What is a...
What is a major?
What are credits?
Your main focus of study at a 2-year or 4-year school. It is a cluster of courses designed to help you specialize in a particular topic.
Each class you take is worth a number of credits (usually 3-4). To graduate, you need to accumulate a certain # of credits. These are a mix of general education requirements and courses in your major.
Name three careers where you definitely need a 4-year degree
AND
Three careers you can enter with either a degree (2 or 4 year) OR a trade certificate
4-year: teacher, marketing executive, social worker
Degree OR certificate: culinary arts (chef); information technology; coding; paramedic, medical assistant
True or false: Typically, you earn more money the more you advance your education.
True!
Median annual salaries in the U.S for people with1:
HOWEVER! Most of these studies don't account for the trades.
"First, while college graduates earn more, on average, there are many occupations where trade workers earn more than degree holders. For example, the average secondary school teacher earns just $59,000. All seven of the highest-paying vocational jobs pay more than $59,000. So, averages do not tell the entire story."2
--
2https://collegefinance.com/plan/trade-school-vs-college-degree-salaries-who-makes-more
1https://bachelors-completion.northeastern.edu/news/average-salary-by-education-level/
When are applications due?
Most of Utah's trade, 2-year and 4-year schools allow you to apply anytime before the 1st day of school.
However, it's REALLY great to apply as early as you can because once you are admitted you can apply to scholarships through your school. The earlier you apply to college, the more scholarship opportunities you will have. (Check out page 26)
The three schools who have admissions deadlines are: BYU, University of Utah & Utah Valley University.
You don't love school but you don't hate it, and the thought of working with your hands is appealing.
Explore the trades!
What is an associate's degree?
A degree that takes 2 years (full-time) to earn, and provides: a) the basics needed to go onto a 4-year school (general education requirements) b) specialized education in your major and/or c) a degree or certificate needed for employment in your career field
Name 4 different categories of trades and one profession from each
Hint: page 29
Classic Trades
Service and Aesthetics
Medical Science
Computer Science
True or false: Careers in trade don't pay that well.
False!
Depending on the trade, you can make great money!
Examples:
Machinists average salary is $24/hour
Radiology technician average salary is $45/hour
Cosmetologist average salary is $28/hour
Web designer average salary is $35/hour
How do you apply to college or trade school and what documents do you need?
The application itself is usually basic information, and maybe some short-answer questions.
You will definitely need (at minimum):
Transcripts from high school
Proof of ward document
FAFSA
If you're applying to a school with a holistic review process, it's a great idea to submit a personal statement.
The idea of going to school feels awful
Don't go! Take 1-3 years to work, heal, connect.
What is a bachelor's degree?
A degree that takes a minimum of 4 years (full-time) to earn, and provides: a) comprehensive general education and b) specialized education in your chosen field of study and c) is needed to go on to higher levels of education like a master's degree or a PhD
Name two pros and two things to consider about trade school
Pros:
Shorter time period to complete--you can get to work sooner!; inexpensive and can often be paid for; sometimes you will be paid to apprentice while you complete the program; some trades are in high demand and you will always have work available; some trades pay great right after graduating and over the long-term.
Cons:
Limits your ability to switch into a different career or try different fields (to do so, likely you would need to return to school); narrow scope of learning instead of strong foundation in writing, math and critical thinking; may have lower earnings potential over the long-term
You need to go to school right away
False!
Healing is important!
It's harder on your mental health and finances to start school and fail classes than it is to take time off to heal before you begin. Check in with yourself: does the idea of school get you excited or fill you with dread?
It is also OK to take time off between semesters. Education journeys can be life-long and not a straight line.
Note: many sources of school funding for foster care alumni don't apply to people older than age 26
What is FAFSA and the Pell Grant?
FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Everyone should fill it out when it opens (usually Oct 1; this year December)
Anyone in foster care after their 13th birthday qualifies to receive the full Pell Grant through FAFSA. The full Pell grant is just over $7,000 per year. This covers the tuition/fees of many (but not all) schools and certificates in Utah.
You will need your Proof of Ward document to ensure you receive the Pell Grant.
You kind of want to go to school but you have no idea what you want to study or do.
Start at a 2-year school (SLCC, Snow, USU Eastern) or inexpensive 4-year school (Utah Tech, SUU, Weber) and take general education requirements that interest you, which are needed to graduate and allow you to explore different fields of study.
What is a trade degree or certificate?
A trade school / technical school is designed to train students for a specific job in a skilled trade career. Most importantly, a trade school offers hands-on training to prepare students for actual work in their chosen field. Trade school programs are concentrated entirely on relevant job training, which is different from 2-year or 4-year colleges that typically require general education courses, such as English or Biology.
Name two pros and two things to consider of 2-year school
Pros:
Much less expensive than a 4-year school: SLCC = $4,257 and the UU = $9,400; tuition and fees can often be paid for through the Pell grant; gives a great foundation in math, English and critical thinking and can also provide an employable skill; credits can be transferred to a 4-year school; many schools provide great supports; can give you time to explore fields of study.
Things to consider:
Requires organization and focus; can be academically challenging; use your funding wisely to avoid debt; may be hard to balance work and school; takes 2 years (full-time); some majors may not be immediately employable; failing classes can harm your ability to get financial aid in the future--make sure you're ready to be there when you go!
True or false: you are guaranteed to get a well-paying job as soon as you graduate with a bachelor's degree.
False!
While a bachelor's degree may mean you are more likely to make more money over the course of your life, you may not start out this way right after graduation:
The median earnings for early career bachelor’s degree recipients ranged from $32,100 a year (early childhood education majors) to $62,000 (computer science majors). By the time graduates have reached mid-career, median earnings ranged from $41,000 to $95,000.
This also depends heavily on your major!
1https://www.cbsnews.com/news/college-major-highest-lowest-incomes/
What is open enrollment and which schools in UT are open enrollment?
When all applicants with a high school diploma or GED are accepted.
Utah Tech
SLCC
Snow College
SUU
USU Eastern
UVU
Weber State
All trade schools (p28)
You want to get as much education as you can, but you feel anxious about money and failing classes
Options:
1. Take a year off to work, save, stabilize mental health and make a plan.
2. Get a quick certification through a trade school (CNA can be as fast as 3 weeks; EMT can be 2 months, medical assistant can be 4 months) that provides you with stable employment while you pursue degrees
3. Ease into school with 1-2 general education classes at a 2-year school until you get used to the pace and expectations of college classes
What is JobCorps?
A tuition-free federal program for low-income youth ages 16-24 that trains you in a skilled trade. You live on-campus (Utah's JobCorps center is in Clearfield) and they pay for your housing, meals, basic health care and a small allowance. They assist you in finding a job and transitioning into your career once you graduate.
Name two pros and two things to consider for a 4- year school
Pros:
Strong support programs at the school; great campus life and ability to meet new people; can explore different fields of study; strong education; with the degree, you can often move between careers after graduation; on-campus housing
Things to consider:
Expensive! The Pell grant only covers part of your tuition and fees. Possible that you will go into debt to get your degree.
Takes a long time to complete (4 years or more full-time)
College life can take a toll on mental health, whether that's from the workload and stress, rapid due dates, or the social life.
Starting the degree and then stopping partway through is really challenging financially! Make sure you're ready to be in school when you go!
Depending on your major, you may not experience the financial benefits of the degree at first
True or False: You can't get a degree at a trade school.
False!
Based on the trade, you might get a degree. Plenty of trade jobs do not require degrees, they require certifications, which trade schools do offer.
Also, many 2-year schools offer degrees in a trade as part of your associate's.
What is a holistic review process, and which schools in UT have one?
When school admissions take into account your unique experiences along with traditional measures of academic achievement, like grades.
This is where your personal statement comes in!
Your personal statement can help explain circumstances that led to a low GPA, for example.
BYU
University of Utah
Westminster College
You don't want to be in Utah anymore.
There are pathways for going out of state! You are not stuck here.
One good pathway: move somewhere that appeals to you (change your residency status to that state) and work for 1 year. After a year, you can usually qualify for in-state tuition (which is much cheaper) at the schools in your state.