This is the second in a two-part series of preparing to be college and career ready.
It’s October Knowledge Month and there are a lot of advantages to applying to college in October. The largest advantage is the waiving of application fees by many colleges and universities around the state. The second, FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is accepting applications now in October instead of waiting until January. It’s a big advantage for families figuring out financial aid.
This is all wonderful news, but let’s back up a bit in the process. How do you get to the point that you are filling out applications? The planning process actually starts earlier than your junior year in high school- preschool, actually. However, to avoid writing a book on the importance of starting in early childhood, we’re not going back that far.
Counselors from Apollo and Tech high schools are ready with open doors to discuss all of their student’s futures.
Rick Larson, guidance counselor at Apollo High School, explains that there are a lot of options.
“There are Post-Secondary Education Options (PSEO), Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and college and career readiness classes,” says Larson.
There are many programs to start thinking about for the path to a career post high school.
“Advanced Placement starts in ninth grade,” says Larson. “Honors classes [in middle school] are the precursors to advanced placement. You’ve got to be in the top half to third of your class.”
District 742 has 19 advanced placement courses that are designed to use more critical-thinking, problem-solving, project-based and hands-on learning. All the attributes needed to succeed in college courses. Students must pass the AP exam to earn college credit for their AP course.
PSEO is another option starting in grade 10. In essence, post-secondary is attending college classes (on campus) during the school day for both high school and college credit. PSEO can be done either part-time or full-time.
“It really depends on the student,” says Larson. “Are they ready for a college campus? Counselors meet with students and parents to decide if it is a good fit. It is an amazing opportunity to move ahead, save money and time.”
The biggest advantage is the money-saving opportunity of earning college credit during high school. With the right planning, it could shave a year or two off of college tuition expenses. District 742 partners with both St. Cloud Technical Community College and St. Cloud State University for PSEO courses.
Some other programs District 742 offers to be college and career ready are: Articulated College Credit, Discovery Academy, Senior to Sophomore, Access and Opportunity program, SciGals and Upward Bound. Each of these programs provide different paths to college or career readiness. All are tailored to different interests and goals.
Noah Kramer is an Apollo senior who has been taking advanced placement courses and is in the Senior to Sophomore program with his economics classes. He’s been accepted to one university and has applied to two others.
“It hasn’t been too difficult [applying for college],” says Kramer. “All of the online applications are pretty easy and the essays aren’t too bad. You realize the short essays in your language arts classes have been preparing you for your [application] essay.”
Ebado Muhumed, an Apollo senior says, “The counselors are the nicest. You can come and visit them whenever you like.”
Both Muhumed and Kramer agree that visiting with a guidance counselor to set you on the right course is just another opportunity. However, take advantage of the opportunity early. Don’t wait until your junior year. Starting thinking about it and preparing for it earlier.
Here are some helpful sites: