• Why should I go to a college or trade school?
• What is the first step?
• What if I have no idea what I want to study?
• How do I find out about college fairs, college visits, and scholarship deadlines?
• What are the different ways of applying to schools?
• What about community colleges?

 Courses, grades, and applications

• Is there a minimum GPA that the colleges are looking for?
• What do colleges want to see?
• Do SAT scores matter? How do I raise my score?
• What about this new SAT?
• What if I can't afford the application and testing fees?
• Should I take AP and dual-enrollment classes?
• What about that D I got as a sophomore?
• What does it mean to apply Early Action or Early Decision?

• Are colleges worth their price tag?
• How can anyone afford college?
• Who can help me with this form?
• What else can I do to find money for school?
• What about private schools?
• Do I have to report scholarship money that I receive to the college?
• Is there a lot of money out there for students?
• Do I have to pay the tuition in a lump sum?

• When are Mr. Gochenour and Ms. Hope available?

Why should I go to a college or trade school?

In order to be competitive in the job market, training beyond high school is imperative. It used to be that a high school diploma was enough. Now employers routinely sort through a stack of resumes from job applicants, looking for ways to shorten the stack. The first thing they look for in a potential candidate is some kind of a degree. Also, people with a degree lead generally happy, healthier lives. They have more job options and promotion possibilities available to them and they earn, on average, $1 million more than those with only a high school diploma.

Return to top

What is the first step?

Decide where you might want to go. Don't worry about the money. Yet. Visit schools. Try to visit during the week when school is in session. Look up schools on their websites. Decide if you want a small school (lots of individual attention) or a large school (exposure to a more diverse student body and class offerings); urban or rural; 2-year or 4-year; academic or vocational. Virginia is arguably one of the best states to go to college in. Five of the top fifty "Best Buys" in "U.S. News and World Report" are in Virginia. (UVA, William and Mary, VA Tech, JMU, and Mary Washington.) Look at ExploreVirginiaColleges.com and VirginiaMentor.org. Look at collegeboard.com and collegeanswer.com.

Return to top

What if I have no idea what I want to study?

Most students don't know. Is it essential that they know? No. Is it essential that they are thinking about it? Yes. The web is a great resource for career and personality information. Look at virginiaview.com, petersons.com, collegeboard.com, humanmetrics.com, and princetonreview.com. Talk to people about their school experience and career choices. Again, visit schools. Most schools offer tours and informational meetings at no cost. Many have "open houses." In two hours they'll cover everything from the meal plan to programs of study to athletics. In the fall, look for college fairs and college nights. We are not large enough to house them at the high school, but Fauquier, Culpeper and Winchester will have them. Admissions directors from every college in Virginia and many from the surrounding states will be there.

Return to top

How do I find out about college fairs, college visits, and scholarship deadlines?

A great resource is Mr. Gochenour's monthly newsletter on-line at www.rappahannock.k12.va.us. Click on "High School," and then on "Guidance." He lists scholarship deadline information, college links, testing information and more. Local papers advertise the college fairs. Also, you can contact Lord Fairfax College, as they usually host a fair in the fall. Also, the Next Step Office is starting an email list for parents and students – you send us your email address and we will send you one brief monthly update on deadlines and opportunities.

Return to top

What are the different ways of applying to schools?

"Rolling Admission" happens mostly at private schools. They have a priority date (usually around March 15), but they accept students throughout the year. "Early Admission" can be binding (at William and Mary or UVA, for example, meaning that if you get in, you have to go) or non-binding (at JMU, for example, where you do not have to accept). The deadline for both is usually around November 1. The deadline for "Regular" Admission is usually January 1st or 15th or February 1. The application fee averages between $30 - $40. You can apply on-line or on paper. Some colleges give an incentive for on-line applications.

Return to top

What about community colleges? Should I go to community college first and then transfer to a 4-year school? What is the application process?

Community College is a good option for students that need a transition from high school to college. It is relatively inexpensive and close to home. But, if you are only going because you don’t feel like filling out applications in the fall, that’s not a good enough reason. The retention rates are not as good as at 4-year schools. That said, Community College offers courses not offered at other schools – nursing, welding, horticulture, auto mechanics, police science. It also offers 2-year associates degree programs, some of which are designed to transfer to 4-year schools. The application for Community College does not require an essay and does not have a deadline.

Advice: Get your application in before the end of your senior year to be sure you get the classes that you want. Also: take the SAT. You may be able to use your score to place out of courses in community college.

Return to top