The choice of a college is one of the most important and expensive decisions you will ever make. It deserves a real commitment of your time and energy to research the many options available to you. It requires initiative on your part to take an active role in the decision-making process.

This Post-Secondary Planning Guide has been written to provide you with a comprehensive overview of factors to consider in choosing a college, steps to take in gaining admission, and ways to finance the ever-rising cost of higher education. It is intended to supplement your most important resources: your parents, your school counselors, and the wealth of information available to you in the Career Center.

Also included in this guide are the Junior Planning Calendar and Senior Planning Calendar.

TOPICS

What Are Post-Secondary Options? Information on types of colleges and other post-secondary options.

How Do You Know Where to Begin? Self-knowledge, Myths/Realities about college, What does college do for you?

Assessing Your Credentials.  Information on course load, grades, testing, outside the classroom, family member, and work history.

Investigating Colleges.  Information on majors, location, control, religious affiliation, costs, special programs, admissions, campus life, and athletic programs.

Narrowing Your Choice.  Information on career center, review, read, consult, visit, trust your instincts, hints, questions to consider, college interview questions.

Applying For Admission.  Obtaining applications, completing applications, PHS application procedure, essay writing, sample essay questions, application/essay do's.

Admissions Decisions. Pros/Cons of early decision, criteria for the colleges' selection, your choices.

Paying For College.  Before, during, after, financial aid, importance of filing and FAFSA, athletic scholarships, local scholarships, regional student program. See also: financial aid terminology.

Using the Internet For Information. Click here.

A New Beginning. Click here.

A Final Comment. Click here.