Your Counselor Connection
There's plenty to think about when making your college plans:
- What career(s) are you interested in?
- Which school(s) best matches your needs?
- How are you and your family going to pay for your education?
- Where do you go to find out how to get started?
The best place to get the process started is with your school counselor. Your counselor is "college-planning central". Got questions? See your counselor and the sooner the better!
Your counselor should have information to help you decide the best option for you, such as details on different kinds of schools. This includes information on colleges, universities, business and trade schools, nursing programs and community colleges.
A great way to supplement the information you receive from your counselor is to visit our award-winning college planning site, EducationPlanner.org. At EducationPlanner, you can research thousands of careers, search for schools and access online admission and student aid applications. EducationPlanner also has test prep information and practice exams for the PSAT, SAT and ACT, a comprehensive college essay writing course, a student resume builder, interactive financial aid calculators and one of the largest, free scholarship searches available on the Internet.
As you develop your college plans be sure to include your parents, teachers, counselors, and college representatives. They can provide you with direction and support during your decision-making process.
Never Miss a Deadline. . .with collegeCalendarSM
We offer an interactive tool that helps high school seniors plan for college. From choosing a school to applying for financial aid, the collegeCalendarSM lists all college planning events and activities.
You can use the collegeCalendarSM to sort events by priority, add events and deadlines to your personal calendars and opt to receive e-mail and text message reminders, so you never miss a deadline. Check out collegeCalendarSM today!
The Qualities Colleges Look For In Students
Many college-bound students want to know what college admissions counselors are looking for when they evaluate applications. We've compiled a top 10 list of qualities college admissions officers seek in prospective students.
- Challenging high school curriculum.
- Grades that represent strong effort and an upward trend.
- Solid scores on standardized tests (ACT and SAT). Although, some colleges no longer require submission of standardized test scores.
- Passionate involvement in a few activities, demonstrating leadership and initiative.
- Letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors that give evidence of integrity, special skills, positive character traits and an interest in learning.
- Special talents or experiences that will contribute to an interesting and well-rounded student body.
- A well-written essay that provides insight into the student's personality, values and goals.
- Enthusiasm for attending the college.
- Work and community service experiences that show dedication and responsibility.
- Demonstrated intellectual curiosity through reading, school and leisure pursuits.
Career Highlight: Nursing
There is a serious nursing shortage across the nation and graduates from nursing education programs are in high demand.
There are a number of nursing education levels to consider. A Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN certificate, can be earned in about a year. This can put you in the workforce in a relatively short period of time.
Most LPNs provide basic bedside care. They take vital signs, prepare and give injections, apply dressings, give alcohol rubs and massages, apply ice packs and hot water bottles and monitor catheters. LPNs observe patients and report adverse reactions to medications or treatments. They collect samples for testing, perform routine lab tests, feed patients and record food and fluid intake and output. They help patients with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene. They help keep patients comfortable and care for their emotional needs. The average annual salary for LPNs is $33,970.
The next level of nursing education is a Registered Nurse, or RN. There are three different education paths to consider; an Associate Degree in Nursing (2 year program), a Diploma in Nursing (2-3 year program) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (4 year program).
RNs work to promote health, prevent disease and help patients cope with illness. They are advocates and health educators for patients, families and communities. RNs develop and manage nursing care plans and instruct patients and their families in proper care. In addition, they observe, assess and record symptoms, reactions and progress in patients, assist physicians and administer medications. The average annual salary for RNs is $53,330.
You can take your nursing education to the level you choose. . . including a Master's in Nursing, or MSN, to practice specialty nursing or become a nurse educator at a community college or university. There are many kinds of careers in nursing you can specialize in. For every kind of doctor there is an equivalent specialization for nurses.
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