P LANNING FOR C OLLEGE

D EFINITIONS Transition Planning : Transition planning is a term used to describe the process of planning for your “transition” from high school to adult life. Transition planning is an individualized process, and almost always goes hand-in-hand with your Individualized Education Plan (IPE).

D IFFERENT TYPES OF COLLEGES Four-Year University : A four-year university offers a minimum of a Bachelors degree (or four year degree). You must apply to a four-year university, and it is the decision of the university to accept you or not. Four year colleges also tend to be much more expensive than community colleges. Community College : A community college offers Associates (two year degrees) as well as vocational certificates that show you have been trained in a particular job. You do not need to “apply” for a community college, you just need to “sign up!” A lot of people start at the community college and then transfer to a four-year university. Sometimes it is easier to get into a four-year college by transferring, and it is definitely cheaper!

H ELP IN COLLEGE Disabled Students Programs : All colleges have an office which helps students with disabilities get the assistance they need to be successful in the college setting. This is a very important place to visit if you need any accommodations. Accommodations : An accommodation is something you need to be successful at a task. In college an accommodation does not give someone an advantage, it levels the playing field so that all students can have the same opportunity to success. Examples of accommodations include: extra test time, alternate media for a class (accessible books, class handouts etc), interpreters, a note taker, or special software to assist in writing or reading, are just a few

Are you considering attending a four year university or a two year community college program? Have you considered taking college credits on-line? What types of activities are you involved in that can help you prepare for college? Have you thought about which college you may want to attend? What considerations are important for your decision? i.e. location, cost, majors, etc. Would you consider living on campus, in a dorm, or off- campus? Have you thought about accommodations you need to be successful in college? Have you started thinking about future careers? What college might best prepare you for that career? How will you pay for College? Scholarships? Student loans? Department of Rehabilitation? What about living costs (food, apartment, other activities)?

D ON ’ T WORRY ! All of these things are questions all students have to figure out, as they go along, but you will have a PLAN! There are also places that will help you with these things: Academic Counselor at a college or university Department of Rehabilitation Friends and family who went to college DSPS or Disability Student Services office on campus Your teachers and others involved in your IEP and Transition Planning process