FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’s)
1) What is PCoC?
Private Colleges of California (PCoC - pronounced, “peacock”), is a cooperative association of California Non-Profit Private Colleges and Universities.
2) What are the goals of PCoC?
PCoC’s collective goal is to educate California’s students, parents, and counselors about the benefits and opportunities of a California private college education and to increase its member school’s annual yield of students from within the state. We accomplish this goal by combining the knowledge and resources of our member colleges and universities and public and private high schools to organize small and medium sized events open to college counselors, students, and parents.
3) What are the requirements for becoming a PCoC member school?
The basic requirements that prospective PCoC member schools will need to meet are as follows:
- Be a non-profit institution
- WASC –SCUC-accreditation in good-standing
- Offer 4-year bachelor’s degree programs (in addition to any other degree programs)
- Offer live classroom instruction (in addition to any online courses)
4) What are some of the benefits of becoming a PCoC member school?
- Expanding your school’s branding and applicant pool through participation in PCoC’s student/ parent/ counselor events.
- Exchanging Admissions and student recruiting knowledge with member school representatives.
- Creating a platform for the advocacy and support of issues of shared interest/ concern for member schools.
5) Is there a fee for joining PCoC?
At this time, there are no annual fees or dues for joining or actively participating in PCoC events.
6) What kind of events does PCoC host or participate in?
PCoC works with high schools, independent college counselors, and other college resource providers to create mini-college fairs, case study reviews, and guest speaker events to targeted student/ parent audiences. PCoC also offers counselor-only fairs and helps arrange college visits for small or large groups.
7) What can member institutions expect to get out of their involvement in PCoC?
The benefits that schools receive from their PCoC membership will be in direct proportion to the quantity and quality of their active involvement. Each PCoC event represents an additional opportunity to have additional, quality contact with counselors, prospective students, as well as fellow PCoC members.
8) What is organizational structure of PCoC? How can I participate in the management and activities PCoC is planning?
At this time, the PCoC founding members are planning the details of its organizational structure and will be requesting input from charter members before those plans are finalized.
9) How will communication between PCoC and Member Schools be conducted?
Every Member School will designate a Primary Contact person, typically the individual responsible for supervising the college’s overall recruiting and outreach efforts. That person will be the main point of contact for all communications to/ from PCoC and will notify PCoC event organizers of the name and contact information for the Admissions staff person who will be attending the PCoC event.
10) What is the level of commitment expected of each Member School?
As mentioned earlier, Member Schools will receive benefits from their association with PCoC that is in direct proportion to their level of active involvement in PCoC events. While there is no “minimum annual commitment” requirements for Member Schools, those declining to participate in too many and/ or not actively participating in the Association in other ways may be asked to leave the Association.
11) Will member institutions have the opportunity to take the lead on hosting and creating events?
Yes. PCoC is a collaborative association and all members benefit from the shared knowledge and resources of its membership. The Primary Contact person can and should notify PCoC about upcoming events that might be of benefit for Member Schools to participate in.
12) How can my institution participate in a PCoC event?
PCoC will publish a calendar of scheduled events a few months in advance to give the Member Schools time to incorporate as many of those events possible into their staff’s recruiting schedule. Additional events may be added later. When that occurs, each Member School will be notified by PCoC and be able to request to participate on a first-come-first-served basis. As most PCoC events will be small, not all participation requests may be able to be accepted.
13) Can PCoC member schools recommend an event to be added to the PCoC calendar?
Absolutely! The more events we can add to our calendar, the more students we can reach and the more each participating Member School will benefit.
If you know of an event that you believe would be a good opportunity for PCoC member schools, please contact your Communications Manager with the details.
FOR PARTNER HIGH SCHOOLS
1) What is PCoC?
Private Colleges of California (PCoC - pronounced, “peacock”), is a cooperative association of California Non-Profit Private Colleges and Universities.
2) Who are PCoC Member Schools?
PCoC Member Schools represent a wide cross-section of California’s private, non-profit colleges and universities throughout California. While each Member School has unique features and offerings to students, they all have the following things in common:
- WASC –SCUC-accredited institutions in good-standing
- Offer 4-year bachelor’s degree programs (in addition to any other degree programs)
- Offer live classroom instruction (in addition to any online courses)
3) What kind of events can PCoC offer for my students/ parents?
PCoC will work with high school college counseling staff throughout California to create mini-college fairs, and guest speaker events to targeted student/ parent audiences that include case study reviews, financial aid workshops, application essay writing, etc.
PCoC also offers counselor-only fairs and helps arrange college visits for small or large groups.
4) Are there any fees to be exchanged between PCoC and my school for any of these events?
No, not at this time.
5) What are some benefits of my school partnering with PCoC?
- Expanding the quantity and variety of your school’s college-preparation activities by hosting/ creating a PCoC event at your school.
- Additional connections to experienced, knowledgeable Admissions staff. PCoC Member School Representatives you connect with at events are eager to answer your questions and provide you with reliable information and support long after the PCoC events are over.
6) What are some benefits PCoC can provide to my students and their families?
- Information that dispels many of the myths and misconceptions about private colleges and universities.
- Useful knowledge to compare/ contrast private college benefits with public university benefits.
- Useful knowledge about financing a private college/ university education.
7) Is there a minimum number of students required to attend PCoC-hosted school events?
No, but it is the hope and expectation that each hosting high school will utilize all of their available efforts and resources to promote PCoC events to students at their schools or within their districts or local communities to generate the best turnout possible.
It is also requested that Member School representatives be granted wifi access and bottled water and a snack or small meal before the event. Other requirements like room set-up, A/V equipment, etc. will vary by event and will be communicated by your PCoC contact person prior to the event.
8) How will my school communicate with PCoC?
Your school will be assigned a designated PCoC Communications Officer to handle all direct communications via phone/ email. In turn, your school will designate a primary contact person to communicate with PCOC to ensure a smooth, simple line of communication.
9) Are there any contracts or memos of understanding that have to be signed in order to become a member?
No, not at this time.
10) How can my school request PCoC participation in a college event we are planning to offer?
Please discuss all college-related events you are planning for the upcoming school year with your PCoC Communications Officer. He/ she may ask if any events like mini-fairs can be added to your schedule or if a PCoC Member School representative can join any workshops to add an additional “expert voice” to the event. From your discussions with the Communications Officer, an original event idea may develop that could further benefit your college-bound students.