Exploring Post-Secondary Options

Choosing a college is often overwhelming, frequently confusing, almost always anxiety-producing, and hopefully ultimately rewarding. We want to help you in finding the college experience that will be right for you, by providing you with information and resources to assist you in exploring the many options that are available, and then helping you find the financial assistance you may need to afford the college of your choice.

The most important thing to consider in choosing a college–including the type of college to attend–is finding the college(s) that will best fit YOU. You must figure out just what you want from a college experience – things like: size of the college; level of academic rigor of the college; size of the city/town in which the college is located; campus activities, such as major sports events, Greek life, intramurals, etc; programs of study offered; distance from home; level of safety on campus and diversity of the student body. Regardless of your feelings on any of these issues, it is important that you understand that there are several great college options for YOU – if you will take time to research the more than 2600 colleges and universities across the United States.

2 Year Colleges
Did you know that 44% of first-time college freshmen in the United States go to a community college? Many of these will stop with a two year associate’s degree and join the workforce, but a growing number will continue on and graduate from a four year college or university. Community colleges have become an essential ingredient in the national effort to discover an effective recipe for training the work force of the 21st century. In fact, governmental leaders at all levels regularly cite the need to establish college curricula that will provide numerous chances to economically advance the hopes of students of all ages and backgrounds.

Some advantages of attending a two year or community college are:

1. It is easier to get into a community college – most have no formal admission requirements other than high school diploma or GED.
2. Classes are usually smaller at a community college, rather than the large lecture format prevalent in many large state universities, providing a more personal experience, a greater level of student support when needed, and enhanced student self-confidence.
3. A community college usually costs less than a four year college or university.
4. Some selective colleges are now recruiting and providing scholarships for community college honors students.

There is a pretty wide range of quality and mission among two-year colleges, so you will have to choose carefully if this seems like the route for you. Some schools emphasize job training, while others really concentrate on preparing kids to continue a liberal arts education. Choose your courses carefully, and ask about articulation agreements the two-year college have with four year universities in your state to be sure your courses will transfer.

Click here for a link to all public community colleges in Texas: 
http://www.collegefortexans.com/cfbin/inst.cfm?Type=1&Level=2

Private community colleges in Texas click here:
http://www.collegefortexans.com/cfbin/inst.cfm?Type=2&Level=9

Technical colleges
For students who are focused on particular career training pathways, a technical school may be the answer. Students may earn an associate’s degree or earn a job certification by attending a technical college.

Click on this link to get information on public Technical Schools in Texas: 
http://www.collegefortexans.com/cfbin/inst.cfm?Type=1&Level=7

4 Year Colleges
College counselors and admissions officers say one of the most common mistakes high school students make when figuring out where to apply to college is that they worry too much about finding colleges strong in whatever field they think will be their major. This is because most undergraduates change their minds about what they want to study at least once, and a good many switch majors two or three times. This can be a good thing, though, since many of the jobs young people today will do haven’t even been invented yet.

Somebody who thinks of college as a time to burn the midnight oil exploring new lines of inquiry is apt to be happiest with a liberal arts education, which will supply the general knowledge and critical thinking skills needed in any number of jobs. A pre-professional or more practice-oriented education, one with lots of internship opportunities, for example, might suit you better if you already know that you are headed for a career in nursing, nuclear engineering, or graphic design, for example. It is probably not a good idea to choose a specific type of school–such as the Art Institute of Houston–unless there is absolutely no doubt that your life’s work is art. If this is not the case, it may be wiser to select a liberal arts or big university where art is one of the many choices available but where it is also easy to take other classes as well.

Many colleges, large and small, have special programs available to meet student needs. Examples of this are: Honors Programs; Freshman Interest Groups; Living/Learning Communities, where students live in certain dorms and take classes together; Internship and/or Work Study Programs; Study Abroad Programs; Language Houses, where students live exclusively using the particular language and practicing the culture and customs of its people; etc. It is important that YOU figure out what kind of learning experience(s) will result in a positive learning and living environment for you.

Click on this link to get information on all 4 year public universities in Texas: 
http://www.collegefortexans.com/cfbin/inst.cfm?Type=1&Level=1

4 year public colleges in Texas:
http://www.collegefortexans.com/cfbin/inst.cfm?Type=1&Level=11

4 year private colleges and universities in Texas:
http://www.collegefortexans.com/cfbin/inst.cfm?Type=2&Level=1

Public Health-Related Institutions in Texas:
http://www.collegefortexans.com/cfbin/inst.cfm?Type=1&Level=3

Private Health-Related Institutions in Texas:
http://www.collegefortexans.com/cfbin/inst.cfm?Type=2&Level=3
http://www.collegefortexans.com/cfbin/inst.cfm?Type=2&Level=10

Military
Many people start their careers in the U.S. Armed Services or National Guard and pursue a degree, too. This section will provide detailed information on the special benefits and rules that apply to those in the military who are seeking higher education in a Texas college or university.

Click this link for opportunities with the military in Texas:    http://www.collegefortexans.com/military/

Also available are opportunities to attend one of the military service academies:

Association of Military Colleges and Schools in the United States:  http://www.amcsus.org/    
This is the site of the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States, a non-profit service organization for schools with military programs approved by the Department of Defense and which maintain good standing in their regional accrediting organizations. It is designed as a source for information on the 42 outstanding military schools that meet the high scholastic, military and ethical standards required for membership. From this site you have access to detailed information on many of our member schools. Some offer extensive home pages; others list names and addresses for your further inquiries.