Counselor's Corner

Selecting a college is a BIG decision. 

• What's the mascot? 
• How good is the football team?
• Do Freshmen have to live on campus?

Although these are the questions that are often asked, they aren't the most important ones.  Instead, try asking yourself the following:

• Do they have the program of study that I'm interested in?
• Community College or 4-Year school?
• State university or private/liberal arts?
• What are the admission requirements?
• How much does it cost?
• What is their job placement after graduation?

Finding the right school can be almost as important as finding the right career.  Do your homework and be sure to ask questions!

Getting training after high school may help you get a better-paying job doing work you like. But going to school is a big investment. You’re investing your time. Chances are you’ll also have to invest your own money or take out a student loan to go to school. So you need to be sure that you’re choosing the right school.

Here are some things to consider:

1. Talk to your counselor. Your school counselor is the first stop for information about the options available to you. Counselors can help you focus on your needs and goals, and they have information about different types of schools. Your counselor also can help you collect or prepare application materials.

2. Shop around. Contact more than one school. If you’re looking for vocational training, check the Yellow Pages under “Schools” for phone numbers. If your area has a community college, call the admissions office and find out what kinds of training the college offers.

3. Visit the school. Call the school and schedule a visit, preferably while classes are being taught. Get a feel for the school; make sure you’re comfortable with the facilities, the equipment, the teachers, and the students.

4. Don’t be afraid to ask! A good school will be happy to answer your questions about its programs. Ask the school about its students: How many graduate? How many get jobs because of the training they received? What kind of job placement services does the school offer students and graduates?

5. Check the cost. Make sure the school gives you a clear statement of its tuition and fees. Remember that any federal financial aid you get will be applied first to paying the school’s tuition and fees. If there’s any money left over, the school will give it to you to help you pay for things such as food and rent.

6. Call these numbers. Call your local Better Business Bureau, state higher education agency, or consumer protection division of your state attorney general’s office to find out whether there have been any complaints about the school. Call the toll-free number at the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid Information Center (1-800-4-FED-AID) if you have any questions about your financial aid at the school.

Types of schools:

1. College – A four-year college grants bachelor’s degrees (Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Science). Some colleges also award master’s degrees.

2. University – A university grants bachelor's and master's degrees, and sometimes includes a professional school such as a law school or medical school. Universities tend to be larger than colleges, focus more on scholarly or scientific research, and might have larger class sizes.

3. Community college – A public two-year college granting associate’s degrees and sometimes certificates in particular technical (career-related) subjects. Some students start their postsecondary education at a community college and then transfer to a four-year school, either because a community college tends to be cheaper than a four-year college, or because admissions standards at community colleges are often less stringent than at four-year schools.

4. Junior college – Similar to a community college, except that a junior college is usually a private school.

5. Career school, technical school, or vocational/trade school – These terms are often used interchangeably. May be public or private, two-year or less-than-two-year. Career schools offer courses that are designed to prepare students for specific careers, from welding to cosmetology to medical imaging, etc. The difference between technical schools and trade schools is that technical schools teach the science behind the occupation, while trade schools focus on hands-on application of skills needed to do the job.