The College Search — “The Good Fit!”
It is important to understand that all colleges are different and policies and procedures will be a little different from one college to the next. Ask about admissions requirements including SAT or ACT exam scores. Ask how important the student’s class average is; ask if the college has an appeals process because the student wants to have a fair chance to be admitted. Students do not have to tell the Admissions office about their disability, either on the application or during any interview — but may want to tell them so that they will give the student information about services for students with disabilities. Also, some colleges allow students with disabilities to ask for special consideration during the admissions process, if it is needed. If the student needs to provide documentation of disability, she should not send the documentation to the admissions office. Send it to the Office of Disability Services. Once the student graduates from high school or turns18, she is regarded as an adult. She doesn’t need to have everyone know about her disability — and SHE has control over who knows; she should use that control wisely.
Once the student begins to narrow his choices of possible career goals he can begin to think about how to reach that goal. Which colleges offer the academic program(s) that will lead to his goal? Can his family afford that college? Can he start at a college close to home and transfer later? These are questions that all potential college students need to address. The following chart explains different types of postsecondary institutions and their academic options:
| College | An institution that offers educational instruction beyond the high school level in a 2-year or 4-year program. |
|---|---|
| University | An academic organization which grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of fields. It is composed of a number of ’schools’ or ‘colleges’ each of which encompasses a general field of study. |
| Liberal Arts College | Four-year institution which emphasizes program of broad undergraduate education. Pre-professional or professional training may be available but is not stressed. |
| Junior College | Two-year institution of higher learning which provides vocational training and academic curricula (terminal and transfer). Terminal Course: Academic program is complete in itself. A student who completes it may not apply to a 4-year college for further study without completing additional course requirements. Transfer Course: Academic program is designed to lead into a 4-year course at another college or university. |
| Community College | Two-year public institution offering similar programs as junior colleges |
| Engineering or Technological College | Independent professional schools which provide 4-year training programs in the fields of engineering and physical sciences. They are often known as Institutes of Technology or Polytechnic Institutes. |
| Technical School | A 2-year institution that offers terminal occupational programs intended to prepare students for immediate employment in fields related to engineering and physical sciences. These schools may also offer 1-year certificates in certain crafts and clerical skills. |
| Nursing School | There are two kinds of nursing schools in WNY. At schools affiliated with 4-year colleges, students receive both a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree and an R.N. and have the possibility of entering the field of nursing administration. At a community college, students receive an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) Degree and an R.N. |
| Military Schools | Federal military academies prepare officers for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. These institutions (West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force Academy) require recommendation and appointment by members of Congress. Private and state supported military institutes, however, operate on a college application basis. They all offer degree programs in engineering and technology with concentrations in various aspects of military science. |
| Business School | Business schools fall into two categories. At some colleges it is possible to specialize in business administration or in a 2-year secretarial course in conjunction with liberal arts courses and earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.). Other institutions offer predominantly business or secretarial courses and may or may not be regionally accredited. |