Universities, Liberal Arts Schools, Colleges, Vocational Schools, Gap Years: What does it all mean?
Even though you might not realize it, you probably have many pre-conceived ideas about your post-secondary education. Indeed, these ideas may have been subconsciously instilled in you throughout your entire life without you being aware of it. The first step of exploration is to realize that the assumptions you're bringing with you aren't necessarily wrong, but they may just not apply to you.
Challenging Your Own Assumptions
"... it’s important to create an approach to the exploration of these possibilities that allows students to engage in what Lee (2002) refers to as “unlearning,” or going beyond what they think they know, in order to have a greater understanding of the myriad options that exist." - Patrick O'Connor
When most people think about university, they think of what we typically refer to as "Four Year Colleges". For many students, these schools will provide the precise experience they're searching for. However, each individual person has his or her own path, and there is an option out there for everybody. In this article we will provide a brief overview of the post-secondary options available.
Four Year Options
The majority of post-secondary institutions in the United States fit into this category. According to Patrick O'Connor, four year colleges account for approximately 2200 of the over 4000 colleges and universities in the United States. If you're looking for the "typical" college experience, this will probably be an option you'd be happy with. These schools tend to offer general education combined with a major-specific requirements to ensure a level of specialization. These institutions will generally offer Bachelor's degrees.
Research Universities
When most students think of research universities, we imagine the priority being, well, research. Usually we assume that these schools place most of their attention on doing research and encouraging promising graduate students to pursue research programs there. However, many research universities are leveraging their reputations for discovery and innovation to extend research opportunities to undergraduates as well. If you're a student who gets excited at the thought of being in a lab or out in the field, one of these schools might be for you.
Liberal Arts Colleges
Where research universities tend towards specialization, liberal arts colleges actually lean in the other direction. These schools focus more on developing a wide base of knowledge, and then learning how various elements of their education can interconnect. Liberal arts colleges also typically require majors and entail a level of specialization in study, but they generally emphasize interconnectedness and more of a focus on teaching than their research university counterparts. If you enjoy discussions and finding cross-curricular connections in your education, liberal arts colleges may be an option to explore.
Summary
Although we discussed the four year options in general terms, it's probably better to think of them as a spectrum. The main takeaway from this section is that even within the category of four year colleges, there are many options available which vary in size, cost, location, and educational philosophy.
Two Year Colleges
In addition to the standard four year college options, there are also over 1,000 two year colleges in the United States. While generally seen as less prestigious than the four year options, we should avoid thinking about colleges in terms of prestige and rankings. Instead, let's aim to look at them in terms of fit. Two year colleges usually serve a slightly different role when compared to their four year counterparts.
Building a Foundation
Many two year colleges aim to help provide a second chance for students who struggled in high school. Perhaps you hadn't realized the scope of college options out there and only decided quite late that you wanted to attend a four year university. Attending a two year college is one way that you could build the academic skills and qualifications necessary for success in a larger, four year university.
Springboard for Four Year Options
Many students also enter two year colleges with the goal of eventually transferring to a four year college. Reasons for this pathway could include wanting to save costs, wanting to build an academic foundation, or not feeling adequately prepared upon finishing high school. Additionally, many two year colleges actually have agreements with four year schools to make transferring an easier and more appealing option.
Setting up for a Job
Perhaps you don't actually want to attend a four year college at all. Many students have career aspirations that don't necessarily require them to receive a four year degree, and they'll just op for a two year degree (also known as an Associate's Degree). Once again, if this is the best fit option for you and your career plans, then be open-minded about this possibility as well.
Other Options
As we've already discussed, there is a massive range of options available for students hoping to continue their education beyond high school. But there are also additional paths open to students who still don't quite have a clear idea of what they hope to do.
Vocational Schools
Vocational schools teach you the technical skills required to succeed in a given trade. Once again, this option isn't always associated with the prestige of attending a four year university, but remember, our primary goal is to find the perfect fit. There are many technical and vocational programs available to help students pursue jobs in fields that may not require a four year degree, such as carpentry or blacksmithing.
Military Options
Some students may also have aspirations of joining the military upon graduating from high school. While there are many perks and benefits to this option, it's important that you've evaluated all of the benefits and risks associated before committing to the path of joining the military. While it may not be the best option for many, there are many students who enlist and go on to have successful and life-changing experiences in the military.
Gap Years
Finally, you might just want to take a year off between high school and university to work and gain experience. This is typically known as a "gap year". While it can sound like an attractive idea at first, a gap year comes with its own unique risks as well. Students who take a gap year and plan to attend a post-secondary institution the next year are encouraged to already have a college acceptance they've deferred already, or clear plans to apply to university for the following year. Additionally, if you're thinking about taking a gap year, you need to seriously plan out what you're doing and be able to explain why it is preferable to enrolling in a post-secondary institution. Gap years are meant to be an enriching experience that you carry forward with you into the future, not an excuse to step away from education entirely with no plans to return. Work experience or volunteering with an NGO are both great reasons to take a gap year.
Further Reading
Much of the information from this article was drawn from Patrick O'Connor, author of the paper "Post-Secondary Options", where he explores these ideas in more depth and also provides an overview of potential considerations when deciding on which option might be best for you. Please refer directly to his paper for a more detailed discussion.
Information below:
National Association for College Admission Counseling. Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling (5th Edition): A textbook for graduate students and practicing counselors . National Association for College Admission Counseling.
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