Post-Secondary Planning
Planning for life after high school is a monumental and demanding task. Shortly after graduation, you will begin furthering your education at a particular college, or begin training in a specific field. In many cases, the decisions you make now may have a significant impact on your future. The adults in your life, including your Guidance Counselors and teachers, can offer a tremendous amount of support. We strongly recommend that you speak with these knowledgeable adults, and take advantage of courses offered at Central Regional that may give you some background in your field of interest, or enhance any skills you may need.
College
Each year, over 80% of our graduating seniors choose to further their education by attending college. The first and most important step in preparing for college is to work hard and do your best in the most academically rigorous courses you can handle. The grades you receive in high school will have a significant impact on your college opportunities. In addition, your performance on college entrance exams, like the SAT and ACT, are factored into your acceptance into college.
With over 3,900 colleges and universities in the United States, finding the school best suited for you will be challenging. There are specific criteria you will want to pay attention to when researching colleges. These include the college's geographical location, the size of the school, the type of school, the cost of the school, the majors offered, and any athletic programs or activities you may want to join. It is highly recommended that you share this information with your parent/guardian as well as your Guidance Counselor.
Once you have narrowed down the number of colleges that really interest you, visit their campus. The impressions you gather on a campus tour will help you decide if you and the school are a good match.
Helpful Links for Choosing a College:
Military
Students interested in taking advantage of the benefits that the military has to offer should explore which branch of the armed service best meets your needs. Speak to a recruiter or your Guidance Counselor before making any final commitments.
Students pursuing the military will have to take the ASVAB, or Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery, test. The ASVAB measures your aptitude and interests, and issues you an AFQT score that determines what jobs/trainings you are eligible for while in the military. Click here for more information, and click here for practice tests.
Click on the images below for direct links to each branch of the military:
US Coast Guard
US Marine Corps
US Air Force
US Navy
US Army
US National Guard
Vocational & Technical Schools
Nearly all jobs require some type of formal education or training beyond high school. If you are considering professions that do not require a formal college education, you may want to investigate the programs offered at Ocean County Vocational School District. You can also search other vocational and technical schools in the area by clicking here.
Many of the local community colleges offer certified and degree programs in the medical field, business, law enforcement, judicial system, education, computer science, and culinary arts. Not every college offers the same programs, so it is important to find which one offers the program that interests you.