Making Good Choices

"Where did the time go?" "What am I going to do with the rest of my life?" These are but two of the many questions thousands of high school juniors and seniors across the country are currently asking themselves as they approach the end of their high school years and begin to think about their future. There are only a few logical answers; to do nothing, join the military, get a job, or enroll in a college or university.

Education beyond high school has never been more important than it is today. Jobs have changed and new jobs have evolved making formal learning beyond high school mandatory in order to survive let alone enjoy a comfortable lifestyle.

Those students who have applied themselves in high school are more likely to be thinking about attending a college or university because, after all, that is the path for which they have been preparing. The good news is that even if students DIDN'T apply themselves in high school, there are still many opportunities available for them to attend college and develop skills they will need to succeed in life. The better news is that you don't have to go that far from home to do it. There are over 800 institutions in the southern region of this country (from TX to VA) that have proven that they are high quality institutions that prepare students well for the future.

A variety of state universities, community and technical colleges, private institutions, and for-profit colleges offer a smorgasbord of opportunities that may provide either campus based or on-line instructional programs resulting in certificates, associate and baccalaureate degrees. Institutions with competitive admission requirements as well as those with open door admission policies make it possible for ALL students to have a place to go to earn the skills they will need to be productive members of society. They are close enough to home so that you can retain the family support to which you've grown accustomed yet, far enough away that you can develop and express a great deal of independence.

What should a student consider when looking for an educational institution?  The following questions are a few of many to consider:

1. Does it have a reputation for working well with students of my academic background, race, gender, etc.?

2. How can I find out if it's a ‘good' school?

3. How much will it cost?

4. Is their financial aid available?

5. Does it offer courses and programs in the area in which I'm interested?

6. How many students are enrolled?

7. Are all of the classes large (200+) or small (25 or less)?

8. How well qualified is the faculty to teach?

9. Are there support services (counseling, tutoring, advising, etc.) available to me?

10. What types of activities outside of the classroom are available?

In the eleven states that comprise the Southern Region, there is a process of review in which institutions engage called accreditation. It is a process that reviews all aspects of the institution including its academic programs, financial resources, physical resources, support services, qualifications of administrators, faculty and staff, and the role and composition of the board, and makes a determination as to whether or not it meets standards of quality that have been defined by the higher education community at large. If an institution has successfully completed the review or, as we say, has been accredited, you can feel secure in the quality of education you will receive if you enroll there.

If you are beginning to think about college, there are several things you should be doing to get ready for it.

1.  Get your grades up. It's never too late to start paying attention.

2. Talk with your high school guidance counselor. He or she has information on just about every college there is. Take a list of your questions with you when you go.

3. Talk with students you know who graduated from your same high school who are now attending college. Since they got the same preparation you did in high school, they can tell you on what basis they chose the college they did.

4. Go to the websites of the colleges you're considering. You can find out just about everything you want to know by reading the information provided on them.

5. Go visit the institution if possible. Seeing the environment and getting a ‘feel' for the place will tell you a lot about how comfortable you'd be if you enrolled.

6. Start getting your references lined up, as well as completing applications.

7. Find out the admission requirements of your institution of choice, e.g. do you need to take the ACT or SAT, required grade point average, etc.

8. Enroll in a college course while you're still in high school. Many institutions have a Dual Enrollment or an Early Admission program at your high school.

As you begin your planning, remember that it is never too early or too late to think about college. Learning is a lifelong process but the earlier you start your college studies, the sooner you'll be prepared to take on the world. GOOD LUCK!

Editorial provided by Belle S. Wheelan, Ph.D., President, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.