1. Understanding College Options: Benefits, Pathways, and Preparation
Date
Name of Presenter
SHPE Chapter
Presentation from:
College Tools For Schools

2. Workshop Goals Understand the benefits of a college education
Learn the pathways to college
Learn how to prepare for college admission

3. 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.”

4. 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

5. 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

6. Why College? continued…
Increased education is also associated with:
Better working conditions
Longer job tenure
More on-the-job training opportunities
More promotion opportunities

7. Degrees Diploma Associate’s Degree Bachelor’s Degree
High School – 4 years
Community College – 2 years
Associate’s Degree
University – 4 years
Bachelor’s Degree
Bachelor of Arts (BA) / Bachelor of Science (BS)

8. Degrees after the BA/BS
Master’s Degree
University - 2 years or more
Doctorate Degrees: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Professional Degrees: Law Degree
University - 3 years or more

9. Systems of Higher Education
Community Colleges
State Universities
Public Universities
Independent Colleges and Universities

10. 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

11. State University
Large state universities typically enroll 7,000 or more students, are publicly funded, and offer both undergraduate and graduate work
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

12. 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
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…

13. 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. -
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…

14. 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

15. 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!

16. 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

17. 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?

18. College Search Tools ACT
FinAid: The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid
Peterson’s Guide to College
The College Board