College Application Process — Alternatives to 4-Year Programs

Community Colleges

Community Colleges are two-year post-secondary institutions that have an open door admission policy, and offer a wide variety of courses often leading to certificate programs or an associate’s degree. The Community Colleges recognize that people who enroll can differ greatly in their abilities and objectives. There are usually programs for just about everyone.

Community Colleges offer courses in three categories:

1. College and University Parallel Curricula – These courses are designed to parallel the first two years of courses normally taken in four-year colleges and universities. Find out what courses you should take and what grades you need to get to transfer Community College coursework to a four year school (for example, what courses should you take at DCCC if you want to transfer in your Junior year to West Chester or Temple?).
2. Career Courses – The Community Colleges also offer vocational programs to train you for immediate employment. If you complete one of these programs, which combine occupationally related courses and academic classes, you will be trained to enter careers in fields such as business, engineering, health, one of the skilled trades, or industrial technology. Courses in these programs may also be accepted as the first two years of a baccalaureate degree.
3. Adult and Continuing Education Courses- Students in this program choose courses of study related to self-improvement and self-enrichment. Often these courses do not meet specific degree requirements, so be sure to coordinate which courses you take with your advisor at the community college.

Community Colleges are a way to start college regardless of your GPA or standardized test scores. Prove you can make it in Community College, and you can eventually get your college degree! Also, the cost of Community College classes is generally the lowest of any college. Finally, you can live at home while you study, which you may prefer, or may need to do for financial reasons.

Technical Schools

Another option for students is going to a technical school. Tech schools vary greatly from one another, so it’s a good idea to spend time with your counselor to talk about the advantages of specific institutions. When considering tech schools, explore many different programs to see which ones might match your interests best. We suggest that you visit the schools, and talk with a representative there, to find out exactly what the programs cover and what they require for you to graduate. It’s always a good idea to look at more than one school and then to compare costs and programs. Also, ask where graduates are placed once they finish the program, and how much you can expect to earn during your first year of employment.

Finally, check out the credibility of the school you plan to attend. Contact counselors, employers, other schools, the Better Business Bureau, and recent graduates to see what their experience was at the particular technical school you are considering. The quality of programs offered by an accredited institution is guaranteed, so look for schools that have accreditation. Also, check out the refund policy before you pay any fees. Finally, many schools utilize legal contracts that stipulate charges such as tuition, room and board, materials, etc. These contracts are legal and binding. You and your parents should read them carefully before signing any contract.

Military

You can learn about your chances for success in the military by taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). This test is given at MNHS three times a year and is free of charge. If interested, see your counselor.

Men and women may enlist in all branches of the armed forces. Enlistment procedures are similar, but the services differ in length of enlistment and opportunities for specific training. Active military enlistments are available in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and PA National Guard to name a few.