5-B 1

College 101: Are You Ready for the Real World?

5-B 2

The amount of education you complete affects what type of job you can get and how much money you can earn.

Reality Check

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It’s for real.Over a lifetime a college graduate earns over $1 million more than a person with a high school diploma.

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5-B 4

What kind of paycheck would you like to take home?

$6.55 x 40 hrs./wk.

$262.00 x 52 wks./yr.

$13,624.00

High School Dropout

5-B 5Education Pays: 2006 Georgia Average Annual Wages

Source: Georgia Workforce Trends, Georgia Department of Laborhttp://explorer.dol.state.ga.us/mis/Current/gaworkforcecurrent.pdf

Professional degree $126,400

Doctoral degree $65,000

Master’s degree $56,400

Bachelor’s degree or higher (plus work experience)

$89,900

Bachelor’s degree $56,900

Associate’s degree $47,900

Vocational or Technical Training $31,600

5-B 6

Three Reasons That Lifelong Learning Pays Off:

A college degree, diploma, or certificate is required to apply for many high-paying and interesting jobs.

You’ll have the academic foundation to quickly retrain for, or be promoted to, newly created jobs.

A college education gives you flexibility to switch careers over your lifetime.

5-B 7

Going to College?

5-B 8

There’s a place for you! Higher Education Opportunities in Georgia

TypePublic Two-Year Colleges

Public Technical Colleges

Public Universities

Independent (Private) Institutions

Independent and Distance Learning Options

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Pick the best place for you.To select the school that best fits your needs, look at its:

Program/degree offerings Size Location Retention and graduation rates Cost

5-B 10

Be prepared to compete. Grades Courses Test scores Essays Letters of

recommendation Extracurricular

activities and awards

Employment

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5-B 11

Getting into College: Checklist for 12th Grade

1. Resist the urge to slack off.

2. Take advanced, challenging courses.

3. Calculate your GPA.

4. Register for the SAT or ACT, if needed.

5. Apply to at least 2 or 3 schools.

6. Find out options and deadlines.

7. Complete the FAFSA.

5-B 12

Keep things rolling. Complete and mail the FAFSA (Free Application for

Federal Student Aid) soon after January 1 of your senior year (www.GAcollege411.org).

Continue taking, and doing well in, challenging courses.

Get involved in activities. Volunteer. Shadow someone whose job you like.

Talk to your parents/guardians about your plans and how they can help.

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Don’t forget to. . .Create a student resumé that lists

extracurricular activities, honors/awards, and jobs.

Keep on top of all applications (admissions, housing, and financial aid) and their deadlines.

Make copies of all documents and applications that you submit for your records.

5-B 14

Look into your future!You must prepare yourself

NOWby making choices that will give you

Good Optionslater on in your life!Visit www.GAcollege411.org or

call 1-800-505-4732 to get started.

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