Higher Education Options

Graduating from high school is just the first

 

 step in creating your blueprint! 

 

What you choose to do after high school is one of the biggest decisions you will make! Preparing for college is another milestone which should be carefully considered, prepared for and planned out during your high school years.  So, the big question is...why go to college...and what are my options?  Below you will find the answer to many questions that students/parents ask about higher education. 

Good luck in creating your blueprint!

How does my education affect my income?

Median Earnings by Educational Attainment, persons Aged 25 and Older

 

 

Doctorate	$79,403.00
Professional Degree	$95,699.00
Master's Degree	$59,509.00
Bachelor's Degree	$49,889.00
Associate Degree	$37,604.00
Some College, no degree	$35,713.00
High School Graduate	$30,765.00
Not a High School Graduate	$21,651.00

 

Information provided by: U.S. Census (2008)

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TECHNICAL/VOCATIONAL SCHOOL 

 

PROS:

Technical skills can be an appealing option for many students who already know what kind of job they want and typcially take less time to complete then university requirements.

 

CONS:

Credits earned at a technical/vocational school do not typically transfer into community college or university degree programs.  This is not always the case, so it is best to check with an advisor prior to enrolling if you plan on transferring credits or are unsure of your future plans.

PROS:

Students will be required to take general education courses as part of their degree program which will allow them to exit with a more well rounded education. Typically, all or most  credits will transfer into a university bachelor's program.

 

 

CONS:

Community colleges have less options for further education then a university.  Some technical schools will also offer more specific job skill training then a community college offers.

PROS:

Students with good grades can apply for full ride scholarships and transfer into a university with little to no cost for tuition and books.  Students can further their education with a Masters or Doctorate degree in the future.

 

CONS:

Individualized attention is not the focus of courses.  With traditionally large class sizes, this could be a challenging transition for some high school graduates.  Tuition costs are also much higher then other educational options and may require significant financial aid or family contributions to attend.

 College: Where Do I Start?

Make sure your course schedule fits in with your college plans

Remember colleges prefer 4 years of English, History, Math, Science and at least 2 years of a foreign language. Universities REQUIRE these courses for entrance!

Use a tool like College Search...

(http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp) to find out about the courses and tests required of colleges you may be interested in attending. 

Get involved in Extra Curricular Activities

Wondering how to be involved while attending an Online School? Join a Community Service organization in your area, volunteer, play sports with a local league – there are plenty of ways to get involved!

Go to college fairs in your area

Learn about the costs and requirements of attending colleges you’re interested in.   

Visit these colleges or schedule a tour. Take a look at financial aid available to you!

Sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT, which is given in October. Ask your Advisor about how to sign up and where to take them. Get free online PSAT/NMSQT practice

      If you take the PSAT/NMSQT exam, use the access code on your PSAT/NMSQT score report to sign into My College Quick Start (https://quickstart.collegeboard.com/posweb/login.jsp).

With this personalized planning kit, you can prepare for the SAT using a study plan based on your PSAT/NMSQT results and explore lists of suggested colleges, majors and careers. 

Start  your college search...

Start with you: Make lists of your abilities, preferences, and personal qualities. List things you may want to study and do in college.

Jump Start your college planning by researching Majors and Careers.  Use the Holland Assessment (http://www.roquecc.edu/counseling/hollandcodes/) to match your skills and interests with degrees.

Use a College Search to find colleges with the right characteristics. 

Explore colleges!

Start visiting local colleges; large, small, public, and private. Get a feel for what works for you. Develop a list of 15-20 colleges that interest you.

Start thinking about financial aid!

 Talk to your Advisor about your college plans and try to attend a local College Night or Financial Aid Night.

Plan your spring testing schedule...

You can either take the SAT Reasoning Test or up to 3 SAT Subject Tests on one test day. Plan your testing schedule carefully if you want to take both types of SAT tests. You can see the SAT schedule of test dates and register online at http://sat.collegeboard.com/home  Use the Access code on your PSAT/NMSQT score to sign into the My College Quickstart. With this personalized planning kit, you can prepare for the SAT using a study plan based on your PSAT/NMSQT results.

Get ready for the SAT

Visit the SAT Preparation Center to take a free full-length official practice test and get a score and skills report.

Prepare for AP exams

Prepare and take the AP exams for any AP courses that you are enrolled in to receive credit or placement at most colleges.

Plan ahead for the summer and senior year

Review your senior year class schedule with your Advisor. Challenge yourself with any honors and AP courses you can.

Plan summer activities early. Enrich yourself by volunteering, getting an interesting job or internship, or signing up for local summer learning programs. 

Keep your momentum going throughout the summer

Visit colleges. Take Campus tours and, at colleges you are serious about, schedule interviews with admissions counselors. Be sure to bring a Campus Visit Checklist.

Request Applications from colleges to which you will apply. Check important dates; some Universities have early dates or rolling admissions.

High School Seniors 

Pulling your applications together

 Narrow your lists of colleges between 5 and 10 and review it with your Advisor. Get an Application and financial aid info from each. Visit as many as possible.

Make a Master Calendar and Note:

  o       Test Dates, fees and deadlines

  o       College Application Due Dates

  o       Required Financial Aid applications and their deadline

  o       Recommendations, transcripts, and other necessary materials

  o       Your School’s deadline for Application Requests, such as your transcript

  o        Write Application essays and ask teachers, parents and friends to read first drafts.

   Applying: Early Action or Early Decision?

November 1: for early admissions, colleges may require test scores and applications in early November.

Ask if your college offers an early estimate of financial aid eligibility.

Get Financial Aid info

Attend Financial Aid events in your area and visit fastweb.com, finaid.org and fafsa.org for financial aid resources

Talk to your Advisor about CSS/Financial Aid Profile and learn about it with Completing your Profile

Use a Scholarship Search at www.collegeboard.com, review scholarship books, and ask your Advisor about local and state funding sources

        Financial Aid: Apply Early and Apply Right

You and your family should save this year’s pay stubs to estimate income on aid forms that you will file early next year.

Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible. Men 18 or older must register for the selective service to receive federal financial aid.

Many priority financial aid deadlines fall in February. To get the most attractive award package, apply by the priority date. Keep copies of everything you send.

Application Details

Most regular applications are due between January 1^st and February 15^th. Keep copies of everything you send to colleges.

Request to have your high school transcripts sent to colleges

Contact colleges to make sure that they’ve received all application materials

When the Letters start Rolling in...

You should get acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April.

Use the tool Compare your Aid Awards at www.collegeboard.com to compare your awards from different colleges. Questions? Talk to financial aid officers. Not enough Aid? Ask if other financing plans are available.

If you haven’t already, visit your final college before accepting.

 Making your Final Choice

You must tell every college of your acceptance or rejection of offers of admission or financial aid by May 1^st. Send a Deposit to the college you choose.

Wait Listed? If you will enroll if accepted, tell the admissions director of you intent and ask how to strengthen your application. Need Financial Aid? Ask if funds will be available if you’re accepted

Next Steps

Ask your High School to send a Final Transcript to your college

Start Preparing for the Year Ahead!

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