College Planning DCS 2013

 More job opportunities  Meet new people  Learn to be independent  New opportunities to explore your interests, and experiencing success. Why Go to College?

Why College? continued  A 4-year college graduate (with Bachelor’s degree) earns almost $1 million more over his/her lifetime than a high school graduate.  Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Why College? continued  A 4-year college graduate earns about $52,200 annually on average, compared to $30,400 for a high school graduate. - Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Published by Federal Student Aid

 Increased education is also associated with:  Better working conditions;  Longer job tenure;  More on-the-job training opportunities;  More promotion opportunities. Why College? continued

Degrees Diploma High School – 4 years Community College – varied Certification/License Community College – 2 years (Optional) Associate’s Degree University - 4 years Bachelor’s Degree

Degrees after the B.A./B.S. Master’s Degree University-2 years or more Doctorate Degrees-Ph.D, Ed.D, M.D., J.D. University –3 years or more

What is a Certificate?  Diploma  Shortest course of study  Least expensive  Career competency  Three to twelve courses  12 or 18 months of study  State or national licensing requirements

What is an Associate’s Degree?  Associate’s of Arts or Associate’s of Science  Minimum of 60 semester credits  General education requirements, major requirements, and electives  Awarded by community, junior or technical colleges  Degree may be in an occupational area such as Accounting or in Liberal Arts & Science with a concentration such as Science & Mathematics

What is a Bachelor’s Degree?  Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science  Four years of full-time study  120 semester credits or about 40 college courses  30 to 36 credits—10 to 12 courses—will be in your major area of study

What is a Master’s Degree?  Must have an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree  Requires a year and one-half to two years of full-time study  36 to 54 semester credits of study (this equals 12 to 18 college courses) 

What is a Doctorate Degree?  highest level of academic degree  takes four years to complete  90 to 120 semester credits or 30 to 40 college courses

North Carolina Community Colleges North Carolina Private Colleges/Universities Systems of Higher Education North Carolina University System

North Carolina Community Colleges  58 Community Colleges in NC  Prepares students to transfer to a 4 year institution  Associate’s degree  Offers technical training in specific occupations (bookkeeping, culinary arts)  Most are nonresidential; students live off-campus  Students can attend part-time or full-time

 17 North Carolina State Universities  Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate’s, and Professional degrees  Accepts high school Seniors and Community College transfers  Provides broad liberal education and prepares students for professional goals  Professional Schools-Law, Medicine, Education, Engineering, Journalism, Social Welfare North Carolina State Universities

 36 Private Universities and Colleges in NC  Vary in size, prestige, and cost  Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate’s, and Professional degrees  Accepts high school graduates and Community College Transfers  Professional Schools-Law, Medicine, Education, Engineering, Journalism, Social Welfare North Carolina Independent/Private Universities and Colleges

You can organize the college planning process in simple steps

1 1 Know yourself and your reasons for attending college Take responsibility for your future STEP

2 2 Consider college characteristics

STEP 3 3 List, compare, and visit colleges

23 Apply for admission and meet all deadlines 4 4 STEP Discuss your chances for success Admission Graduation Placement

STEP Develop a plan to pay for your education Don’t eliminate any college because of costs before receiving financial assistance information! Remember … check with college officials for the most current costs. $ $

STEP Review and finalize your plans

26 Important! Keep your communication lines open. Colleges want all kinds of students Test scores and high school grades are important. However, they measure ONLY PART of your POTENTIAL.

How is College Different from High School

Make a Plan