College Planning for Adults

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In the Career Center, you were given the opportunity to figure out your career goals. If you did not work out your career goals we highly recommend that you do this before you continue. It is always a good idea of what you want to do before you start school.

Step 1: Finding a School in Your Area

American Association of Community Colleges
Community College Finder
 The following AACC website links you to all of the community colleges in the United States. Click your state and it will give you a list of colleges.

Use the school’s website or Course Catalog to answer the following questions:

1) Location
 How far is the school from your home? How far is it from where you work?

If you don’t have a car:
 Is there public transportation to the school?

Does the school offer shuttle service?

2) Academic Programs
 Look at your education and career goals again.
 Does the school offer what you need?
Can you transfer credits from your school to another school if you need to?

3) Delivery Method
 What types of classes does the school offer?

  • Live classes – Classes you must attend in person.
  • Online classes (Distance Education) – Classes you can take using the Internet from home or anywhere that’s convenient. This method is not recommended for first time college students.
  • Televised classes – Classes that are televised live at satellite campuses so that more students can participate. Students who are not in the actual class can phone in their questions. Students can also borrow a copy of the videotape if they miss the class. This option is not available at every school.

4) Cost
 How expensive is the school?
If you receive no financial aid or very little financial aid, could you afford to pay for the tuition, fees, and textbooks?

Are you going to a public college or university? You can save a lot of money if you qualify for in-state tuition. Check with the college for the most current information. Here is some general information:

  • You have to prove that you have lived in the state, usually for one year.
  • You have to show that you plan to keep living in the state.
  • If you are changing the state you are living in, you may have to show you have enough money to be able to live independently.

Some schools that are near each other form an association and offer reduced tuition to students living anywhere in that area. Here are some associations that include many states:

Academic Common Market (ACM) Regional Contract Program (RCP) Southern Regional Education Board 592 10th St. N.W. Atlanta, GA 30318 Tel: (404) 875-9211

[email protected]

www.sreb.org/programs/acm/acmindex.asp

New England Board of Higher Education New England Regional Student Program (RSP) 45 Temple Place Boston, MA 02111 Tel.: (617) 357-9620 Fax: (617) 338-1577

[email protected]

www.nebhe.org/tuition_assistance.html

Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Student Exchange Programs (WUE, WRGP, PSEP) P.O. Box 9752 Boulder, CO 80301-9752 Tel: (303) 541-0210 Fax: (303) 541-0291

[email protected]

www.wiche.edu

Step 2: Campus Tour

Most schools offer regular campus tours. You should call the Admissions Office or check the school’s website for the schedule.

Why?

  1. You will become familiar with the size of the campus. Maybe it is smaller than you thought it was.
  2. You will become familiar with various buildings on campus: the library, the Admissions Office, the Financial Aid office, the cafeteria, and the academic buildings.
  3. You will become familiar with some important faces on campus. For example, it’s always good to know the people in the Financial Aid office.
  4. Often, there are many people taking the tour with you. This is a good opportunity to meet future classmates.
  5. On the first day of classes, you won’t have to worry about finding your way around.

Things to do on a campus tour:

  • Bring paper and a pen to write down what you think is important to know.
  • Introduce yourself to the tour guide and at least one or two people on the tour.
  • Ask for a campus map if they don’t provide one for you. Use your map to track your steps. Take along the Campus Map Activity [Word Document] to help you remember your way around.
  • Ask a lot of questions. For example:
    1. What is the average age of the student population?
    2. Are more students part time or full time?
    3. What are the hours of the library, cafeteria, etc?
    4. Does the school provide bus service for the students?
    5. How much does parking cost?

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