College???

I'm a sophmmore in High School and i dont know what i want to do with life. I do know i want to attend college. I get pretty descent grades [85+] but i dont know what college to apply for? help? Suggestions?





By the way i live in New york

College???
I recommend doing general first year courses.





When I started my university degree, I had NO IDEA what I wanted to do so, that first year I ended up taking some anthropology/archeology courses (since I loved reading national geographic), a biology course (because I thought MAYBE science could be interesting), a music course (since I played both flute and piano), a math course (not because I liked math but it gave me more options the following year if I decided to enter a science program), a french language/literature course (since I speak and read french, and I like literature), a religion studies course, a chemistry course, and a physical geography course (that talked about global weather patterns - it was pretty interesting). So as you can see.. I loved all topics. I eventually decided to specialize in zoology but I still obtained an unofficial minor in physical anthropology because I just kept taking those courses too!





I didn't know what I would do with my degree after I was done but because I had a broad range of knowledge, I ended up working for the federal government doing agricultural research on insects - something I knew nothing about but my employer still hired me because he saw that I could learn about a whole bunch of different things. Now I do ecological research for a university!





Moral of my story - keep your options open and go with the flow. Use your first year to find out what you really like and want to learn more about!
Reply:NYU is great but you can get all the needed info and list at the below source
Reply:college isnt for everyone it all depends on what interests you most and making that interest your career.
Reply:You basically have three options





1)Private School


2)Public 4-Year University


3)Community College





Now, your grades don't seem quite fantastic enough to get a full-ride type scholarship to a private school. I had a friend who went away to U of Chicago for only $2000 a year. But, she was in our high school top ten and had a lot of extra curriculars. If money isn't a big deal, you might try for a private school. Plus, you still have time to jack up our GPA. But, really a public 4-year school is just as good quality-wise. And after you've graduated the name of the school you went to won't really matter to you.





I was 8th in my class and ended up going to a public university (UCSB). I wanted to go to a private East Coast school, but I was afraid of the expense. Going away to a public school in my home state was still a big expense. Even with a grant for my fees, it was about $9000 a year in books and rent. That said, I loved my school. I felt that I had excellent professors, and employers still have great respect for the UC system. Many of my professors were experts in their fields...the type who are consulted for PBS specials. In my opinion state schools are great. Most people I've known who have gone to state schools (in CA that is either UCs or CSUs) right out of high school have graduated in 3-4 years.





I don't recommend community college. Everyone I know, who has gone to community college, has taken forever to finally get their BA or BS. They have taken 3-4 years before transfering to a 4-year university to get their degree. Originally they all planned on taking only 2 years before transferring. But, community colleges are really cheap. And, if you don't want to go away to school and really want to save money...they might be for you.





I would urge you to try to find the funding to go away to school. I am so glad I went away for school. My life was truly enriched by the experience. I met people from all over my state and all over the world. I was exposed to things that I might not have been exposed to had I stayed at home. And, I think it helped me become more independent.





Why not try a SUNY (State University of New York)? I had a professor who went to SUNY Buffalo for grad school and taught there for a time. He has fondly mentioned several of his own professors from that school, and had our class read a book by one of them. The SUNY system is well respected as well. You could go away to a more distant SUNY or be a commuter student.





Lastly, 2 pieces of advice. Try to visit the school before enrolling (either before you apply or after you are accepted). Seeing to school first hand, talking to students, and dropping in on lectures helps to decide what's best for you. And, try to find out if the schools you apply to are known for or have strong programs in subjects you are interested in. Both public and private schools have strengths in specific programs. Even if you are not 100% sure what you want to major in, try to find a school with strengths in a couple subjects you like. I hope that helps you. Your school college and career center (if you are lucky enough to have one) or you school counsular ought to be able to help too.





Good luck! Remember having a degree in any subject from any any school is alway desirable in the workplace.
Reply:Sometimes some schools offer special survey programs or computer operated programs and based on your answers it tells you what careers are you likely to fit in. You school counselor should know. If not do Liberal arts and then you will have 2 years to decide what you really want to do.
Reply:If your high school lets you take college credit your junior/senior years do it! I did and had one semester of college completed when I started. Usually there are some english, math, and science classes you can take for college credit in high school. What I liked about having this "jump start" was that I did not have to take as many credits per semester (I took 12 hours versus the 15 or 18 my friends were taking) when I was in college especially my first year when your just getting into this new life experience.





Your school counselor should be able to hook you up with some aptitude tests to find out what kinds of jobs may be interesting to you. If you have an idea of what you want to do by the time you graduate go to a four year school. If you don't yet take some more time to figure it out and go to community college first and save some money. You may want to check out the US News and World reports for great info on good and bad careers.





If you think you might like a career in the health professions there are lots of interesting ones such as Audiologist, Speech Pathologist, Physical Therapist, occupational therapist - these are very rewarding careers.