Life goes by so quick, I'm not ready for this.

[imabrat]

I'm starting to look at colleges.

I've just started my junior year, I'm getting ready to take my SATs and ACTs for the first time, and I'm now looking at colleges. Here in PA, we have a state mandated careers course, without this we can't graduate. So I'm taking this and looking at colleges, while in my votech classes we're doing the same thing. (Votech is a bit "accelerated", we're graduating with a certification to get a good paying, "non-coffee shop" job) I've also talked with my guidance counselor who is really good with me and my situations. She's recommending me to start going to college fairs (this October) and looking into different schools.

It's kind of alarming. I'm still two years away from graduating but it's sososo important. It's scary. You count down the days until it comes around and then when it finally does you're not ready. BTW, the two colleges I'm looking at now are University of Florida and Penn State. The local schools around here kinda suck. /: But I'm definitely going to be doing a lot more research.

Have you joined on this bandwagon yet?

[::Snow_White::]

Oh my gosh, yes.

I'm a junior too, but I'm so scared. I've been talking about going to college and moving out and stuff for a year or so but now that it's getting closer I'm freaking out! I've got a few colleges on my list and I've already taken a few tests but I have a long way to go. Hopefully it'll all work out!

[crazytp93]

Yup.

I really don't want to start thinking about it until January/Feb, I just need to focus on doing well in school first.

But its making me really nervous.

I can't believe that were already Juniors, its gone by so quick.

Good luck to everyone college-hunting, hopefully we can share our experiences with eachother.

[Kit Kat]

I actually started college this month and I cannot believe it. The years leading up to this seem to have flown by and from what I have heard from others college goes by just as quickly. The only thing I can tell you is live everyday to the max and have as much fun everyday.

[AliceinHalloweentown]

Yep, I feel your pain.

I, too, am just a junior, and I feel like I've missed half my life. Granted, I have other reasons behind that.

I don't get how I've gone so long without making close friends and I feel like high school has been wasted.

[I Am What I Am]

Sophomore girl here,

I already picked my college (and if all goes as planned, I'll go for free.)

Plus my major and minor.

[Sparx]

is your votech college credit? if so, then you DEFINITELY need to take that into consideration and only apply at places that accept that school's credit. kwim? some colleges don't take certain credits from other colleges.

also, out of state tuition is at least doubled in state tuition.

and penn state is the number one party school in the us.

[imabrat]

It's just scary. I have 1 1/2 years to make the decision, but it's one that will impact the rest of my life.

The more I research, the more I find that it's almost cheaper for me to attend University of Florida as an out-of-stater than it is for me to attend PSU as an in-stater. What kind of logic is that?

Not to mention financial aid is a biggie. We have nothing saved, I'm starting to save now on my own. I'm going to need to take up a few jobs next summer.

[AliceinHalloweentown]

All I know is you couldn't pay me to stay in Michigan longer than the 7 years I'm stuck here.

California, here I come! Right back where I started from! (Literally, I'm a California girl through and through)

[imabrat]

Originally Posted by Sparx

is your votech college credit? if so, then you DEFINITELY need to take that into consideration and only apply at places that accept that school's credit. kwim? some colleges don't take certain credits from other colleges.

also, out of state tuition is at least doubled in state tuition.

and penn state is the number one party school in the us.

No, I wish it was. But it guarantees certification which will at least help me work through college. It may not be the best thing around, but it makes anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000 a year in my area.Better than a coffee shop job.

Oh, and precisely why I don't like that school. I'm NOT a party person at all!

[Sparx]

Originally Posted by imabrat

No, I wish it was. But it guarantees certification which will at least help me work through college. It may not be the best thing around, but it makes anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000 a year in my area.Better than a coffee shop job.

Oh, and precisely why I don't like that school. I'm NOT a party person at all!

i definitely wouldn't go out of state if you have nothing saved. i'm sure someone is going to come say the exact opposite of what i'm saying now, but trust me, i'm living on my own with ONLY my financial aid to support two people. its harder than hell. if i had went out of state, not only would i have to support myself somehow, but i wouldn't have gotten enough aid to pay for my schooling.

do your fafsa in the january of your senior year. i don't care if i'm the only person who's ever said those words to you (and i know i have been to at least two or three disers, so i know its not widely pushed in some areas) but your fafsa is your ticket to all the "free" money out there. you might not get much, but you should at least get something. and even if you don't, it was worth trying.

look for all the scholarships you can, outside scholarships, local scholarships and school scholarships (the fafsa is the way you get a pell grant and things like that, its not academic at all, strictly need based.)

honestly, i would check into some "cancer survivor scholarships". i'm sure they're out there.

and the thing about colleges is, while you may think they're "crappy" over all, sometimes they happen to be good in one certain area. like my college has the best aerospace program in the world (thats why our mascot is a pegasus.) so i would look for state colleges that have newer (usually means better) nursing programs. i know my school just built a new building a few years ago, and that usually means they revamped the program.

i didn't have a junior year, so i went straight from being a clueless sophomore to having to do college applications pretty much over night. so i completely know how you feel. try not to let it overwhelm you though, look at one or two colleges at a time, and look for things that you absolutely have to have in a college, like the degree you want. and narrow it down from there.

[WDWtraveler27]

Originally Posted by AliceinHalloweentown

All I know is you couldn't pay me to stay in Michigan longer than the 7 years I'm stuck here.

California, here I come! Right back where I started from! (Literally, I'm a California girl through and through)

I choose to go to california too! and then I'll move to orlando and work as a CM or something else while my application gets accepted at WDI.

[pigletgirl]

Oh man! I can't believe after this fall I only have 3 semesters left as an undergrad! When did that happen????
I have been starting to look at medical schools, and whatnot. Its really getting surreal now. Its also almost time to prepare for the MCATs.

Yeah, time really does fly. Hang on tight because it only gets faster from here on out!

[imabrat]

Originally Posted by Sparx

i definitely wouldn't go out of state if you have nothing saved. i'm sure someone is going to come say the exact opposite of what i'm saying now, but trust me, i'm living on my own with ONLY my financial aid to support two people. its harder than hell. if i had went out of state, not only would i have to support myself somehow, but i wouldn't have gotten enough aid to pay for my schooling.

do your fafsa in the january of your senior year. i don't care if i'm the only person who's ever said those words to you (and i know i have been to at least two or three disers, so i know its not widely pushed in some areas) but your fafsa is your ticket to all the "free" money out there. you might not get much, but you should at least get something. and even if you don't, it was worth trying.

look for all the scholarships you can, outside scholarships, local scholarships and school scholarships (the fafsa is the way you get a pell grant and things like that, its not academic at all, strictly need based.)

honestly, i would check into some "cancer survivor scholarships". i'm sure they're out there.

and the thing about colleges is, while you may think they're "crappy" over all, sometimes they happen to be good in one certain area. like my college has the best aerospace program in the world (thats why our mascot is a pegasus.) so i would look for state colleges that have newer (usually means better) nursing programs. i know my school just built a new building a few years ago, and that usually means they revamped the program.

i didn't have a junior year, so i went straight from being a clueless sophomore to having to do college applications pretty much over night. so i completely know how you feel. try not to let it overwhelm you though, look at one or two colleges at a time, and look for things that you absolutely have to have in a college, like the degree you want. and narrow it down from there.

Yeah the out of state thing is just an idea for now. The FAFSA is actually recognized in my school, there are lots of signs in the guidance office reminding students about them. I am looking into different scholarships for CC survivors, but the day is young.

[pigletgirl]

Do you think you'll be eligible for the presidential (which I have) or the flynn scholarship?