Happy Fall! Congratulations to all the students who will be embarking on a new stage of their lives in college this fall! For those of you still in high school, it's time to start thinking about your future.
The first thing to do is make an appointment with your school counselor. If you're a senior, you need to get on this right away, but even if you are just starting high school, it's good to be thinking about what you want to do when you graduate. Discuss your plans with your counselor, and make sure you are taking the right courses to get to where you need to be when you graduate.
Did you know:
- In most cases, high school graduation requirements are not the same as college admission requirements? If you are looking to go to a 4-year university, you need several classes beyond your high school graduation requirements to meet the university admission requirements.
- Each college has its own admission requirements, and they are slightly different, so be sure to check the website of colleges you are interested in to make sure you have the right classes
- Different states have different requirements. While California public universities only require two years of science, Oregon schools generally require three.
- If you are applying to a college with competitive admission (many more students apply than they have room for, as is the case with many California public universities), it's generally recommended you go beyond the basic requirements. So even though only two years of science are required, it's probably better to take three or even four years if you want to go to a University of California campus.
- Many states and regions have reciprocal tuition agreements, so students from nearby states get a break on out of state tuition. The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) is an example. Since tuition rates vary from state to state, if you are coming from an expensive state (e.g. California) it may actually end up being less expensive to go out of state if you can get the WUE tuition rate.
- Financial aid is available! You should fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) whether or not you think you will qualify. You may be surprised. Also, many private and university-based scholarships require you to fill out the FAFSA before receiving any type of aid.
So enjoy the last warm days of fall, jump into your classes, start thinking about your future, and start the path toward your goals today!
