POST SECONDARY PLANS

Mount Olive Guidance Department

POST SECONDARY PLANNING

• Setting goals to determine your plans after high school is the first step
• Requires time, research, and consideration since it involves big decisions
• We will spend some time together to explore different routes and answer questions!
• Things to consider when exploring your options
• Interests
• Skills
• Personality
• Work- related values
• Before deciding on a plan it is important that you are aware of all your options

POST SECONDARY OPTIONS

Here are possibilities post high school:

• Four year college/ university
• Community college
• Military Branches
• Career/Technical/ Trade Schools
• “13th” year options

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FOUR YEAR COLLEGES/ UNIVERSITIES

• Large diversity of options in and out of state and even online!
• Some major differences within four year colleges are:
• National vs. Regional
• is the school across the country, or within a smaller vicinty, such as the East Coast or in New England, etc.,?
• Public vs. Private
• Public schools are funded through the state; where-as Private schools are privately funded
• Private schools tend to be more expensive, but tend to be more generous with financial aid
• Large, medium, or small schools
• Division I, II, or III schools
• Related to Athletics
• If interested int Division I or II, you must go through the NCAA Clearing House
• Religious affiliations
• Single sex colleges vs. CoEd colleges
• Historically Black Colleges and Universities

FACTORS TO CONSIDER

• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• Weighted is based on level of classes (such as Honors, College Prep, etc.,) and quarter grades
• Unweighted is based on end of year averages and not related to level of classes
• Classes taken
• Consider rigor…challenge your self!
• Decile Ranking
• Based on Weighted GPA
• Standardized test scores (SAT’s, ACT’s)
• For a list of colleges and universities that have made the standardized tests optional visit FairTest.org
• Recommendations ( if required)
• Ask 2 teachers at the end of Spring from an academic area (Math, Science, History, English, World Language)
• Essays (if required or recommended)
• You will be working on this in the Spring of Junior Year in English class
• Interviews (if required or recommended)
• Extra Curriculars
• Within school activities or outside of school activities

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

• Offers a variety of local and affordable educational services
• Certificate programs focused on technical or career skills - automotive, medical assisting, HVAC, computer skills, etc.,
• Associates Degree programs, referred to as a “two year” degree but can take longer if you attend part-time
• This option can lead to a career, the ability to transfer to a four year college or both!
• You can take individual courses to explore options and or expand skills without working towards a degree
• Community college typically has open admissions policies-- anyone can take classes regardless of grades and test scores but to pursue a degree you MIGHT need to demonstrate “college readiness” by taking a placement test

COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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Transferring from community college to a four year college is a popular option

• It can save money
• Provides college level experience before deciding on a college/ program
• Gives you the ability to develop future college readiness skills

MILITARY OPTIONS

• Army
• Includes National Guard
• Navy
• Airforce
• Includes Air Guard
• Marine Corps
• Coast Guard

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The option to attend college and puruse an ROTC program will enable you to enter the military branch as an officer

CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND TRADE SCHOOLS

Focuses on hands-on, practical training to allow students to gain entry to specific career fields

When applying to these schools it is important to look at:

• Cost
• Accreditation
• Is the program supported by a particular “Accreditation” organization? You will want to make sure it is to ensure that the program is respected by employers
• Retention rates
• How many students remain at the school and graduate
• Job placement/ average earnings in those jobs

CAREER, TECHNICAL, AND TRADE SCHOOLS

Career Schools

• Grants certificates, associates and or bachelor degrees
• Focus on business, technology, health, and other career areas

Technical Schools

• Focuses on a specific trade geared towards employment
• May be affiliated with a community college
• Can be an affordable way to get technical training at low costs

Trade Schools (VoTech)

• Focus on exclusively hands- on professions
• Art and design, culinary arts, cosmetology, HVAC and plumbing, automotive technology, etc
• Costs can vary

EMPLOYMENT

Students who plan to seek full-time employment after high school graduation. It could be helpful to get more information or resources from your school counselor!

Co-op experiences - work study for seniors- is an option as well

• apprenticeships, job shadowing experiences in high school can be helpful in preparing to enter the workforce

“13TH” YEAR OPTIONS

“13th” Year implies experiences embarked on before beginning college, also referred to as a Gap Year

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Offers opportunity to travel, volunteer, or intern

• Students who are accepted to college can sometimes request this
• Should be a meaningful and planned opportunity

PREPARING

• Explore all your options that appeal to you and fit with your career goals
• Meet with your counselor to discuss options!!
• Attend college and military recruiter open houses or virtual information days
• Visit the school you are interested in
• Talk to teachers, family, and other members of the community you trust

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NAVIANCE

The software program we use to help students figure out their goals and how to achieve them

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Please obtain your username and password from your counselor

Search for careers

Search for colleges

Search for scholarships