7 answers
Yoola
Student
Lawrenceville, Georgia
1
Question
Asked
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How do we prepare for college?
How do students like me get started on and prepare for our college journey? What should we look for in colleges to know that it is the best option for us? I would also like to ask what are ways we can raise money for out of-state colleges
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7 answers
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
842
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Yoola,
These are great questions. It sounds like you are planning to go out of state for college. I did the same thing initially and here are some things that I would suggest through hard experience. You should consider what support you will need in a city that you may not know. When I think of support, I think of things like how you will get around the area (car, mass transit, walking), doctors that you may need to support any medical conditions or just an awareness of where you would go if you are sick, access to airports to fly home (or have family visit you). Also you need to consider how you would handle homesickness if you do not go to school near family or with friends.
Looking better I would have started college in my hometown before moving away. College is overwhelming on every level - it is nothing like high school in a new place with people I didn't know in an environment that was not familiar to me. I grew up in the desert and went to college in a cold place in the mountains. I also grew up in a large city and college was in a very small town. (I learned that I am a city girl!) If you start school in one school but plan to move to another, make sure that you know what college credits can be transferred so you do not waste money.
As for getting money for out-of-state schools, I would say that you should start as soon as possible applying for scholarships and grants. As much as possible, avoid taking on debt if it all possible. You should look scholarships and grants in various areas - whether you are a music major, a Hispanic male, a National Honor Society student - apply for as many as you are qualified for and apply for scholarships during all four years of your college life.
Gloria
These are great questions. It sounds like you are planning to go out of state for college. I did the same thing initially and here are some things that I would suggest through hard experience. You should consider what support you will need in a city that you may not know. When I think of support, I think of things like how you will get around the area (car, mass transit, walking), doctors that you may need to support any medical conditions or just an awareness of where you would go if you are sick, access to airports to fly home (or have family visit you). Also you need to consider how you would handle homesickness if you do not go to school near family or with friends.
Looking better I would have started college in my hometown before moving away. College is overwhelming on every level - it is nothing like high school in a new place with people I didn't know in an environment that was not familiar to me. I grew up in the desert and went to college in a cold place in the mountains. I also grew up in a large city and college was in a very small town. (I learned that I am a city girl!) If you start school in one school but plan to move to another, make sure that you know what college credits can be transferred so you do not waste money.
As for getting money for out-of-state schools, I would say that you should start as soon as possible applying for scholarships and grants. As much as possible, avoid taking on debt if it all possible. You should look scholarships and grants in various areas - whether you are a music major, a Hispanic male, a National Honor Society student - apply for as many as you are qualified for and apply for scholarships during all four years of your college life.
Gloria
Tiarra Hill
Teacher
40
Answers
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Updated
Tiarra’s Answer
This is a great question! Since you are looking into out-of-state colleges, look into the different programs at each college. Also, consider that out-of-state colleges will charge you more in tuition and hidden fees because you are an out-of-state student; this is unfair but it is true. Discover which colleges you are intersted in and if they specialize in your desired area of study, fill out a FAFSA and when you do this, list the colleges you are interested in to get an idea of what federal financial aid you may receive.
As a high school student, it is important that you begin improving your writing skills. Most undergrad degrees use MLA formatting, search on Purdue Owl (a free website) and learn how to cite sources and format your papers. YouTube videos are also a good source for writing formatting. Even if you think you are a good writer, remember there are stringent rules in college and you do not want to diminish your grade because of easy writing mistakes, trust me, I look back at my high school and 1st year undergrad papers and they do not compare to more recent papers in quality.
If you decide that an out-of-state college is not a viable option, look into local colleges. In many ways, attending a 2 year college (obtaining an Associate degree), then attending a local university (to obtain your bachelor's degree) is cheaper and finding an out-of-state college for grad school may be easier, especially for fully-online programs. Attending local colleges will ensure that you qualify not only for federal aid but any state scholarships or grants that may exist. But the choice is yours. Good luck!
As a high school student, it is important that you begin improving your writing skills. Most undergrad degrees use MLA formatting, search on Purdue Owl (a free website) and learn how to cite sources and format your papers. YouTube videos are also a good source for writing formatting. Even if you think you are a good writer, remember there are stringent rules in college and you do not want to diminish your grade because of easy writing mistakes, trust me, I look back at my high school and 1st year undergrad papers and they do not compare to more recent papers in quality.
If you decide that an out-of-state college is not a viable option, look into local colleges. In many ways, attending a 2 year college (obtaining an Associate degree), then attending a local university (to obtain your bachelor's degree) is cheaper and finding an out-of-state college for grad school may be easier, especially for fully-online programs. Attending local colleges will ensure that you qualify not only for federal aid but any state scholarships or grants that may exist. But the choice is yours. Good luck!
gregory williams
Teacher
20
Answers
Hanover Park, Illinois
Updated
gregory’s Answer
Give some thought to what you really need for your dorm or apartment because you don't want to clutter it with unnecessary stuff. Create a course schedule that's easy to handle so you don't overwhelm yourself - a healthy mind is your best ally in college. Make friends with time-management tools - planners and syllabi can be your secret weapons for a successful semester. Get all set before classes kick off, having everything you need ensures you won't miss out or lag behind. Brace yourself to be treated like an adult - the days of your teachers coddling you are officially over!
Elizabeth (Betsy) Kvedar, CPTD®
Learning Consultant
66
Answers
Shelburne, New York
Updated
Elizabeth (Betsy)’s Answer
Building upon Gloria's insightful advice, it would be beneficial for you to explore local community colleges or junior colleges. Look for courses that provide an overview of college life, designed to help students like you understand the nuances of the college experience. These institutions often allow high school students to enroll in other courses as well. By engaging in such programs, you'll gain a clearer understanding of how college courses operate differently from high school ones. This knowledge is crucial as it will necessitate the development of new strategies for seeking assistance from your professors and advisor.
If you're unsure about what to study, consider enrolling in a liberal arts program at your community college. This choice is advantageous for two reasons: 1) It mandates that you take a variety of classes to fulfill graduation requirements, which will expose you to a range of subjects that could pique your interest, and 2) The majority of liberal arts credits can be transferred to a university or another institution when you're prepared to advance. This flexibility can be a boon when you're working towards an advanced degree.
Remember, it's perfectly fine to change your mind later. Many people, including myself, switch careers post-college, and that's completely normal. Even though I'm no longer employed in the field I studied in college, the experience was still immensely educational and valuable for me.
Best of luck.
If you're unsure about what to study, consider enrolling in a liberal arts program at your community college. This choice is advantageous for two reasons: 1) It mandates that you take a variety of classes to fulfill graduation requirements, which will expose you to a range of subjects that could pique your interest, and 2) The majority of liberal arts credits can be transferred to a university or another institution when you're prepared to advance. This flexibility can be a boon when you're working towards an advanced degree.
Remember, it's perfectly fine to change your mind later. Many people, including myself, switch careers post-college, and that's completely normal. Even though I'm no longer employed in the field I studied in college, the experience was still immensely educational and valuable for me.
Best of luck.
George Katsinis Jr. - AFC®
Personal Financial Counselor
37
Answers
Salem, Oregon
Updated
George’s Answer
Why out-of-state college?
In -State college will get you the same degree for much less $$$$ / DEBT.
Why college at all? Only good answer here is IF YOUR DESIRED CAREER PATH REQUIRES IT.
If so, start with advanced h.s courses, go to community college ( same classes, cheaper, lower studen/staff ratio, etc .)... then transfer IN-STATE TO FINISH DEGREE.
In -State college will get you the same degree for much less $$$$ / DEBT.
Why college at all? Only good answer here is IF YOUR DESIRED CAREER PATH REQUIRES IT.
If so, start with advanced h.s courses, go to community college ( same classes, cheaper, lower studen/staff ratio, etc .)... then transfer IN-STATE TO FINISH DEGREE.
Molly Hollingsworth
HR Clerk
80
Answers
Coppell, Texas
Updated
Molly’s Answer
Yoola!
These are some great questions. The #1 thing I would recommend is to research beforehand colleges that interest you, as well as look into their degree programs. Choose what majors or areas of study interest you the most and then go from there depending on which universities and colleges have the best programs based off of that certain major. This helped me tremendously when deciding what I wanted to study, as well as where to study. Another detail to question is also the distance related to your friends and family. If you want to live somewhere particularly closer to your family, then that is an option that you need think about when planning for college.
As for money-wise, I would recommend to gain a part-time job. Especially during the summer, a part-time job would be great because you're making money prior to leaving for school. As well, I would recommend to keep that job during breaks as well when you do obtain college( unless you will be finding a profession near your college or in your college town). During winter, fall, and summer breaks, I would come home and work part-time. That way, I'd be making money to have for the future when back at school!
I hope this helped, and I wish you luck in your endeavors.
Thank you
Molly H.
These are some great questions. The #1 thing I would recommend is to research beforehand colleges that interest you, as well as look into their degree programs. Choose what majors or areas of study interest you the most and then go from there depending on which universities and colleges have the best programs based off of that certain major. This helped me tremendously when deciding what I wanted to study, as well as where to study. Another detail to question is also the distance related to your friends and family. If you want to live somewhere particularly closer to your family, then that is an option that you need think about when planning for college.
As for money-wise, I would recommend to gain a part-time job. Especially during the summer, a part-time job would be great because you're making money prior to leaving for school. As well, I would recommend to keep that job during breaks as well when you do obtain college( unless you will be finding a profession near your college or in your college town). During winter, fall, and summer breaks, I would come home and work part-time. That way, I'd be making money to have for the future when back at school!
I hope this helped, and I wish you luck in your endeavors.
Thank you
Molly H.
Anahi diaz
84
Answers
Phoenix, Arizona
Updated
Anahi’s Answer
1. Start early: Begin preparing for college as early as freshman year of high school.
2. Take challenging coursework and maintain good grades.
3. Participate in extracurricular activities: Join clubs or sports teams, volunteer, or pursue a hobby.
4. Develop good study habits: Learn how to manage your time, take thorough notes, and prepare for exams.
5. Build relationships with teachers and counselors: They can provide guidance and write strong recommendation letters.
6. Research colleges: Start narrowing down your list of potential colleges and universities by researching online and attending college fairs.
7. Plan and prepare for standardized tests: Take the SAT or ACT at least once and consider taking additional subject tests.
8. Apply for scholarships and financial aid: Start early and research scholarships for which you may be eligible.
9. Stay organized and on track with deadlines and application materials.
10. Ask questions and seek help: Don't hesitate to ask parents, teachers, or guidance counselors for assistance throughout the college preparation process.
2. Take challenging coursework and maintain good grades.
3. Participate in extracurricular activities: Join clubs or sports teams, volunteer, or pursue a hobby.
4. Develop good study habits: Learn how to manage your time, take thorough notes, and prepare for exams.
5. Build relationships with teachers and counselors: They can provide guidance and write strong recommendation letters.
6. Research colleges: Start narrowing down your list of potential colleges and universities by researching online and attending college fairs.
7. Plan and prepare for standardized tests: Take the SAT or ACT at least once and consider taking additional subject tests.
8. Apply for scholarships and financial aid: Start early and research scholarships for which you may be eligible.
9. Stay organized and on track with deadlines and application materials.
10. Ask questions and seek help: Don't hesitate to ask parents, teachers, or guidance counselors for assistance throughout the college preparation process.