High School is Ending... What Next?!
Sometime during your Junior year of high school, everyone will get antsy for what's next. Your friends are signing up for SAT classes, guidance counselors are scheduling meetings, and those envelopes from no-name universities come to your house every day. There's a lot to consider, but don't stress too much! This is an exciting time, especially if you're anticipating going away to school, but you still want to focus on enjoying the rest of high school.
- Decide on a general location. This is the first step to narrowing down your choices. Do you want to commute, stay in driving distance to home, or travel far away? If your parents have an impact on this decision, make sure to discuss it with them. Another thing to consider is whether you want to be in a city, suburb, or rural environment. There are lots search engines online that can help you find schools by area.
- Consider the price tags. Four years at a private institution is not for everyone. If you want to save money, spending two years at a community college is a smart choice, especially if you're not sure what field to study. Talk to your parents about your financial situation and look into financial aid (FAFSA), loans, and scholarships. If an intimidating price is all that stands between you and your dream school, chances are, you can get student loans to help you.
- Research specific programs. At this point, it's totally normal to be undecided on a major. But if you have an idea, be sure to seek out schools that offer a program that fits your needs. If you want to eventually go to medical school and become a doctor, don't go to a liberal arts school with a small science program. Look for schools that offer your program, or even specialize in it. If you are undecided, it is still helpful to look through each school's most popular programs of study -- you might even see something that sparks your interest....
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Author: Danielle Descarfino