• More career opportunities 
• Greater earning power
• More knowledge on a variety of subjects that interest and can be helpful to you
• Improved quality of life
• Greater ability to help others in your community

Good advice for families and students from the U.S. Department of Education

By going to college, students:

Get (and keep) a better job. Because the world is changing rapidly, and many jobs rely on new technology, more and more jobs require education beyond high school. With a two- or four-year college education, your child will have more jobs from which to choose. 

Earn more money. On average a person who goes to college earns more than a person who does not. Someone with a two-year associate's degree earns more than a high school graduate. In 1995, a man with a college degree earned almost 89 percent more than a man with only a high school diploma, and a woman with a college degree earned almost 73 percent more than a woman with only a high school diploma. 

Get a good start on life. A college education helps your child acquire a wide range of knowledge in many subjects, as well as advanced knowledge in the specific subjects they are most interested in. College also trains students to express thoughts clearly in speech and in writing, to make informed decisions, and to use technology--useful skills on and off the job. 

Students who are not interested in going to a four-year college or university for a bachelor's degree can benefit from the skills and knowledge that two years of college provide to compete in today's job market. These students may want to pursue a technical program in a community, junior, or technical college, which provides the skills and experience employers look for. Many high schools and some local employers offer career-focused programs called "Tech-prep," "2+2," "school-to-work,"or "school-to-career," which are linked to community and technical colleges. These programs coordinate high school course work with course work at local colleges, and in some cases give students the chance to learn in a real work setting. This way, the high school material better prepares students for college-level work, and also starts the student on a clear path toward a college degree.

Students interested in technical programs will probably want to take some occupational or technical courses in high school, but they also need to take the "core" courses in English, math, science, history, and geography.

What kinds of jobs can you get with a college education?
One of the major benefits of acquiring a college education is having more jobs to choose from. Parents and students should talk about what kind of work interests the student and find out more about the kind of education that specific jobs require. For instance, some job fields, such as medicine or law, require graduate degrees beyond the traditional four-year degree. As students mature and learn about different opportunities, they may change their mind several times about the type of job they want to have. Changing your mind is nothing to worry about--but not planning ahead is. For more information on the educational requirements of specific jobs, contact a school counselor or check the Occupational Outlook Handbook on the Internet or in your library. 

Examples of Jobs Requiring College Preparation

Chart: Planning and Evaluation Service, U.S. Department of Education
Source: Getting Ready for College Early

$$$ Earning lots of money may not be the most important thing in life, but did you know that the more education you have beyond a high school diploma, the more you can expect to earn?  By getting a college degree, you can earn nearly twice as much in average annual earnings as a high school graduate.  People with graduate degrees (master's degrees) earn more than people with bachelor's degrees, and those who have doctorates and professional degrees can earn over three times as much.  Look at the chart below and see for yourself the economic benefits of going to college. 

Degrees to Dollars. For more information on the economic benefits to you in increased earnings, read this article from the Occupational Outlook Quarterly, a publication of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

*Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, CPS P20-513, March 1998.

You can talk about why you can't go to college, but when you think about it, you can.

Sure, college tuition can be expensive . . . but financial aid is available . . .
Many of the students who are going to college today are paying on their own. But, did you know that over half of the students receive some type of financial aid? You might be eligible, too. The first step is to talk to your school counselor and your family about your plans to go to college. They can help you plan for college costs. Second, begin searching for resources; there are grants, scholarships and loans available for college students. There are many resources available to you in Rhode Island and at sites on the Internet that can offer you free advice and information on finding the financial aid you need to reach your educational goals. School counselors, school and public librarians can all help you find the information that you need.

There ARE other ways to make going to college more affordable.
Consider going to your local community college (in RI that's the Community College of Rhode Island), which has a reasonable tuition. By choosing your courses carefully, you can transfer into a state college (like Rhode Island College) or university (such as the University of Rhode Island) to complete a bachelor's degree at a reasonable cost. You may decide, as many students do, to combine work and school. Most colleges offer evening and weekend courses so that students can both hold jobs and go to school. Or, if you are interested in serving in the U.S. Armed Services, you may have the option of going to college at the same time or taking training that qualifies for college credit. The military will also pay education benefits to veterans who go to college after they leave military service. Why not see what is available?

How important is it to get a college degree?
The figures don't lie. By going to college you can improve your ability to earn a good salary and improve your quality of life. Think of all the extra options you are giving yourself. Even if no one in your family or among your friends has attended college, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't follow your dreams. Some goals are just too important to be decided by what other people think. If you take on this challenge your accomplishment will be a source of pride to your community and family. If you are the first one to go to college, you will be a role model for your younger brothers and sisters who will be looking to you to advise them how to take this important step.

So how do you get ready for college?
Plan and prepare. Start planning early. Remember college is your goal when you are choosing courses in middle school and high school. Look into programs that provide academic enrichment, information on college planning and scholarships (like the Rhode Island Children's Crusade for Higher Education) and if you don't qualify for one program, keep looking until you find one. There are several programs listed in the Rhode Island Opportunities section of the Preparing for College Web site. Let your school counselor and teachers know that college is definitely part of your life plan.

Students who received special education services should prepare for college too!
Check with the admissions offices and disabilities services offices of the colleges that you may be interested in attending. Then work with your school counselor in high school to plan your program. Students with learning disabilities will find it helpful to learn strategies that empower them and help them to make the transition to college. Develop self-knowledge, understand your legal rights, and learn about the options colleges may offer. Students with AD/HD can also be successful in college. You will help yourself by improving your knowledge of resources and information about possible accommodations and strategies that can be used by a student with AD/HD.

Everyone knows that college professors won't be prepared to help students who have a disability.
Well, that's just false. Check with the college that you are thinking about to learn how their faculty has been prepared. The University of Rhode Island has been training faculty to work more effectively with students with disabilities. Other colleges are trying similar strategies.

Is there a point in going to college if you don't know what you want to do for a career or what you want to study?
Yes, because it is OK not to have your life planned out! Many freshmen start college and don't know the career they want or what subjects they want to study. And over 50% of the students who begin college with a specific career or major change their minds. You will have many opportunities in college to learn about new ideas, subjects, and careers. You may be surprised by how interesting college courses can be. There are areas of study that will be new to you. Your major, which you choose, will be a subject that especially interests you. Explore the possibilities and see how your horizons grow! Going to college will give you more career options, and finding the career you love means you'll never have to work at a job.

Think studying just isn't your thing?
Like most things, studying gets easier with practice. If you take challenging
courses in high school, you will get the practice you need. Try to stretch yourself in junior high school and high school by taking the most demanding courses (honors, AP) available to you. If you really enjoy a subject and have a special interest in it, talk to your school counselor about taking an advanced course (like in math or science), even if other people say it may be too hard for you. Taking the class may spark an interest in other things for you to study.

ALL Students wonder if they can be successful in college . . .
Students who have been in Special Education classes can succeed in college by:
Learning how to self-advocate. Self-advocacy is essential for reaching your goals and will help you to feel confident. You can also use study and learning strategies that will help you to maximize your abilities.

Learning how to succeed. While you are in high school, try to determine what helps you to study and complete your work successfully. Managing learning differences can be particularly important for college students with disabilities. Understanding your disability and using strategies that work for you will help you succeed. Start planning now by talking with your teachers and school counselor about your learning styles and by developing some strategies that work for you.

What kinds of postsecondary education exist?

Business, trade, and technical schools
These schools are open typically to all students who can benefit from the programs. The length of study will vary between a few weeks to two or more years. Students usually learn a particular skill or trade and earn a diploma, certificate of completion, or license following the completion of the program. Examples of occupations that these schools can provide instruction for are truck driving, hairstyling, computer repair, and administrative assistant positions.  For a list of business, trade and technical schools in Rhode Island, click here.

Community and junior colleges
Community and junior colleges award the associate of arts and associate of science degrees.  These programs usually take the equivalent of two years of full-time study.  Most of the programs are designed to prepare graduates for careers or technical jobs.  However, many of the courses are designed for students who plan to transfer to four-year colleges to complete bachelor's degrees. Two-year colleges have agreements to allow a smooth transfer to other colleges and universities.  Short-term training, certificate programs, and non-credit courses are also frequently offered at these colleges. 

Take a look at some benefits of Community Colleges

An example of a two-year college is the Community College of Rhode Island.

Colleges 
Colleges focus mainly on undergraduate education and award the bachelor's degree in arts and sciences and professional specializations (such as business, education, engineering, or nursing).  Colleges may have some graduate programs and award the master's degree.

Take a look at Rhode Island College.

Universities
Universities are institutions of higher education that award bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and may award professional degrees (such as law and medicine).  Universities are generally divided into schools or colleges based on the subjects studied (the School of Education or the College of Arts and Sciences).

Want to check out a university?  Try the University of Rhode Island.

Distance Learning
Distance learning refers to courses or programs that are delivered, usually through means of technology, to a student in a location which may be other than a college or university building, separated from the instructor or other learners, and at a variable time. Information on distance learning offered through Rhode Island higher education institutions is available through Wave Rider. Information on other distance learning offerings can be found at Peterson's Guide to Distance Education, which has a listing of over 3,500 distance education programs. The site also has articles to help you decide if distance learning meets your needs and to assess the quality of the programs.

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Rhode Island Office of Higher Education
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Web site developed in December 1998 by Phyllis Harnick and Timothy S. Chace
Site last updated September 2003 by Michol Stapel