How+to+get+started


 * How to Get Started **

It's never too early to start planning for college. As early as 10th grade, students can start preparing to take college entrance exams such as ACT and SAT.


 * Step 1 - **Take the right classes in high school that are going to challenge you and prepare you for the exams and college. Be sure to take all levels of math, English, science and social studies while in high school.

Most colleges require you have these test completed (one or the other or sometimes both) before they will ever review your admissions application. Check out College Board for testing dates and locations near you.. ** [|www.collegeboard.com] **
 * Steps 2 - ** **Start preparing to take college entrance exams.**

Get involved in extracurricular activities and other community organizations. This experience will look great on your college admissions application and many of these organizations offer scholarships. Volunteerism also gives you many skills that will be beneficial in college like leadership, professional development, team work and more.
 * Step 3 – Get Involved **

It’s very important to determine what you plan to do after high school. There are many options.
 * Step 4- Plans after high school **


 * College and Universities **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Two year colleges award certificates and associate degrees. “Two year post-secondary educational institutions offer certificate programs (less than two years of work), professional technical programs (terminal associate degrees), and transfer programs (Associate of Arts and Associate of Sciences degrees). Depending on the source (and whether or not you include proprietary schools), there are between 1,100 and 1,500 two-year colleges in the United States” (http://cset.sp.utoledo.edu/twoyrcol.html). <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Also, the University of Texas has compiled a list of community colleges and their web addresses. Visit [].
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">2-Year Colleges **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> [|Public universities], [|private universities] are considered four year universities because they are offer bachelors degree as well as graduate level degrees. These can include professional degrees like PharmD (doctor of pharmacy), PhD (doctor of philosophy), EdD (doctor of education), MD (doctor of medicine) and so on. They also award masters degrees. The level of offering depends on the college. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The University of Texas has compiled a list of community colleges and their web addresses. Visit []
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">4-Year Universities **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Some students choose to go into the workforce directly from high school. College can still be an option. There are many career colleges that have short term classes that give you the skills necessary to be competitive in the job market. Those careers include
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Career and Technical Vocational Training **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">ITT <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">ATI Technical Training
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Auto/Mechanics/Technical **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Everest College <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Remington College <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Visit [] for more specific searches on career and technical vocational training schools.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Healthcare **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">The military has some unique options for paying for college. They also have training that they consider ‘college level’ training. Visit the branch of your choice to find out more about these options. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';"> <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">[]
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Military Options **

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Take a career assessment. There are many free ones online. They test: · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Answer questions about interests, values, personality · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Find careers based on those answers · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Find the correct majors for those careers · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Find schools that offer those majors
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Undecided? **