Why go to college?

Is college worth it? The answer is YES! If you are worried that college may not be for you as a first generation student, or as otherwise, think again! Well, then who are the people to go to college? The answer is, whoever wants to pursue their dreams and have a better future!

Before you apply to college, think about what motivates you to put all your time and effort, captures your attention for hours straight and keeps you awake at night? College is the best place for students to explore their passions and interests. Once you know what kind of future you want for yourself, you would be able to choose your major and pursue a degree. You can even switch it halfway through and focus on something else if you wish to! Also, you would find many opportunities to connect with people sharing similar interests and broaden up the network of your connections. College will help you to find your passion and get you ready to pursue your dream!

Going to college would also help you get a higher salary! Those with a higher education degree are more likely to transition to a more financially rewarding job. The median yearly income gap between high school and college graduates is around $17,500. The unemployment rate for those with college degrees is significantly less than for those without one. So, if you want to get paid well, college is an excellent place to check out. For more information, please click here!

If you are not sure what college life is like, you should make some times to visit colleges around your area. College tours will help you see and feel what is it like to be a student. You will get to learn more about classrooms, dorms, dining halls, gyms, music rooms, science labs, and the surrounding environment. You can sit in on a lecture, meet with admissions officers, talk to a professor, or even arrange to stay overnight at a dorm. College visits generally enhance your idea of a university life and could empower you to produce a stronger application. If you don't have time or resources to visit a campus, you can always use Instagram, Facebook, or Internet to find information about colleges, student organizations like Black Student Association or Alpha Kappa Alpha and see what student life is like out there! If you want to know more about what college tour can help you, please click here!

Here is a to-do-list we created for you:

FRESHMAN YEAR

1. Get involved in your social connections and extracurricular.

2. Pay attention to your teachers, and know what their expectations to you. Try to get your grade as high as you can.

3. Read books, online article, magazine, and news. Explore subjects that engage you.

4. Find teachers, counselors, coaches, and friends to be your mentor who can offer you helpful advice throughout time.

5. Spend time with yourself and think about what you want to do in the future.

Sophomore year

1. Strive for strong grade and wisely seek for new challenges. Balance is your primary goal this year.

2. Share your thoughts in class. Let people hear from you and challenge your ideas.

3. Make sure you have enough 10 hours of sleep daily.

4. As you get to know what you want to do in the future, find people who work in related areas and learn from them. It could be a conversation which can help you know this career more.

5. Keep track of what you have accomplished for extracurricular. Put together an activities list.

6. Identify the right test for you: SAT vs. ACT

7. Look ahead to 11th- and 12th-grade classes. Try to take AP courses if your school offers.

Junior Year:

1. Take the SAT or ACT in winter or early spring. If you are enrolled in AP courses, plan to take the AP exams.

2. Look for extracurricular that show you are dedicated and can assume leadership roles.

3. Based on your test score, talk to your counselor and build your college list in spring.

4. College tour.

5. Get recommendation letters from teachers.

6. Write your essays.

Senior year:

1. If you think your ACT or SAT score is not ideal, plan to retake the test in early fall.

2. Carefully work on your college application. Know your college application deadline.

3. Send your SAT and ACT score to colleges.

4. Check the financial aid application requirement.

5. Choose your college.

We highly recommend you to take AP courses because students who take AP Mathematics and other AP courses in high school are more likely to succeed at passing the ACT/SAT mathematics section and ACT science section. The critical and logical thinking developed in AP mathematics is the core part of general aptitude which ensures students success in studying all subjects.

If you wonder what is the difference between SAT and ACT, here is the link to clarify your concern.

If you are looking for online SAT or ACT prep classes, tips to success in a test, and practice tests, here are some links which can help you at no cost:

ACT:

Kaplan

Prep Scholar

Princeton Review

SAT:

Khan Academy

Prep Scholar

Princeton Review