Road to College

Roberto Cantu

College & Career Advisor

Dual Credit Coordinator

email: rcantu3722@uvaldecisd.net

twitter: UCantu3722

phone: 830.591.2950x6195

1. Know what colleges and universities look for

2. Know what interest you, it's a guide to your profession

3. How to apply to the school you wish to attend

4. How to pay for the school cost

5. Advice and FYI's

Trade Schools (Tech Schools)

• Offer Certifications for Specialized Skills
• Programs tend to be accelerated or less than two year
• Focused Programs based on the industry they work with

Junior Colleges

• Offer Certifications and Associate Degrees of study
  
• Provide the opportunity to advance to a Bachelor's Degree
  
• Most economical starting point when looking at price tags
  
• May not offer all the opportunities found at Universities
  

Universities

• Offer degree plans for Bachelors, Masters and some PhD's
• Provide opportunities to explore, engage and develop interests and skills
• Largest campuses
• Highest standards of admissions

Tech School

Students wish to gain skills demanded by the workforce

The programs are more lab and hands-on, than traditional academics

Current workforce is looking for workers with both specialized and soft skills

Junior College

Students who wish to earn an associate degree or gain credits to transfer to a university

The classes tend to be smaller and allow for more communication between students and instructors

Offer opportunities such as PTK, a honor society that makes students eligible for grants, internships and scholarships

University

Student who has proven to be college ready based on exams (SAT, ACT or TSI) and courses completed during high school

This setting is much larger and demands for students to manage their time and be more independently driven

Students who want to be global learners and are willing to take chances

"It's okay not to know what you want to be, but it's not okay to not want to know what you want to be"

Many times our interests or hobbies help narrow down the possible career paths we may want to follow.

Things that the student can do to help with the decision regarding what they should study are:

1. Talk with someone from the profession

2. Volunteers at institutions of the chosen workfield

3. Take an interest inventory such as the ASVAB or Check Out a College at http://checkoutacollege.com/explorecareers/interestsurvey.aspx

4. Ask questions to school representatives about their school's programs

Step 1 - Apply

• ApplyTexas.org can be used for most of Texas public schools or Federally Funded schools
  
• If the school is a private or out-of-state school, they may have a specific application to file
  
• Know when their applications for the semester you wish to begin open and when they are due

Step 2 - Transcripts

• You will send a minimum of three transcripts to the school of interest, one Fall of senior year, one Spring of senior year, and one final transcript after graduation
  
• Make sure that you send the transcripts via the proper channels and the correct address
  

Step 3 - Send Test Scores

• Submit all scores from exams taken to reach college readiness status and admission
  
• SAT, ACT, or TSI if attending a Texas school
  
• Begin taking the exams the Spring of your Junior year, waiver are available for those who qualify
  

Step 4 - After Acceptance (As Apply)

• Apply for housing
  
• Apply for FAFSA before March 15 of your senior year
  
• Accept your Financial Aid Awards before May ends
  
• Register for Orientation
  
• Begin to communicate with your college advisor
  
• Register for classes
  

Students can pay for their education using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at FAFSA.gov

Scholarships and Grants are free monies that can be found:

• Locally
  
• Online
  
• Workplaces
  
• Companies
• Awarded based on Merits and/or financial needs

Loans

• Subsidized Loans - Loan to students, interests are paid by the government till six months after you graduate or stop going to school and you begin to payback
  
• Unsubsidized Loans - Loan to students, interests are not paid by the government and six months after you graduate or stop going to school you will begin to payback
  
• Direct Parent Loans - Typical loan given to parents of the students and begin to payback
  

Workstudy

• Part-time job on campus
  
• 10-12 hour workweek
  
• Benefit by getting to know staff and professors outside of the classroom
  

• Meet with your mentor, counselor, and/or college adviser at least once per semester
  
• Log all your school, volunteer, and extra-curricular activities
  
• Network with people from the community for references
  
• Challenge your self academically with AP, Pre-AP and Dual Credit classes
  
• Research the school and possible degrees you are interested
  
• Ask if you do not know