College 101

Finding the perfect “College Fit”

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GEAR UP

COLLEGE

It’s not a dream, it’s a plan.

There are different types of colleges.

Admission requirements, degrees and programs offered, and the student experience will vary from school to school.

Types of Colleges

Technical School: Also known as Technical Institutes; offer an education that prepares students for a specific trade or career. They take anywhere from 1 to 2 years depending on the program and are mostly hands on simulated training. Graduates are awarded a certificate or degree.

Examples: Universal Technical Institute, South Texas College, Texas State Technical College, Lamar Institute of Technology.

Types of Colleges

Technical or Trade School:

• Students focus solely on the career of choice
• Greater affordability
• Smaller class sizes
• Student adaptability
• Career guidance
• Education that is less intense

Types of Colleges

Community Colleges: Also known as junior colleges; offer two year degrees, certificate and career retraining programs. Many students opt to transfer from a community college to a four year school.

Examples: Austin Community College, Victoria College, San Antonio College, Blinn College.

Types of Colleges

Four Year Public Schools: Colleges operated by the state. They offer four year degrees and many schools may also have graduate, PhD, and professional programs.

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Examples: UT at Austin, Texas State University, University of Houston, Texas A&M, Sam Houston University.

Types of Colleges

Four Year Public Colleges:

• The least expensive four year school
• Accepts community college transfer students
• Offers dorm living and study abroad programs
• Accessible admissions requirements

Types of Colleges

Four Year Private Schools: Colleges operated independently, not-for-profit. Theses colleges are supported primarily by their own endowment funds and students’ tuition fees and may also receive contributions from individual donors. They offer four year degrees and some schools also have graduate, PhD, and professional programs.

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Examples: St. Edwards University, Rice University, Concordia, Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian, Baylor University and MIT.

Types of Colleges

Private Colleges:

• Smaller campuses
• Lower student teacher ratio
• More rigorous admission requirements
• More prestigious schools (sometimes)
• Higher tuition
• May have more financial aid to give out

Types of Colleges

Ivy League Colleges: These colleges are considered the most sought after institutions and are known for having a highly selective admissions process, academic excellence, and promising career opportunities.

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Examples: Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, U. Pennsylvania, Princeton and Yale.

Types of Colleges

Military Academy: Military academy or service academy is an educational institution which prepares candidates for service in the officer corps. It normally provides education in a military environment.

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Examples: US Military Academy at West Point, US Naval Academy, US Air Force Academy, US Coast Guard Academy and US Merchant Marine Academy.

Types of Colleges

Military Academy:

• Top notch education
• Free tuition
• Complimentary room and board
• Spots are limited and potential candidates must go through rigorous admission process
• Undergo stringent physical examination
• To apply students must obtain official nomination from a U.S. Congressman (except Coast Guard)

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Types of Colleges

• Certificate: a vocational or technical program that takes between 1-2 years to complete
• Associate’s: two year degree that you earn from a community college. You can transfer these credits to a 4-year school
• Bachelor’s: four year degree in a specific subject area
• Master’s Degree: 2 years after Bachelor’s
• Professional (PHD): 3-6 years after Bachelor’s
• Doctorate: 5-7 years after Bachelor’s

Degree Options

Choosing a College

Average Earnings