Students - Retention

For Students

Some of your friends are receiving acceptance letters, winning scholarships, and decided where they want to go. That’s great for them! Celebrate them!

Your journey is your journey. And, it’s not too late for you! Let’s get started:

Don’t be afraid. F.E.A.R. is False Evidence Appearing Real. You CAN and WILL get into college.
Be honest with your parents about your grades. Your grades will determine the college you can get into.
Don’t believe the myths. You are just as smart as the student who attends a private institution – you will most have less debt upon graduation.

Tips for the High School Junior

Start Essay

Start writing your college essay NOW. Write a general essay about yourself. As you read the questions from the individual colleges you apply to, you can add paragraphs to answer those questions.

Schedule Exams

Be sure to schedule your SAT/ACT exams. Your guidance counselor should have vouchers for you to register for the exams for free.

Discover Interests

Determine what you would like to study in college; it helps with determining what colleges you want to attend based on your major. If you don’t know, that’s fine.

Print Transcript

Ask your guidance counselor to print out your transcript for you to see where you are academically. Your GPA will give you an idea of WHAT college you should be able to gain entrance. i.e. – 2.0 is a C; although this is not the best GPA to have, you can still get into college.

Know Deadlines

Get a calendar and write down all deadlines for applications. Keep the calendar somewhere you will see it every day. Use your phone to set alerts with these dates, as well – i.e. scholarships, SAT/ACT exams, college applications.

Consider Choices

Consider junior colleges, or community college for two years if your grades are not too good. A community college education is just as valuable as a private institution.

“We are so grateful for Retention Strategies. This was a new journey for our family and our daughter is now on the right path”

Jane, Mom

“I am so excited about my future. I am going to a college that I love and Retention Strategies guided me through the steps to making my dreams a reality”

Kate, Student

“I thought nothing could have prepared us for our son to graduate and take the next step. Retention Strategies was there every step of the way. We applied for and found a scholarship that helped financially. When it was time for Kevin Jr. to start, we were ready… well, as close as we could be.”

Kevin, Dad

FAQ

I am not a good tester. Do I have to take the SAT and ACT to get into college?

There are many schools that are Test Optional – no test scores required – for admittance. You can research the schools HERE.

My family doesn’t have the money for me to go to college. How will we pay for it?

Your GPA is the key to earning scholarships. If your GPA is 3.0+ you have a great chance of earning FREE scholarship money.

I heard it’s embarrassing to go to a Community College. Is that true?

This is not true. There are several accredited state, city, and community colleges that offer competitive degrees. These institutions are much cheaper and accessible.

Community colleges offer two-year degree programs that enable you to raise your grades, and gives you an opportunity to acclimate to the rigor of college courses. You can also use this time to determine what major you would want to declare. Search for your area community colleges here.

Several community colleges have Honors Programs for students interested in transferring to the four year college/university of your dreams.

I want to be a Plumber. What colleges are available for me to pursue that trade?

Accredited vocational/technical colleges are available throughout the country. Please note: Many vocational/technical colleges do not receive federal funding. Therefore, they have limited funds to offer direct scholarships. Click Here.

Are there scholarships available for vocational/technical career schools?

Yes. There are several vocational/technical career scholarships. Click Here.

My parents can’t afford the college that gave me the best financial package; I really want to go to this school. Do I have to sign the financial aid package the school sends to me?

The FAFSA requires you to report your parents’ income from last year. Families face financial issues within one year. If your financial status has changed due to unemployment, another child, etc., reach out to the school’s Financial Aid Office and inquire about their Financial Package Appeal process. You might have to write a letter explaining your financial issues.