Benefits of Going to College: English | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese

A college degree will help you get higher-paying jobs and get hired faster. Getting a college degree or certificate may be the best thing you can do for your future.

💭Why should I go to college?

Make more money & Get a Better Job Faster!

College and Career Connection: English | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese

Did you know?

Individuals with a college degree earn $1 million more over their lifetime compared to those with only a high school diploma. (Khan Academy, 2014).

💭What education does my dream job require?

You can choose from hundreds of majors and certificates. Typically, most fall into two categories: liberal arts or career-oriented.

• • • • Major: A specific subject that you choose to commit to studying. A large number of classes you take may be related to your major.

      • Certificate: A certificate is awarded to indicate knowledge of a certain subject or skill.

Liberal Arts Majors:

Liberal Arts Majors include literature, philosophy, history, and languages. These majors are broader and can lead to various jobs that don’t require specific or technical knowledge.

• English – editor, marketing executive, writer

• Foreign language – foreign service officer, translator, teacher

• Political science – community organizer or activist, lawyer, policy analyst

• Psychology – market researcher, social worker, mental health counselor

Career-Oriented Majors or Certificates:

Career-Oriented majors or certificates focus on developing particular skills and knowledge for specific careers

• Marine biology

• Culinary arts

• Paralegal studies

• Engineering

• Dental hygiene

Types of Colleges: English | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese

💭WHERE SHOULD I GO FOR COLLEGE?

• Public and Private, 4-year College/University: These schools offer bachelor’s degrees, usually completed in 4 years of full-time study. Private schools typically charge higher tuition but can offer a significant amount of scholarships to make attendance affordable. Students that graduate from these schools can become a robotics engineer, business analyst, or nutritionist.

  • • • • Private 4-Year Colleges: These schools offer bachelor’s and may also offer master’s degrees but are independent and are not publicly funded. These colleges or universities often have smaller class sizes.

        • Public 4-Year Comprehensive Colleges: These schools tend to be smaller, are more regionally based and offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

        • Public 4-Year Research Colleges: These schools engage in extensive research activities and offer bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees.

• Private 2-year College/ Vocational/ Trade Schools: Private 2-year, vocational, or trade schools provide education for a specific career. Students that graduate from these schools can become a chef, massage Public, and Private therapist, or paralegal.

  • • • • Public 2-Year Colleges: These schools offer associate’s degrees and certificates, as well as prepare students for specific trades. Many students earn an associate’s degree and then transfer to a 4-year college.

        • Private 2-Year Colleges: These schools tend to focused on specific trades or vocations and are not publicly funded.

        • Trade: A type of school also referred to as vocational, offering specialized training, skills or education for specific fields, such as plumbing, carpentry, etc.

        • Vocational: Also referred to as a trade school, these colleges offer specialized training, skills or education for specific fields, such as plumbing, carpentry, etc.

• Community and Technical Colleges (CTCs): These schools offer associate’s degrees and certificates, including for specific trades. Washington state has 34 public CTCs. Students that graduate from CTCs can enter many careers, such as nursing, automotive repair, and cybersecurity. Learn more about the programs they offer at checkoutacollege.com.

The classes you take in high school prepare you for your post-high school plans. Whether you choose to pursue an apprenticeship or a technical, 2-year, 4-year college, or military academy, you will want to learn their admission requirements.

A challenging class schedule, including courses where you can earn college credit. Examples include Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International, College in the High School, Running Start, or CTE Dual Credit that can lead to a career credential or associate’s degree.

✔️Take College-Prep Courses: 👆Click HERE to view B-EHS WAYS TO EARN COLLEGE CREDIT WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL!

Challenge yourself with difficult coursework and do well in these courses. Take courses in high school such as Honors, AP (Advanced Placement; College Level Curricula), HS/College Dual Enrollment (Running Start), focusing on the core academics: English, Math, Science, History, World Languages. Rigorous courses that go beyond the minimum graduation requirements will make you a more impressive applicant and can even earn you college credit while in high school!

✔️Focus On Your Grades: 👆Click HERE to Request a Transcript

Your high school transcript is one of the most important parts of your college application, and good grades will distinguish you from many other applicants.

✔️Meet Regularly With Your Guidance Counselor: 👆Click Here to visit the B-EHS COUNSELING WEBSITE!

Get to know your guidance counselor early in your high school career to talk about your plans for high school classes, college, and career.

✔️Extracurricular and Leadership Activities: 👆Click HERE to view the B-EHS CLUBS AND ACTIVITIES!

Explore several extracurricular activities Freshman year is a great time to try several different extracurricular activities to see which ones are most interesting to you.

✔️Commit to a few extracurriculars: 👆 Click HERE for summer programs!

• Decide on a small number of extracurriculars that you like, dedicating more time to fewer activities in order to become deeply involved.

• Find a summer volunteer opportunity/ job/ internship.

• Summer is a great time to earn extra money for college while exploring different career fields.

✔️Standardized Tests (11th & 12th)

• Take the PSAT: Take the PSAT as a junior to practice for the SAT and qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

• Prepare for the SAT and / or ACT

• Begin preparing for the SAT and / or ACT at the start of Junior year, with plans to take each test twice.

• Take the SAT and / or ACT

• Take the SAT / ACT for the first time winter of Junior Year. Plan to retake the test in the spring of junior year or fall of senior year. If you are worried about the cost of the test, ask your guidance counselor for a fee waiver!

• Take SAT Subjects Tests: SAT Subject test, which are required for some colleges, are best taken in December or May-immediately after taking the relevant class and while the material is still fresh.

• Take AP Exams: AP Exams, which provide an opportunity to earn college credit, are offered each year in May.

• Think about your interests. List job ideas and interests and then research how they can connect to a job.

Visit careerbridge.wa.gov to explore careers.

• Determine how to qualify for different jobs. Learn job requirements (skills, classes, specific degrees or training, etc.) Talk to a career counselor, mentor, or family member.

• Get experience. Volunteer, get an internship or job shadow.

• Do research. Research different colleges to figure out which ones offer the certification program, major, and/ or degree that you need for your career. What you choose will impact how much money you earn.