Making the decision to go to college or what college is the right fit, is a major choice for high school students, especially juniors and seniors. Many of them visited colleges at the college fair on Oct 19, to help consider their options.
Marlee Street is a senior who has wanted to go to college, since she was a little girl. She wants to go to college to do robotics, at Missouri University of Science and Technology. Getting a degree in robotics would take around four years according to catalog.columbusstate.edu. After college, Marlee would like to get a job, but she hasn’t decided exactly what job.
“College only depends on what you are wanting to learn about. There are two-year, four-year, private schools, trade schools, etc.” counselor Tyler Richardson said. “Community colleges are good, cheap places to pick up your gen. eds. (general education courses) or pick up certifications or apprenticeships.”
Richardson advises students to focus on maintaining a good GPA if college is in their future. For freshmen that is one of the most important things they can do to prepare for college, he said.
“Juniors should have 5-10 colleges they are thinking about and seniors should apply to 3 to 5 colleges.” Richardson said.
“There is no point in going to college, taking courses, and then figuring out what you like. Students should be thinking about what they like and enjoy long before college. That does not mean that will not change, but it helps narrow down the classes, and the cost of college,” Richardson said.
RoodEd advisor Bobbi Swisher helps students make college decisions based on interests and their finances.
“Different post secondary schools offer different things, and some schools are better than others with specific majors. It also depends on the finances that they have available, and being the most cost conscious as possible,” Bobbi Swisher said.
Anthony Rogers is currently registered in the Delayed Entry Program as a US Marine. He enrolled about four months ago “to pay for college, and to become a better person,” Rogers said. Afterward, he wants to go to college and help his brother, Jaydon Rogers, with his college.
“I plan to operate heavy machinery and welding. I also plan on opening a bar on the side,” Rogers said. He also plans on going to the Infantry Division and going to sniper school.
