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Are you unsure about the benefits of education beyond high school? One benefit is clear and tangible: men and women who have attended college tend to earn more money than those who have only a high school diploma. Statistics gathered by the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that just one year of college enables an individual to earn more money each year than a person with four years of high school only.
All careers require adequate preparation, and some require specialized training. In some cases you may need to pass a licensing examination or be certified by a state agency in order to practice your chosen occupation. Education beyond high school may be required, and it almost always will be recognized as important preparation for a successful career.
An education is the best investment you can make in yourself, and you deserve the best. Important investments generally take money, time, and effort; they may also involve some element of risk. Fortunately, when it comes to investing in education, you can eliminate most of the risk and find financial help if necessary. Only you can provide the time and the effort.
The uncertainties involved in continuing your education beyond high school can be reduced through planning. By planning, you can successfully prepare for college or for another postsecondary opportunity to extend your education.
To be successful, your plan must be realistic and based on good information. Not only do you need to obtain information that is readily available, you must also learn how to uncover information that is more difficult to find.
The Calendar Checklist: Grades 8 to 12 can be a valuable planning tool as you prepare for college.
Before attending college, you need to be academically prepared. Identify the courses that will help you become prepared. Seek advice from your high school counselor. Having an idea of the kind of career you would like to pursue makes it easier for you to prepare. If you are completely unsure of what you want to do, seek some career-planning advice. Don't worry if you can't make up your mind just yet; you are in good company--most students can't! There is nothing wrong with keeping your options open. It is better to postpone making a decision that you might later regret. It is not necessary to choose a major before you start college. Students often change their majors while in school. Don't be alarmed if you don't know what you want to do . . . but be careful not to use uncertainty as an excuse for rejecting college.
You need to perform well in high school. Try for the highest grades you can achieve. This shows the admissions officer your abilities and helps you build strong study skills. Getting good grades is only one aspect of well-rounded preparation. You should also develop talents and interests outside the classroom. Just don't let these activities interfere with getting good grades!
Applying for admission to college doesn't have to be difficult, but it does require planning and organization. The first step is to contact the schools you are interested in and find out what you need to do to apply and when you need to do it.
Different schools have different application deadlines and different application requirements. For example, some schools require only a simple application form that can be submitted at any point before classes begin, while others expect you to submit essays, teacher recommendations, and standardized test scores well before the school year begins.
The second step is to create an application calendar for yourself. This calendar will allow you establish a schedule for the many application-related tasks, such as taking standardized tests (usually the SAT I and SAT II, or the ACT), scheduling a college visit and interview, giving recommendation forms to teachers and your guidance counselor for them to complete, having your high school transcript sent to the colleges of your choice, filling out the application form, writing the essay, etc. Please see the Calendar Checklist for a more complete list of these tasks.
Remember, although the college application process can seem complex and sometimes overwhelming, planning ahead makes a big difference, and as most college students and graduates would agree, applying to college, and being admitted is well worth the effort!
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National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Opening Doors of Educational Opportunity
Copyright © 2004 by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.
All rights reserved.
Updated April 2004.
