Two-Year vs. Four-Year Colleges: Which One is Right for You? Congratulations! You’ve made it (almost) through high school. Now all you’ve got to do is plan out the next few years of your life. When it comes to choosing your next educational step, you’ll need to think about how much of a time and money investment you’re prepared to make as well as what kinds of jobs you can see yourself holding in the future. To help you figure out where your next move should be, here’s a short breakdown of the pros and cons of two- and four-year colleges. About Although four-year schools get all the media hype, many high school graduates head right to a two-year institution.
Who Goes There Students looking to go directly into a trade or technical vocation, those with blemished high school transcripts looking to work their way into a four-year school, and students who simply want to save money on their general education courses before transferring to a more expensive four-year institution. What You’ll Take Other Learning Opportunities The Cost Factor. College: 10 Step Guides - How to Choose the Right College. Why do students pick certain colleges?
We’ve heard every reason imaginable! For example, we know one student who decided to apply to a college because during the campus tour he noticed that there was a Krispy Kreme donut shop right in the center of campus. We can even tell you about a student that wanted to get so far away from home that she took out a compass and a map and drew a 400 mile circle around her house. Then she vowed never to apply to a college within that circle.
Depending on your personal priorities, these may or may not be good reasons to pick a college. Imagine colleges are Neapolitan ice cream. That's right. In the same way, you need to divide your college choices into three categories. While there is no absolute rule, we recommend to most students that they have two to three colleges in each of the three different flavors. Seek out personal recommendations. The best way to get started finding colleges is to speak to those around you. Focus on your academic goals. Glossary of college and financial aid terms and acronyms. En Español AA: Associate of Arts degree AAS: Associate of Applied Science degree Academic Year (AY): The student's enrollment period for which financial assistance/aid is awarded.
The federal definition of academic year is July 1 through June 30. Accrued Interest: Interest that builds gradually on the loan. Each day, interest is calculated on the unpaid principal balance and becomes accrued interest. Back to Alphabet BA: Bachelor of Arts degree Basic Educational Opportunity Grant (BEOG): Now the Federal Pell Grant Program BBAY: Borrower-Based Academic Year, an academic year that is individualized for each borrower BEOG: Basic Educational Opportunity Grant, now the Federal Pell Grant ProgramBorrower Status Types: Periods during the life cycle of a student loan that define the borrower's status relative to the loan obligation: DAA: Default Aversion Assistance, activities that guaranty agencies must perform to encourage repayment by borrowers with delinquent student loans.
ED: U.S. College Scorecard. Types of Schools. There are so many different types of schools that the options can seem overwhelming. To help you figure out which colleges and/or career schools might be best for you, we provide descriptions of the main types of schools and the average time it takes students to graduate. Public or Private? Colleges and Universities Four-year Colleges and Universities Two-year Colleges (Community and Junior Colleges)Career Schools (also known as technical or vocational schools)Graduation Time by Program or Degree and Type of SchoolInternational SchoolsTake a Closer Look: Things to Consider Use the U.S. Department of Education’s free college search tool to search for specific schools that may meet your needs.
Public or Private? Public schools are operated or funded by state and local governments. Since private schools receive less (or no) money from state and local governments, they usually cost the same whether you live in or outside of the state. Top Colleges and Universities Career Schools. 5 Free Tools for Comparing Colleges. Deciding which college to attend might be one of the most important decisions young adults will ever make.
It can be life changing to say the least. But how can they be sure they’re choosing the right school? Below are several free tools for prospective college students to use to help them compare schools and make the most informed choice about their post secondary education. College Navigator. Created by the United States Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences (IES), this tool allows future college students to search the IES data basebased using several criteria: the name of school, the state, distance from a specific zip code, programs or majors available, level of available degrees, institution type (public, private, four year and two year), maximum tuition, campus setting, admission test score requirements and even varsity sports teams.
With so many search options available, students can really narrow down the list of potential schools.College Prowler. MACRAO Michigan Colleges & Universities. Adrian College Albion College Alma College Andrews University Berrien Springs, MI 49104 800-253-2874 Aquinas College Baker College Center for Graduate Studies/Online Baker College of Allen Park 4500 Enterprise Dr Allen Park, MI 48101 Baker College of Auburn Hills Admissions Application 1500 University Dr Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2642 248-376-8229 248-340-0600 Fax: 248-364-3221 Baker College of Cadillac Baker College of Clinton Township Baker College of Flint 1050 West Bristol Road Flint, MI 48507-9987 Baker College of Jackson webmaster@baker.edu 2800 Springport Road Jackson, MI 49202-1290 888-343-3683 517-788-7800 Fax: 517-788-6187 Other Campus Locations:Coldwater SiteFairfield Plaza478 Marshall St.Coldwater, MI 49036877-489-6357 517-781-4484Fax: 517-781-4490 Baker College of Muskegon 1903 Marquette Ave Muskegon, MI 49442 Baker College of Owosso Baker College of Port Huron 3403 Lapeer Road Port Huron, MI 48060 Cleary University College for Creative Studies Concordia University-Ann Arbor Cornerstone University.
Five Great College Search Tips from Educational Consultants | Go See Campus. From researching schools to planning campus visits to submitting applications, it can feel sometimes like there are a thousand small steps to take in the college search. That's why high school students and parents are always on the lookout for good advice. Well, look no further. Go See Campus has collected the best tips from independent educational consultants and presented them here for you.
What are Independent Educational Consultants? For those who are unfamiliar, independent educational consultants (IECs) are professionals in private practice who assist students in college admissions. Most have experience working in high schools or in college offices. IECs support families in several ways. Help students choose high school class loads. Go See Campus recommends that students and parents choose IECs with the appropriate background, education, and training.
About the College Search Tips 1. Every student and parent begins the college search with opinions about what schools are "best. " 2. 3. The search for affordable out-of-state colleges | Cost of College. It’s been a few years since I wrote about low-cost out-of-state schools, so it’s a good time to revisit this topic. What type of students are typically interested in affordable out-of-state public schools? Residents of states that lack good options for affordable public colleges.Students who want to experience living in another part of the country during their college years. Lynn O’Shaughnessy recommends avoiding most “name brand” * state flagships, which usually expect out-of-state students to pay full price. Instead, look at other less well-known options. The New York state universities (SUNY’s) , for instance, represent some excellent values. Kiplinger’s most recent Rankings of Top Public College Values shows 54 schools with total annual costs under $35,000.
U.S. Careful research can uncover affordable options that are perfect for your child. VERY LOW COST OOS COA universities……less than $25k COA for everything! * UPDATED for clarity Like this: Like Loading... Glossary of college and financial aid terms and acronyms. Glossary of college and financial aid terms and acronyms. Student Lounge. Top 5 Summer Jobs for Max College Cash | Articles & Advice. With the start of fall classes looming near, high school grads are scrambling for quick cash this summer to help cover everything from tuition and books to food and housing. While unpaid summer internships can be a great transcript booster for those students with last-minute admissions concerns, some summer gigs can actually help you build your résumé while stacking up big bucks. IT/Computer Specialist Put any computer skills you have to work for both your bank account and your résumé. Inquire with local businesses that could use help designing or maintaining their Web presence this summer, or look into freelance blogging/SEO work.
Bank Teller Many banking and finance jobs start at the higher end of the entry-level pay scale, and such institutions are known for hiring recent high school grads. Service Worker Service jobs can range from waiting tables to working as a barista or golf caddy. Babysitter/Au Pair Nonmedical Health Care/Pharmacy Assistant. Preparing%20Students%20for%20College 12 18 12. Resources for School Counselors | The College Board. Resources for School Counselors | The College Board. Resources for School Counselors | The College Board. Resources for School Counselors | The College Board. Holcomb. Who Gets to Graduate? In 1999, at the beginning of the fall semester, Laude combed through the records of every student in his freshman chemistry class and identified about 50 who possessed at least two of the “adversity indicators” common among students who failed the course in the past: low SATs, low family income, less-educated parents.
He invited them all to apply to a new program, which he would later give the august-sounding name the Texas Interdisciplinary Plan, or TIP. Students in TIP were placed in their own, smaller section of Chemistry 301, taught by Laude. But rather than dumb down the curriculum for them, Laude insisted that they master exactly the same challenging material as the students in his larger section. In fact, he scheduled his two sections back to back. “I taught my 500-student chemistry class, and then I walked upstairs and I taught this 50-student chemistry class,” Laude explained. Even Laude was surprised by how effectively TIP worked. Photo Yeager was already feeling overwhelmed. Transitioning from High School to College Academics. Even if you were at the top of your class in high school, you might be in for a shock after your first college exam. At the university level, there are fewer assignments, so every grade counts.
But by following a few pointers, you can smoothly make the transition to college-level work. Scheduling For starters, create a schedule that sets you up for success. That means that if you’re not a morning person, avoid those 8 a.m. classes. It also means striking a balance between work- or reading-intensive courses and lighter, less time-consuming ones. Also consider taking an elective for a grade—anything from canoeing to belly dancing. Success in the Classroom Go to class. Studying Plan on doing the bulk of work outside of class.
Take studying seriously. Getting the Help You Need If you find yourself struggling in a class, ask for help immediately. For more tips for successfully transitioning to college-level work, visit these Web sites: Ask the Experts: FAQ about Finding and Getting into College. Resources for School Counselors | The College Board. For-Profit Colleges: What to Know Before You Enroll. Page Content When looking into options for higher education, you’ll come across three broad categories of colleges: public schools (state schools and community colleges), private non-profit schools, and for-profit schools (career colleges, often online universities). Colleges and the programs they offer vary widely in terms of size, student population, location, tuition costs, course offerings, specializations, teaching method, and other factors. There are a lot of things to consider with respect to your college options, among them affordability and quality of the program.
While there are many schools that can offer you a quality degree or certificate, unfortunately some for-profit schools engage in aggressive and misleading recruitment practices that overstate program quality and graduation and job placement rates, leaving students with a lot of debt, underemployment and economic hardship. Be aware that some for-profit colleges may not have your best interests in mind. College, Inc. Investigating how Wall Street and a new breed of for-profit universities are transforming the way we think about college in America... Your thoughts on this new kind of American education? Michael Clifford, Mark DeFusco, Barmak Nassirian, Jeff Silber, Gail Mellow, Daniel Golden, Brian Mueller ...and other interesting readings and links Press & Other Reaction Teacher’s Guide Credits Site Map DVD/Transcript Privacy Policy Journalistic Guidelines Audiocast Download and listen on the go Partial funding for FRONTLINE podcasts is provided by the RealNetworks Foundation.
Student-Athletes. GUCDFactSheet 452022 7. MI Student Aid - Michigan Postsecondary Handbook. Who works in a college admissions office? - Jordan Goldman. Applying to college. College - Find A School - MyFuture. There’s more to college than mascots and dining halls. Here you'll find info on everything from choosing a four-year, two-year or trade school education to applying and paying for tuition. College 101 Taking College Entrance Exams SAT. Planning For College College planning can start as early as your freshman year of high school, but there are things you can do as late as your senior year to help. Choosing a College From major to campus to tuition cost, many factors determine which school is right for you.
What is Community Service? (with pictures) Parts of a College Application. You, the student, are responsible for sending your actual application and some additional documentation. Your high school is responsible for sending the transcript and a secondary school report (if required). If a teacher agrees to write a letter of recommendation, that teacher is responsible for submitting it. BUT you, the student, are responsible for following your school’s policy for requesting transcripts and letters of recommendations. Know what you are expected to do! Listed below is everything that could be required, but you might not be asked to submit everything on this list to every college. For example, there are many colleges that do not require students to write essays. There also are many colleges that do not require standardized test scores. What is Included? Official Transcript: Your transcript is the record of all the courses you have taken for high school credit, your grades, and credits earned.
Standardized Test Scores. Early Decision & Early Action | Education Professionals – The College Board. How to Write a College Admission Essay. Ask the Experts: FAQ about Finding and Getting into College. How to Write a College Recommendation. Asking for a Letter of Recommendation: Tips & Advice. College Admissions Interview Prep Tips You Can Use. BigFuture College Application Checklist. Education and Career Planning - Chart Your Course to Success. What's Wrong with College Rankings? - College Confidential. Guide to the College Admission Process. College Application Week. College Planning Resources for Students, Parents, and Educators. Transitioning from High School to College Academics. Going-to-college.org. Home - Michigan Association for College Admission Counseling. The Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool.