Two Year Schools and Four Year Schools

There are many factors students may consider when making a decision between a 2 year vs. a 4 year school such as: future goals/career objectives, monetary factors, readiness for living away from home, personal considerations such as the need to work while in college and school/life balance. Here are a few resources that outline some of the considerations and provide some perspective on the reasons students may select a two year college or a four year college, and the type of institution.   An additional resource for students and families about the admissions process in general is the NACAC Podcast: College Admissions Decoded, Season 3.

• Two and Four Year Colleges Considerations

• 10 Reasons to Attend a Community College

• Should I Go to a 2 or 4 Year College?

• Tips of Transferring from a 2 to 4 Year School

• Minority Serving Institutions Program (HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs, AAPISIs)

• USDOE Minority Serving Institutions

There are many two year schools or community colleges in the country and some students may choose to attend a community college outside of the Somerset County area. Two year colleges can be found by searching Naviance. Students with a particular major or program focus, or who are looking to relocate to a particular area can utilize the search features in Naviance to find those programs. Within NJ, Ridge students can commute to several community colleges. Most commonly, Ridge students consider either Raritan Valley Community College or County College of Morris because of proximity, however the other 18 community colleges may have programs of interest. Click here to research other community college locations and programs in NJ.  Students can transfer to four year colleges and universities after completing two years at a community college to obtain their bachelors degree, by learning more here: Transferring from RVCC.  Students who attend 2 year colleges may also apply for financial aid. Students should complete the FAFSA. For information about applying for financial aid that is specific to NJ students, click our financial aid page.

Technology Resources for your Search

• College and University Admissions Websites

• Primary source of college specific information and updates:  If you are not comfortable navigating college and university admissions websites please let your counselor know so that you can review the process together

• Naviance Student: Robust resource for all Ridge students with scattergrams of data for college searching, admissions trends, and school-specific information

Types of Admissions Policies

There are various admissions policies when applying to a particular school; check with your counselor and/or call the admissions office directly with any questions that you may have.  These policies may include: Regular Decision, Early Decision, Early Action/Early Notification, Single-Choice Early Action, Priority/Preferred, Rolling Admissions, Open Admissions.  Click on the "Early Decision" tab to the left for more information. 

Components of the Application Process

The Student’s Piece

• Turn in Senior Packet Part A & Part B to your counselor via Google classroom.  

• Pay your transcript fee through the bernardsboe.com website  (Video tutorial)

• In Naviance, move schools from “Colleges I’m Thinking About” to “Colleges I’m Applying To” (Video tutorial)

• Create a Common App account/add schools to Common App list (if applicable)

• Complete FERPA waiver in Common Application if applicable  

• Determine which schools are requiring test scores

• If test scores are required, send scores through the SAT/ACT websites

• Requesting teacher letters of recommendation in Naviance (Video Tutorial ) 

• Complete the application(s) online (Common App or otherwise)

• Meet with your counselor

• Request transcripts through Naviance  (Video tutorial)  

The Counselor’s Piece

• Meet with you for your senior meeting

• Prepare and send student’s official transcript and counselor letter of recommendation

• Update and send Ridge School Profile

• Prepare and send  Secondary School Report (SSR) / Counselor Evaluation form 

(DO NOT PRINT any forms for counselors, as they are completed online)

The Teacher’s Piece

• Prepare and send letters of recommendation and supporting forms (if applicable)

*Each of these pieces may arrive at admissions offices at varying times  since they are sent from different sources. This is OK!