High School is over: what now?
“So, what are you doing after gradua-
tion?” Many juniors and seniors get bored
answering that question over and over
Whether your plans
straight for the workforce, or taking a year
include
off, here are some practical tips to prepare
yourself for the journey.
Going to College
Some people know from an early age ex-
actly what they want to be and how they plan
heading college,
to get there. Rachel’s dad is a doctor and his
love for his chosen career inspired her to fol-
.
low in his footsteps. Rachel, who is about to
start medical school, said she chose her un-
dergraduate program with the idea of medical
school in mind.
Not all of us are so sure of our plans,
though, and that’s OK too. Many people start
off in a liberal arts program in college and
then decide on a major after a year or two.
(School counselors say that 75% of students
change their majors after they enter college.)
School is also not just about careers and get-
ting a high-paying job after graduation — it’s
a place for learning about yourself and the
world.
Selecting a School
If college is in your future, you need to
plan. Which schools appeal to you? How are
you going to pay for your education?
How do you decide on a school when there
are thousands to pick from? Start by asking
yourself questions about your preferences:
What are my strengths?
Am I interested in liberal arts or science
or business?
What kind of learning environment is best
for me?
Would I be more comfortable in a small
school or would I feel confi ned?
Do I want to stay close to home or live
far away?
Would I prefer to be in a city environment
or a small college town?
Should I go to a school where athletics are
big or where fraternities or sororities rule?
Do I like being with people who are
mostly like me or do I want to meet a diverse
group?
Ask friends and older siblings who are in
college about their schools and about other
schools they’re familiar with. Talk to your
school counselor or one of your teachers
and go to college fairs when they visit your
town.
Once you’ve narrowed down your choic-
es, ask the
it their websites.
list down to a manageable number
arrangements to visit.
school is in session so you can get a good
idea of what life is really like on campus.
And remember:
ry to do this when T
you send schools to
You’re not the only one
making a decision. Schools are picking from
a large pool of applicants. They want to know
how well-rounded you are and what
you stand out from everyone else.
makes
, make
When you’ve whittled your
They will
look at your grade point average, standard-
is-Vliterature.
ized test scores, class rank, personal essay,
and your extracurricular activities — so it’
Check with your school counselor to be sure
although some schools use their own forms.
s
important to dedicate time and effort to all
these things.
Admissions Options
Most schools offer a range of admissions
options. Investigate which of these your fa-
vorite schools offer:
Regular admissions means that schools
mail their decisions in April.
Rolling admissions means that a school
processes applications as they come in; you
can apply at any time, but it’s best to be early
because spots fi ll up.
The early-decision option is for students
who are really sure about the school they
want to attend, and who want to know earlier
than April if they have been admitted. There’s
a drawback to applying under an early-deci-
sion option, though: You are promising that
school that you’ll attend if you’re admitted.
Some schools offer an early-action option,
which means that students can be admitted
early but don’t have to attend.
Money, Money, Money
Don’t cross a school off your list just be-
cause the tuition is steep.
you’ve covered all the bases when it comes
to fi nancial aid.
Getting a Job
Maybe you’ve decided that college isn’
for you — right now
to have you States,
o apply for federal aid in the United T
ing these.
to join the workforce, opportunities are out
there for people who don’
path that some grads take is joining the mili-
tary or a service corps. Some retail or hos-
t have degrees. One
. If you want , anyway
lege, it can be a great idea to take a year to do
Even if you decide not to apply to col-
ork City between college and medical YNew
ou might want to take a year ofYation?
want to take on a full-time job after gradu-
t
AFSA) form, Aid (Ftion for Federal Student
Applica-Free the out ll fi
nd-ficounselor should be a good resource for
our high school guidance Ygoals in mind.
c career fiare out there for students with speci
amazing number of college funding sources
An . communityyour within ganizations or
And check out fer scholarships. employers of
pitality industry organizations of
programs to high school grads. Check out the
possibilities in computing, bookkeeping and
fer training
payroll, or sales.
Talk to your school counselor or a favor
ite teacher about the job market in your area.
-
programs, and loans. See if your parents’
ce about scholarships, grants, work-study fi
Ask your school
counselor about possible community schol-
arships. Ask the school’s fi nancial-aid of-
Make sure your parents’ friends know you’re
looking. Scour the classifi ed ads in the news-
paper and do some Internet research. Most
large companies list their job openings on
their websites.
Don’t overlook trade opportunities. Matt
studied industrial engineering in college.
Halfway through the fi rst year, he decided
school just wasn’t working out, although
he stayed for the full year. So he transferred
into an apprenticeship program to become an
electrician. “Sometimes you feel that society
says you
If you take a year of
great life skills — like living on a tight bud-
get! Plan how you’ll pay your way while
you’re traveling or doing volunteer work.
f!”plans for my year of
make all my living arrangements and other
Can you live at home or with friends? Get a
exams, I also had to Tplans to take my MCA
only did I have to apply to schools and make
t miss any of her deadlines. “Not so she didn’
ganized about planning for med school well or
school. She says that she had to be extremely
part-time job?
f you’ll learn some
gy and would welcome your time and ener
would provide you with a wonderful learning
experience.
ganizations to do again. Lots of volunteer or
something you may not have an opportunity
f and worked in Rachel took a year of
ask for a deferred admission.
Apply to schools and make your choice, then
other things, especially if you’ll be traveling.
lege plans before you become involved in
you may want to consider making your col-
ignore the idea of applying to college. In fact,
t mean you should f doesn’aking time ofT
.”s called a “gap yearwhere it’
Kingdom, United the like countries, some in
This practice is common pause and regroup.
f to
t yet — for whatever reason — and you don’
t feel ready to start go to college but just don’
What if you intend to schedule.
responsible for your own
time that you’ll be totally
rst fis probably the . It’is scary
cially going away to school,
pect of starting college, espe-
For some people, the pros-
Offime aking TT
at all.”
choice my regret t don’I have,
And now that I right for me.
gure out what was fiI had to
head,” says Matt. “But I knew
went through that battle in my
you’re a good student, and I
have to go to college, especially if
POYENA • OUACHITVERN • MAL MAGNET COVE • GLEN ROSE •BISMARCK •
duation 2009aGr
2009
Graduation
, May 9, 2009 Saturday Page 24
C
M
Y
K
Y RECORDVERN DAIL A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT TO THE MAL
K
Y
M
C
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24