Post-High School Planning
Four-Year College or University
These institutions can either be public (state funded) or private (not state funded), offering academic instruction within a typical school setting.
- Universities typically offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees within a variety of program offerings. These are typically sizable campuses with diverse
- Colleges typically feature a smaller student population, more intimate campuses, and fewer program offerings. Colleges typically include private institutions and community, vocational, and technical specializations.
Types of Colleges:
- Types of Colleges: The Basics – Big Future
- Large or Small College? – National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)
- Minority Serving Institutions Program (MSI) – U.S. Department of the Interior
- Includes Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
- Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AAPISIs)
- Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) – U.S. Department of Education
College Tours & High School Visits
- Review “college visits” in Naviance to learn when college representatives are coming to your school.
- Ask about student life, majors, honors programs, and study abroad opportunities.
- Do internships or research opportunities exist for undergraduate students?
- What percentage of students are employed in the field they chose to study?
- How many students graduate with debt?
College Admission Process:
Before you submit:
- Finding the right college for you—Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) PDF Spanish PDF
- Identifying your best fit college criteria and create a list—Finding Your Fit - College UnMazed
- Choosing a major—review advising course listings and program details at each school.
- A Timeline for Applying to College - Educational Endeavors
- College Resource Guides - Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC)
After you submit:
- Financial Aid Award Packages Review
- Continue searching for scholarships
Community College
Community colleges, sometimes referred to as junior colleges, are two-year degree earning institutions that also offer certificates in specialized fields. Community colleges offer the first two years (freshman & sophomore) college years for students to then graduate with their associates degree and/or continue to a four-year college completing the remainder of their degree (junior & senior years). Community college offers an affordable pathway to degree earning opportunities including guaranteed admissions to VA state colleges.
Virginia's Community Colleges
Northern Virginia Community College is a public community college that has six campuses and four centers in Northern Virginia. It is the second largest multi-campus community college in the United States and the largest educational institution in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- Guaranteed Admission Agreement to NOVA
- Programs of Study & Course Descriptions
- NOVA Recruitment & Admissions—Checklist
- Apply to NOVA—Easy Step-by-Step Process - Any person 18 years of age or older who holds a high school diploma or equivalent can enroll at NOVA. Remember to submit your application at least 30 days before the beginning of the upcoming semester.
Richard Bland Community College is a public junior college associated with the College of William and Mary and located in Prince George County, Virginia.
Resources:
College & Career Counselors
College Entrance Testing
College & Scholarship Transcript Requests
Financial Aid
Scholarships
College-Bound Student Athlete
First-Generation College Student
First-Generation College Student
Being a first-generation student means that your parents did not complete a four-year college degree regardless of other family members' level of education. Some colleges use a different definition, so be sure to ask your admission counselor to learn more. If your parents completed a four-year college degree at an international university, contact admissions to inquire what your status may be to learn more.
- Center for First-Generation Student Success — NASPA Foundation
- College Board: First Generation Students
- Early Identification Program: George Mason University Program Guide
- First in the Family—Your High School Years
- Michelle Obama’s Inspiring Message to First-Generation College Students
- Virginia State Financial Aid Programs
College Disability Services
College Disability Services
The transition to college for students with disabilities to postsecondary education steps and resources are critical. The student must initiate the accommodation process at the college level.
- Transition of Students With Disabilities to Postsecondary Education: A Guide for High School Educators (U.S. Department of Education)
- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from discrimination — ADA.gov
Resources:
- Seven things to know about college disability services —Understood
- PWCS Transition Resources
- Transition Support Services & Transition Specialists — Students with IEPs in PWCS are encouraged to contact their school-based “Transition Specialist”
- Transition Guide – Postsecondary Education & Training
Applying to College Abroad
Applying to College Abroad
Attending a college abroad is when a student chooses to live in a country other than their country of origin. The student moves to that country for the purpose of attending college. Deadlines, fees, and restrictions differ among countries along with the application process and application platforms. Abroad countries may have limits to the number of colleges you are allowed to apply. Be sure to review the testing guidelines, application requirements, and choose your major prior to applying. Finally, documentation is needed; this often includes a visa, passport, letter of admission, proof of language proficiency, and proof of financial support for living in the associated country.
Immigrant Student Resources
Immigrant Student Resources
An immigrant student is someone who’s country of origin is not where they currently live.