Why College Should Be In YOUR Future:

Education After High School

Dr. Rebecca Joseph,California State University, Los Angeles

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Acknowledgments

This information came from several places, including:

• The Institute for Higher Education Policy– www.ihep.org

• Mapping Your Future– www.mapping-your-future.org

• The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators– www.NASFAA.org

• Northwest Education Loan Association– www.nela.net

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THINKING and PLANNING

• First we’re going to THINK about the possibility of college.

• Then we’re going to talk about how to PLAN for college.

• Let’s go!

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You might be THINKING now about whether to go to college• Have you talked about it with your

family?• Ask around, read, listen: there’s a

lot of information out there.• Don’t fall back on everyone else’s

thinking.• Check with the person who has the

most riding on your decision: YOU.

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Bad Reasons NOT to Go

• I don’t know what I want to do with my life.

• I was never a very good student.• Nobody in my family went to college.• College is way too expensive.• I want to get a job right away!• School stinks, and so will college.

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Myth: You can’t go to college unless you KNOW what you

want to do• FACT: Most students decide what they

want to do during or after college.• College is a great place to explore new

interests and discover what you like.• Lots of students start out studying one

subject and change their minds while they’re in college.

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Myth: You can’t go to college if YOUR PARENTS didn’t go

• Fact: Forty percent of all undergraduate students have parents who didn’t go to college.

• There’s no rule that says your parents had to go or you can’t.

• Some colleges give extra financial aid to students whose parents didn’t go to college.

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Myth: You can’t go to college if you don’t have the MONEY

• FACT: Colleges come in all price ranges.• Financial aid is available . . . almost half

of all college students receive financial aid.

• In 2004-05 nearly $130 billion in financial aid was distributed. Imagine!

• College is an investment in your future.• Even though the cost of college is going

up, it is still the best step you can take for a good future.

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You Can Get MONEY to Go to College Because You . . .

• Need it (this is the biggest reason students get money)

• Earn good grades or take hard courses• Have talent in music, art, sports, etc.• Have a certain background or

characteristic• Belong to a certain organization (or your

parents do)• Have a special need or a disability(There are lots of other ways to get money

for college, too.)

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Good Reasons to GO to College

• It gives you more choices.• It gives you better quality of life

through social benefits (more in a minute).

• It gives you a better quality of life through economic benefits (more in a minute).

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More CHOICES

• Choose from more careers.• Choose higher paying jobs, if you

want.• Choose jobs you really like to do.• Choose where you want to live.

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Quality of Life: Social Benefits

• Like your job.• Live healthier and longer.• Be a better problem solver and make

better decisions.• Make a better life for you and your

family.• Increase your social status.• Have more hobbies and leisure activities.

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Quality of Life: Economic Benefits

• Last time we checked, high school graduates earned about $25,000 a year while college graduates with a bachelor’s degree earned about $48,000.

• Over 30 years of work, that’s a $700,000 difference

• The difference may be $1 million+.

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How Much is a MILLION?

• One million is the difference between the single CD you listened to while doing your homework last night and 10,000 iPOD Nano systems!

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Economic Benefits, continued

• Lower unemployment.• Higher savings.• Better working conditions.• Get ahead personally and

professionally.

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Think OUTSIDE the Box

• It’s important to get your education. It doesn’t matter as much where.

• “College” means trade or technical schools and community colleges, not just four-year schools.

• Don’t feel like you can only get jobs related to your education. Your degree may not match your career later on.

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Now I’m interested, What Can I DO?

• First, understand that you live in the best state to go to college...

• There are public—state funded colleges that are relatively low cost.

• There are also private four year colleges—they are more expensive but provide full scholarships to many first generation and/or minority students.

• There are also great colleges across the country who are desperate for high achieving kids, minority students like you.

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How do I Find out About Colleges?

• Go to your College and Career Center. There are many books there as well as great websites about college.

• Start with the College Board. They have many great online resources, including timelines and college search plans

http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp

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Other Resources.

• The Fiske Guide-describes lots of colleges• CSU Mentor is a great place to learn about

the Cal State System and all kinds of financial aid and planning information

• http://www.csumentor.edu/• California Career Zone helps you learn

about different careers• http://www.cacareerzone.org/

index.html;jsessionid=56683AAFFE0E2D4C6BA1E2BF0D7BCDD9

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Four Year Colleges

• Lots of kids go directly from high school to four year colleges.

• Four years colleges offer you all kinds of choices and social opportunities.

• You can live on campus or commute.• In California, you need to do several

things to get ready for these colleges…

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Four year colleges• The University of California and the Cal State University

colleges are four year colleges.• There are 9 UC campuses and 23 Cal State Campuses• They both require that you

– 1. Meet A-G requirements with no grade lower than a C-

• Four years of approved English• Two to three years of History• Two to three years of lab Science classes• Two to three years of a foreign language or 800 on the Spanish

SAT 2• Three to four years of Math up through at least Algebra 2• One year of art, drama, music• One year of college electiveshttp://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/

undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/subject_reqs.html

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So What Do I Do?

• Make sure you are taking A-G classes.• Don’t you get any Ds or Fs.• If you do, take those classes again as

soon possible• Challenge yourself-take harder classes

if you can• Even think about taking classes at

summer school or community colleges to move yourself further ahead. High school kids can take community college classes for free.

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What Else Do I Need to Do?

• Take standardized tests. – Sign up for the PSAT next fall. – Get test prep books from the library or a

book store– Take the SAT or the ACT– The college board tells you all about tests– At the end of this year or next year, take

two SAT Subject Tests in your best subjects if you’re interested in the UC or private colleges

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You Also Need to…

• Think about taking honors and AP classes

• Participate in after school activities, including sports, plays, and clubs

• Volunteer in your community• Get a job—even child care counts• The top colleges want you to stick

with things and show leadership

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What if I’m Not Ready for a Four Year College?

• You’re lucky…• We have many community colleges-two year

schools.• They are very inexpensive• You start there and take two years of courses. • Once you complete all your required courses,

you can apply to transfer to a four year school• Make sure you immediately find the transfer

office if you go to community colleges

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IS It Going to Be Too Expensive?

• It’s true. It costs money.• But there is money for you…

– Scholarships– Loans– Grants– Jobs

• Each college will let you know about financial aid…when you’re ready…go to your College and Career Center for information. The CSU Mentor and College Board sites also provide information.

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What Now?

• Colleges want first generation college goers.

• You make colleges better places.• You grow in so many ways by

going to college.• You can have so many more

choices if you go to college.

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When you’re ready…

• Begin to keep all your report cards.• Save all your best writing assignments

and tests.• Develop a list of all your activities and

awards.• Think of stories that colleges will want to

know about you in essays.• Ask questions….• Email me anytime at

rjoseph@calstatela.edu

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Other Planning Resources

• Adventures in Education– www.adventuresineducation.org– Includes information in Spanish.

• Mapping Your Future– www.mapping-your-future.org– Includes information in Spanish.

• The College Board– www.collegeboard.com

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Remember the BIG Picture!!!

• Any amount of college or training after high school is better than none

• It can bring you . . .– More choices in life– Better quality of life– More money! More money! More money!

• It’s all up to you, so you decide!

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So, Do You Want to Go to College?

• Naturally, we think so.• But it’s all up to YOU!• Do get started on your checklist TODAY.

Good luck and happy planning!

The End!