To Get An Associate’s Degree Or Professional License
Community colleges are an ideal option for students who know they want to go into certain professional fields and are seeking the training or credentials to do so. Some of these occupations include nursing, medical assistants, police officers, engineering technicians, and dental hygienists, among many others.
As mentioned above, a few programs, like nursing and electrical engineering, may ask for certain prerequisites from applicants. Usually, these are specific math and science classes in high school and a minimum GPA. Otherwise, the programs are open enrollment.
While some students apply with the goal of an Associate’s degree or other certification, others enter community college intending to transfer after a year or more commonly, two years. These next three reasons apply to students looking to transfer and ultimately earn their Bachelor’s degree.
Maybe your GPA needs a workout before applying to 4-year colleges.
What Can Community Colleges Offer To Students
Most community colleges offer two-year Associate’s degree programs in a wide variety of academic and pre-professional fields. A growing number also offer Bachelor’s degrees, though most of these programs are relatively new and limited in options.
People who run community colleges know that not every student wants to stop at their Associate’s degree; in fact, many students attend community college to earn credits and transfer to a four-year college. To ease this transition, lots of community colleges have “articulation agreements” with their local state school system.
These agreements allow a student to transfer credits smoothly from community college and enter as a junior in a 4-year program. Students can also apply to schools outside of this agreement, but they may need to put a bit more individual effort into making sure their credits will transfer.
This plan, often referred to as a “2 + 2” plan, can have serious financial benefits. Community colleges tend to be more affordable than 4-year institutions, and their flexible class times make it easier for students to work part-time or even full-time jobs.
Most community colleges are open access, meaning that all students can enroll . Many students appreciate the typically small class sizes and attentive professors, who tend to spend most of their time teaching rather than doing research, as with many of their counterparts at research universities.
It’s always good to clarify your reasons before taking a big leap.
Get Into It Without A Degree: Its A Lot Easier Than You Might Think
If IT is on your radar but youre not sure how to get started, youll be happy to know that you may not need another degree or a college degree at all! First, lets bust some myths about getting into IT.
MYTHS:
- You need a four-year degree in computer science to get into IT.
- You need a technical degree to get an entry-level tech support job.
- The things you need to know to excel in a technology job are only taught in college.
- IT hiring managers care more about your educational credentials than anything else.
FACT: If you search for job listings in areas of IT like web development, cybersecurity, software development, mobile app development and help desk support on top job posting sites like Indeed and Monster, you may notice a pattern in the listings qualification sections:
High School diploma or GED required.
A large portion of jobs in IT dont require a four-year degree or even a two-year degree, and many IT job listings prove this. If not having a degree has held you back from pursuing a career in technology, you should know that most tech positions simply require proof that you can do the job, through certifications and prior experience. Hiring managers dont weed out potential job candidates because they dont have undergraduate degrees.
Job Stats for IT Professionals Without Degrees
These are just some of the transferable skills that might make you an appealing and successful candidate for an IT job.
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The Pros And Cons Of Junior Colleges
If you are thinking that you may one day like to earn a 4-year degree but are worried you are not financially or academically ready at this point, it makes sense youre considering a junior college.
Having said that, as with anything, there are pros and cons to going. Lets look at some of those now.
Summer Activities To Boost Your College Application
Did you know summer activities can push your college application to the yes pile?
Colleges want to see that you are committed to extracurriculars throughout the school year, but they also love it when you are making the effort to expand and stretch yourself over summer vacation. What you do with your time can help you stand out from other applicants who have similar test scores and GPAs.
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Attend College Fairs And College Presentations
Whether you attend virtually or in person, college fairs and presentations are great opportunities to learn about schools and connect with admissions reps. Check college websites for information about virtual student panels, guided tours, or webinars, for students and parents, or visit the website of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling for a list of upcoming virtual college fairs.;;
Boost : Amaze With Your Essay
The third key element of your college application is the essay. Imagine it: a space reserved just for your voice, where you get to define yourself and what is important to you!
Just how important is the essay? Dean Fred Hargadon, who was the head of admissions at Princeton when I went there, could remember off the top of his head what each admitted student’s essay was about!
To set your application apart, consider writing about:
- How excited you are about studying X
- The talents, strengths, or challenges that aren’t in your transcript
Sometimes complicated situations have simple explanations.
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Start Or Update Your Resume Activities List Or Brag Sheet
This will allow you to include all of your extracurricular activities, volunteer work, and other accomplishments in one place. It is also a way to inventory all of your activities and help you determine if you need to do more as you head into senior year.
You will also provide a copy of your resume to your recommendation writers when requesting recommendations. Lastly, it will be your cheat sheet as you are preparing your college applications.
Dont be afraid to brag about your accomplishments if they are true!
What Is Considered A Low Gpa Is Your Gpa Actually Low
A low GPA may be a little bit like beautyin the eye of the beholder. You might feel that your GPA is low because it falls below the average at your target school. Or maybe your grades really aren’t so hot. Generally speaking, highly selective colleges consider 3.5 to be on the low end. At most other schools, low GPA scores are in the 2.0 range.
To find out whether your GPA could weight down the rest of your application, first research what the average acceptance GPA is at each of your target schools. To do this, try searching for ” admission GPA” or ” average GPA.”
- Is your GPA only slightly below the averages you found? Then excellent test scores and a solid application will go a long way to make up for it!
- Is your GPA much lower than the averages you found? The read on for our advice on what to do about it.
Get that GPA up! Higher… higher…
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Choose Challenging Classes For Senior Year
As you are selecting your classes, take challenging academic classes, even if you are not required to take them.
For example, many high schools only require three years of math. Instead of skipping out on math your final year, take that fourth year. College admissions officers want to see students challenge themselves in their academic choices, rather than taking the easy way out. This also means if honors or Advanced Placement courses are available, take them if you feel up to the challenge.
The rigor of your coursework is one of the key things that college admissions counselors will look at to judge how well you will fit in their institution. If they see youve pushed yourselfin many cases, even if it meant getting a B instead of getting an A in an easier courseit will be a good indication that youre willing to work hard.
Continue To Do Well And Challenge Yourself In All Of Your Classes
One of the best tips for junior year is challenge yourself academically. When colleges evaluate your application, they consider the “strength of curriculum” on your transcript. They want to see that you took advantage of the variety of courses available to you and did well in them. Make sure your class schedule junior year includes some honors or AP courses in subjects in which you excel.
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Origin Of Junior Colleges
Junior colleges first came into existence in 1901 as the brainchild of two men: William Rainey Harper, president of the University of Chicago, and J. Stanley Brown, superintendent of Joliet Township High School.;
The concept of a junior college originally began as an experiment. Harper and Browns idea was to create a college that was basically an extension of high school. This two-year junior college would provide students with an affordable and accessible education that would help prepare them for a four-year university.
Back then, many junior college students were the children of farm families, shopkeepers, and other blue-collar workers who were deeply involved in their community. There was also a deep sense of pride in supporting these affordable colleges that helped smaller communities grow and thrive.;
Do you see where were getting with this? At some point, we started calling junior colleges community colleges. This name change came about shortly after junior colleges began to evolve and offer certificates that didnt require them to continue their education at a four-year university.
Admission Requirements For Junior Colleges
Traditionally, prospective students only needed a high school diploma or its equivalent to be admitted to most junior colleges. In general, admission into these schools is not very competitive, so everyone who meets the schools criteria is usually admitted. That being said, there are some professional certification programs that may have some prerequisites. Admission into these programs may pose a bit more challenging.
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Start Planning Your Summer Activities
As a junior in high school, you see summer as a time to relax and not think about college. While it is important to do some relaxing, it is also the perfect time to do things that could help with the college admissions process.
Learn more about summer programs, internship opportunities, or volunteer work. These are great activities to include in your college application. Grades and test scores play a big part in the college admissions decision. But, your activities could be the thing that can set you apart from students with similar academic profiles.
Use College Raptor to discover personalized college matches, cost estimates, acceptance odds, and potential financial aid for schools around the USfor FREE!
Early Admission For High School Students/dual Credit
High school students who have passed the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 may be admitted upon written approval from the high school administration.
Paris Junior College, through cooperative agreements with area high school officials, has established a concurrent enrollment program for high school students. Eligible students are enrolled at PJC for a reduced course load not to exceed two college courses per semester while completing high school graduation requirements. These students may enroll in either academic or workforce areas and have the option to study in the college’s day or evening program. Before enrolling at PJC, students must supply a transcript and an official letter of permission from their high school principal or counselor for each year they are enrolled. Dual credit students must meet TSI requirements.
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Is A Ged Different From A Regular Diploma
The way a GED is earned differs quite a lot from how a high school diploma is earned. The GED exam takes a little over 7 hours to complete, though the four subtests may be taken separately, while a high school diploma takes four years to achieve.
The GED exam is only available to individuals that dont have a common high school diploma and are not signed up for another education program.
This implies that 100 percent of GED holders did not complete their high school curriculum. There could be very valid reasons why a person quit high school prematurely but holding a GED might very well require admissions officers to look a little deeper into your application.
If they have so many applications to sort through, they might look somewhat differently at the applications of GED graduates. Its definitely not that holding a GED is bad, but it only provides the academic equivalent of a standard high school degree.
How Do I Register For Classes
Once you’ve applied for admission, you should receive information for pre-registration dates. You’re invited to campus to meet with a temporary advisor and set up you first course schedule.
There are many reasons students choose to attend a two-year college first, then transfer to another college or university.
- Size: Many people would rather be in an algebra class with 23 people as opposed to 200.
- Major: Many students don’t know exactly what they want to study. Beginning at Northeastern allows you to explore different programs and careers and take most or all of your general education requirements then transfer on to a college that specializes in your major.
- Degree: Northeastern offers an Associate of Applied Science degree which can give you very specialized training and prepare you for a specific career in just two-years. For students wanting to transfer to a four-year institution to obtain a bachelor’s degree, an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree will allow them to complete their core classes at Northeastern, and then transfer to that institution as a junior.
- Cost: Typically two-year colleges offer more affordable tuition, especially for those classes that don’t pertain to your major. Why would you want to pay twice as much for your basics?
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Your Gpa And Sat Dont Tell The Full Admissions Story
Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographics, and other holistic details. Well let you know what your chances are at your dream schools and how to improve your chances!
Your GPA and SAT dont tell the full admissions story
Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details.
Your GPA and SAT dont tell the full admissions story
Our chancing engine factors in extracurricular activities, demographic, and other holistic details. Well let you know what your chances are at your dream schools and how to improve your chances!
College Hockey National Signing Day
More than 650 four-year institutions use the Collegiate Commissioners Associations National Letter of Intent . Student-athletes who have been offered an athletic scholarship from one of these institutions will be asked to sign an NLI and an athletic aid agreement to accept their offer. For Division 1 mens hockey, the signing period starts November 11, 2020 and ends August 1, 2021.
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How Do Homeschoolers Get Into College
Homeschooling is a big risk on the part of a parentits going against what society tells us is right to do with our kids and it can seem even riskier if you think your kid might not be able to go to college.
Im not saying college is necessary ;its not. But knowing that your homeschooled kid will have the option to go to college makes homeschooling feel less risky.;And the good news is that homeschooled kids make much better candidates for top schools than kids who spend all their time getting good grades in high school. Heres why:
1. High school is terrorizing students.High school assumes kids have no idea what they should be learning, when in fact, by that age its very clear who is good at what and;forced curricula wastes kids time and undermines their confidence.
High school infantilizes students by not giving them choices. It causes social anxiety;and unnecessary conflict with parents.
Forcing kids to care about grades at this age makes them crazy. Slate;reports;that The average high school student has the same level of anxiety as the average psychiatric patient did in 1950s.
2. Strong high school performance does not get kids into college.
No differentiator means no entrance ;especially for white girls.
The trend is to abolish SAT requirements;because they dont show a students ability to stand out for anything beyond taking a test.
But then again, really what you need to do is get the kid off the wall altogether so they have more options.
Current High School Students/post Secondary Options Act Students
The Post Secondary Options Act allows current students at Colorado high schools to enroll in courses offered by OJC. These courses will appear on an OJC transcript and credit for courses successfully completed may be applied toward a certificate or degree at OJC. High school students must complete an application for admission, provide an immunization record and complete the appropriate registration form. These forms are available from the Office of Student Affairs or from your local high school counselor. High school students are not eligible for financial aid.
For more information contact your high school counselor or call OJC Student Services at 719-384-6800.
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