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POST-HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS
POST-HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS
There are many options to pursue after high school. It is important you choose one that is a good fit for you. A "good fit" in a post-secondary plan means that aspects of the plan match with your personality or interests.
Watch this brief video with tips from college admissions representatives on how to begin the college search and things to consider.
Questions to Ask Yourself
Questions to Ask Yourself
What jobs or careers sound interesting to me?
Who can I talk to; who knows me best?
What am I good at?
Am I willing to spend time researching options?
Am I ready to begin making independent decisions while attending college?
What am I looking for in a college?
When I think about college, what characteristics do I hope for?
Will I be more comfortable at a large or small college?
How far from home am I comfortable going?
What kind of support services will I need to be most successful?
Do I want to live on campus?
What kind of majors might interest me?
Will I want or need to apply for financial aid?
Questions to Ask the College or University
Questions to Ask the College or University
How many students attend (graduate students and undergraduates)?
Do most students live on or near campus? Do first-year students have to live on campus?
What is this school known for academically? What are the top-rated programs? What are the most popular majors?
What is student life like on campus?
What is the cost of tuition and room and board?
How diverse is the student body?
What about support services? Is tutoring available? How much does it cost? How is it accessed? What is the process to qualify for support services? Who do I contact if I need accommodations for a disability or learning difference?
What are important dates and deadlines for admissions and financial aid?
What are the admissions requirements?
What is the surrounding city or town like?
It’s always best to start with the end in mind. If you can create a list of potential jobs/careers of interest to you, you can more easily determine the quickest, most cost effective path to that job/career. Find career, training, and job search resources just for you.
If you are unable to settle on any jobs/careers of interest, one way to learn skills or continue exploring options is to simply research the options available at the local community college. Some students brainstorm career options by simply looking through the certificate and associate degree offerings. Look, read, and consider:
Certificate Programs: A short-term educational program designed to provide specialized knowledge, skills or training in a particular field or profession. Programs prepare students for specific careers, enhance their marketability in getting hired, and are SHORT and relatively low cost.
Associate Degree Program: A two-year full-time study that usually requires 60-70 credit hours - preparing a student for a specific job and/or designed to transfer credits to a four-year college to pursue a bachelor’s degree
Knowing who you are today can help determine direction for your future. The College Board offers 10 reflective questions to help you get started.
Schoolinks has a robust college search feature which you will find under the "Colleges" tab after login.
Use College Board's interactive tool to find the right colleges for you. Search by type, size, location, majors, cost, etc.
Check out resources from ISAC partners to help you with college, financial aid, and money management.
Find the Illinois college or university that’s the best fit for your education and career goals. Easily search a variety of different categories, including: costs, financial aid, graduation rates, student debt, jobs, earnings after graduation for different areas of study.
Start exploring your skills and interests while also discovering new career path with these free surveys.
This game encourages exploration of education and training after high school, future careers, and money management.
HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents. Find your HBCU match. Locate the colleges that offer the academic programs you want to study. Colleges sometimes use different names for a similar major.
More Resources and Information: U.S Department of Education's website
St. Augustine College is a Hispanic-serving institution located in Chicago. It offers academic and student support programs rooted in a bilingual environment to help students from all walks of life overcome the obstacles and challenges that prevent them from academic and career success. Students can take classes in-person or online. They welcome international students and offer classes in English as a second language. Spanish speakers can take college credit classes in Spanish while perfecting their English skills.
This document is an admissions guide for the state universities in Illinois. It provides current information about each state university, while the accompanying chart presents comparative admission, cost, curricula, and other relevant information.
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