Understanding College Options:
Benefits, Pathways, and Preparation
Presenter’s Name
And info
Workshop Goals
• Understand the benefits of a college
education
• Learn the pathways to college
• Learn how to prepare for college admission
Why Go To College?
• To broaden perspectives
 Meet new people from diverse backgrounds
and learn to be independent.
• To gain more knowledge that will be helpful
throughout students’ lives
•
To have more job opportunities
 More and more jobs require education
beyond high school. Many jobs rely on new
technology and “brainpower.”
Why College?
continued…
• A 4-year college
graduate (with
Bachelor’s degree)
earns almost $1
million more over
his/her lifetime
than a high school
graduate.
- Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Why College?
continued…
• A 4-year college
graduate earns
about $52,200
annually on
average, compared
to $30,400 for a
high school
graduate.
- Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Why College?
continued…
• Increased education is also associated
with:




Better working conditions
Longer job tenure
More on-the-job training opportunities
More promotion opportunities
Degrees
High School – 4 years
Diploma
Community College – 2 years
Associate’s Degree
University – 4 years
Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor of Arts (BA) / Bachelor of Science (BS)
Degrees after the BA/BS
University - 2 years or more
Master’s Degree
University - 3 years or more
Doctorate Degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.),
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Professional Degrees: Law Degree
Systems of Higher Education
• Community Colleges
• State Universities
• Public Universities
• Independent Colleges and Universities
Community College
 Prepares students to transfer to a 4 year institution
 Associate’s degree
 Offers technical training in specific occupations (bookkeeping,
culinary arts)
 Most are nonresidential - students live off-campus
 Students can attend part-time or full-time
 To enroll, students have to be 18 + or have a High School
Diploma
State University
Large state universities typically enroll 7,000 or more students,
are publicly funded, and offer both undergraduate and graduate
work
- www.petersons.com
 Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees
 Accepts High School Seniors and Community College
Transfers
 Provides broad liberal education and prepares students for
 professional goals
Public Universities
Most public universities and colleges were founded by state
governments to give residents the opportunity to receive public
college education. Today, state governments pay for most of the
cost of operating public universities.
- www.petersons.com
 Accepts High School Seniors and Community College Transfers
 Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees
 Have Professional Schools: Law, Medicine, Education,
Engineering, Journalism, Social Welfare…
Private Universities and Colleges
A private college is an independent school that sets its own
policies and goals, and is privately funded. Private colleges are
generally smaller than public or private universities. The average
enrollment at private colleges is only 1,900 students.
- www.petersons.com
 Vary in size, prestige, and cost
 Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate’s, and Professional Degrees
 Accepts High School Graduates and Community College Transfers
 Professional Schools: Law, Medicine, Education, Engineering, Journalism,
Social Welfare…
Start Preparing Now for College
• READ, READ, READ


Good readers make good thinkers and good writers
“The more you read, the more you know”
• Promote good study habits


Turn off the TV
Set aside a homework time and a quiet study space
• Meet with your student’s teachers to learn about
his/her performance

Tell the teachers that you have high expectations for your student
Start Preparing now for College
continued…
• Learn the college-preparatory course
requirements


Push to get into these courses in high school
Push to get into honors and AP courses in high school, if available
• What you do outside of class matters

Sports, Clubs, Work, Church, Honor Societies, and various groups
• Take the PSAT by the 9th or 10th grade

It’s good practice for the SAT!
Start Preparing now for College
continued…
• Visit college campuses!

Find colleges in your area and schedule a tour

Make a college visit part of your vacation

Ask a school counselor if the school is planning a
field trip to a college

Check out college websites, many have virtual
tours
Factors to consider when choosing a
college
• Size: What is the total student population? How big are the typical
freshman classes?
• Location: How far is the college from home? Is it in a rural, urban,
suburban setting? What is the area surrounding the campus like?
• People: Who are the students and where do they come from?
• Academics: What majors are available? Who teaches the courses?
What is the academic reputation of the college?
• Social Opportunities: What clubs and teams are available?
Are there fraternities and sororities? Is there a SHPE Chapter?
• Cost: What is the total cost of attendance, including tuition, room and
board, and books? What kind of financial aid is available?
College Search Tools
• ACT

www.act.org
• FinAid: The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid

www.finaid.org
• Peterson’s Guide to College

www.petersons.com
• The College Board

www.collegeboard.com
Questions?