1. 5-B1 College 101: Are You Ready for the Real World?

2. 5-B2 The amount of education you complete affects what type of job you can get and how much money you can earn. Reality Check

3. 5-B3 It’s for real. Over a lifetime a college graduate earns over $1 million more than a person with a high school diploma. Photograph licensed from Getty Images, Inc.

4. 5-B4 What kind of paycheck would you like to take home? $6.55 x 40 hrs./wk. $262.00 x 52 wks./yr. $13,624.00 High School Dropout

5. 5-B5 Education Pays: 2006 Georgia Average Annual Wages Source: Georgia Workforce Trends, Georgia Department of Labor http://explorer.dol.state.ga.us/mis/Current/gaworkforcecurrent.pdf Professional degree$126,400 Doctoral degree$65,000 Master’s degree$56,400 Bachelor’s degree or higher (plus work experience) $89,900 Bachelor’s degree$56,900 Associate’s degree$47,900 Vocational or Technical Training$31,600

6. 5-B6 Three Reasons That Lifelong Learning Pays Off:  A college degree, diploma, or certificate is required to apply for many high-paying and interesting jobs.  You’ll have the academic foundation to quickly retrain for, or be promoted to, newly created jobs.  A college education gives you flexibility to switch careers over your lifetime.

7. 5-B7 Going to College?

8. 5-B8 There’s a place for you! Higher Education Opportunities in Georgia Type Public Two-Year Colleges Public Technical Colleges Public Universities Independent (Private) Institutions Independent and Distance Learning Options

9. 5-B9 Pick the best place for you. To select the school that best fits your needs, look at its:  Program/degree offerings  Size  Location  Retention and graduation rates  Cost

10. 5-B10 Be prepared to compete.  Grades  Courses  Test scores  Essays  Letters of recommendation  Extracurricular activities and awards  Employment Photograph licensed from PictureQuest, LLC.

11. 5-B11 Getting into College: Checklist for 12 th Grade 1. Resist the urge to slack off. 2. Take advanced, challenging courses. 3. Calculate your GPA. 4. Register for the SAT or ACT, if needed. 5. Apply to at least 2 or 3 schools. 6. Find out options and deadlines. 7. Complete the FAFSA.

12. 5-B12 Keep things rolling.  Complete and mail the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) soon after January 1 of your senior year (www.GAcollege411.org).  Continue taking, and doing well in, challenging courses.  Get involved in activities. Volunteer. Shadow someone whose job you like.  Talk to your parents/guardians about your plans and how they can help.

13. 5-B13 Don’t forget to...  Create a student resumé that lists extracurricular activities, honors/awards, and jobs.  Keep on top of all applications (admissions, housing, and financial aid) and their deadlines.  Make copies of all documents and applications that you submit for your records.

14. 5-B14 Look into your future! You must prepare yourself NOW by making choices that will give you Good Options later on in your life! Visit www.GAcollege411.org or call 1-800-505-4732 to get started.www.GAcollege411.org Photograph licensed from Getty Images, Inc.