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Preparing for college is a long process. You get the best results if you start early because you may limit your options if you wait until your senior year. However, if you are currently a high school senior, don’t panic. It's never too late to start preparing to apply to college.

The links at the top of this page can help you start thinking about building an academic record and developing skills that will help you compete with other students who apply to college.

Why College?

There are many reasons why you should seriously consider attending college.

• Some employers may use college degrees as a criterion when looking at potential employees. They recognize that higher levels of education may indicate higher ability. Having a college degree may give you a much-needed edge in the job market.
• College not only gives you the opportunity to learn in the classroom but provides an environment that encourages learning outside of the classroom.
• College also fosters independence. You will have to learn how to manage your time, money, schedule your classes, and even decide where you will live.
• Whether you live on or off the campus, you will meet students and teachers from all over the country and world. Many of these people will expose you to different and interesting cultures that you may find valuable and exciting.

Research indicates that higher education can add significantly to the subsequent earnings of some students, although other factors must be considered, such as natural ability and the program of study pursued. For more information about the job outlook in certain career fields, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. It provides a description of different occupations, their training and educational requirements, report of potential earnings, expected job prospects, descriptions of position expectations, and a summary of working conditions.