http://www.girlshealth.gov/

Your future

Home Your future After high school graduation College and vocational school

College and vocational school

After high school, you can choose many different paths to continue your education. If you dropped out of high school and received your GED, you can still go to college. It is just like a diploma. One path is to earn a certificate or degree from a four-year college, community college (usually two years), or technical trade school that will train you for a specific career, trade, or profession. Don't forget about the Job Corps and Peace Corps! In choosing a school, you should ask yourself these questions:

• What kind of career and technical training do I want?
• Which schools offer the training or program I need?
• What preparation do I need for a particular job?
• Will employers accept the training as preparation for employment?

College admission tests

Many colleges and universities in the United States require SAT or ACT scores to aid in the selection of incoming students. The SAT is a standardized test that measures both achievement (what you already know) and aptitude (a prediction of future performance or potential). The ACT is a two-part assessment test. The first part is a multiple-choice test covering four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The second part, which is optional, is a writing test that measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.

Colleges are located in big cities, suburbs, and small towns throughout the country. Some enroll tens of thousands of students; others enroll only a few hundred. Some are public; others are private. Some private colleges are connected with religious institutions; others are not. Some schools enroll only women, others only men.

Choosing a college

The type of college that best suits you depends on your needs and talents. You can begin focusing on the choice of a college by considering the following questions:

• Why do I want to go to college?
• What do I hope to achieve in college?
• Do I have some idea of what I want to study or for which job I want to prepare?
• Do I want to live at home or go away to school?
• Do I prefer an urban, suburban, or rural environment?
• Would I be happier in a small college or a large university?

In order to choose a college, you should ask the above questions about the nature and quality of the schools in which you are interested. You may also find answers to these questions in the colleges' catalogs or in reference books on colleges. Ask these questions when you meet staff in the admissions office of the colleges. Another "real life" experience would be to actually spend a weekend at a college that your older sister, older friend, or friend’s sister attends to get a feel for what the experience would be like at the school. Find the right college for you.

Cost of college

Be sure to ask the college or technical school about the total price of the training or program you are interested in. An important question to ask a school is whether financial assistance or student aid will be available to you. In particular, you should ask if the school participates in the federal student financial aid programs, administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Federal student aid programs are the largest source of funding for college. Learn how to apply and how the process works.

Student aid also may be available from foundations, community organizations, and organizations related to your field of interest (for example, the American Medical Association or American Bar Association). Contact the organizations directly for detailed information. Check with your parents' employers to see whether they award scholarships or have tuition payment plans.

Content last updated June 23, 2008

top