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Congratulations! You are starting the journey to discovery of where the next step will take you after high school. Whether your school counselor, parents or even your own curiosity is pushing you to start to think about what the future holds, you are here and that is the first step. What do I want to do after high school? Where do I want to be in five years? Ten years? What can I afford to do? What will make me happy? These are all great questions to think about and probably things you have already started to ask yourself. Perhaps you have the answers to all of those questions or maybe you dont even know what tomorrow will hold let alone years from now, but wherever you are on the spectrum, decisions will need to be made and this is the place to start to get some ideas on what it is you want to do.

Here you will find basic information on the most common paths that a high school student will choose to follow. For each option there are questions to consider and definite pros and cons to every choice. Even if you think you have it all figured out, take a look at each area to ensure that you have covered all bases and that your original decision is in fact the correct one. If anything, this will help you feel confident in your decisions which might come in handy on the day after graduation when the reality of being finished greets you when you wake up. Planning ahead helps make this transition a lot easier for you and while you might not chart your path completely today, beginning the process can never happen too early.

To start the process, start from the end and work your way backwards. Think about what it is that you want to do with your life and then figure out what you need to do in order to do that. For example, you see yourself working for a fashion company designing clothes in sunny California. What will it take to get there? Well, you might think that a four year school is the only way to get there; however, there are many options of great two year programs. Whatever it is you want to do, there is more than likely an influential person in that field which the internet will have lots of information on. Research that person and figure out what path they took and then look to see if that fits with you. You may find that there is a path you never considered in order to get there or that career is not even close to what you thought it was and a new career goal might be in order. Whatever it is, research is the key to the game so jump on in and enjoy dreaming and planning your future.

University/College
Over the years, the decision to go directly to a four year university or college has become increasingly popular. However, it isnt always the right choice for everyone so before you make the decision to start applying to a handful of four year schools, take the time to consider if this is the right fit for you and whether or not it fits with your ultimate career goals.

Things to Consider
What fits me best. Large School vs. Small School Do you thrive in a crowd or do you shy away from a big group of people? Do you mind traffic and constant noise or do you like the simple way of life where everyone knows your name? While your small town might be suffocating you and the idea of going to college in a big city is your number one criteria, make sure it is a good fit. On one hand there will be a lot of different activities for you to partake in, but that can also mean many different distractions to your school work. Also, think about the class style. In a bigger university you will have several hundred students in your class whereas with a smaller school you will have a much smaller teacher to student ratio. It depends on what your preference is, and if you dont have one then make sure and look at both sizes and while touring the different campuses you may discover you do prefer one over the other. Private vs. State The main consideration under this topic is cost. While the costs for private schools are typically higher, you can find scholarships to both types of schools. Because of costs, you will find that private schools usually have a much smaller student population. Many private schools are affiliated with a certain faith, for example Oral Roberts is affiliated with the Wesleyan principles. Some schools may require attending services or have a structured set of classes that are required of all students. Make sure to research each schools requirements no matter what school you choose so you know going in what you will be required to do.

In State vs. Out of State Again, costs are much different when considering whether to stay in state or go out of state for your education. The typical criterion for this is that you have to be a resident in that schools state for the past two years to be considered an in state student. Another thing to consider is the travel time for the trip home. Going to the other coast might seem appealing, but when it comes time for fall break, Christmas break and all the other closed holidays, you will need to make arrangements to stay on campus or make the commute home.

Where will my grades and SAT scores be accepted? When doing your college search make sure you are thinking about what school to go to realistically. If you have a 1.5 GPA chances of an acceptance to Harvard might be slim. Look at the statistics of each school of what the averages were for the preceding Freshman class. While this will not necessarily give you a clear cut answer on whether or not you will be accepted, it will show you the standards of that school and will also give you some insight of the level of work that will be required of you at that school. What can I afford? This will be a conversation that you will need to have with your parents to determine what schools you want to keep on your list. There are several ways to pay for school: your parents or other family members, scholarships, loans, government programs. In order to determine if you are eligible for financial aid, you need to fill out the FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which is a form that will require your parents income or your income if you are an independent student to determine your financial need. You will have the information sent to the school that you will attend and then the Financial Office will be able to help you get the money needed. A great website to look at is http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ where you will be able to get information on the FAFSA, the application to fill out, and then a way to follow up and track the status of your application. Another resource to consider is scholarships. This will provide you a set amount of money for a set time which varies according to the given scholarship. Some will award full tuition, i.e. Teaching Fellows will pay for four years of school provided you maintain a certain GPA and agree to work as a teacher in that state for a designated time frame, and then some will give you a lump sum of money as you enter college with minimal to no obligations. Each scholarship is different so make sure to read all of the information regarding the stipulations of the award so you dont end up having to pay back any money that was awarded to you. The best place to start the scholarship hunt is by talking to your guidance counselor. What is the student life like? Take into consideration the type of students that go to the school of your choice. Part of a successful college career is having friends and being in an environment that will compliment your style and preferences. Do you want to live in a town or a big city, do you want to be close or far from home and do you want constant sun or do you want to experience all four seasons? Is the school known for its athletic programs or is it an artsy school with lots of concerts to choose from? These are all things to consider and one of the best ways to determine what will be the best fit for you is to make a list of your must haves and your would like to haves without thinking about a certain school so your list is not swayed. Now that you have that list, compare it to the schools of your choice by both the college catalog and the campus tour. In order to be happy at a school, you will need to find a place where you fit and you can call home so spend some time thinking about these issues. Do they offer the major that I want and is it a strong program? This may be one of the most important things to take into consideration when deciding on what school to go to. Research what schools are offering the major that you want and then look at the specifics of the program. Some schools put a strong focus on the scientific

research where others focus on the humanities. Also look at the statistics that are provided from the school as far as the graduation rate, job rate, and internship opportunities. Some schools will also publicize the achievements of the professors that you will study under which will help you provide a sneak peek into the college classroom.

Many high schools or local event sites will host college fairs. Take advantage of these opportunities and take the list of schools you are considering and hit up those places first. On a side note, many times colleges will give away free stuff, so what will it hurt?!

Trade School/Community College

A community college or trade school will provide you with an associates degree. This option serves a couple of different purposes for two different types of people. Option One You are a student that knows exactly what it is you want to do and it is obtained with a two year degree. This can help you get on the way to achieving your dreams and living the life you want in the career you want on a much quicker path. Some of the careers that can be obtained from these schools are radiological technology, dental hygienist, fashion design, culinary arts, fashion design, automotive technology and much more. A common misconception today is that in order to have a successful career you need to have a four year degree; however, this is not always the case and the jobs listed above can lead to satisfying careers both in the work that you are doing and also the salary that you will be making. Option Two You are a student that is either decided or undecided on a major and you use the community college as a stepping stone to a four year college or university. This means you will attend the community college for two years and then transferring your credits to a four year school to obtain your bachelors degree. This provides benefits in a couple of different ways: Costs: The cost for two years at a community college are much lower than a four year school and can provide a four year degree at a lower cost. While this is a much more affordable option compared to a four year school, there are costs that go into this choice and should be taken into consideration. As with the four year school there are financial assistance opportunities available and should be pursued as a way to make it affordable for you. Grades: Perhaps your grades or SATs were not as high as you would have liked and you need to get those up in order to get into the school that you want. This will be a great opportunity to help bring your grades up to what is needed and provide an insight to your capabilities to the university. Growth Opportunity: College is a big step and going off to college might be more than you can handle right now. There is nothing wrong with this and going to a community college will help you experience a taste of college while staying close to home. Once you have completed your first or second year, going off to school might not seem such a big feat.

Workforce
While entering the workforce was much more popular in earlier years, some students still choose to go directly from the classroom to the workplace. Many reasons can foster this decision such as not being ready for college, not having the money, or even having family commitments. Entering the workforce is possible and there are jobs out there for high school graduates. Popular choices are sales, bookkeeping, and retail. A common trend for the retail, sales and hospitality industries is to hold manager training programs where you can work while getting on the job training to move into a manager role. Make sure and talk with your high school counselor about possible opportunities in your community and dont be afraid to get out there and start talking with adults in the community that you know. Letting people know that you are looking can help land you a job because in the workforce a common saying is, Its not what you know, it is who you know. While that statement can be disputed, take it to heart and get out there because you never know what your neighbor knows unless you ask them. However, once you have taken the time you needed away from the classroom and saved up some money, it is highly suggested that you to further your education. This will only help you in the future and taking night classes at the local community college will enable you to get the education needed while keeping the job that you have. Also, you will find that on the job experience is a valuable asset and you might just find that your college classes are a little easier because of what you have learned on the job.

Military
The military is a combination of all the previously discussed options mixed together. You get the training and education (can even get college credits), you are immediately working and getting paid, and you are in a different environment with a large probability of travel. Everyone in the military is trained in a career specialty which is determined by different aptitude tests. The military consists of five branches: Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and the Navy. The military values furthering your education and provides many different options for you to choose from. Some of these options include a commitment of service, which is typically four years of active duty and four years of reserves, and they will pay for your school; providing many different loans and scholarships; or even military driven schools. When you receive this training is up to you and there are three different options to choose from. 1. Before Service: This would consist of going to college, either fully or partially funded by the military, under the ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) program. This program helps provide the leadership training needed to enter into the Military in an officer capacity. There is a commitment to serve in the Military for a certain number of years (typically four) in active duty. Also, another option is for students to attend a military academy where the learning environment is fostered after the principles of the military. Scholarships are provided along with payment for books and boarding and will result in a high level of education that will prepare students to enter into the armed services as a commissioned leader. Typically the years of service that you would commit to would be five years. Some of the well known schools are West Point, The Citadel, and the US Naval Academy. 2. During Service: There are several ways to further your education while you are enlisted in the military. You can obtain college credit just for completing boot camp, taking certain tests the service will provide you that will help you obtain college credit, enrolling in the Community College of the Air Force, taking advantage of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, tuition support or loan repayment. A great website to obtain more information of these different options is http://www.myfuture.com/military/articles-advice/college-assistance.

3. After Service: Congress passed the Post-9/11GI Bill that will provide money to both veterans, active-duty service members, and Reserve and Guard members for their education. The amount of money rewarded is dependent on your time of service, but it will help pay for tuition and fees, housing, and books. A new feature to this bill is that servicemembers are allowed to share all or partial amounts of this benefit with a family member. College Fund Programs also provide an extra amount to the GI Bill. The specifications and qualifications are dependent on the branch that you serve in and is addressed at the branch level.

Weigh the positives and negatives when making this decision as there is a time commitment tied into this. Also remember, physicals are required of anyone interested in entering the military and the requirements are different for the different branches.

Gap Year
A fun topic for everyone to consider is the new concept of a gap year. While this is rare in the US , the possibilities are still there. Dont think you are ready yet for college and you want to see the world while helping make the world a better place while you can? Well, gap year might be just the thing you need. One of the hardest parts of taking a gap year is persuading your parents to go for it. So sticking with the theme, research is the name of the game. Taking a year off leaves you with many options. You can join an organization dedicated to this exact thing or you can strike off on your own or with some friends and set your own course and plan of action. One of the benefits of going through an organization is that they have done a majority of the research and all you have to do is sign up and go. Also, you can even gain college credits while you are doing what it is you have a passion for and learn so much while having fun and doing some good. Your guidance counselor can be a great resource for you to consult on all of the different options and set you up with some great organizations that are legitimate make the whole process pretty simple for you. What are some of the options? Volunteering: help devastated countries overcome natural disasters or poverty stricken lands Traveling: seeing the sites wherever that may be Odd Jobs: going to a country and working small jobs to earn some cash to get you to the next place Educational Opportunities: earn college credits, learn different languages, participate in community service projects

This concept is much more popular in the United Kingdom and Australia (to name a couple) mostly because of the cost of postsecondary education being so high here in the US and the fact that you are no longer covered under your parents insurance unless you go directly to college; however, if this is something you want to do research the many different possibilities and discuss it with your parents.