College 101

There is a lot of information and resources to help you prepare for college. These are just a few of the resources available to give you a head start.

Who and why?

Anyone with a high school diploma can go to college! There are different reasons why people choose to go to college. You will have new experiences and meet new people. You are also able to explore interests and passions. Finally, you are less likely to be unemployed and college graduates with a bachelor’s degree earn about 65% more than high school graduates.

Types of Colleges

There are many different types of colleges; there is one that fits each student’s needs. There are community colleges, public and private universities/college, career/technical colleges, apprenticeships and more. It is important to research which school is the best fit for your educational and personal goals.

Requirements

There are different requirements for each school, so it is important to research the requirements for the school you are interested in attending. In general schools in Oregon will require the following:

Online Resources

Want more information on college? Visit these websites:

Oregon Career Information System & Virtual Job Shadow – These are a great resource for career and school research. Don’t know what career you want to pursue? Take one of their interest assessments. You can also study for the SAT, ACT, Accuplacer and more on CIS.

College Board – Sign up for the SAT, CLEP and more. College Board also has BigFuture, a program to help you create our road map for college. See the SAT registration tutorial here.

ACT – Sign up for the ACT and learn how to prepare for college.

Oregon Goes to College – A great resource for Oregon students; Oregon Goes to College has information on college types, admission requirements, how to pay for college and checklists for each grade level.

Oregon GEAR UP – Great resource for planning for college, exploring careers, choosing a college and funding your education.

ECMC – Resources for students (and educators) on college. The Opportunities booklet helps students choose the right college, understand admission requirements and more.

I’m First! – Information geared specifically for first generation students (don’t buy the guide, there are other FREE resources).

College Navigator – Find colleges by state, programs of study/majors, degrees offered, etc.

KnowHow2GO – Information for middle and high school students. Gives you 4 steps to go to college.

Oregon BOLI – Information for students seeking an apprenticeship opportunity.

HECC – Higher Education Coordinating Commission has information about post-secondary institutions. You can get a list of licensed career schools in Oregon.

See financial aid and scholarship resources here.