Four Steps to College

College/University Attendance: The Not-So-Distant Future  What career fields interest you and why?  Do you know what training and/or education is necessary to get a position in those career fields? Talk with an elbow partner to discuss your answers to these questions, then share with the class.

The Bigger Picture… Over a 40-year career, your earning potential grows with more education.

Let’s look at these two things together: CLICK HERE CLICK HERE to see the top 50 fastest growing occupations and their education requirements.

What four things can I do to increase my chances of being successful?

STEP 1: Be A Pain (But a good one.)

Let everyone know that you're going to college and need their help.  NEVER SAY NO. Don't ever take that "no" in your head for an answer!  FIND FAMILY SUPPORT. Even if your parents didn't go to college, they might have experience and knowledge that can help you.  CALL ON COACHES. Ask your teachers and coaches for advice on college; it's their job to help you succeed.  GAIN EXPERIENCE. Find places to get real-world experience from adults who can show you how things work.  SEEK ADVICE. If you can't talk with your school counselor, connect with counselors at the colleges/universities that interest you.  MAKE CONNECTIONS. Connect with family, friends, or neighbors who have been to college and ask them how they got there.

STEP 2: Push Yourself (Lift your mental weight.)

Working a little harder today will make getting into college even easier.  TAKE THE RIGHT CLASSES. Find out what classes you need to meet entrance requirements and register for them. (LCHS “Recommended” course-taking outline explored earlier ideal)  MEET THE CHALLENGE. In general, most colleges prefer students who challenge themselves with harder courses.  ACHIEVE HONORS. Honors and Advanced Placement courses can be useful in the admission process.  TAP INTO COMPUTING. Computer science and computer literacy courses will give you the skills you need to succeed in college.

STEP 3: Find the Right Fit (If the shoe fits…)

Find out what kind of school is the best match for you and your careers goals.  WHAT’S THE RIGHT MATCH? Whether you choose a public, private, community, technical, or trade school, make sure it's the best match for you.  BIG OR SMALL? Do you want to attend a big college/university or a smaller one? You decide.  HOME OR AWAY ? Attending a local college/university versus one out of state—what's better for you?  WHICH MAJOR FITS ? Figuring out where your interests lie and what you do best can lead to finding the major you should consider.  WHY EXTRAS MATTER. Getting into extracurricular activities outside of class can help you discover your real interests.

STEP 4: Put Your Hands On Some Cash (Legally.)

If you think you can't afford college, think again. There is a lot of aid available.  WHO GETS IT? Many more people than you might think receive aid, but a person must apply for aid to find out.  WHAT KIND OF MONEY ? Grants, scholarships, work-study, and student loans. There are many types of financial aid out there.  WHERE DO YOU LOOK ? Colleges expect you and your parents to pay what you can, but schools, state and federal government, and private businesses and organizations are also great sources for financial aid.  HOW TO APPLY ? Your school counselor and the financial aid office at your selected College/University can help you file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  DO DEADLINES MATTER ? Absolutely. College financial aid goes fast. The earlier you apply, the better chance you will have to receive aid.

How do you know where to start?

Begin by looking at careers first.  Follow this link to explore careers, job trends, and education options: 