Post-Secondary Pathways
Two-Year Colleges
A two-year college offers certificates, diplomas, and Associate Degrees. Most credit will transfer to a four-year university, within the same state, especially when getting an Associate's degree. Some Two-Year colleges offer Trade School Programs and Four-Year Degree Programs.
Here is an map of all Two-Year and Technical Colleges in Washington State!
http://sbctc.edu/our-colleges/explore-colleges/
Applying to a Two-Year College
So you want to go to a Two-Year College, have you…
- Chosen the community college you would like to attend?
- Applied for admission?
- Have you registered for the Asset/Compass/placement test?
- Considered how to finance your college?
- Completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Started working on your Financial Aid Worksheet
- Looked at Community College Steps for Financial Aid
- Filled out scholarships
- Requested official transcripts from your school?
- Taken a virtual tour of your college or visited campus?
- Followed up with your college to make sure everything has been received?
After you received an acceptance letter, have you…
- Reviewed your financial aid offer?
- Notified college of your acceptance?
- Applied/paid for room and board, if available?
- Registered for orientation?
- Registered for your courses?
- Followed scholarship procedures on how to get your money?
Four-Year College
A Four-Year College (often referred to as a university) is a private or government-funded college that offers four-year Bachelor's degrees in Liberal Arts and Sciences. Some offer graduate programs, such as Master and Doctoral degrees. These universities often provide on-campus housing, which may be required for freshman year and beyond. Some private universities are affiliated with a religion.
Applying to a Four-Year College
So, you want to go to a four-year college/university, have you…
- Registered for and taken the SAT or ACT?
- Filled out your college application or the Common Application?
- Worked on your college essays?
- Requested letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, and community members?
- Written thank-you notes to people who wrote letters for you?
- Considered how to finance your college?
- Completed your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
- Started working on your financial aid practice form?
- Filled out scholarships?
- Requested official transcripts from the student office?
- Taken a virtual tour of your college or visited campus?
- Followed up with your college to make sure everything has been received?
After you received a letter of college offer, have you…
- Reviewed your financial aid offer?
- Notified college of your acceptance?
- Taken any necessary college placement tests?
- Applied/paid for room and board if needed?
- Registered for orientation?
- Registered for your courses?
- Followed scholarship procedures on how to get your money?
Trade/Vocational School
Identify the kind of job you want to have. Determine what type of education you need to succeed in that career path. Try taking the interest survey on MaiaLearning
- Research the various schools that offer training in the field in which you’re interested. Spend some time comparing your options at the schools you’re considering. If you’re looking for a specialized type of training, give strong consideration to the school that offers the best opportunities to get it.
- Compare the costs and benefits of each school and make a list of schools to which you want to apply. Prepare your application.
- Look on the school’s website for the course calendar from the department in which you are interested. See what prerequisites you need to be considered.
- Fill out a basic application online (name, address, high school graduation date, etc.).
- Inquire about financial aid opportunities at the vocational school, if you think you will need help meeting your tuition and living expenses.
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is an on-the-job training program in skilled trades that is supplemented by formal classes each year. Some of the training is done through 2-Year colleges. The Training Period can be anywhere from 1 to 6 years and prepares the apprentice to pass all qualifying exams and become fully qualified in a specific occupational field.
Where to Find Apprenticeships
This links the the apprenticeships portion of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.
Employment
Washington State is ranked #2 in the nation for having the most jobs requiring higher education degrees. This competitive job market requires you to have a persuasive resume to prove you are the best candidate to hire. The state of Washington's minimum wage is $15.74/hour.
Employment Resources
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Indeed - A job search engine used nationwide.
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Worksource - WorkSource is a statewide partnership of state, local and nonprofit agencies that provides an array of employment and training services to job seekers and employers in Washington.