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