1. If I have a college degree, I'll get a good
job when I graduate...
It's true that a college
degree can take you places, and college graduates will earn, on average, 71%
more than high school graduates. but you also need to pay attention to the
demand for workers in your chosen field and what skills are required. A
college degree may get you an interview, but skills and the ability to do
the work will land you the job. Take advantage of
internships, job shadowing, volunteering, and
part-time jobs to develop your skills, and to find out what careers are of
interest to you.
You can also take sills
tests such as ACT's WorkKeys to determine your ability to do a job and
demonstrate it to a potential employer.
2. It doesn't matter which classes I take in
High School, as long as my grade point average is high...
The admissions director
at the University of Kentucky told me that if you're playing the GPA game
and taking a light schedule that's beneath your capacity, it will catch up
with you at the college level very quickly.
One of the things admissions officers pay
attention to, besides GPA, is course selection throughout high school and
especially senior year.
They like to see
students have momentum going into the freshman year. If you sit back your
senior year, it's hard to recapture that momentum. Course selection can
also affect admissions test scores. If you just go for a good GPA, it will
depress your test scores and influence preparedness for college as well.
3. I need a high test score to get accepted
into college...
Keep in mind that your test score
will tell you how prepared you are for college work and what areas may need
strengthened. Schools will have an open, general, or selective admissions
policy and different expectations regarding test scores. Check out the
average test score of entering freshman at the schools you're interested in
to give you a rough idea. Still, your test score is just one piece of
information admissions counselors consider when looking at your
application. An admissions director told me that schools use an integrated
approach, where they look at a number of performance factors. The test
score is one of those factors. They would never disqualify an applicant on
the basis of test score alone. And they wouldn't qualify an applicant based
upon test score alone. Colleges use an
integrated approach to makes sure the college will be a good fit for you and
that you have a likelihood of success.
4. I have to have a major when I arrive on
campus...
Many times by being set on a major and
career track, students shortchange themselves by not being open to other
possibilities. You need to have an idea of what interests you and what your
strengths are. If you don't know what to select as a major, take some
courses to experiment and learn about different areas of study. Even if you
do have a major, keep yourself open to new directions.
Start researching careers in
high school and continue in college. Use a career planning computer program
to discover more about your opportunities.
Keep involved in activities and work experiences that will tell you more
about yourself and careers of interest.
5. There's one perfect school for me and I'll
find it...
You may be looking for one perfect
school, but with more than 2,000 four-year colleges and universities in the
U.S., you could find more than one that would fit your needs. With so many
variables associated with college it pays to work with a list of schools you
like and decide what you can and can't live with.
What may seem perfect at the
beginning of senior year may not seem so by spring. Visit the schools,
research them, and make notes of the features you like at each school.
Think about how comfortable you feel at each. Keep an open mind and see
which school, or schools, reach the top of your list. Make the best choice
you can by matching the colleges' attributes with your interests, abilities,
and goals. Chances are, you'll be pleased with your choice.
6. I can afford to attend a public university,
but not a private college...
Don't overlook a college
based only on cost. You might be
surprised at the financial aid you can receive at a private college through
grants, work study, or loans.
The U.S. Department of Education
reports that while the price of higher education is going up, so is the
level of financial aid. For more information on college costs and ways
families can meet those costs, visit the website and preview the handbook at
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