HHIHS College, Career and WBL

Sophomore

Time Line

Work with one of your parents to estimate your financial aid using FAFSA4caster at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov and continue to save for college.
Take challenging classes in core academic subjects. Most colleges require four years of English, at least three years of social studies (history, civics, geography, economics, etc.), three years of mathematics, and three years of science, and many require two years of a foreign language. Round out your course load with classes in computer science and the arts.
Stay involved in school- or community-based activities that interest you or let you explore career interests. Consider working or volunteering. Remember – it’s quality (not quantity) that counts.

Talk to your school counselor and other mentors about education after high school. Your counselor can answer questions about what classes to take in high school, how to sign up for standardized tests, and where to get money for college

4- Year

4-year schools offer specialized studies, with graduates finishing with a bachelor’s degree. Benefits of a 4-year school include the opportunity to pursue graduate study programs (where students can work toward higher degrees like a master’s) and more course and activity choices. Depending on opportunities for study-abroad travel or internships, it may take more or less than 4 years to complete a degree at these colleges.

A school’s public or private status is another important factor to consider.
Public or private status can make a major difference both in cost and size, with publicly funded colleges and universities tending to be larger and less expensive to attend — and least expensive for in-state residents. Private schools depend on donations and fundraising from graduates and boosters, so their tuitions tend to run higher to make up for the lack of taxpayer funding.
The smaller size of a private college may be more comfortable for a student coming from a smaller high school, where there were fewer students per class and more individual attention from teachers. However, a larger public school may offer more extracurricular opportunities, like a larger variety of fraternities, sororities, academic clubs and service groups.

2- Year

2-year schools, like junior, community and technical colleges, act as bridges between high school and 4-year college, offering transfer credit toward a bachelor’s degree. Many of these 2-year programs also offer certificates and associate’s degrees, which can translate directly into a specific career path or be applied to a 4-year degree down the road.

Benefits of a 2-year school include flexible scheduling (even night courses), lower cost, smaller class size and the opportunity to begin a university track, where students can enroll at a 4-year school and begin taking courses before transferring there