic controllers in the coming decade, Lewis offers programs designed to meet needs in aviation flight, management, maintenance, and security as well as in air traffic control.
  
  
• While scholarships at the University of Notre Dame are largely needs-based and often limited to two years, the new Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program is a four-year merit-based opportunity offered to between 20 and 25 undergrads with the potential of having a “transformational impact on the world.”  Students must be nominated by their high schools to qualify for scholarships totaling $100,000 and supplemented by four fully funded summer enrichment experiences. 
  
  
•  Formerly a two-year all male campus, Holy Cross College now offers a four-year co-ed program based on service learning, global “perspectives,” professional internships, and a capstone presentation.  With access to virtually all of the facilities and social programs at neighboring Notre Dame, Holy Cross offers a more personalized college experience and is open to working with undocumented students for whom scholarships are available. In addition, Holy Cross is one of few colleges nationally to offer a four-year tuition rate "lock" program.
  
  
• Out-of-State minority students with cumulative GPA’s of 3.0 and above may automatically qualify for one of Ball State’s Academic Recognition Awards, enabling them to pay in-state tuition.  In the midst of the largest ongoing geothermal project in the country, Ball State University recently debuted the David Letterman Communication and Media Building connecting communication studies, journalism, telecommunications, and the Center for Information and Communication Sciences (CICS).  It is also the home to Indiana Public Radio and 36 student-run media organizations.
  
  
• Housed on a truly lovely campus on the site of Fairview Park, Butler University offers direct admit to both a 6-year pharmacy PhD program as well as a 5-year physician assistant program through the College of Pharmacy and Health Services.  Located in the culturally rich community of Indianapolis, Butler requires all students to attend eight or more cultural events as part of their graduation requirements.
  
  
•  For fall 2013, admissions standards at IUPUI will increase for incoming freshmen, raising both minimum GPA and standardized test requirements.  For students with an interest in auto racing, IUPUI boasts of having the only motorsports engineering program in the country, which is offered through the Purdue connection and prepares students for careers in the motorsports industry as well as in automotive-related companies.
  
  
•  The big news at Purdue is the decision to go to the Common Application beginning with the 2013-14 application cycle.  In addition, a new University Honors College is being organized to extend beyond scholarship students so as to bring in a more multi-talented, diverse group which will live and learn together.  Details are emerging on the application process as well as special Honors College residential and co-curricular learning opportunities.

And thanks to Indiana state law, those colleges receiving state support must award college credit to any student earning a score of 3 or higher on Advanced Placement exams.  Sweet!